How to re-gen batteries?

[LeeMutz]

Some of my batteries are really weak, including a nearly new 4300mah (nimh)

Is there a way of regenerating them? I've heard my uncle say he is 'cycling' his before, and just nodded along LOL

[30YrsL8r]

Cycling is just charging and running down your batteries. My charger lets me set how fast I charge them, how fast I run them down and how many times it does it. I've brought batteries back from the dead this way.

[LeeMutz]

So that's what I need to do? I only have a Pro Peak charger, what's the best way? Just run the truck on a stand until it dies?

[super gripper]

If you do not have a charger with battery cycling option.

Get yourself one of these

http://www.modelspor...-products/24915

Run your car as normal, once your done put your stick pack on the discharger and re-charge your battery pack once it has cooled down.

Then just repeat.

If your packs do not come back to life, go lipo and be done with it.

[LeeMutz]

Thanks. So can I just use this little thing without running the battery in my truck first, just to give all my batteries a good cycle?

My issue with Lipo is whether my ESC's will be compatible.

[dyahipfakta]

Run them down to 0.9v per cell then charge do it afew times. Every so often I also trickle charge my batteries over night at a very low rate and this also seems to give them abit more go.

[dyahipfakta]

Just get audible alarms for lipo that's what I did in my trucks and its fine. When it beeps take them off and storage charge them. To be honest though I like the simplicity of Nimh.

[LeeMutz]

I need to get me a discharger etc.. Have no way of checking what my cells are running.. Grrr

[super gripper]

Run them down to 0.9v per cell then charge do it afew times. Every so often I also trickle charge my batteries over night at a very low rate and this also seems to give them abit more go.

You can only do that if you have a Novak Smart tray which is for nimh saddle packs, not stick packs.

Yes trickle charging will help alot.

You can use the discharger to discharge a fully charged stick pack yes, just put it and the stick pack on a ceramic tile to help keep it cool.

[LeeMutz]

OK, gets hot then when in use? MS have it on back order, GRRRR

I have LOADS of batteries, just want some decent run time with my boy lol

[super gripper]

OK, gets hot then when in use? MS have it on back order, GRRRR

I have LOADS of batteries, just want some decent run time with my boy lol

If you want to stick with nimh's then it is definately worth you spending some money on a good charger/discharger that can cycle and look after your batteries.

[super gripper]

something like this, doesn't have to be this one just look for one with similar specs.

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/ansmann-racing-xbase-2.0-deluxe/rc-car-products/38403

[DaveB]

Yep, re: super's suggestion, this is a great charger and covers pretty much all types and programs - I've found it very straight forward to use so far

[jeekelemental]

The conditioner suggested by super gripper is an useful accessory. I own the Nosram one that, from years, is helping me a lot to save some money.

I apply the conditioner to a discharged battery for an overnight (or more, depends by level of charge) and after i cycle it for a time or two.

My oldest Nihm are 4 (or 5) years old and all gain 90-95% of nominal amperage maintain the charge when stocked.

I really don't know if what I do is correct but it seems to work

Sorry for my english.

[LeeMutz]

English was fine

Cheers, will get on it then as some of mine are knackered!!

[Longhair-NL]

How fast are you charging the batteries?

I've found out that when I slow charge them, they last a lot longer than fast charging them.

[jeekelemental]

It's true, i noticed the same. I guess is due to a chemical factor but I'm not so expert about this