Newb battery issue

[B-2]

hi all, i have a crane battery.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Firefox-9-6V-1...3A1%7C294%3A50

(Composed of 8 x 1.2V 1500mAh cells)
until i can afford a more complex charger i am operating a 2 pin charger and adapter (english plug)

I have used a few formulas and have found different charging times.
any chance one of you kind folk could help out a newb and work out ho bl**dy long i have to charge the battery.

Battery: 8 x 1.2V 1500 Mah
Charger Input: AC 220-230v, 50Hz
Charger Output: DC 8.4V 450mA

Will using a chinese 2 pin charger in england affect the result too? (different currents/voltages) sorry i dont have a clue about electricity...


Thankyou to anyone who can help!

[Teufelhunden]

Re: Newb battery issue

i bought the same one ! i just stuck it on charge for 17 hours for my first charge and after that i do it for 10, does more than a days gaming for me

hope this helps :D

[Andy Cowhig]

Re: Newb battery issue

(capacity / charger output) x 1.4 (for NiCad)

or

(capacity / charger output) x 1.5 (for NiMh) (which yours is)

The resulting number is the number of hours you need to charge for. Bear in mind that the answer is a decimal, so 9.5 is nine and a half hours and not nine hours and fifty mins. (Obvious I know, but this confuses some people).

So:
I have an 1500mAh NiMh battery and a charger with an output of 450mA.

this gives;

(1500/450)x1.5 = 5

Charge time = 5 hours.

[B-2]

Re: Newb battery issue

THANKYOU BOTH! much appreciated. so 5 hours exactly. il get it started now. any recommendations on a hassle free charger. one that can switch on/off charging when done?

THANKYOU again!!!!

[Andy Cowhig]

Re: Newb battery issue

I invested in a proper peak charger that stops me forgetting that I've left the battery charging for days!

Also, as I and my two boys have RIFs as well as 2 x Cyma AK47s we use as back up, that is 5 x batteries that need charging and if I just used the cheap chargers the guns come with I'd have to start charging process about a week before the skirmish (particulalrly with the 4600mah battery in my Star L85A2!

Also, as it monitors the nbattery condition it charges in about 20 minutes! Then it turns itself onto trickle charge when finished. Ideal

I got mine from my local R/C shop or any of the site sponsors will stock them.

mine was the i-peak 3000 and cost £28.50.

Andy

[Andy Cowhig]

Re: Newb battery issue

Also...I just noticed your battery is 9.6v, yet your charger only goes up to 8.4v.

Due to the magic mystery of electrickery, that would be like 3/4 charged and no more, so you need a 9.6v charger even if you buy a cheapy plug in the wall one, otherwise it would last no time on a skirmish

And don't worry about being a Noob, I've only been into airsoft since December, just been a steep and very enjoyable learning curve!

Andy

[B-2]

Re: Newb battery issue

cheers andy, ive just ordered a:

"500/1,000mA Smart charger for race packs.

Charges 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 cell NiCd or NiMH battery
packs. (2.4V, 4.8V, 6.0V, 7.2V, 8.4V, 9.6V, 12V)
Delta-Peak microprocessor controlled charging,
switches to trickle charge once pack is charged.
Discharge function for NiCd battery packs.
500mA or 1,000mA selectable charging current
Mains 230V UK 3-pin plug (Batteries sold seperately)"

should do the job no?

[Andy Cowhig]

Re: Newb battery issue

Better than mine!

Should do you nicely - and you won't believe how quickly it charges the batteries!

Good luck

Andy