Topic: Do NiMh batteries need to be completely discharged before recharging?

[dennisrtyler]

yay or nay? TIA!!

[sygdwm]

i believe they do. i always discharge, and my batts still die on me on occassion.

[dennisrtyler]

i believe they do. i always discharge, and my batts still die on me on occassion.

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

[sygdwm]

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. 

[dennisrtyler]

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. 

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.

[darby]

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. 

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

[SClassical]

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.

[darby]

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

[tfs8271]

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. 

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.

[dennisrtyler]

thanks for the replies y'all. +Ts to all.

[LEDZEPZOSO]

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.

[tfs8271]

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

[LEDZEPZOSO]

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

[agave]

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

[SClassical]

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.