NIMH battery conditioning

Brushed, nicad, radios, etc...

Moderators: scr8p, klavy69

Post Reply
User avatar
Frankentruck
Super Member
Posts: 2665
Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2021 9:59 am
Location: Texas, USA
Has thanked: 1630 times
Been thanked: 1837 times

NIMH battery conditioning

Post by Frankentruck »

My RC history is all with NiCd batteries. For them, the general rule was to fully discharge before recharging. I'm using NIMH now because I'm not quite ready to jump to Lipo batteries. I'm not really sure what proper cycling and conditioning is for NIMH batteries. My primary use packs seem to be losing run time, so I probably need to figure it out. Anyone a NIMH user and have good success getting the most out of your batteries? Share your secrets here. 😁
Frankensteined RC10T3 / Franky Jr RC10GT-e (x2) / A+ stamp / Toy Story RC / Graphite replica / B1.5 BFG 5LTi / Clonewald / Hyper Hornet

"I love the effort, but it sure looks like you took the long way around to a tub again"

User avatar
juicedcoupe
Super Member
Posts: 3004
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:05 pm
Location: Pascagoula, MS
Has thanked: 235 times
Been thanked: 1752 times

Re: NIMH battery conditioning

Post by juicedcoupe »

Get a charger that will cycle them. But in general, I treat nimh and nicd batteries the same.

Also be aware that currently available batteries aren't the same quality as the Sanyo and Panasonic batteries of the past.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.

User avatar
R6cowboy
Super Member
Posts: 1099
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2018 1:06 pm
Location: Mendota, IL
Has thanked: 527 times
Been thanked: 570 times

Re: NIMH battery conditioning

Post by R6cowboy »

Rules for NiCd and NiMH are the same to get the most out of them. Fully discharge once every few months, prevents crystal formation in areas that haven't fully discharged. Not necessary to fully discharge batteries before charging them all the time (only periodically like previously mentioned), exposes the batteries to undue stresses that could effect performance. Batteries that sit for extended periods/months, best to cycle them every month or so with a good charger and store batteries at about 40% charge. Avoid using ultra fast chargers, they lack trickle charging batteries once reaching 100% charge, typically only charge to around 70-80%.
-Jerry-

User avatar
morrisey0
Super Member
Posts: 1311
Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2021 2:45 pm
Location: Richmond, VA
Has thanked: 54 times
Been thanked: 1285 times

Re: NIMH battery conditioning

Post by morrisey0 »

Frankentruck wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 6:23 pm I'm using NIMH now because I'm not quite ready to jump to Lipo batteries.
Out of curiosity, why? If running standard 7.2v 6-cell NIMH packs, they make 2S Lipo packs that are almost direct replacements from a size and appearance standpoint.
I build RCs like people would have done back in the '90s ..................................... if they had 3D printers.

User avatar
RC10th
Approved Member
Posts: 4304
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:51 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 40 times
Been thanked: 1035 times

Re: NIMH battery conditioning

Post by RC10th »

Most likely one or two cells are getting weak. Best thing is to take the batteries apart and throw out the "bad" cells. Then reassemble with cells of similar performance.


NiMh don't like to be stored in a discharged state like NiCd.
I was old school - when old school wasn't cool !

User avatar
juicedcoupe
Super Member
Posts: 3004
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:05 pm
Location: Pascagoula, MS
Has thanked: 235 times
Been thanked: 1752 times

Re: NIMH battery conditioning

Post by juicedcoupe »

morrisey0 wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 9:19 pm Out of curiosity, why? If running standard 7.2v 6-cell NIMH packs, they make 2S Lipo packs that are almost direct replacements from a size and appearance standpoint.
Speaking for myself.

Only five (of 20+) of my esc's have lipo cutoffs (I know about the buzzers). And I like the simplicity of nickel based batteries.
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.

User avatar
Frankentruck
Super Member
Posts: 2665
Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2021 9:59 am
Location: Texas, USA
Has thanked: 1630 times
Been thanked: 1837 times

Re: NIMH battery conditioning

Post by Frankentruck »

juicedcoupe wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 9:46 pm
morrisey0 wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 9:19 pm Out of curiosity, why? If running standard 7.2v 6-cell NIMH packs, they make 2S Lipo packs that are almost direct replacements from a size and appearance standpoint.
Speaking for myself.

Only five (of 20+) of my esc's have lipo cutoffs (I know about the buzzers). And I like the simplicity of nickel based batteries.
That lines up well with my situation. Most of my ESCs are not made with Lipo cutoffs and I still get some power advantage with NiMH over NiCd. To me, going to Lipo feels like falling completely off the vintage path. The new stuff isn't a direction I want to go to, at least for my personal runners. My K1 Cat is really more modern than I like, but it was a moment of weakness when I saw 'the deal' on it, and it does remind me a little of my friend's YZ-10.
Frankensteined RC10T3 / Franky Jr RC10GT-e (x2) / A+ stamp / Toy Story RC / Graphite replica / B1.5 BFG 5LTi / Clonewald / Hyper Hornet

"I love the effort, but it sure looks like you took the long way around to a tub again"

Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Best nimh battery?
    by Dave145 » » in Vintage Electronics
    8 Replies
    1040 Views
    Last post by fredswain
  • NiMh Battery Cells
    by Winger » » in Vintage Electronics
    1 Replies
    796 Views
    Last post by TRX-1-3
  • NiMh battery charging???? Which Batteries are Better??
    by tecnica2001 » » in Off-Topic / Chit-Chat
    24 Replies
    1810 Views
    Last post by tecnica2001
  • Battery trays for NiMH/LiPo
    by Flargen » » in RC10 Buggy Forum
    3 Replies
    831 Views
    Last post by Flargen
  • Whats the life span of nimh battery??
    by longboardnj » » in Off-Topic / Chit-Chat
    29 Replies
    3722 Views
    Last post by 86NESKid
  • Recommended NIMH Battery for 1984 Edinger
    by jchappell » » in RC10 Buggy Forum
    1 Replies
    546 Views
    Last post by THEYTOOKMYTHUMB
  • DIY 6 cell battery packs: loose NiMh sourcing?
    by TRX-1-3 » » in Vintage Electronics
    7 Replies
    1657 Views
    Last post by isobarik
  • NIMH battery problem - half of cells warm, low power
    by paul » » in Vintage Electronics
    4 Replies
    727 Views
    Last post by paul

Return to “Vintage Electronics”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No User AvatarGoogle Adsense [Bot] and 11 guests