Charger hot as hell!

[RCDad]

I'm using a Intellipeak Pulse Charger and man it gets hot! Is that normal?

 

[Candyman]

I don't think so. I don't use that model, but a charger shouldn't get hot. What batteries are you using? And at what rate are you charging them? Do the batteries get hot when you charge them?

 

[joey]

rcdad i had that same problem with my charger when that happened i just sent it in to duratrax and they sent me a refurbished(can't spell) one and in about 2 weeks i got it back if yours is under warrentie you should get it a refurbished one or they might just fix it..

 

[RCDad]

I'm charging nicd packs of 6 at 6.5 amps on peak charge.

I'll check out the recall info, thanks!!

 

[Rolex]

Does it have a built in cooling fan, and if so, is it running?

 

[Candyman]

What is the mAh capacity of your batteries? If they're NiCd, they should be charged at 1.5 times their capacity. So if they're 2000 mAh, you should be charging them at 3A. 3000 mAh should be charged at 4.5A etc. etc. etc. If you charge them at too high of a current you'll seriously fry your batteries and can cook the charger...

 

[Rolex]

I'm charging nicd packs of 6 at 6.5 amps on peak charge.

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. The 6.5 didn't register in my brain the first time around. Candyman is right.
6 amps sounds like a cooker.

 

[RCDad]

Oh, damn, should have asked you guys first.

 

[jon2]

HOLY CRAP 6 to 6.5 Amps!!! We are talking cooked!

 

[Candyman]

I wouldn't totally give up hope. If you didn't blow out the charger, you may be ok for a little while. If you only charged the batteries once or twice at that rate they may not have sustained enough damage to limit your play time. They wouldn't be race worthy, but may be bashable. I would just make sure the packs are run down and then get them back on the charger at the proper rate. It may take a cycle or two to recondition them, but you should still be able to have some fun with them.

 

[RCDad]

I wondered why they charged so fast

 

[Candyman]

Now that I think about it, I remeber you saying that. I also remember you saying they didn't run too long. In hindsight they go together. Charging at such a high rate will charge them fast but they probably false peaked which means they weren't fully charged. Thus the low runtimes. I would try it again when you get home and see if things improve.

 

[Rolex]

I'd also suggest the cycling. Discharge at one amp, and recharge at their value. Do that 3 times for each batt. You might get them back.

 

[Wardo]

What is the mAh capacity of your batteries? If they're NiCd, they should be charged at 1.5 times their capacity. So if they're 2000 mAh, you should be charging them at 3A. 3000 mAh should be charged at 4.5A etc. etc. etc. If you charge them at too high of a current you'll seriously fry your batteries and can cook the charger...

Not sure where you picked up that info but it's garbage.

All chargers get hot, 6.5 amps might be a bit much, try back in the 5.0 range.

Use a fan.

 

[Rolex]

I agree with Candyman 100%. NiCads can be charged at 1 1/2 times their capacity, NiMh can only be charged at their value.
I'm not sure where you got YOUR info from, but the thought of charging at 5 amps is totally out of the question.

 

[RCDad]

Even my Dynamite charger gets hot. I don't have to worry about setting the amps because.....well.. there is no setting. I have a guide that tells me how many minutes per mph. Other than that I monitor the temperature of the battery, if it feels like its starting to get above room temperature I take it off.

 

[Wardo]

I agree with Candyman 100%. NiCads can be charged at 1 1/2 times their capacity, NiMh can only be charged at their value.
I'm not sure where you got YOUR info from, but the thought of charging at 5 amps is totally out of the question.

:spit:


So when I raced with 1200 and 1400 NiCads they should have been charged at 1.8 and 2.1 amps???????????????????????????????????? Not the 5-6 amps and even 8 people charged at?

When I ran 2000's, i should have charged at 3 amps??? Not the industry standard 5 amps?

Should my 3300's be charged at 3.3 amps? Why are they graded with a 6 amp charge and why would Trinity recommend this????

"1) What amp rate should I charge my NimH batteries at?
We recommend to charge at 5 amps for race conditions. If you charge higher, you'll get more acceleration early, but in some cases they flatten out toward the end of the race. This is also harder on the cell and will decrease the overall life of the cell. We do not recommend charging at 7 amps or higher."

Oh, I get it, you're one of the guy high on water break in also. :spit:

 

[Candyman]

Well, rather than indulge in a pissing match, I'll simply digress. By saying that there are scads of conflicting info on the web about this. I just pulled up a few threads at RCU which have supported what I said. But going to the Team Trinity and Peak Racing sites support what Wardo has said. I am not an electric guy. Never was and don't plan on being one. So I will leave it at that.

 

[Rolex]

Then I'll leave it too. I guess there's the possibility that for racing that 5 amp theory will work, but I'm sure you end up with a much shorter battery life, and shorter running time.
For racing, I guess it's worth it. For general use, it's probably not a good idea

 

[Wardo]

Then I'll leave it too. I guess there's the possibility that for racing that 5 amp theory will work, but I'm sure you end up with a much shorter battery life, and shorter running time.
For racing, I guess it's worth it. For general use, it's probably not a good idea

It's just wasting time to charge NIMH packs at under 4.5 amps.

Maybe you'll only get 500 charges out of them instead of 510, but the extra charge time adds up.