Wevie

I can take my batteries (rx, EZ start, etc.) to the LHS to have them cycled (free). Or I could buy an expensive charger ($$$).

I currently only have a Vision Peak 2 charger. I don't think you can cycle with these.

But, I was thinking.... why not just build a battery discharge box. Some sort of load - say an 1156 automotive lamp - plug the battery in and let it drain. slowly.

Would this be healthy or unhealthy for NiCd's?

laserman2

yes that would work but use x bulbs to x voltage ie 7.2 volts then use 7 bulbs in parallel i use that to dischage my packs for indoor electric offroad and parallel means on the side of the male socket you solder wire from each socket side to the next then solder the tip of each to the next so it looks like this

----P---P---P---P--- pos
----|---|----|---|---- neg

beelzebubishere

My Feedback: (1)

Just be sure you don't ull your NiMH's below .9vdc per cel, or permanet damage can occur. I also use .9vdc/cell a a low on m NiCds.....I guess maybe you could go to radio shack, and maybe find the right votage sensing diode to put in the circuit for an auto sht off, or you could sit and watch them, with a volt meter attached......

I'd rather spend the money and KNOW it's gonna be right every time. The old 1157 bulb technology was new tech.....25 years ago.......New battereis...NiMH's, LiPO's, etc., have new requirements...but that's just me, aways looking for quick, easy, and repeatable dependabilty.

Wevie

Thanks,

At work tonight I'll solder together 7 lamp sockets in parallel and then I can just insert the proper number of lamps for the proper voltage. Yeah, I'll have to watch the voltage, but I think that'll work fine until I can stick a diode in there to shut it off.

DaveG55

The bulb dischargers may be old tech but they are still pretty prevelent. Look at this page on tower.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...93p?&C=PAC&P=7
There must be over a dozen of them though it looks like they all have some protection built in.
I use this.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXUF44&P=7
I had to have a charger anyway. Why not get one that will discharge and cycle them too?

beelzebubishere

My Feedback: (1)

Concerning your charger/discharger choice Dave, did you read he specs in the tech nots before you bought? That charger, http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXUF44&P=7 specificaly states NOT for use on batteries SMALLER than Sub-C. The 2/3A in your receiver pack, and AA in your Transmitter are smaller than Sub-C. Should be an excellent choice for starter wand batteries tho. My choice of the Triton, wll safely, without damaging, charge all these batteries. I checked the specs on ALL of the DuraTRax IntellPeak "PULSE" charger/dischager units. NONE of them are rated for usage on batteries smaller than Sub-C
I've got a list of charger/dicharger units on http://nitroobsession.proboards79.com/index.cgi but would still advise someone to research, before purchasing, this stuff is TOO expensive to make a mistake with.