Do budget chargers discharge?

[IR]

The intellipeak will discharge, but as Howard said, it is not at a rate that is condusive to good battery life. Your best bet is to pick up a dedicated discharger or build one. That way you know the batts are discharging at the reccomended rate. Typically @ 20 amps or so.

[teach]

Thanks guys I'm a little slow but I'm getting it. Stupid question, is the Dean's bulb discharger and cut-off box two separate things or the same thing? Where can I get it at a good price?

[IR]

they are seperate. You can usually find them at you Local Hobby Shop (LHS) or online. I just built mine, because I'm cheap...

[teach]

Thanks IR, you have been a big help. I just got my TC3 last night for my birthday and I'm in the process of ordering a motor (P2K), battery (Maxx Paks or Time Warp), radio(Blazer), charger(Pirahna or Superbrain) (discharger?) and ESC (LRP pro/w reverse). I would like to do it today with Tower Hobbies but I'm just doing a little more research. I'm trying to run a budget set-up. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks again.

[IR]

Sounds like your getting quite the setup! The TC3 is pretty sweet straight out of the box. I would set it up just as it says in the manual. You'll have a great ride.

If you're on a budget, and who isn't?, I recommend checking out that website link I posted a little earlier, you can build a bulb discharger and a cut off box for 10-15 bucks. As long as you follow the directions, it's pretty easy.

Let us know how the car hooks up.

IR

[Obi112]

Don't worry about a discharger yet. Just run the car until there is a noticeable speed decrease and stop. Then charge the batteries.

The two low-end Intellipeaks can only discharge at 2 amps, but the two higher-end Intellipeaks can discharge at 2 or 10 amps. 10 amps is a great way to remove the left-over capacity after a race.

[teach]

I'm a little confused. I thought all chargers discharged. I just realized that the Piranha, Superbrain, & Vision don't have a discharger. Don't you have to discharge your batteries after every use? Do they sell quality and inexpensive charge/discharge chargers or am I better off buying them separate? HELP!

[IR]

Deans bulb tray and a cutoff box. You can buy 'em or if you're handy you can build your own for a lot cheaper.

This website will show you how to do both; http://www.nascart.com/howtos.htm

[HowieStern]

some less expensive chargers do have dis-chargers.. but they typically discharge at a very low rate... not something you would really want to use on your cells....

seperate dischargers are not that expensive... and they help train your cells to put out max power for the entire length of your pack... a voltage cut-off box should be used.... (so the cells are not over discharged..)
i recommend both the Dean's bulb discharger and cut-off box.. (but never use these on ni-mh cells, only on ni-cads...)

and yes, you should properly discharge your packs every time... (except for ni-mh)

peace out... :)

[teach]

Can I buy a Duratrax intellipeak charger to solve my problem or is it better to buy them separate?