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Author Topic: Battery charging advice Nimh  (Read 3145 times)

Korp1010

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Battery charging advice Nimh
« on: February 09, 2016, 06:08:20 pm »
Hello everyone,


This is my first post on this site and i'm hoping someone can help me with a few questions I have.


I have built one of Engels 212A submarines which uses three Nimh battery packs  (2x 5cell 6v 3500mah packs in series for the main power) and a ( 4.8v 4 cell 3000mah pack for the reciever )


The problem I have is charging the Nimh packs because at the moment I don't have a smart charger as such, the charger i'm using at the moment is a MW charger which you can select 1000mah or 500mah on the front and the number of cells but I don't have much confidence in it and i'm constantly monitoring battery voltage and temperature as I charge.


What I need to know is a few basic principals on charging these packs such as a rough charge end voltage and what mah I should be charging them at. I have been looking at purchasing the Accucel 6 80w charger so any thoughts on it or similar chargers which suit my needs would be welcomed.


Sorry for sounding stupid but it's one of those things I just need some guidance on. Thanks









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malcolmfrary

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Re: Battery charging advice Nimh
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2016, 11:15:41 am »
You only really need a "smart" charger if you are in a hurry.  A "dumb" charger giving about 0.1C overnight will do a good job.  If the current limiting is done by a circuit, no problem.  If the current limit is caused by a thermal fuse hidden deep inside the transformer, not as good.  The 500mA is a tad on the high side, but not really disastrously so. 
I have got by nicely charging NiCads and NiMH batteries with nothing more than a pound store battery eliminator with a limiting resistor (physically large ceramic type) inserted into one leg of the output.
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Robotnik

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Re: Battery charging advice Nimh
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2016, 02:18:54 pm »
A good charger for NIMH batteries is the GWS MC2002.
It has a DC to DC converter in it so it can charge at a higher voltage than the input voltage, so you could charge your two 5 cell packs in series as one 10 cell pack.

I always liked them as you can see and adjust the charge rate very easily.

You would need a 12v supply for it though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GWS-MC2002-Charger-4-12-Cell-Battery-Charger-/131704718011?hash=item1eaa3682bb:g:1UcAAOSwsLtVfu7f
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