6 replies to this topic

[FLEXUS]

hi guys

what is the correct way to charge a team orion 4500 NiMh? (to ensure maximum life and performance)

charger is a Fusion Vector AC/DC NX85.(CHARGE RATE 0.5-1-2-3.5 or 5mA)


1. is it ok to charge in the car (hotshot re re with supershot underguard fitted)?

2. Do you have to run the battery completely flat before recharging?

3. can i charge a half used battery?(top it up)

4. im i right to use the charge rate of 3.5mA

5. do i need to buy a discharger?

thanks for any advice Karl

[sosidge]

hi guys

what is the correct way to charge a team orion 4500 NiMh? (to ensure maximum life and performance)

charger is a Fusion Vector AC/DC NX85.(CHARGE RATE 0.5-1-2-3.5 or 5mA)
1. is it ok to charge in the car (hotshot re re with supershot underguard fitted)?

2. Do you have to run the battery completely flat before recharging?

3. can i charge a half used battery?(top it up)

4. im i right to use the charge rate of 3.5mA

5. do i need to buy a discharger?

thanks for any advice Karl

Charging in the car will be fine if that is what you prefer. 3.5A would be the best rate of the ones available, typically you would recommend 4.5A for a 4500mAh pack. Make sure the charger is on NiMH mode, not NiCd or LiPo or any of the other settings.

If you are bashing around, just top the battery up. Never fully discharge the battery to zero volts, NiMHs do not like it.

When we used to race with NiMHs they needed careful care, you would regularly equalise the cells by discharging them individually to 0.9V or thereabouts - but that is not needed for bashing around, and it is difficult to find those dischargers now anyway.

[tamiya monkey]

like sosidge said, dont need to discharge for bashing, 3.5amps on your charger is best, never run your battery flat, once you notice it slowing down stop and re-charge, if your not using your battery for more than 2-3 weeks then put some charge into it as they discharge quite abit when stood and if left you could end up with a dead cell, i used to sit and charge mine up ever two weeks before finding the wonders of lipo's.

[Percymon]

As other have said..

charge outside the car, just in case there is an issue - better to lose a battery pack than a pack and a car !

3.5A is the fastest charge rate you shoul use with the capacity of you pack - it should recharge in 30-40 minutes as you won't fully deplete the pack. Lower charge rates are fine, will just take longer

[WillyChang]

NiMH do get pretty warm when charging, best not inside car. Let it aircool but do not blow a fan on it whilst charging.

[FLEXUS]

Hi guys thanks for the advice.

cheers Karl

[94eg!]

Hi guys thanks for the advice.

cheers Karl

Best to run them right after they peak. The higher the charge amperage the better they will perform too (also the hotter they will be when they peak). Hotter pack generally = shorter life. But the truth is, even with the best dichargers, equalizing trays and expensive chargers, there is nothing you can do to keep them in tip top condition. Some packs are better than others and that is just that. I blew a lot of money trying race Nimh packs. In the end, one cheapo Orion 2400mah lipo put an end too all of that. I never looked back.