Charging Nimh batteries

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Hi all, I have NiMh batteries in my RC car.

2 to power the servos/radio gear 6v 1200 mAh
1 to power the starter 7.2v 2000mAh

Both came with 'dumb' chargers and as I understand it these batteries don't like being overcharged.

What is the best way to keep them topped up?

Options seem to be either run them all down then give them a full charge. (this would require me buying another 7.2v battery to save it running out when I need it). Or buying a better charger that will charge both batteries smartly.

I wondered if they are another way I could do it without spending money. Could a multimeter tell me how much charge they have left?
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

DrSnoosnoo · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

I used to Airsoft quite a lot and had the NiMH batteries and I bought a "smart charger" that had the setting to quick charge upto 4A (not sure of the unit) and once it was fully charged it would automatically set itself to trickle and the LED would flash telling me to take it off.

I too heard that it's best to run these down rather than charging to top them up. To do this I just plugged the battery into the charger without plugging it to the mains to power the fan.

Not sure if this is helpful or not.

This is very similar to my old charger.
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

mudcow007 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

why no just use lipo batteries?

im using nanotechs in my plane which seem pretty sweet

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Because I have NiMh.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

Actually, I might have one lying around that you can have, I will have a look.
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Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

OK found it. You will have to pinch an IEC power cord from somewhere.

If you want it PM me your address.
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Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

mudcow007 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Is this charger simple to use?
i.e. Connect the battery and it sorts it all out or do I have to program it in some way?
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Charger arriver and is great, can everyone Karma Aff who not only gave me the charger but would take any cash for postage Thumbs Up

Good man

____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Dang, I bought that exact charger about a month ago and had to pay those nasty people at Amazon for it Razz

.

So, just to confirm, out of interest - for NiMH batteries I just set the amps and let it do it's stuff?

I was initially using it for Lipos, for which you choose the configuration (voltage) and so on, but was a little worried about how good the NiMH bit knows about when it's done?
(The Traxxas came with NiMH which seem ok, though may still get LiPo to work with it.)

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Ta; think I must have a different version.
Mine doesn't have a voltage or mah setting for NiMH, which was partly what worried me.

For lipo you set the number of cells (and thus voltage).

There's also a global time limit and mah limit which can be set.

I think mine is in 'auto' setting by default. It did actually come up saying 'full' yesterday, so guess it knows what it's doing!