battery chargers

[Zac_F83]

Well did some digging around today and found my old school battery charger read a couple things on it and only seen NiCD battery no mention of NiMH it is a 6/7 cell 30 minute charger has a 1 amp fuse so I assume a low amp/volt charge.. can I use this on my NiMH batteries W/O damage?

It has to bee the better part of 25 years old LOL and still works great

[Tamiya-Boy]

I wouldnt charge nimhs if there no mention of it.

[oz-trash-cowboy]

It sounds like its a constant current / egg timer type charger?? The cost of sensing / auto / peek type chargers has decreased a lot. Your Nimh will be better protected and give more consistent run times and live a longer and happier life with a new charger.

[Zac_F83]

It sounds like its a constant current / egg timer type charger?? The cost of sensing / auto / peek type chargers has decreased a lot. Your Nimh will be better protected and give more consistent run times and live a longer and happier life with a new charger.

oh ya I have a Radio shack charger that is safe for NiMH batteries I was just wondering- but ya it's a Modelcraft Protech #702 just like the picture-

110 Volt AC input

12 Volt DC Power Input plug.

Rated output: 12 Volt DC at 1 amp

switchable between 6 or 7 cell

Adjustable timer 1-15 minutes to off

DC Amperes 0-5 on meter - Fused 1 amp

Charging & discharging ability as well as trickle charging

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=modelcraft+...t:429,r:6,s:143

[metalmickey0]

No no no. I would charge a NiHm on a Nicd only charger. The batterires are made different and you may damge them and your charger. Timer chargers were and always will be rubbish. Peak Delta is a lot better. Its like trying to charge a lipo on a nihm charger, Not a good idea

[Gruntfuggly]

I disagree with other guys. I think it'll be fine - the problem you will have is that because your nimh pack is likely to be higher capacity than older nicads, you will probably find that the timer won't give you a long enough charge. If you're prepared to keep an eye on it, just stick the timer back on again as soon as it's finished. Keep checking the temperature of the pack - stop charging when it gets warm or you'll risk over charging.

I guess it really depends on how highly you value your nimh packs.

Not sure why you wouldn't use your other charger though?

[Zac_F83]

I disagree with other guys. I think it'll be fine - the problem you will have is that because your nimh pack is likely to be higher capacity than older nicads, you will probably find that the timer won't give you a long enough charge. If you're prepared to keep an eye on it, just stick the timer back on again as soon as it's finished. Keep checking the temperature of the pack - stop charging when it gets warm or you'll risk over charging.

I guess it really depends on how highly you value your nimh packs.

Not sure why you wouldn't use your other charger though?

I was only wondering as my Radio Shack NiMH battery safe charger takes the better part of 2 hours to charge a single 6 cell

I thought I could cut some time between discharge/charging by using the older timer charger

Is it safe to use the trickle charge on a NiMH pack?

sorry fro being a newb but these newer style batteries are foreign territory to me

[Gruntfuggly]

There's nothing stopping you trickle charging it, but you may not get as good performance. For some reason is seems that the faster you put charge in, the faster it comes out - I'm sure somebody can explain it technically.

Sounds like you would be better off buying a delta peak charger though, something like this:

http://www.tantronics.co.uk/acatalog/Ansma...lta_Pro_UK.html

[taliesin]

I actually reread the post, and realized you had a Nimh charger, so I will just edit my post to say ... put it back in a box and forget about it.

[Zac_F83]

I actually reread the post, and realized you had a Nimh charger, so I will just edit my post to say ... put it back in a box and forget about it.

haha for sure I will likely pick up a cheap Duratrax (same maker as my battery packs) charger here but the RS one I have will do for now

Thanks guys!