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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: dennisrtyler on February 10, 2007, 05:02:34 PM

Title: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: dennisrtyler on February 10, 2007, 05:02:34 PM
yay or nay? TIA!!
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: sygdwm on February 10, 2007, 05:46:35 PM
i believe they do. i always discharge, and my batts still die on me on occassion. :D
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: dennisrtyler on February 10, 2007, 05:54:16 PM
i believe they do. i always discharge, and my batts still die on me on occassion. :D

thanks Drew. i can't be having batteries die on me. i'm wondering if rechargables are really worth it if you have to worry about them ???
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: sygdwm on February 10, 2007, 06:07:13 PM
if you have an external solution that works for you, great. but its not a bad idea to have some charged AA's in the bag. having 2 sleds saved me in a pinch last nite at lotus. i changed them during songs w/ no music lost.  :o
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: dennisrtyler on February 10, 2007, 06:15:57 PM
if you have an external solution that works for you, great. but its not a bad idea to have some charged AA's in the bag. having 2 sleds saved me in a pinch last nite at lotus. i changed them during songs w/ no music lost.  :o

well, i've been using lithium AAs in my 660 and NEVER have to worry during a show. i'm thinking of making the change to rechargable 2500 NiMh batts but not if i'm gonna have to worry about a 3 hr. show. i've been conditioning some new AAs and in my initial tests i'm getting just over 5 hrs. maybe i'll be OK.
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: darby on February 10, 2007, 06:35:45 PM
if you have an external solution that works for you, great. but its not a bad idea to have some charged AA's in the bag. having 2 sleds saved me in a pinch last nite at lotus. i changed them during songs w/ no music lost.  :o

well, i've been using lithium AAs in my 660 and NEVER have to worry during a show. i'm thinking of making the change to rechargable 2500 NiMh batts but not if i'm gonna have to worry about a 3 hr. show. i've been conditioning some new AAs and in my initial tests i'm getting just over 5 hrs. maybe i'll be OK.


I have been using Powerex 2700 NiMh in my P2 and have not had any worries
I use a Smart Charger so that discharges every use and it has a conditioning mode also
the last show I did was about 2h45m with a set break just in case I wanted to switch
but had about 1/3 left on the indicator of my P2 afterwards
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: SClassical on February 10, 2007, 11:46:43 PM
Does your 2700 mAh batteries significantly last longer than the 2500 mAh energizer batteries?? Or you never tested this. Anyone compared 2700 mAh with 2500 mAh and saw a big difference?

BTW...I never discharge my NiMH... I charged them when they are emtpy and also when they still have charge. I think NiCad needs discharging but NiMH doesn't mind if you charge them if they are half full. That's one of the main difference in NiCad and NiNH I think.
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: darby on February 11, 2007, 12:06:12 AM
Does your 2700 mAh batteries significantly last longer than the 2500 mAh energizer batteries?? Or you never tested this. Anyone compared 2700 mAh with 2500 mAh and saw a big difference?

BTW...I never discharge my NiMH... I charged them when they are emtpy and also when they still have charge. I think NiCad needs discharging but NiMH doesn't mind if you charge them if they are half full. That's one of the main difference in NiCad and NiNH I think.

I bought the 2700s originally so I never did a comparison
I just assumed that they would last longer
they make 2900 now

you are right about NiCad needing full discharge
maybe I am misunderstanding about the Smart Charger
I use the slow setting and it takes 2 hours
and thought that it discharged then charged
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: tfs8271 on February 11, 2007, 01:44:32 AM
I discharge and recharge everytime. I bought a LaCrosse charger and it will tell me which batteries are not getting a full charge. Most are fine but some are not so good. I have about 8 to 10 sets (4) AAs. I have a 4 year old so some go to toys.  ;D

I recently bought 4 sets from Ebay and when I went to just charge them (2500 mAh NiMH Energizers) they charged on an average of 1400 mAh per battery. I put them back in for conditioning and although it took several days per set they reach an average above 2500 mAh each. Once they go through the conditioning they just need to be discharged and recharged. I have a few (2-3) that I have taken out of the rotation due to not fully charging and one that seems to have gone dead. Don't forget some of those might have been used in the Light Saber.

Doug mention once that about one in ten will give you troubles with fully charging all the time.

Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: dennisrtyler on February 11, 2007, 09:17:12 AM
thanks for the replies y'all. +Ts to all.
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: LEDZEPZOSO on February 12, 2007, 05:30:16 AM
I discharge and recharge everytime. I bought a LaCrosse charger and it will tell me which batteries are not getting a full charge.



Can I ask you what model you are using. I am thinking about upgrading.
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: tfs8271 on February 12, 2007, 10:05:40 AM
I discharge and recharge everytime. I bought a LaCrosse charger and it will tell me which batteries are not getting a full charge.



Can I ask you what model you are using. I am thinking about upgrading.

Good price I would say.

http://www.amazon.com/LaCrosse-Technology-BC-900-AlphaPower-Battery/dp/B00077AA5Q
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: LEDZEPZOSO on February 12, 2007, 04:56:43 PM
I discharge and recharge everytime. I bought a LaCrosse charger and it will tell me which batteries are not getting a full charge.



Can I ask you what model you are using. I am thinking about upgrading.

Good price I would say.

http://www.amazon.com/LaCrosse-Technology-BC-900-AlphaPower-Battery/dp/B00077AA5Q

Thanks +1
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: agave on March 29, 2007, 12:41:20 PM
i charge mine as soon as i get home from a show then put them away ,then charge agin a day before the show & then charge agin just befor the show  NEVER had a problem doing it this way  i use energizers 2500mAh's with quick charge multiuse charger   uses both 12 volt & 120 volt  soo you can charge on the road & at home
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: SClassical on April 01, 2007, 01:07:01 AM
I once charged a fully charge NiMH AA to see what will happen if I keep the charge up without using the battery....It actually damaged my NiMH Energizer.
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: Carrera2 on April 08, 2007, 04:25:16 PM

According to this FAQ, very little memory effect with NiHM batteries.

http://rechargeablebatteryinfo.com/cat_index_21.php
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 08, 2007, 06:41:10 PM
i still cycle my 7.2v NIMH RC batts every 6 months or so. it has kept them fresh and at maximum capacity for 2+ years now
Title: Re: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?
Post by: agave on April 12, 2007, 02:56:38 AM
never had that problem & i've done 40 shows recharging after & before  on the same 2 sets .. that was a bad cell ..