Charging confusion.

[Prophet216]

Now some of these batteries haven't been charged in years, definitely the ignitors I only charged them until they got the Engine running. So not sure if they ever got fully charged
Main thing I'm learning here is the charger doesn't seem to stop before the battery is fully charged... It likes to keep going.

Now each time I've charged the batteries in auto mode, which I thought it means it stops when they're full. So not sure why it didn't stop.


In auto mode it does usually modulates the charge rate up and down from 0- to what I set the rate to, so it never goes faster but does go slower at Times.

The battery meter setting only shows voltage which jobs sucks because that doesn't tell me if it's fully charged right?

Sounds to me like auto on your charger means it can automatically fluctuate charge rate, not auto shut off

 

[Certified Mike]

The auto feature controls all functions including the peak sensing shut off... It seems to me that the manual mode is the way to go with these smaller batteries. The manual states that there is a possibility of it not sensing properly in auto mode and thus overcharging is possible. Manual mode provides user setting parameters for all concerns here as far as I can tell.

 

[pitbull14218]

Sounds to me like auto on your charger means it can automatically fluctuate charge rate, not auto shut off

It did shut off on a couple of the batteries but they technically were over charged by that time.

Thx for the help

The auto feature controls all functions including the peak sensing shut off... It seems to me that the manual mode is the way to go with these smaller batteries. The manual states that there is a possibility of it not sensing properly in auto mode and thus overcharging is possible. Manual mode provides user setting parameters for all concerns here as far as I can tell.

Is it just the Nicd and NIMH batteries that might be causing this issue?

Which in today's age aren't common any more so maybe not everyone deals with these issues?


I have no LIPO batteries, I love nitro vehicles, I'll probably never buy an electric because I love motors too much! So I might not ever own a LIPO? Lol

I was just tired of my glow ignitors not being fully charged and dying while trying to start my nitro engines so I figured maybe a good charger would take care of that and baby sit the charging process for me... But now I see that I have to watch everything lol

It would be also nice if I could get chargeable AA batteries and AAA s and could charge them with my charger. Any recommendations on that?

 

[Certified Mike]

From what I read and what you have said, I believe the fact that the charger itself seems to have an issue with small nicad and Minh batteries where it might not read them correctly. Combine that with the fact that they are older batteries and the combination could be the total cause of the problems. These batteries also have a 'memory condition" where if they are not used from full peak to full dead, they will remember where they were drained to and that becomes their new storage point. Your charger does have a full discharge to full recharge program that you can use. That may help the situation.
As far as babysitting it, you do not have to do that once you have 'learned' the batteries so to speak. In manual mode, you can set the peak outputs and times to charge. So learn the batteries potentials and esp the time it takes to get them from warm to uncomfortable (don't do this often as it's bad for the batteries). At that time, back off maybe a min or so and that is your charge time limit. Set it on the charger. There is also a temp sensor that is avail for that charger... It will automatically shut off the battery when it senses peak. You do have options for sure. I don't want to see this become a chore for you. It doesn't have to be.

 

[pitbull14218]

Well I really appreciate the info!

My batteries did work, and lasted very long, he'll they haven't died, my arms died though...

Time to make a new thread for a new Engine recommendation, this one Is a little tired I think.

 

[Certified Mike]

If there are any other worries or info you might need, just ask. Always happy to help when I can. Glad to hear it's working out for you!!!

 

[pitbull14218]

If there are any other worries or info you might need, just ask. Always happy to help when I can. Glad to hear it's working out for you!!!

I appreciate all the help! Now I'm either going to buy another budget engine or savage.

 

[cbaker65]

LOL...

 

[pitbull14218]

LOL...

What you thinking, if you have helpful input I'd appreciate the help?

 

[cbaker65]

What you thinking, if you have helpful input I'd appreciate the help?

Just like I said in the beginning ,you don't need no special charger for a single cell nimh batt.
Todays chargers have the circuitry that an brains to detect what it is charging!
The original wall charger that comes with a glo-igniter is sufficient even to leave it on over night.
If the batt will not holed a charge ,then buy a new 1700 single cell from Towerhobbies for $7.00 bucks.

 

[SchrodeMode]

A fully charged battery will have a higher voltage than it's labeled as because they're based on the nominal voltage of 1.2v but are normally ~1.5v fully charged (for NiMh). I'm willing to bet most of your heat is because of how long the batteries say, they more than likely started to crystallize. The heat is from breaking the crystals down and should get better the more they're cycled. I would recommend using the cycle option if your charger has it.

 

[pitbull14218]

Spim thinking of doing the discharge and charge mode.

What should I set the charge and discharge rates to? Its the same 1.2C 1300mah NiCd ignitor battery.

Thx

 

[Certified Mike]

http://convert-to.com/491/recharging-rechargeable-nimh-nicd-batteries.html

This can answer your questions about reasonable rates of charge.

846Ma for 90 mins is what I got for a calculation of you use "precision 1". That is for a fast charge. If you choose to do a slow charge, the Ma will be lower for a longer period of time. Irrelevant of what you choose, as the time, I urge you strongly to check it. See how it feels temp-wise after 5 or 10 mins, then 20-30 and so on, keeping a close eye on the beginning, middle and then towards an hour, checking regularly. Make SURE that thing isn't getting HOT! This is where you need to keep an eye on YOUR equipment. If these batteries weren't old and performance unknown, I wouldn't be so worried about how it's doing on The charger
As it gets towards the end of this cycle, I anticipate that it will reach that temp where you're gonna want to stop it... And Def do! Keep the time it took in mind and use that as The length of time needed for The next FULL charge after FULL discharge.
The discarge rate should be safe at higher settings but be careful not to overheat! Think about it like this... If you were to meet that glowplug on the igniter and leave it there (assuming you would not burn out the glowplug first) you could kill that igniter dead in maybe 20 mins max??? But I also believe that the bat would be hot as he'll at that point... Again, Bad! So set the discharge rate a lil higher is my opinion but don't set it too high and make sure you keep a similar check temp pattern on it.
Because these batteries develop the 'memory' over time and I don't have a clue as to how good it bad they may be, I don't have a better answer.
Keep in mind that all that above is said based on a Good battery. Because charging any kind of battery can be dangerous, hazzard or explosion or fire etc... (see info that came with said battery), the above is intended only as a guidline and again, I cannot stress enough that you stay involved and supervise the progress of this as closely as possible. Be safe and follow,the manufacturers' manuals.
Also, there should be a cool off time between the battery discharge and charge cycles.
I BELIEVE I have covered everything BUT because I am not an owner of this charger personally, I ask that before you do this, at least that you personally check out that link I posted and play with the numbers, make sure it makes sense to you and hopefully someone else will read all this and put in their own thought and opinions too. I am NOT an electrical engineer but I am good with electronics etc. and have many years of experience with nimh batteries. I BELIEVE my thoughts above to be sound and accurate to a good degree.

 

[pitbull14218]

http://convert-to.com/491/recharging-rechargeable-nimh-nicd-batteries.html

This can answer your questions about reasonable rates of charge.

846Ma for 90 mins is what I got for a calculation of you use "precision 1". That is for a fast charge. If you choose to do a slow charge, the Ma will be lower for a longer period of time. Irrelevant of what you choose, as the time, I urge you strongly to check it. See how it feels temp-wise after 5 or 10 mins, then 20-30 and so on, keeping a close eye on the beginning, middle and then towards an hour, checking regularly. Make SURE that thing isn't getting HOT! This is where you need to keep an eye on YOUR equipment. If these batteries weren't old and performance unknown, I wouldn't be so worried about how it's doing on The charger
As it gets towards the end of this cycle, I anticipate that it will reach that temp where you're gonna want to stop it... And Def do! Keep the time it took in mind and use that as The length of time needed for The next FULL charge after FULL discharge.
The discarge rate should be safe at higher settings but be careful not to overheat! Think about it like this... If you were to meet that glowplug on the igniter and leave it there (assuming you would not burn out the glowplug first) you could kill that igniter dead in maybe 20 mins max??? But I also believe that the bat would be hot as he'll at that point... Again, Bad! So set the discharge rate a lil higher is my opinion but don't set it too high and make sure you keep a similar check temp pattern on it.
Because these batteries develop the 'memory' over time and I don't have a clue as to how good it bad they may be, I don't have a better answer.
Keep in mind that all that above is said based on a Good battery. Because charging any kind of battery can be dangerous, hazzard or explosion or fire etc... (see info that came with said battery), the above is intended only as a guidline and again, I cannot stress enough that you stay involved and supervise the progress of this as closely as possible. Be safe and follow,the manufacturers' manuals.
Also, there should be a cool off time between the battery discharge and charge cycles.
I BELIEVE I have covered everything BUT because I am not an owner of this charger personally, I ask that before you do this, at least that you personally check out that link I posted and play with the numbers, make sure it makes sense to you and hopefully someone else will read all this and put in their own thought and opinions too. I am NOT an electrical engineer but I am good with electronics etc. and have many years of experience with nimh batteries. I BELIEVE my thoughts above to be sound and accurate to a good degree.

I appreciate the help! I'm,gonna read your links later and see what's recommended.

Thx

 

[Certified Mike]

Any time! Sorry for writting a book for,you to have to read... I didn't think it was a simple question or a simple answer. Good luck!

Thought I should mention, it is possible to over-discharge the battery as well. Be careful!