Battery Discharging

McKee · November 19th, 2007, 00:21

Just curious as to how many people discharge their battery to a set voltage. I've been doing some research, and according to many sources you are not supposed to discharge batteries below 1v per cell or else cell reversal can occur. This means 7v in an 8.4v battery, 8v in a 9.6v. If I use my marui discharger, then checking with a voltmeter it will always discharge below 7v, sometimes below 4v.

What are you all using to discharge your batteries, if you are indeed controlling the level to which your battery is discharged. I have tried to build this discharger http://unconventional-airsoft.com/20...ry-discharger/ however I havent been able to find the proper capacitors to build it, radioshack (the source by circuit city... they are only fooling themselves) didnt have them.

I need something that can discharge at a safe rate and not require me to monitor its operation (something I can leave overnight and not worry about overdischarging) anyone have a good solution?

Styrak · November 19th, 2007, 03:32

I'm not using anything to discharge my batteries. I use Ni-MH batteries and they don't need discharging. I'm assuming you have Ni-CD batteries?

mcguyver · November 19th, 2007, 03:43

MRC Superbrain 989 charger. It does variable discharge, as well as charge, run motors for break-in and battery conditioning. All the settings are fully variable and is the best charger I've found for the money. It will cost you about $200 though, and is worth it if you use alot of Ni-Cads, or if you want to venture into the LiPo area.

LUTNIT · November 19th, 2007, 03:44

NiMh batteries should be discharged every 20-30 top ups, NiCd every 5-7 top ups. Usually you can safely go to 0.9V/cell.

I use a Duratrax ICE competition R/C charger, can discharge at 0.1 to 10A in 0.1A increments. Nothing beats a good charger/discharger, the ICE runs $200-300 with a proper power supply (most good chargers need external power supplies.)

HaZarD SFD · November 19th, 2007, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUTNIT

NiMh batteries should be discharged every 20-30 top ups, NiCd every 5-7 top ups. Usually you can safely go to 0.9V/cell.

I use a Duratrax ICE competition R/C charger, can discharge at 0.1 to 10A in 0.1A increments. Nothing beats a good charger/discharger, the ICE runs $200-300 with a proper power supply (most good chargers need external power supplies.)

He knows his shit. Listen to the man!

McKee · November 19th, 2007, 14:18

Yes I should have mentioned this is for my NiCd batteries...

Currently I am using a duratrax piranha and was looking to upgrade. I've had my eye on the ICE however like you said it's pricey, especially considering i'd have to buy a DC power supply as well. I guess it's probably worth it in the long run to have a really good charger, in my mind it's not so much the long service life I want from my batteries (but its nice) but reliability in the field. I had a 1500mah NiCd that I believe suffered from cell reversal, it would fully charge and work fine but after about half a mag it would really slow down and couldnt provide the output I needed.... and that sucks when people start shooting at you. I just wanted to gauge what people are doing for discharging if maybe there was a cheaper option I could look at.

Kos-Mos · November 19th, 2007, 17:25

I am using ICE....unfortunately some dumbass dropped it and the LCD is dead... Duratrax don't want to sell me just the LCD, and Checkpoint (making a clone of the ICE) want me to send them the ICE....

I will buy a second one and add a quick disconnect board for the LCD to transfer....

*edit* You might also want to look at the Triton from GreatPlanes.... works great, I had one at a time... easier to use than the ICE... well enought for Airsoft... and does about the same job..

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November 19th, 2007, 00:21	#1
McKee Merica' Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London, Ontario	Battery Discharging Just curious as to how many people discharge their battery to a set voltage. I've been doing some research, and according to many sources you are not supposed to discharge batteries below 1v per cell or else cell reversal can occur. This means 7v in an 8.4v battery, 8v in a 9.6v. If I use my marui discharger, then checking with a voltmeter it will always discharge below 7v, sometimes below 4v. What are you all using to discharge your batteries, if you are indeed controlling the level to which your battery is discharged. I have tried to build this discharger http://unconventional-airsoft.com/20...ry-discharger/ however I havent been able to find the proper capacitors to build it, radioshack (the source by circuit city... they are only fooling themselves) didnt have them. I need something that can discharge at a safe rate and not require me to monitor its operation (something I can leave overnight and not worry about overdischarging) anyone have a good solution? __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side" - Han Solo Commanding in Airsoft

November 19th, 2007, 03:32	#2
Styrak Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Saskatoon, SK	I'm not using anything to discharge my batteries. I use Ni-MH batteries and they don't need discharging. I'm assuming you have Ni-CD batteries? __________________ Airsoft Sales and Repair/Upgrade Services

November 19th, 2007, 03:43	#3
mcguyver Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern Alberta	MRC Superbrain 989 charger. It does variable discharge, as well as charge, run motors for break-in and battery conditioning. All the settings are fully variable and is the best charger I've found for the money. It will cost you about $200 though, and is worth it if you use alot of Ni-Cads, or if you want to venture into the LiPo area. __________________ Age verifier Northern Alberta Democracy is two wolves and a sheep discussing what's for dinner. Freedom is the wolves limping away while the sheep reloads. Never confuse freedom with democracy.

November 19th, 2007, 03:44	#4
LUTNIT Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ottawa	NiMh batteries should be discharged every 20-30 top ups, NiCd every 5-7 top ups. Usually you can safely go to 0.9V/cell. I use a Duratrax ICE competition R/C charger, can discharge at 0.1 to 10A in 0.1A increments. Nothing beats a good charger/discharger, the ICE runs $200-300 with a proper power supply (most good chargers need external power supplies.)

November 19th, 2007, 14:18	#6
McKee Merica' Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London, Ontario	Yes I should have mentioned this is for my NiCd batteries... Currently I am using a duratrax piranha and was looking to upgrade. I've had my eye on the ICE however like you said it's pricey, especially considering i'd have to buy a DC power supply as well. I guess it's probably worth it in the long run to have a really good charger, in my mind it's not so much the long service life I want from my batteries (but its nice) but reliability in the field. I had a 1500mah NiCd that I believe suffered from cell reversal, it would fully charge and work fine but after about half a mag it would really slow down and couldnt provide the output I needed.... and that sucks when people start shooting at you. I just wanted to gauge what people are doing for discharging if maybe there was a cheaper option I could look at. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side" - Han Solo Commanding in Airsoft

November 19th, 2007, 17:25	#7
Kos-Mos Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lévis (QC)	I am using ICE....unfortunately some dumbass dropped it and the LCD is dead... Duratrax don't want to sell me just the LCD, and Checkpoint (making a clone of the ICE) want me to send them the ICE.... I will buy a second one and add a quick disconnect board for the LCD to transfer.... edit You might also want to look at the Triton from GreatPlanes.... works great, I had one at a time... easier to use than the ICE... well enought for Airsoft... and does about the same job..

Battery Discharging

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