stinger battery question

[snapper]

Just got me a polystinger. Love the light, but a simple question, don't turn this into a huge debate. I have read the memory effect is sorta like a myth, it happens but not like everybody thinks. My reading tells me that heat, over discharge, and rechargeing from the exact same point of discharge is what kills nicdads. So since i have the stinger fast "smart" charger, it cuts off at just the right time. So the way i see it to get good run time and battey life, and not be left in dark, i should charge the battery after i feel i has been used long enough to warrant a charge, like nightly or every couple days. So since i am not over discharging or over charging, or charging from the same point, this ought to give me pretty good life out of the pack.. Does my thinking sound right????? This sound like a plan?? I am not really worried about the batteries cause i know most guys who use these don't understand the first bit of these principles, and the bats last them a pretty good while, and they are relatively inexpensive to replace, so even a year would be fine to me..

thanks guys!!

 

[JSWrightOC]

If the charger is intelligent enough, it might even include a conditioning discharge cycle.

Your best bet is to use it normally, and put it in the charger before it is completely depleted. If you do discharge it to the point where the light starts to dim suddenly, discontinue use and recharge immediately. This happening occasionally won't hurt it, but repeated excursions into the "over-discharge" state can be very damaging, as I'm sure you're aware.

I would not worry about having to discharge it "all the way" before you put it in the charger each time. Perhaps once a month, if you watch it closely. I would also not be concerned about leaving it in the charger when you're not using it. Many smart chargers will apply a small trickle charge current to the battery to counteract self-discharge, keeping the pack topped-off and ready for use. On the other hand, if you use it for only a few minutes after a fresh charge, don't stick it back in just yet. The charger may have difficulty detecting the delta peak when it's very close to fully charged.

Hope this answers your question!

 

[Bullzeyebill]

snapper, do what cops do and leave it in charger cradle, over nite cradle, not fast charge one. Then it will always be ready for you, whether you keep in in the car or your home. Then replace it every year, keep the old one as a back up, cause it will still have life in it, but not for as long as a new battery. Streamlight engineered these rechargables for that kind of service.

Bill

 

[Dukester]

[ QUOTE ]
Bullzeyebill said:
snapper, do what cops do and leave it in charger cradle, over nite cradle, not fast charge one. Then it will always be ready for you, whether you keep in in the car or your home. Then replace it every year, keep the old one as a back up, cause it will still have life in it, but not for as long as a new battery. Streamlight engineered these rechargables for that kind of service.
Bill

[/ QUOTE ]

I own the Stinger XT/HP plus the UltraStinger. The Stingers are meant to sit on the charger when not in use. They do have a fail/safe overcharge circuit built into the charger. You cannot and I repeat cannot overcharge your battery stick. Your instructions that came with the light should tell you this, it did in mine. If you have concerns which it sounds like you do go to wwww.streamlight.com. On their homepage it gives you quite a few links to the left of their page. Towards the bottom their page is a link for Product Instruction Manuals. Better yet here is the link http://www.streamlight.com/pdf/stinger.pdf. It will tell you everything you need to know about Streamlight Stinger Line. They have a whole write up on charging your Stinger that should answer all your questions.

Myself, if I use my Stinger XT/HP for 20 minutes it goes back on the charger, if I use the Stinger for 10, 5 or 45 minutes it goes back on the charger. There are no memory issues! When not in use the Stinger is meant to be left on the charger with no ill effects. Trust me, I have owned mine for about 11 months now!