4-cell 4200 NiMh batteries - tips & care....

[scottjg24]

I have the Dynamite Twin Peak charger & two Fusion 4-cell 4200 NiMh matched batteries. I have searched through what past issues of RC Driver but I need to get some information about charging, discharging & care of these batteries. They are expensive so I want to get the most performance out of them.

I am new to the hobby. Please reply soon.

Thanks
ScottJG24

[InspGadgt]

Well there is a lot of theory out there on batteries...which you subscribe to is up to what makes sense to you. I'm no expert on batteries but I can tell you what seems to work well for my NiMh batteries.

I have a Tekin charger so I can't fine tune my delta v like others but it seems to work fine. I've seen people charge anywhere at anywhere from 1 to 6 amps and personally use a 4amp charge. NiMh batteries seem to like being used. Often people notice they are better on their second run of the day then the first. So usually the day before a race I will fully charge then discharge each of my packs once before charging them for the race. When I'm done for the day I use a Deans light bulb discharger to get them down low then put them on a Novak Smart Tray to equalize the cells at .9v per cell. I then use a timed charge to charge the batteries for 15mins. NiMh batteries like to be stored with some charge on them. With some of my 3800Mah packs I found 10mins was not long enough but 15mins worked well.

[scottjg24]

Insp, what do you use to discharge your NiMh packs. How are your matched cell packs arranged? stick pack or the cells set up horizontal with battery bars between the cells?

I wish that I can find some article in past RC magazines about charging, discharging & care for performance & life of my cells. I also use 6-cell 3200 NiMh stick packs for practicing. I purchased all of my NiMh packs from a couple venders on eBay.

I used to race RC cars but the dirt - converted to carpet oval. Unfortunately the car & parts have been discontinued by Kyosho so I couldn't get anymore parts. George Bush Senior was still in office at that time.

[InspGadgt]

I use a Deans discharger which is essentially a light bulb discharger with 10 automotive bulbs. I discharge until dim but not out then I stick them on a Novak Smart Tray to finish the discharge properly. This way no cell drops below .9v per cell. I have the cells arranged in a side by side pack with horizontal battery bars.