Charging rates

[swampfox201]

I just ordered a new AC/DC charger that mrmugen recommended.

www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DYN4053

It will charge up to 5 amps. I have two battery types. 2 Stock 7 cell 1000mah and 1 8 cell 1500mah.

Would like some suggestions on what the charge rate should be. Can I fly nonstop with these three batteries. Bigtone was talking about a recharge time of up to 20 minutes or less a pack. Was that at 2 amps? What would happen at 5 amps? If I can fly all day can I bring hotdogs and cook them on the batteries?

Thanks for the input



Todd

[wjcjr]

I have read a little about charging batteries and have settled on a 1C charge rate.

The slower you charge generally the longer the battery will last in flight duration and in overall longevity.

The faster you charge generally the greater the potential surge power output but less flight duration and shortened overall life span.

Again the 1C appeared to be the best option. Example:
1C=1500 Mah battery you charge at a rate of 1.50 amps.

The above figures and opinions are for NIMH batteries, LIPO's are much more foreign to me.

Wayne

[mrmugen]

Lipo's are exactly that. You can charge them lower than 1C but never higher. If you remember that you will never have a fire. P{rovided you don't over-discharge them. When this happens to me I let them sit for and hour, check them with a voltmeter and make sure they have at least 2.3vpc and charge them back up.

[swampfox201]

Thanks guys. I went over to cheapbatterypacks.com on the FAQ section they had this:

What charge rate should I charge my new pack at?

For the first charge it is best to do a 10 hour charge. To figure out the rate simply take the battery capacity and divide by 10. so a 2000mah battery would need to charge @ 2000/10 = 200mah. Once you have done a slow charge you can charge 1C to 2C. Again. using 2000mah. at 1C that would be 2000mah charge (which is the same as 2amps). 2000mah @ 2C would be 4000mah or 4amps. It is best to use a peak charger. A peak charger will automatically stop charging when your battery is full. Not matter if the battery is fully drained or only 10% drained.

[mrmugen]

When I used to race 1/10's in the 80's when I was a teen we only had NiCd cell to work with. We could charge our 1200-2400's at 5x's there cell rating as long as they didn't get hot. Those were the good ole days. Usually 10-15 minute charges. But the battery's hemselvel were more to maintain then the cars we ran.

[chucky010]

I charge with 2 amps on my Swallow 2 charger and get about 12 mins out of each 7 pack - it takes about 30mins to charge.

[60buick]

I've been charging 8 cell packs at 2.2 amps on my Triton Charger. I am also using a PZ P-51 Charger and have it cranked to 1.8 amps.

[loopy]

I feel as though 1C is too slow to charge and 2C is too fast, I charge all my NI-MH batteries at 1.5C

900mAh ~ 1.2A on charger
1000mAh ~ 1.5A on charger
1200mAh ~ 1.8A on charger
1500mAh ~ 2.2A on charger

Works great for me!