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Author Topic: SLA battery charging HELP?!?  (Read 4207 times)

pete-k

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SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« on: January 01, 2016, 11:51:11 pm »

I'm trying to test out the electrics in an old model I got from my uncle. It's got a 6V 4000mAh sealed lead acid battery pack in, which hasn't got a charger. I really don't know how to charge it, and there's so many chargers out there it's confusing ! If anybody could shed some light on what I need that would be great. Do I need something special, or will the £10 jobs I've seen on Amazon do the trick?
Cheers, Pete.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2016, 12:20:46 am »

If it is old then the batteries have probably had it. Replace the battery with a NiMH. pack.

Colin
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pete-k

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2016, 12:24:25 am »

Are the NiMH packs all compatible with old motors? It's a 6V motor, so I'm guessing that as long as I get a 6V pack it won't matter? Cheers  :-)
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Colin Bishop

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2016, 12:27:46 am »

Motors are not that fussy. If you have a 6v SLA then a 7.2 NiMH will simply give you a bit more poke. No problem.

Colin
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pete-k

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2016, 12:30:42 am »

I'll get some ordered and have a bash at it. Cheers ! Although, the same question still stands, do I just get a cheap charger for the pack ? Are they easily wrecked by overcharging?
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Colin Bishop

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2016, 12:35:03 am »

Buy your battery pack and a matching charger from Component Shop http://www.componentshop.co.uk/ Success guaranteed.

Colin
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pete-k

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2016, 12:41:39 am »

Will do, thanks for your help!
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Brian60

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2016, 07:13:45 am »

Be careful if you attempt to charge your SLA. Many used by modellers are for building alarm system backups. As such they need a trickle charger with a balance monitor built in. A standard 6v or 12v battery charger will try and 'push' too many amps into the battery. The result is at best a battery whose plastic case expands like a balloon ( I have one in the store room from a neighbour!) At worse it will explode causing damage and mayhem to the place you have it stood while charging. For instance a car charger (12v) can push as much as 3/5 amps when the battery needs milliamps.

pete-k

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2016, 10:14:21 am »

 Thanks Brian, I think I'll stick to the nickel batteries now and get some ordered. Hopefully I'll have some luck with the current motor, esc and servo fitted to this Clyde puffer from caldercraft, and I'll be able to get her out on the water for summer :D
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barriew

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2016, 10:17:56 am »

Depending how much you want to spend, Componentshop will sell you a charger that will charge any type of battery - NiMh, NiCd if you still have any, SLA or LiPo. This way you will be future proof O0 {-)


Barrie
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grendel

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2016, 10:23:32 am »

many car chargers with a 6v option will charge a SLA, I have one from lidls that charges all my sla's 6v and 12v, on the 6v motorcycle setting it happily charges the smaller sla's.
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inertia

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2016, 11:22:50 am »

many car chargers with a 6v option will charge a SLA, I have one from lidls that charges all my sla's 6v and 12v, on the 6v motorcycle setting it happily charges the smaller sla's.
I would suggest that unless you know exactly what you're doing then buy the right tool for the job. Component Shop is an excellent and knowledgeable supplier of good-quality batteries and chargers for use in model boats, whereas LIDL sells groceries.  (Mind you, their NZ 'Cimarosa' Sauvignon Blanc is pretty damned good for just over a fiver...)
No offense intended here, but I think the phrase is "horses for courses".
I'd go for the NiMH pack myself.
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pete-k

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2016, 02:33:27 pm »

So, on their way to me now are two NiMH battery packs, both 6V, one at 3500mAh and one at 4300mAh, a couple of spare connectors, and some wires to make up some harnesses. Thanks for the help everybody :)
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ballastanksian

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2016, 06:38:01 pm »

I did my first charge today with a Turnigy -6 and it seemed to work Ok. I am still not sure if I did the right thing as it charged for about ten seconds on a brand new NiMh and said it was charged. As nothing went bang, melted or formed a mini black hole, I assume the battery was almost fully charged and the cut louts as set worked perfectly. We will find out tomorrow at the lake side:O)

I buy my gizmos from Component shop and am a satisfied customer.
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malcolmfrary

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Re: SLA battery charging HELP?!?
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2016, 09:50:59 pm »

I did my first charge today with a Turnigy -6 and it seemed to work Ok. I am still not sure if I did the right thing as it charged for about ten seconds on a brand new NiMh and said it was charged. As nothing went bang, melted or formed a mini black hole, I assume the battery was almost fully charged and the cut louts as set worked perfectly. We will find out tomorrow at the lake side:O)

I buy my gizmos from Component shop and am a satisfied customer.
Either the battery really was fully charged (lucky), or a dud causing the charger to see its own voltage and no current. 
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