Charger question

[kx250ryder]

I was going to buy a MRC Super Brain 969 Pro, but then I saw that this model (977) is only a little more. I heard that they fixed the issues with Li-Po too (although this doesn't matter much to me because I don't have any of those cells). My question though, is about the discharge feature.

I run 1/8th scale Nitro, so I have four different types of batteries:

2400 mah nimh AAs in my radio
1500 mah nimh receiver pack
7ah starter box battery
1200 mah Nicd sub C glow charger battery

If I am right, the NICD glow charger is the only one that should be discharged, correct? If so, is the 4 amp discharge cycle on this charger acceptable for this use? I know that these types of batteries are expected to get drained at about 20-30 amps in r/c electric car applications, and that you are supposed to discharge at rates similar to the rates seen in the application. So I figured this battery sees slower drain rates since it is used as a glow starter battery, and that this charger's lower discharge rate would be ok. Anyone know if this logic is correct?

If not, can anyone steer me to another charger that can PEAK AND DISCHARGE MULTIPLE BATTERIES of DIFFERENT TYPES at the SAME TIME with an EQUAL OR HIGHER DISCHARGE RATE THAN THIS CHARGER? (caplital letters represent required features).

 

[RatzoRC]

I feel that the Discharge feature is only needed when racing electrics.
Hump packs, glow plug, and TX batteries will discharge when in use, and that should be good enough, as long as you don't store it with a full charge.
As for the starter box battery, DO NOT charge it with a peak charger.
It can catch fire or split (pop) causing an acid leak.

 

[FastEddy]

A nicd needs to be fully discharged before re-charging to get the maximum life and charge from it. 4amps for a discharge on the battery will be fine or you can use a bulb to discharge it if you want to save some money. Either charger will do you proud.

 

[kx250ryder]

The 969 Pro (cheaper version that my buddy already has) came with instructions for charging a 7ah starter box battery. I have used it several times for that with success. Peaking it seems to work much beter than using a car battery charger as I have in the past. But you don't suggest discharging any of these types of cells then?

**Edit** D'oh, Eddy posted while I was proof reading my response to Ratzo.

 

[RatzoRC]

I was assuming NI-MH.
Sorry

 

[FastEddy]

You can but its not a factor in getting a full charge or battery life.
Mah batts don't have a memory like the Ncds do.

If you were using Battery Packs in an electric motor powered RC it would be a different story.

 

[kx250ryder]

Power (watts) = Current (amps) * Potential (volts), so if I am discharging a battery at 20-30 amps (like a car would) I would need a light bulb with:

p = 25 * 1.2
p = 30 watts

My next question would be, if I buy a 30 watt light bulb, that is for a 120V AC outlet. Will this still draw at 30 amps, if I am only using a 1.2 volt DC battery? I hate electric circuit math problems. Thats why I gave up on engineering.

 

[RatzoRC]

Go to the auto parts store.
I think the bulb is 1157.
They are 12v of course, and draw about 1.2 amps each.

 

[FastEddy]

Dude your only discharging 1 sub C cell. 1.2v you don't need to go overboard.
Just use 2 paper clips. One mounted on each nipple and touch them to the battery till you can taste it in your mouth anymore :

 

[Monkey Wrench]

I don't claim to be a charger guru, but I have a Hobbico Pro Series Elite. It has 10 battery memory slots, can charge, discharge and cycle two different batteries at the same time at different amperages. The nice thing about this is it does the math for you. All you have to do is tell it the battery type and capacity, it figures the rest out for you. Hope this helps!

 

[kx250ryder]

I don't claim to be a charger guru, but I have a Hobbico Pro Series Elite. It has 10 battery memory slots, can charge, discharge and cycle two different batteries at the same time at different amperages. The nice thing about this is it does the math for you. All you have to do is tell it the battery type and capacity, it figures the rest out for you. Hope this helps!

I like the looks of that charger too. But it doesn't allow for anything more than 5000mah. My starter box battery is 7ah (or 7000 mah). I already have a Duratrax Prihana which will charge all of my batteries except my starter box. That was the goal of getting a new charger. That and discharging any batteries necessary. Although eddy pointed out that a paper clip and my nipples would solve that :gulp: . But the key was finding a charger that can PEAK my starter box battery.

Currently I use a car battery charger when I can't borrow my buddies SB 969, and I hate that because I never know when the car charger is going to blow it up (like Ratzo mentioned earlier). I guess (unless someone else knows of another brand) I will go with the SB 977. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Plaidfish]

if you need one w/ a 110 VAC power supply then go that route...if you want the ultimate charger get a triton.......I have the Ice charger and it will do everything you need for electrics but It won't do the 20 cell E-maxx/crawler setups or the starter box.....I use a 20Amp power supply on my box now anyway......

 

[kx250ryder]

.....I use a 20Amp power supply on my box now anyway......

So you always keep your starter box near a wall socket? What happens if you want to go somewhere remote? Also, will the Ice or the Triton do two packs at once?

 

[Plaidfish]

I pretty much only run at tracks nowjust for the terrain...I have a T-maxx w/ sleazy start if I really want to play at a construction site......Neither of those chargers will do 2 packs but they will do every type and give you feedback on battery conditions and what not...the triton is the most versatile from what I've seen....the Ice has a motor break in feature for electric cars...I don't use it but if I ever race seriously it's nice to have.....in retrospect I realize the triton would have been a better choice for me.....

 

[kx250ryder]

In that case, have you checked out the Super Brain 969 Pro or 977? It does everything you said, but for two batteries at once, AND starter box batteries (if you ever used one again).

I am surprised that MRC provides a charger that is more feature rich than most, that you can find for under $100.00. Although, I was surprised that Novak made it instead of Tekin too (so I guess I just don't know electronics). Although I may still have the last laugh, because I heard that Tekin is coming back. They made awesome chargers too now that I think about it.

 

[Revo Rancher]

I just bought the 959 today. Paid 59.00 for it new. I bought it as the ICE charger was just too complicated for everyday use. I really like how simple it is to use. The reason why it is cheaper than most, in my opinion, is that the parent compapny, MRC, which stands for Model Rectifier Corporation, makes gadzillion other similar hobby products to include model train throttle packs. They have led the way for model train power packs for over 25 years.