How long should i be charging these batteries?

Conrad11 · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:13

Hi there,

How long should i charge 1000mAh rechargable batteries for with a charger which has this spec:

Input:
9V 550mAh

Output:
2.4X1 (-...) 1000mA
2.4X2 (-...) 500mA

Thanks

EDIT:

I will be charging 2 batteries at once.

saitrix · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:16

1 hour for 1, 2 hours for 2 batteries.

saitrix · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:18

Though with the internal losses in chargers it will take really 144 mins for 2 batteries and 72 hours for 1.

SideWinder · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:19

I tend to just charge batteries until the green light disappears...didn't realise there was a certain time?

saitrix · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:21

SideWinder said:
I tend to just charge batteries until the green light disappears...didn't realise there was a certain time?

Not all chargers peak and turn to trickle charge.

squiffy · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:22

SideWinder said:
I tend to just charge batteries until the green light disappears...didn't realise there was a certain time?

Cheaper chargers don't have delta peak, so it's just a timer. So with low capacity batteries, or with cells that just need topping up (NIMH) you can easily overcharge.

Always buy a charger with intelligent delta peak detection, unless you want to damage your cells. You can also undercharge them too as you have no idea current charge amount. With Delta Peak there isn't that problem, as with NIMH it'll top the cell up and detect when it's fully charged, and with NICD you can also discharge the cell prior to the charge to reduce memory effect (again will detect when the cell is charged) I use a RC modellers charger and a Ansmann Energy charger.

squiffy · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:24

saitrix said:
72 hours for 1.

What are you on about? That'll put 72 amps into the cell!
With 2 cells it'll charge in just over 2 hours.

saitrix · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:27

squiffy said:
What are you on about? That'll put 72 amps into the cell!
With 2 cells it'll charge in just over 2 hours.

Whoopsie, I orginally wrote 1.2 hours, then meant to change it to 72 mins. My bad.

Conrad11 · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:36

Ok guys, cheers for the advice. 2Hours it'll be then.

I am not sure whether my charger has one of these delta peaks tings, but it does have an lcd screens which shows me how much its charged and when its charged and the speed etc.....but i am under the impression that it doesnt work very well (the batteries dont last that long), im hoping it automatically stops charging when full

saitrix · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:42

Conrad11 said:
Ok guys, cheers for the advice. 2Hours it'll be then.

I am not sure whether my charger has one of these delta peaks tings, but it does have an lcd screens which shows me how much its charged and when its charged and the speed etc.....but i am under the impression that it doesnt work very well (the batteries dont last that long), im hoping it automatically stops charging when full

What charger you got?

Conrad11 · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:44

Its a generic one: Just says Super Charger on the back with the model number: kn-990a:

This one here: http://www.laptopbattery.net.nz/images/box.jpg

DailyGeek · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:44

Sorry to go o/t but saitrix, my hydrofoam is coming this week, and it includes a 1200mah lipo cell which will apparently give it 15 mins run time. any idea of how i can get a longer run time, without a battery which will weigh the hydro down?

saitrix · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:49

Conrad11 said:
Its a generic one: Just says Super Charger on the back with the model number: kn-990a:

This one here: http://www.laptopbattery.net.nz/images/box.jpg

It should auto stop, they call it a smart charger which is normally for the delta peak chargers.

DailyGeek, Do you know what make cells they are? I am gessing it is a 11.1v 3s pack.

DailyGeek · 26 Dec 2006 at 23:56

saitrix said:
DailyGeek, Do you know what make cells they are? I am gessing it is a 11.1v 3s pack.

from the auction info, it looks that way yes

saitrix · 27 Dec 2006 at 00:01

DailyGeek said:
from the auction info, it looks that way yes

Once you know the make, email me in trust or msn address. Then I will have a look round for you to see what you can get for the same weight. I get the feeling it could be an Etec pack you got there.

squiffy · 27 Dec 2006 at 00:04

DailyGeek said:
Sorry to go o/t but saitrix, my hydrofoam is coming this week, and it includes a 1200mah lipo cell which will apparently give it 15 mins run time. any idea of how i can get a longer run time, without a battery which will weigh the hydro down?

Buy higher capacity lipo pack. DO NOT use a standard charger on lithium cell, your charger has to support lithium poly/ion, whatever your pack is.

DailyGeek · 27 Dec 2006 at 00:12

squiffy said:
Buy higher capacity lipo pack. DO NOT use a standard charger on lithium cell, your charger has to support lithium poly/ion, whatever your pack is.

Yeah I gathered that much, but higher capacity presumably = heavier, hence why I was curious as to what to look at.

Thanks saitrix, i'll give you a shout when I get it

saitrix · 27 Dec 2006 at 00:15

DailyGeek said:
Yeah I gathered that much, but higher capacity presumably = heavier, hence why I was curious as to what to look at.

Thanks saitrix, i'll give you a shout when I get it

Yeah that is why I want to know what make ones you got. Then I know the weight of the pack you have. Then from there I can see what higher capacities you can get for a similar weight. Then remember when you get a 2nd battery you can charge both up before you go out flying and swap them over when 1 is dead.

DailyGeek · 27 Dec 2006 at 00:22

saitrix said:
Yeah that is why I want to know what make ones you got. Then I know the weight of the pack you have. Then from there I can see what higher capacities you can get for a similar weight. Then remember when you get a 2nd battery you can charge both up before you go out flying and swap them over when 1 is dead.

Could you recommend a *cheap* plane i could practise flying with too?

squiffy · 27 Dec 2006 at 00:25

DailyGeek said:
Could you recommend a *cheap* plane i could practise flying with too?

Budget? A electric foamy for a small budget, or nitro trainer for larger budget. Don't forget radio gear.