Nicd overcharging? and other ???

[Lessen]

OK guys, I thought I'd be able to search this one but didnt' have any luck. I'm starting to get into racing but I have a limited budget like most people do. I'm all set with 2 Nimh Rx packs and a set of Energizer 2500 mah Nimh AA (Thanks Ratzo!) for my 3PK. The issue I'm concerned about is my starter box. Hooking it up to my car is a pain in the ass. I had to do it last week and would prefer not to do it again except for in an emergency. Anyways, all I have to power it are 4 "el cheapo" 1500 mah Nicd stick packs. (2 to start and 2 for backup). I know I have to slow charge them but because it takes so long no matter when I start the charge I'll either be at work or sleeping when the 15 hours are up. I have a Duratrax Intellipeak charger. It's slow charge rate is preset and NOT adjustable @ 100mah.

Soooo....

Is it detrimental for a Nicd pack to sit on slow charge for considerably longer than it's supposed to? say.... 2 or 3 hours too long. I've always thought that a battery starts to lose voltage after it reaches maximum charge.

Also, since it basically takes 1 day to charge a battery and I want 4 fully charged for race day, will they lose considerable voltage if it sits charged for 3 days or so?

oh, one more thing... How long should I allow my Nimh packs to trickle after they peak? Or is this false info?

Thanks!

 

[SVORay]

I understnd you're on a limited budget but I would strongly suggest a good charger. I'm no racer but I've hard it mentioned a number of times how you will need a decent charger if and when you take up racing. I my self have a stack of chargers but it's because I take a ton of batteries out bashing for my son's Emaxx and Tamiya Hummer. Anyhow, I use a MRC Spuer brain 977 and an intelli daul charger. They both charge two packs at once and about 30-45mins for a pair of 7.2v packs each. That MRC 977 is really a great charger and cost about 119.00 plus s/h. If you order through Tower Hobby, sometimes you can find deals where they take off "x" amount for ordering "x" amount. This comes in handy if you need other stuff as well as a charger.


Best of luck and have fun
Ray

 

[FastEddy]

In the long run a gel cell would be the answer for your starter box. If your box wont accept one sell your old one and get a used box that uses one. You can use a car battery charger the night before and it will last all day and a few more days before needing to be charged up again.

Do you have power at the track, if so, just plug in and top off your TX and RX after each race.

Dont try to over charge your bats. the only thing that will do is heat them up and cause them to fail at the worse possible time not to mention having their life cut short. In the long run it will cost more. Bring them to peak and get on with your life. Did I mention that overcharging your batteries can cause a fire?

 

[militarymaxx]

Fast, please school me on "gel cell" for my starter box. I too use two stick packs. They don't fit inside the box like they're supposed to and they're old and probably need replacing.

 

[FastEddy]

A Gell Cell is like a motorcycle battery. It is designed to fit most starter boxes.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHVU6&P=7

Check to see if yours will accept one. They come in a few different sizes and will have to be matched with your box. Look up your box on tower and see if it recommends a certain size.

Once charged up it lasts for MANY days of starting.

 

[MonsterCowpower]

Overcharging cells is the worst thing to do,they will become hot to the point of being boiling hot when charged too long.

I monitor the heat of the cells when charging,if one cell is hotter than the rest of the pack if offers a higher resistance and must be replaced.

I once forgot a pack and almost ended with a nice fireball! The pack was a few minutes from an explosion.The wrapping changed color and was inflated! Be very careful,with any cell.

Just my two cents

 

[HeartBreak]

I had an old timer-based nicad charger (remember those? good ol' Protechs') go nova on me once some 13-14 years ago. It ended up eating a hole into the carpet, all because the timer stuck.

Nothing like getting chewed out while you're cleaning up battery goo, followed by replacing the section of carpet with a scrap.