charging question

[Mr.Mike]

I am running the stock batts that came with my Blade CP. 9.6v 650mAh NI-MH.

The book says to charge 2-2.5 hours

First off, how to discharge? I have been running them down in the heli after a flight. but running low volts through the motor cant be good can it?

Second, I charged for 2.5 hours and the batt never got warm. I put my multi meter on it and is said 12 or so volts I would assume this is over charged??? Ideas or suggestions?

I will probably be moving to a lipo set up in the near future but thats another story.

Mike

[donaldhm]

May sound strange, but I used to use 10 trailer bulbs(brake lights) soldered together as a discharger for ni-cads. I would wait till the lights were quit dim then allow the battery pack to cool then charge. As to your comment about using a meter and it showing 12v. Was that while it was on the charger, because then that would be normal.

Donald

[Mr.Mike]

I like the light bulb idea!! I think I'll do that and save the heli's electronics. The batts were not on the charger. They had been off for about 5 or 10 min and wasnt warm. Thats another weird thing, they dont warm up at all charging.

I just checked them. They have been off the charger for 3 days now. one is at 10.8 volts and another is at 11.5 volts. Both batts were dead at charge and charged for 2 hours each.

Mike

Just fyi. I'm not useing a cheep multimeter either. Its a Snap-on (Bluepoint) So I'm pretty sure its accurate

[donaldhm]

Hey

If I slow charge mine they don't heat up either, unless I'm using a peak charger. As to the voltage, I could see it being a little higher than the 9.6v because your measuring under a no load state. I guess one thing I would watch would be the run time you are getting.

Donald