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I was told that the NiCd cells have discharge memory. If you always fully discharge the battery after use, the cells will keep max charge for most of the run and then dump to mostly discharged towards the end of the run. Otherwise they will go on a steady charge decline over a run, with more time at a partially discharged state. Less run time close to peak power.

.....and if you don't feel like dealing with the light bulb stringers.....10W 30ohm resistors do the trick.
.....the last two packs ran just this past Sunday, on discharge.....beer for reference, when the resistor temperature gets as cool as the can, they're done.

I used the car lights also- 10 of them in parallel. I thought the trick was to use lights so you could catch them right as they were dimming but not quite out for consistency. I must have read that in RCCA.

TravelinTravis wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:03 am .....and if you don't feel like dealing with the light bulb stringers.....10W 30ohm resistors do the trick.

20250218_122323.jpg
20250218_141337.jpg

.....the last two packs ran just this past Sunday, on discharge.....beer for reference, when the resistor temperature gets as cool as the can, they're done.

20250608_191612-min.jpg

I'm very curious about those deans 4b connectors you use. Why a 4 pin connector?

Also, is that a comm lathe in the top of the first pic?

Swath wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:16 am

TravelinTravis wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:03 am .....and if you don't feel like dealing with the light bulb stringers.....10W 30ohm resistors do the trick.

20250218_122323.jpg
20250218_141337.jpg

.....the last two packs ran just this past Sunday, on discharge.....beer for reference, when the resistor temperature gets as cool as the can, they're done.

20250608_191612-min.jpg

I'm very curious about those deans 4b connectors you use. Why a 4 pin connector?

Also, is that a comm lathe in the top of the first pic?

Deans 4 pins.....because I'm old (school).

Yeah....Cobra Pro com lathe, and a few other oldies floating around the shop.

I have discharge resistors, Dean's Black Box, and all that jive.

Anymore, I just use the discharge function in my Hitec charger.

I put off buying a modern charger for years. That thing is worth every penny.

juicedcoupe wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 4:46 pm I have discharge resistors, Dean's Black Box, and all that jive.

Anymore, I just use the discharge function in my Hitec charger.

I put off buying a modern charger for years. That thing is worth every penny.

I totally get that, I actually bought a modern charger a few weeks back (200neo or geo?), it's still in the box though. I'm sure one day it'll make things easier....till then rolling up to a vintage meetup with modern stuff....just seems a bit off.