adamant

i am new to this.
i have a e max with 2 1500 mAh batterys that charged up well the first 3 times but now when i charge them the charger goes to trickel in less then 5 min. and the batterys are still cold.
mic 819 super brain charger
thanks anthony

Aaron Waldron

I'm not too sure, but I think those chargers have an external fuse?

If so, check it and make sure it's alright, replace just in case.

If that's not it, try another charger and make sure it's not the batteries.

Do you usually use your charger where it's really dusty? Has it been dropped?

adamant

aaron: thanks for the reply...
there seems to be no fuse.
and it seems to do the same on all batterys.
i called the hobby shop yesterday they will charge them for me...to see whats up..
ant

Aaron Waldron

Well, good luck with everything. It really sounds like an internal problem with the charger.

You might be able to get some information from MRC, so call them up.

Cain

iTrader: (294)

How have you been maintaining the batteries?

Have you been discharging them down to 5.4V after every run?

If you haven't they could have built up some memory that is tricking the charger into thinking its done.

You may want to invest in the following items:

1. Better charger
2. Discharge lights with an autocutoff device


For a better charger, you can look into some that integy makes. You probably can find the integy 16x3 v2.5 pro charger online for about $50. This is the same charger as the duratrax digital one except its power supply is more reliable.

I know that it sucks that you have to buy a better charger, but trust me, your batteries will last longer. Sometimes it better just to pay the money and get a good charger right away.

Need more help just let me know.

Aaron Waldron

Since they are 1500 Ni-CD's, you should be discharging them completely..are you using lightbulbs or anything?

The Novak Ionic is also a good little charger..very tough, and it's very user friendly.

Cain

iTrader: (294)

You should not discharge your nicads completely if they are assembled in a configuration that you discharge all the cells at once via a light set or something similar . You will cause cell reversal and damage your cells.

Aaron Waldron

True, but 5.4 volts is still a fairly high value..and the battery is going to develop a memory.

Unplugging the lights immediately as they go out will stop the cells from reversing.

TSR6

iTrader: (5)

For Nicad cells, you need to bring them as low as possible. With a stick pack configuration, this is usually noted as 5.40v, as any lower than that, you risk reversing a cell.

If it's in side by side, you should do the same, discharge it to 5.40v, but then put it on a tray afterwards to bring each cell down even further.

It's not nessisary, but it keeps the cells better conditioned, longer.

The MRC Superbrian 815 can be touchie with older cells, especially if they haven't been charged in a long time. I used that charger for a while, and I noticed that if they were old cells, I needed to put a little charge into it with a timer charger, then put it on the 819.

For the time being, I would suggest just using the 819, and once it goes to trickle, unplug & re-plug the pack until you get "SOME" heat into the cells - be VERY careful, and monitor the pack while it charges though, as you could easily overcharge it be repeatedly plugging it back in.

Cain

iTrader: (294)

One thing to add.

The packs of 1500s aren't that expensive ( I have seen them as low as $9 bucks ) so if you happen to smoke a pack don't feel too bad.

I would however recommend a better charger if you have the means, you will be happier in the long run.

adamant

thanks guys..
ant