Charging TX & RX packs

[malici]

I think I'm going to put NiCD's in my radio, and switch to one of the Triniry NiMH RX pack in my GT. Can I charge both of these packs with my charger. Its a Tekin BC 67, it can charge 4-8 cells with a range of 0-5 amps.

Malici

[Railman]

malici, I hate to tell you, but the bc67 will not charge nmh batteries, only the Tekin 112A, & 112C ('97 & later versions, with h27 & later software) have the software for the proper peak detection for nmh batteries. Unless you want to buy a trickle charger for nmh, I would recomend running a nicad receiver pack. Go to: www.tekin.com (http://www.tekin.com) to check out what tekin chargers will charge nmh. :)

[ 04-18-2001: Message edited by: Railman ]

[Nairb]

Just know that you'll have to charge those smaller batteries at .5 - 1.0 amps. Railman is right about the NiMH situation.

[FilthyPierre]

One thing to remember is that a radio built to take standard cells wants them to be 1.5 volts whereas NiCd's and NiMh's output 1.2 volts. Doesn't sound like much difference, but if your radio takes 8, that means it requires 12 volts. 8 x 1.2 = 9.6 volts, a fair difference. You'll find that your car won't be as responsive because of the lower voltage and therefore lower signal strength (in my experience anyway). So, instead of buying (relatively) expensive NiCd's, use rechargeable Alkaline cells - Rayovac, Grandcell and others make these - they're cheap by comparison, recharge quickly and will last a lot longer than normal alkaline cells (as long as you don't run them flat). They're claimed to get better the more often you recharge them. The only downside is that they have different charge characteristics than NiCd or NiMh, so you need the charger made by the battery manufacturer, good news is that it's also cheap and usually comes with 4 charged cells (mine did anyway).
Dunno about the RX packs, don't run gas.
Hope this helps.