[pianodude]

does anyone think there will be problems if i use my 50 mah futaba wall charger with my 2000 mah NiMh flight pack. it says nicad only on the charger... i just wondered what (if any) the implications would be.... john

[JohnM]

John: my understanding is that there is no problem using a NiCad charger to charge NiMh batteries and I have been doing it for years.(using Futaba Wall chargers) However, you should NOT do it employing a charger that measures voltage and amps and is therefore capable of determining when to cut off when the battery is FULL. This type of charger can not make this measurment properly when in NiCad mode charging a NiMh battery.
Also, it is my understanding that a large capacity battery, such as your 2000 mAh, NiMh flight pack should not be charged with a charger putting out less than 200 amps. In other words, you should charge your battery with at least a charger set at 200 amps.
I don't thing charging at 100 or 150 amps would hurt but once broken in, the battery should be charged at 200 amps. . . I know others, more knowledgable in this area than me will comment. . . All the best - John M.

[Spitball]

JohnM - I think you must mean MILLI-AMPS?
John, with a regular charger like you want to use, it wouldn't matter but it would take 45 to 48 hours to fully charge a 2000mAh NiMH pack - apparently NiMH don't mind being charged at a much reduced rate unlike NiCds did but you should really look around for a charger that puts out more current, like JohnM says. Lots of people must have older Hitec 340 s and the like that would do the job very well, actually.
I even have one myself that I don't use anymore. It would work very well.
I have a similar problem with the battery in my new Airtronics Tx, it is a 6-cell 2000mAH pack, so normal Tx chargers are of no use. But they caution against using fancy chargers.
I found an old one from an RC boat that fills the bill nicely.
Saved $19 plus $12 or $14 mailing!

[kip51035]

I have two Futaba chargers and the voltage is so low that I will not use them to charge my regular packs. I end up with less than half the run times when I use the them. I thought I had diminished capacity batteries but it was just the charger.

[robonline]

One of the best chargers for RX and TX batteries is the ACE DDVC (dual digital vari charger). This has two independent channels that let you charge at a constant variable (I.E. you set the rate) charge rate. Anywhere from 5 mAh to 3000 mAh or there about.
This way you can charge you NiHM and NiCd and lead at 1/10C (or any other rate you want) regardless of their capacity. I have not used a wall wart charger for decades.
Beware of using peak detect chargers all the time. They may allow a pack to become out of balance. The best way to balance a Nixx pack is 14 to 20 hours at 1/10C charge rate.

[JohnM]

Thanks for the correction - Milli amps it is! John M.

[50%300SFlyer]

This Dymond Super Turbo NIMH / NICAD charger, would be perfect for your batteries! It is completely adjustable.

https://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showthread.php?t=111489

[robonline]

Originally Posted by 50%300SFlyer

This Dymond Super Turbo NIMH / NICAD charger, would be perfect for your batteries! It is completely adjustable.

https://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showthread.php?t=111489

I do not want to interfere with your charger sale but as I said before, a peak detect charger should not be the ONLY charger you use for RX TX batteries. You must be able to slow charge (1/10C) once in awhile, in order to balance NiXX batteries and the Dymond Super Turbo Charger is a peak detect fast charger. It would be good for fast field charging though. Interesting how fast your Ace DDVC sold, great charger.

[50%300SFlyer]

Originally Posted by robonline

I do not want to interfere with your charger sale but as I said before, a peak detect charger should not be the ONLY charger you use for RX TX batteries. You must be able to slow charge (1/10C) once in awhile, in order to balance NiXX batteries and the Dymond Super Turbo Charger is a peak detect fast charger. It would be good for fast field charging though. Interesting how fast your Ace DDVC sold, great charger.

Actually this Dymond charger, will charge at a rate as low as .1A [100ma], cycle your batteries and more.

More info on it can be found here. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396852

[pianodude]

hey guys, thanks so much for all the info. i actually have a Triton EQ that i use all the time for charging. the reason for my original post was because i sometimes know what i will be flying the next day and i like to plug everything in the night before and then just get up and go flying. i wondered if i could plug my Tx and Rx(2000 Mah NiMH) into the wall charger safely, but from what i read here the wall charger is totally inadequate for an Rx pack of that size. thanks again for all the input... cheers, john