discharger question

[Sp00n]

For someone new to electric racing, if I don't discharge my batteries, will this damage them? If I get a discharger, how do you know when a battery pack is fully discharged or do you want them fully discharged?

I'm sorry for the n00b questions. but this whole charging/discharging thing has be baffled and I don't want to ruin $50.00 or more batteries by not using them properly.

Thank you very much!

[gizmoguy303]

If you don't discharge your batteries, you probably won't be able to get the most out of them, compared to if you did discharge them properly.

With GP3300's, discharge them to 5.4v after each run (most dischargers have an auto-cut off). You can store them discharged to 5.4v or store them with a little charge. Lately, I have been discharging them to 5.4v and then adding a little charge (100-200mah) to them after they have cooled.

If you have NiCd batteries, you MUST get a discharger or else they will develop a memory if left charged. :)

[RC10racer89]

Yah I store my NiMH batteries with like a half charge, but my brother uses NiCd (No idea why :confused: ) As far as a discharger, a built my self a cheap one, discharge all the way, and then recharge to about half for the NiMH batteries.
Any way here are some RCCA article you may want to check out
- http://www.rccaraction.com/rc/articles/htBuildDischarger_1.asp
- http://www.rccaraction.com/rc/articles/NiMHbatcare1.asp

Hope that helps.

[tenacious]

Just do the easy, cheap, and safe way:
Run your batteries out until your car slowly crawls, then let 'em cool before recharging, and your set! =) Note* Make sure not to run the car at the slow crawl for too long, you could run the risk of stressing your batteries!

[tenacious]

Then again if you have NiMH you don't have to discharge them at all really. They don't develope a memory like NiCd's do. Once your done with your NiMH you should leave some charge in them, but NiCd's should be safe for no longer than a week while charged.

[elecracr]

Tenacious, running the battery down in the car is definately not the greatest way to discharge them... Putting them under load like this does not always discharge them accurately, so it can stress the battery and not discharge them properly, and risk cell reversal. Also, GP3300's do perform better when discharged at least occationally. You are supposed to leave half a charge or so in your Nimh batteries when storing. Nicads you just discharge them then leave them.

[T/Losi]

So you have to fully discharge NiCd's beofore you charge them again or only when you storing them?

Cheers

[SS Pede]

NiCd's have to be fully discharged after every charge, before you charge them again. Whether you are storing them or using them tomorrow, discharge them to 5.4v for 6 cell pack. :)

[rcguy2477]

the best way to discharge batteries is on an equalizing tray. This makes sure all the cells are at .9v. When charging, you will notice a substatial increase in runtime.

[elecracr]

The only problem with an equalizing tray is you need to have side by side packs, where as i do, im sure many people wondering about discharging do not, you also cannot hand shrink wrap on the batteries, which gives great risk for a short, so i just use a discharger, so i can use it on all my batteries, stick with end to end soldering, or side by side.