Nimh Virgin

[Locked Up]

I went ahead and popped my Nimh cherry and got a nice 4/5a Elite 2000mah 7 cell pack. Having never used Nimh before I'm not sure exactly how to setup my charger (Duratrax Digital Peak Piranha) for the initial charging ... or thereafter.

The instructions recommend setting the peak at 8mv for a Nimh pack and I have always charged things at c/10. But is that best for a new pack? What about after the initial charge?

[andres-tavares]

try a slow charge(less than 0.5 amp) and a slow discharge (not full triger) the first time, you can do this 3 times (charge and discharge) ...

then you put the charger in a higher level (like 0.7 amp) and that until you go to 1.5 amp or even 2 amp if you want... but the slower you charge the longer run times, if you charge faster you will have more punch and less run time and thats not neccesary in crawlers

[Flynfrog]

NiMh cells do require a few exercise cycles to get up on step. In charging Nimh's - I use a 1-C amp charge (charges in 1 hr) (1 x the capacity of a single cell---for a 1500 mah cell that would be 1500 mah = 1.5 A max) you can go slightly over the 1-C NiMh by 10-15% percent at little risk to the cells. 2A would be pushing the cells- they may get warm....

Flynfrog

[Locked Up]

So initial charge (for my 2000mah) should be .2amps for about 10 hours (c/10), followed by steady discharge not at full throttle.

Thereafter I can go to 2.0amps (c-1)?

[Flynfrog]

Correct on the 200 mah (0.2A) on a 2000 mah NiMh. As for the discharge it need not be a steady discharge - just crawl & realize that the first few battery cycles will be disappointing. The motor will probabley only be pulling under 5 amps & the batteries can easly pull over 10C (20A). You might as well get some crawling in as you break in the battery pack.

Flynfrog

[Locked Up]

Originally Posted by Flynfrog

Correct on the 200 mah (0.2A) on a 2000 mah NiMh. As for the discharge it need not be a steady discharge - just crawl & realize that the first few battery cycles will be disappointing. The motor will probabley only be pulling under 5 amps & the batteries can easly pull over 10C (20A). You might as well get some crawling in as you break in the battery pack.

Flynfrog

And once it is broken in I can jump up to 2.0a or would I be better at 1a or ?

[JUSTGOINGSLOW]

I would try to stay at 1 to 1.5 amps max. You are not gaining anything buy charging them at a higher rate but taking longevity away from it. (slower is better)

[Locked Up]

Originally Posted by JUSTGOINGSLOW

I would try to stay at 1 to 1.5 amps max. You are not gaining anything buy charging them at a higher rate but taking longevity away from it. (slower is better)

OK Thanks