sb352
Squadron leader
Posts: 147
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Post by sb352 on Apr 15, 2008 1:08:01 GMT 1
Anybody know if the stock car charger will charge the 9.6 ? It seems that when I charge the 9.6 , it doesnt last as long . Dont think it takes a full charge .
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Post by flydiver on Apr 15, 2008 1:55:58 GMT 1
Nope, stock charger (pistol shape) is limited to 7-cells.
fly
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sleddog
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 39
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Post by sleddog on Apr 15, 2008 2:48:08 GMT 1
sb352;
I was just reading manual re upgrade to 9.6v. It claims that the AC charger will charge it. But says that they DC (pistol shaped) charger will not. It notes that the charge rate is lower. Maybe that would cause it to take longer...It would be good to know as I am contemplating adding a 9.6v pack.
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Post by duck9191 on Apr 15, 2008 3:30:03 GMT 1
the ac one is very slow, but will completely charge the 8 cell.
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Post by flydiver on Apr 15, 2008 3:43:08 GMT 1
The pistol shaped (7-cell) is a 'peak charger'. It monitors the battery and charges it as needed. As the battery nears being full it automatically stops. The wall wart (AC) has this blurb: >>Type: NiCD and NiMH Voltage: 8.4 - 9.6V Charge Rate(s): .50 amp @ 8.4V, .40 amp @ 9.6V Input Connector: 110V AC Plug Output Connector: HobbyZone White Female Notes: Discharge your battery before using this charger. It is a timed trickle charge at 2-1/2 hrs, and will overcharge if connected to a charged battery. LED light indicates charging.<<< So, it's a timed trickle charger, meaning it puts in .5A (500 milliamps)/hour and doesn't stop until the timer tells it or it's unplugged. For a 1000 MAh battery it should be full in about the designated time frame of 2 1/2 hours (there's about a 50% fudge factor). It is NOT designed for 'topping' already charged batteries. If you are interested in the PZ 'upgrade'-[ParkZone 5-10 Cell Adjustable Rate 12v DC Peak Charger] secure.hobbyzone.com/catalog/HZ/hobbyzone_supercub/hobbyzone_supercub_optional/PKZ1519.htmlI'll let mine go for $15 shipped. I still use it occasionally but have other backups and mostly use lipos now. This is not the thread for sales so PM me and take it off line if interested. It does NOT have the Tamiya connector, though I can send one along if you really require it. I've replaced it with Dean's Ultra. I STRONGLY suggest you do the same if you have not on the Cub. The Tamiya connectors WILL get compressed and you WILL loose all power at some time in the future. This is a guaranteed crash. Ask me how I know. The Cub does fly much nicer with the 8-cell pack. I recommend the cheapbatterypacks.com ones. I got some inexpensive 7-cells from another dealer and a year later they are fizzling while the CBP brand keeps going strong. Worked better when new also. They are just better batteries. fly |
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Post by Twister65 on May 18, 2008 19:59:36 GMT 1
>> The Tamiya connectors WILL get compressed and you WILL loose all power at some time in the future. <<
At the risk of hijacking someone else's thread... I wonder if this might be the problem I'm having with my batteries.
My friend and I went flying for the first time this year (not counting a quick flight in the winter) Three of my 7-cell batteries seem to be flaky. They appear to be charged -- verified with a multimeter. But when I connect them to the SC, I can barely get any throttle, and if I do, it cuts out at half. (the cutoff jumper IS still connected on the receiver, btw) My 8-cell, however, seems to be OK and gave me a good 15 minute flight. The 7-cells vary in age. One being the original that came with my SC bought last year, and another bought later last summer.
I suspect the connectors, but they look OK and have a fairly firm connection to the plane.
My friend has a similar problem with his batteries.
What do the Deans Ultras look like? I'm willing to change all of mine to save me from buying new batteries.
Last question.. what is the typical life span of the 7 cells?
Thanks!
Scott
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Post by Twister65 on May 18, 2008 20:12:29 GMT 1
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Post by flydiver on May 18, 2008 22:58:43 GMT 1
>> The Tamiya connectors WILL get compressed and you WILL loose all power at some time in the future. << My friend and I went flying for the first time this year (not counting a quick flight in the winter) Last question.. what is the typical life span of the 7 cells? Scott The key is [fist time this year] > deterioration by neglect.  NiXX batteries do not like to be neglected. For some reason I have found a somewhat consistent problem with used NiXX batteries left alone for months coming back to good form. They do discharge just by sitting, 3 months is probably plenty for complete discharge, and you may get cell reversal in 1 or 2 of the weaker cells. That kills the pack. Testing with a multimeter after charging will NOT necessarily give you good information. I have 3 packs that have excellent charge voltages that are complete crap. You need a test while under load. A wattmeter is best but simply trying to run them certainly tells the tale. The voltage under load sags WAY down often to immediate LVC. Try running them at a very low output (taxi around) until LVC. Charge at the slowest rate you can. If a few rounds brings them back you are good to go. If not, they're hosed  > recycle properly ;D Well treated packs can last hundreds of cycles and years. Poorly treated packs can be a fraction of that. Unfortunately cell quality is a big factor and cheap packs generally have cheap cells the just don't last NEARLY as long. Hard to tell the quality of the cells in a given pack. My friend traveled to Mexico for the winter. Came back and ALL his packs were dead (like 7 of them). The only ones to 'revive' were from Cheapbatterypacks.com, a much better quality. I have 3 packs and they are WAY better than standard. I have some cheap 7-cell from all-battery.com. Cost 1/2 of stock packs. Work 90% as well when new. In spite of good care they are dying at an alarming rate. Learned my lesson. Lest you decide to go lipo it appears that in general the same is true for those too, cheap packs and chargers are just that > not a bargain. So, in this case serious doubt it's the connector. You still should change them out, they're lousy. fly |
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Post by Twister65 on May 19, 2008 0:32:43 GMT 1
My friend traveled to Mexico for the winter. Came back and ALL his packs were dead (like 7 of them). The only ones to 'revive' were from Cheapbatterypacks.com, a much better quality. I have 3 packs and they are WAY better than standard. fly Can you recommend which ones to choose from Cheapbatterypacks.com? I had a look at their site and I have 4 choices as their recommndation for the SC. I assume the 1500mAh may be the best choice? They have other options as upgrades, and wire guage. It's cool that you can also choose the connector type. Can I also assume that these will charge off the stock chargers? (either AC or DC) Thanks! Scott |
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Post by flydiver on May 19, 2008 1:57:03 GMT 1
If you are going to go that way get the 8-cell, noticeably better power. The PZ peak charger will NOT do 8-cell. The wall wart will but take a LONG time. If you look up the thread I just sold my 8-cell charger cheap. So, you probably would want a new charger too. The PZ works OK but there are better chargers for a bit more $.
The elites are their best and most expensive. You'll have more flight time (more MAh). The wire upgrade does make a difference in electrical throughput. I suggest you go Dean's female on the batteries (convention/safety) and need to add males to the plane and chargers.
Another option involving more work and upfront expense is to go lipo now. You'll get even more performance but have to do some battery box mods and get a new/better charger. I suggest some serious reading before you do that. I run them in other planes and put a few small packs through my SC but mostly used the 8-cell CBP cells, along with the stock 7-cell. Personally I wasn't in to doing a lot of improvements on the SC, just reinforcement.
fly
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> recycle properly ;D