Charging new NiMH battery first time with Superbrain 989

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Home › RC & Power › ✈️Aircraft › 🚁Helicopter › e-Electric Battery-Charger-pSupply › Charging new NiMH battery first time with Superbrain 989

06-17-2009 09:31 PM 11 years ago

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0Post 1

Bouchah

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Willow Spring, N. Carolina USA

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Charging new NiMH battery first time with Superbrain 989

I set up a the parameters for the battery Im using. If i read the directions correctly, with a 4200 mah pack you can charge at 4.2 amps. I tried that rate, It charged for not quite a minute then went to trickle mode. I figured I would try to discharge the battery, It discharged for a few seconds then said done. I then tried to charge it at 3.4 amps It charged for 20 min. then went to trickle. The mah was at around 700 when it went to trickle.

The battery is: NOTES FROM OUR TECH DEPARTMENT

This is the Hobbico HydriMax Ultra
NiMH 4.8V 4200mAh Sub-C Flat Receiver Battery Pack.

FEATURES: Ideal for large aircraft with multiple digital servos
Sub-C size cells with six welds per connection

INCLUDES: Hobbico HydriMax NiMH 4.8V 4200mAh Sub-C Receiver Pack with
Universal connector with gold plated terminals

REQUIRES: Charger

SPECS: Capacity: 4200mAh
Number of Cells in Series: 4
Rated Voltage: 4.8V
Min. Discharge Voltage: 3.6V
Standard Charge Current: 420mAh for 11 hours
Discharge Lead: 20AWG 5.9" (150mm) long wire, Universal connector
with gold plated terminals
Pack Dimensions: 93 x 47 x 24mm (3.6 x 1.9 x 0.95"

Weight: 285g (10.05oz)

Is there a procedure for charging new NiMH packs? Ive heard you are supposed to cycle them a few times before using.
This charger is new to me as well, so maybe I dont have something right, not sure. I was able to charge an 1100 mah NiCD pack with no problems. I think that was at 1 amp charge rate.

Thanks

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06-17-2009 10:23 PM 11 years ago

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SteveH

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Texas

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NiMH batteries MUST be charged and cycled several times when new with a dumb charger at a C/10 rate. They will always false peak when new. Charge they for 18 hours at C/10, which in your case would be 420 mah.The government cannot give you anything without first taking it from someone else.

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06-18-2009 12:22 AM 11 years ago

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tadawson

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Lewisville, TX

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What part of:

Standard Charge Current: 420mAh for 11 hours

is unclear? I see *NOTHING* in the notes that you have posted that indicate that this battery is rated for any higher charge rates, much less 1C . . .

? ? ? ?

- TimFriends don't let friends become electrotarded . . . .

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06-18-2009 01:38 AM 11 years ago

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Bouchah

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Willow Spring, N. Carolina USA

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Well, I dont have a clue as to what a "C" is, & I guess I misunderstood the charge rate on the battery pack. I think I got it now. Charging at .4 amps I think will do it. Thanks for the help again.

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06-18-2009 01:56 AM 11 years ago

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TaleGunner

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Deer Park WA

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Bouchah
.4amp is the same as 400Mah or close enough to 420mah as sugested by Steve
after you cycle it charge a 4000Mah at 1C or 4amps = 4000Mah

CRASH! GLUE! REPEAT!
Spectra-G, Ion X-2

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06-18-2009 06:08 AM 11 years ago

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Furious Predator

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Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

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well, it would appear that im an idiot

Shawn
Team Leisure-Tech
Team HelixRC

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06-18-2009 07:12 AM 11 years ago

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tadawson

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Lewisville, TX

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"C" basically refers to the capacity of the pack, or in this case, 4200MAh in one hour. Hence, the "C" number is how many times the pack capacity you can pull in amps in an hour. So, if your pack was a 10C pack, you could draw 42 amps (10 * 4200MAh). Charging is the same, just input power - 1C would be a 4.2 amp charge, thus replenishing the battery in an hour.

In this case, the mfg. suggests a 1/10C charge rate, or 420 MAh. *NOWHERE* do they state that these batteries are capable of tolerating faster charging, so if it works at all, great, but it *WILL* heat the pack and reduce it's life compared to slower charging. Yes, I do regularly charge my NiMH packs faster than rated, but typically not much more than 1/4 to 1/3 C - they typically won't tolerate much faster, and you have already discovered. The internal resistance causes them to false peak, and they either don't charge, or overheat (or both).

- TimFriends don't let friends become electrotarded . . . .

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06-18-2009 08:16 AM 11 years ago

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Quandumphone

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Yuma, AZ

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The 1C charge thing is primarily intended for LiPo batteries. NiMh batteries have different, generally more limited, charge characteristics than a LiPo. Be careful with your charging amps on this battery because a major charge induced failure of a NiMh battery can be just as spectacular as a flaming LiPo failure. They are not as forgiving as NiCds. It sounds like you have a good charger that should avoid any major problems though.

At the field, you should be able to just keep it topped off during the day or not even worry about it. I use a 4275mah LiPo battery in my 700 and I could probably go for two or three mild flying days without charging it. When I do put it on the charger at the end of the day, it usually only goes for about 15 to 20 minutes at 1 amp, sometimes less.

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06-18-2009 09:24 AM 11 years ago

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MattJen

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hi guys

I am having a similar problem, i just bought a 2 cell NIMH batery, i plugged in a voltage checker and it went straight to red indicating flat, i charged it up and it only put in 93mah,i tried discharging it, and the same thing happend after 1 mintue it stopped, i tried this same battery pack on 3 different chargers, to eliminate charger problem. it is lucky i had the voltage checker, as i could have been fooled into thinking it was fully charged and then went off and flew my turbine..

i was recommended to charge it as a Nicad, i did this and managed to put in over 6000mah, ( 2 cell 3000mah)

My question is why does it work when you charge it on nicad?

Is it just a case of keep recycling ? as i heard NIMH dont like to be recycled and they dont get affected by memory effect, i find them unpredictable, no where as reliable as Nicads, but it is now illegal to import them into the UK so we cannot get hold of them

MattAll The Best

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06-18-2009 08:23 PM 11 years ago

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tadawson

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Lewisville, TX

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Matt -
Not sure what charger you are using, but all mine have different current settings per battery type, so when you change from NiMH to NiCD, you may have gotten a different current setting.

What current were you trying to charge your battery at? You may well have the same problem as the OP here . . . . too much, too fast, rarely works . . . .

- TimFriends don't let friends become electrotarded . . . .

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06-18-2009 09:07 PM 11 years ago

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Pistol Pete

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Seffner, FL

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detection sensitivity settings?

I am having a similar problem, i just bought a 2 cell NIMH batery,

we must assume its a Sub-C size given 3000mA capacity correct?

If so...
recommended break-in is 0.3A or 300mA (1/10 C)
3A or 3000mA once broken in @ 1C
and as high as 5A for a quick charge with the exchange of shorter life span from usually 1000 cycles (the norm)

My question is why does it work when you charge it on nicad?

what are the peak detection sensitivity settings being used for either?

Recommended settings
NiCd @ 8-10mV
vs
NiMH @ 3-5mV

this may answer some questions.~~Enjoying the hobby one flight at a time~~

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06-18-2009 09:40 PM 11 years ago

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MattJen

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thanks guys i am starting to get the picture now...

What confused me is on the battery it said for a quick charge i could charge up to 3amps, ( it is a 1 cell 3000ma)