Question regarding battery life and storage

[CaptainMTM]

For the past 8 weeks my nitro buggy was being stored due to the cold weather here. This weekend I'm going to be taking it out for a spin but I have a dilema regarding my receiver box battery. About 8 weeks ago I charged this battery pack that sits in the receiver box in the buggy with the intent of using up it's power but I ended up not bashing the buggy that day and so a fully charged battery went into storage for two months. I'm not sure if a fully charged battery that sits for nearly two months would lose it's power from just sitting. My dilema is I don't know if I should be charging this battery overnight (12 hours recommended for full charge) and risk overcharging it or should I just assume it's got enough power but risking it being drained when I run the buggy tomorrow. Any ideas on what I should do? Should I charge this battery pack again? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[hpirushrvo]

just test the speed of the servoes if they tern rarther slowly the battery pack will need a charge if they tern nice and fast thereis no need

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electric is for kids nitro is for big kids

 

[ThunderTiger]

If you are unsure of the batteries power, hook it up to a discharger to let it drain off, then fully re-charge it over night.

It's better to do it that way, than worrying about over-charging the battery or having it run flat on you ending your bashing / racing early.

 

[bduce77]

either drain it or hook it up to the charger and wait untill the charger lets you know its down.... If you are just using a regular charger I would do what HPIRUSHRVO said to do.

~Ben

 

[ThunderTiger]

bduce77, please do not take this the wrong way, but what in what i said is not what you have just repeated ?

a-la

If you are unsure of the batteries power, hook it up to a discharger to let it drain off, then fully re-charge it over night.

It's better to do it that way, than worrying about over-charging the battery or having it run flat on you ending your bashing / racing early.

 

[bduce77]

Thunder_Tiger_EB4_S2_Pro
I dont take it the wrong way, but what are you saying?

 

[ThunderTiger]

it seemed you were repeating what I stated, only in a different way is all...

Prob me reading too much into it, but as i say.......................

Worry not for all info is useful info.

 

[CaptainMTM]

Many thanks guys!

 

[olds97_lss]

Did anyone mention to discharge it and recharge it?

Kidding aside, I usually cycle my receiver packs a few times a year, especially after they sit for a while without being used. I use a single automotive bulb wired to a plug I can use for this to drain the pack. Keep an eye on it. When the bulb dims, unplug it and let the pack cool, then give it a full charge.

There are quite a few peak chargers out there for a reasonable price. You may want to look into getting one. You should look for one that charges at .5 - 1 amp. I don't charge receiver packs any faster than 1 amp to try and help them live longer (more charge cycles). I actually almost always charge at .5A anyway unless I'm in a rush and forgot to top them off the night before.

Here's a cheaper one I'd recommend:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DYN4056

I have it's big brother as a backup charger:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DYN4036

But I've bought a couple used chargers off forum members in the past, duratrax pirahna digital and MRC superbrain 959. I like that the MRC lets me charge at .5A whereas the other two I have only go down to 1A. The only sucky thing about it is that I have to adjust it to .5A every time I plug it in as it defaults to 3A.

The 959 has been discontinued and replaced with the 960:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRST9&P=7

But, the other two I linked to are cheaper. Keep in mind though, the MRC can be used to charge a single cell heater as well if you buy the plug. The dynamite ones can't. I also use the MRC to charge my transmitter and my cordless drill. It's just a good all around NiMH and NiCad charger for a basher like me.