Discharging

[turtle(2)]

OK my batteries really need dischargin but i dont know how and i dont want to pay a fiver for a resistor! [!]

Can anyone please help and tell me what resistor i should use?

They are Ni-Cads 2000mAh.

Also it would be useful to know what temperature my batteries should get too maximum?

Thanks

[wriggleandgiggle]

The easiest way to discharge a pack is on a car (1:1) indicator bulb. You can run into problems though as its possible to 'reverse' a cell in your pack by running it totally flat.

If you have a DVM you can monitor the pack whilst discharging, let the voltage drop to 3 volts (0.5 volts per cell on a six cell pack) and then re-charge.

the problem with this method is you need a meter to measure the voltage, plus you need a bulb, some wire and a connector. By the time you add the costs up, your nearly at £5.

I used to use this method but gave up when I bought a Peak Charger/discharger/cycler.

I got a Schumacher CCD charger and four packs for £25 from a racer who had just bought a pro-track. The CCD is quite old, but works 100% and gives info on the pack your using such as total capacity, run time at 20amps and 'punch factor'

[DJTheo]

The cheapest way is to drive with your car till it almost doesnt move and works even pretty fine too.

Cheers