Problem with batteries
12-19-2003, 07:04 AM
#1
Problem with batteries
I have a question/problem with charging batteries. I recently ordered two 3000 MaH NiMH Powerizer batteries from BatterySpace.com. They arrived today and I tossed them on my charger to charge. The problem is I can't seem to get either to charge more than 1400 MaH. I have a Reedy Quasar Pro charger so there are a lot of things I could try in order to see if I can get these things to start behaving themselves but I'm having no luck. I've tried cycling one of them 3 times charging at 5 Amps and discharging at 20 Amps. No luck. I've tried charging at 4 Amps. No luck. I've tried charging at 3 Amps and cycling at 3 Amps. Still no luck. Did I just buy a couple of crappy batteries or am I doing something wrong? These are the first new NiMH batteries I've ever purchased so, maybe I'm just missing something. The charger has never false peaked before, even on the crappy NiMH battery that came with my car when I bought it.
Any help would be great.
Any help would be great.
12-19-2003, 07:10 AM
#2
Are the cells warm when they batteries false peak? If not, then push the button again until they charge up. Discharging them from a part charged state isn't going to help with the false peak.
Cells that have been in storage for a while will tend to false peak. Normally it stops after a couple of full ctcles.
If they are warm at 1400mAh, then there is a problem with one or all of the cells.
Cells that have been in storage for a while will tend to false peak. Normally it stops after a couple of full ctcles.
If they are warm at 1400mAh, then there is a problem with one or all of the cells.
12-19-2003, 07:36 AM
#3
Yes, they're warm when they false peak. Not hot but warm. I've tried taking one off the charger after it peaks and then putting it right back on. It took about another 200 Ma and then stopped again.
12-19-2003, 07:45 AM
#4
What voltage threshold are you using? I suggest a 3-5mv/cell setting. Also make sure you have the right number of cells programed into the charge setting. If your telling the charger to charge 4 cells when its a 6 cell pack then there could be a problem. Basically, you'll have to tell us your settings. It could also be how you put the pack together.
Hope this helps.
John
Hope this helps.
John
12-19-2003, 08:13 AM
#5
Settings are as follows on the charger:
Battery Type: NiMH
Cell Number: 6 cells
Battery Capacity: 3000 MaH
Charger Current: Tried 3, 4 and 5
Delta Peak Voltage: 3Mv/cell (I think)
I didn't build the pack myself, its a pre-built stick pack from BatterySpace.com.
Battery Type: NiMH
Cell Number: 6 cells
Battery Capacity: 3000 MaH
Charger Current: Tried 3, 4 and 5
Delta Peak Voltage: 3Mv/cell (I think)
I didn't build the pack myself, its a pre-built stick pack from BatterySpace.com.
12-19-2003, 08:18 AM
#6
12-19-2003, 09:13 AM
#8
I'd contact the place you bought them from and see if you can return/exchange them
12-19-2003, 01:07 PM
#9
You could have got GP3300 for $30 per pack off Ebay. I have 5 ebay $30 packs and 7 SMC 3300 packs. The ebay packs (matched by GP) are pretty darn close in voltage and runtime as my SMC packs.
12-19-2003, 01:23 PM
#11
plbmna-
I have the same charger and I have been using some of those packs as practice packs. And they are just as good as any other 3000 cells I have used. thier panasonics with some cheap covering and shrink. I charge them at 6 amps with a .6 mv cutoff. I get false peaks sometimes with them. I just restart right away and it works fine for me. you could up the cutoff to 7 and try that. I dont know what the deal is about em thier fussy about peaking I monitor temp alot and try to get em up to 130 b4 I quit charging. The first thing I did with them is to put real battery bars on them and wire what they come with is real cheap but for 12 bucks a pack thier well worth the trouble.
I have the same charger and I have been using some of those packs as practice packs. And they are just as good as any other 3000 cells I have used. thier panasonics with some cheap covering and shrink. I charge them at 6 amps with a .6 mv cutoff. I get false peaks sometimes with them. I just restart right away and it works fine for me. you could up the cutoff to 7 and try that. I dont know what the deal is about em thier fussy about peaking I monitor temp alot and try to get em up to 130 b4 I quit charging. The first thing I did with them is to put real battery bars on them and wire what they come with is real cheap but for 12 bucks a pack thier well worth the trouble.
12-19-2003, 02:59 PM
#12
I have the same two packs. My bro-in-law has the same two packs as well. We haven't had any problems with them. Do you have a friend w/ a charger? Maybe they could try charging them.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
12-19-2003, 05:08 PM
#13
Tried changing the cutoff to 7Mv. No luck.
My other 3000 MaH batteries charge just fine on this charger so, I'm pretty confident that my charger is behaving itself.
Seems like maybe I got a bad batch of batteries...
right?
My other 3000 MaH batteries charge just fine on this charger so, I'm pretty confident that my charger is behaving itself.
Seems like maybe I got a bad batch of batteries...
right?
12-20-2003, 05:38 AM
#15
If I dismantle them, I can't send them back. I think I'm just gonna pack them up and ship them back.