Ni-CD charging settings?

Subject: Ni-CD charging settings? Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:59 am

I have a 1500 MAH Ni-CD pack. Always charged on a 5-6 hour wall charger.
Want to charge it using my new Dynamite charger. What settings are recommended?

1. Charge rate= 1.5 amp (based on 1C) ?
2. Dischrage rate?
3. Capacity cutoff = 1200mAh ?
4. Delta peak sensitivity = _mv/cell?
5. Temp cutoff?

Thanks in advance….!

Subject: Re: Ni-CD charging settings? Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:47 pm

1. Charge rate= 1.5 amp (based on 1C) ?

Quote:

A battery’s “1C” current is the same number as the battery’s rated capacity number, but noted in mA or amps. A600mAh battery has a 1C current value of 600mA, and a 3C current value of (3 x 600mA) 1800mA or 1.8A. The 1C current value for a 3200mAh battery would be 3200mA (3.2A), etc.

2. Dischrage rate?

3. Capacity cutoff = 1200mAh ?

Quote:

Note that “0.2A” is the same as 200mA… “0.7A” is the same as 700mA, etc.

5. Temp cutoff?

Quote:

All functions will pause when the temperature inside the charger exceeds 212°F (100°C). Functions will automatically resume after the charger has cooled to 158°F (70°C).

All info is based on my Triton2 charger..
double check your chargers manual if you still have it very happy

Subject: Re: Ni-CD charging settings? Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:09 pm

Samaj wrote:

I have a 1500 MAH Ni-CD pack. Always charged on a 5-6 hour wall charger.
Want to charge it using my new Dynamite charger. What settings are recommended?

1. Charge rate= 1.5 amp (based on 1C) ?
2. Dischrage rate?
3. Capacity cutoff = 1200mAh ?
4. Delta peak sensitivity = _mv/cell?
5. Temp cutoff?

Thanks in advance….!

1 - seems a good start point.
2 - don't know. Why don't you just stick it in your car and use it till it's dead smile

3 - I'm guessing, but this might be in case you are using the thermal cut off function, but forget to put the temp prop in? In that case it will stop charging at the capacity cutoff (maybe 1600 for a 1500 pack?) so you don't trash your batt's. I used to have a thermal cutoff charger 15 yr ago, and used to cook the occasional pack when the temp probe fell out or I forgot to insert it.
4 - Delta peak is the charge function I would normally use. 10mV/cell is common setting. If you find you are not getting full charge you could try increasing by few mV.
5 - Temp cutoff, not sure. I don't have that function on my charger and I can't remember as per point 3 above. When your pack is charged the excess energy is converted to heat, so some battery chargers will keep charging until your pack get's to X deg C. Anyway you should use the delta peak detect charge routine.

All above are my best guess, but if you cook your batteries I won't be taking much responsibility. Does your manual not have any advice?

Co-Driver Posts: 77 Join date: 2010-01-12 Location: Dubai

Based on what I used in the past, before the NiMh / LiPo / LiFe era!!!

1. Charge rate= 1.5 amp (based on 1C) ?
When charging at a low rate, the battery become lazy.
At least 2C, thus in your case with 1500 mAh bat, charge it with 3 Amp.
NiCd has memory effect. That means, before charging it, you want to discharge it completely first (e.g. use your charger or use a car lightbulb and connect it untill the light is off).

2. Dischrage rate?
As much as possible, depending on the capacity of your discharger. For races, they are discharging the batteries even up to 35 Amp, using several car light bulbs in parallel!
E.g. Deans Discharger

3. Capacity cutoff = 1200mAh ?
To prevent misdetection of the charger when the battery is full, set it according to the capacity of your battery, thus 1500 mAh

4. Delta peak sensitivity = _mv/cell?
With 6 cells, about 20 mV

5. Temp cutoff?
Approx 45-50 C. Not mandatory to be used. Also not accurate because affected by surrounding temperature.