The NimH's behind my Madmax.....

[FalconFX]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

Obviously, it'd be best to charge them constantly, say in 5-7 day intervals if you're using it on intermittent use. If it's heavy use, you'll want to do it in 1-3 days. In any case, I've always been told rule of thumb is never ever let it drop below 1.0V...

 

[logicnerd411]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

Originally posted by PlayboyJoeShmoe:
Moderator feel free to move this if you think you should.

I voltage tested the Panasonic 1600aH NimH's in my M!n!M*g this morning at 1.33V.

They've been in it since around Saturday a week ago, with intermitent use of maybe 30 minutes.

How low can they be before I charge them again?

Keep in mind the only charger I have is the Panasonic 5hr that these batteries came with from Big Lots.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I use the same combination in my Minim^g! I usually charge it every 2 weeks. (Used intermittently everyday)

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

Okay then, BUT...

I discharged some to nothing a while back, recharged them, and they SEEM to be okay in a Brinkmann Nexstar 2AA in my truck.

At around 1.0V do they need any further discharge? And will that simple Panasonic charger cook them too badly?

I want to get a Maha 204, but am budgeted pretty darn tight!

 

[FalconFX]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

You mean the Maha C401, right? The 204 is great and all, but it's 3 hours versus 1 hour for the 401... Plus, the 401 has 4 independant channels, and is also a smart charger; the 204 is dual banked (2 series banks)...

BTW, I doubt it would affect the rechargeability of a NiMH if you ran it until it literally died. But I personally wouldn't do it all the time. There should always be enough trickle charge left in them (even after exhuastive use) to kick them back up by any good charger.

I think your Panasonic charger should be able to charge them up without cooking them (5H charger shouldn't push too much current through them), even if they drop below 1.0V. I once had a NiMH that went almost undetectable with my DMM (.14V), and it charged perfectly fine. I'd still say you're better off conditioning the NiMHs (which don't really need to be conditioned anyways; unlike NiCads) at or before they drop below 1.0V. But if you want to discharge it until it's gone, you're better off doing it in a charger than doing it while using it in application.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

That's what I mean about charge them at around 1V give or take, or even at 1.2 or so once a week without destroying them with this dumb Panasonic charger.

I will beg and plead with the purse strings to order up a Maha 204 or 401 with some 2000aH NimH's... but it will be a tough sell!!!

The one's I discharged to death in a two AA light SEEM to be okay... I will voltage check those tonite.

 

[flash....]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

Not sure if this will help....
I have been totally discharging all my NimH's (5 sets of 1200 - 1850 mah) for the past three years for all my digital camera and flashlight needs. I use a either a BB500 MiniMag or a battery holder rigged with 2 12v auto dome lights in parallel.
I was always under the impression that full charges were better for the cells.
I have noticed no ill effect.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

Okay I have this to report about the AA's and AAA's that were in lights in my truck.

All these Panasonic 1600aH cells (AA's) seem to level out at around 1.35v as that is what the two I totally discharged and now rest in a very little used Brinkmann Nexstar 2AA showed.

The AAA's that were in a Pelican Mity Lite 2AAA showed around 1.37v after a similar time period to the above Brinkmann. This with a bit less use than the Brinkmann.

I'm used to seeing 1.55+ out of Alkys.

I guess I will visit Radio Shack and rig up two single AA dischargers since someone mentioned doing two together can possibly cause problems.

I really want a better charger and some hotter cells though!

 

[Floating Spots]

Re: The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

I have a Quest Q2 charger in BST, if your interested. Its 4 independent channels.
You may want to get some feedback about what other people think of it to make an informed decision.

Sorry about the plug guys.
I've sort of outspent myself recently.
I'm looking around at anything that isn't bolted down and considering selling it (except for my lights, of course).

Jon

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

The NimH\'s behind my Madmax.....

Moderator feel free to move this if you think you should.

I voltage tested the Panasonic 1600aH NimH's in my M!n!M*g this morning at 1.33V.

They've been in it since around Saturday a week ago, with intermitent use of maybe 30 minutes.

How low can they be before I charge them again?

Keep in mind the only charger I have is the Panasonic 5hr that these batteries came with from Big Lots.