How low do you take your NiMhs?

[Art]

Hi,
I´ve been thinking about this for some time but I think you guys probably now this better.

My NiMhs get charged at more less 1.4v... and at the Fenix L0D when they get to 1,00v it starts to be noticeable lower output.

So , what is the best way of using this batteries? Should I let them run really low like 0,8v or charging them at 1.00v is better? I ask this for the NiMhs life expectancy.

At my LL P7 I charge them when you cant notice the difference between low and high... dont know the voltage they are but it should be very low.

Thanks in advance. :twothumbs

 

[viorel00]

1.0 or 0.9 is the lower limit, depending on who you ask. below that once or twice may be OK, but not all the time.

NiMH don't have (much) memory effect, so just charge when you reach 1.0V, even 1.1, no need to go to the bottom.

 

[Mr Happy]

With a single cell light, it is OK to take them down to 1.0 V or 0.9 V under load. Do not let the open circuit resting voltage be less than 1.2 V though.

With multi-cell lights you need to be more cautious, since forcing current through a discharged cell can damage it. In that case it is best to recharge sooner, maybe at 1.1 V per cell under load. A good rule of thumb with multi-cell lights is to recharge as soon as you can detect dimming of the output.

 

[JohnMuchow]

There's really not much useful capacity left once you get near 1.0V/cell. Go ahead and discharge to that point with abandon. A little bit lower than that and you're probably OK but a lot lower than that and you risk damaging a cell if one of them goes to zero volts before the group of cells reaches the cutoff voltage.

John