Bunch of novice battery/charger questions

[FJ and G]

Background:

I’m nearing completion of my “critter” and my 7.2V large battery is a bit too bulky to fit inside so I switched to a 6V battery (five 1.2V batteries daisey chained in photo). I only have a Radio Shack charger for the 7.2V battery, not for the 6V Radio Shack one. I was charging the 6V battery with the 7.2V charger and noticed the battery was building up heat. Then I realized it was the wrong type of charger and there was a warning it could blow up. Yikes. Anyway, I’m going to see if I can find a charger for the 6V one (pictured here).

Q1: Know of any charger that will charge this?

Q2: The wire that goes from #1 to the upper left of the photo (not shown) has the ubiquitous large white connector that mates to the ESC. What is the function of the small black connector #2? I’m guessing it is either as a jack for a charging unit, or, it is a connector if you want to run another battery alongside the one shown. The guys/gals at Radio Shack are very friendly but are clueless when it comes to answering questions.

Another thing, I’m hoping that #2 can be used for charging purposes. That way I don’t have to remove the whole battery from the critter and I can locate this in an inconspicuous place. I’m guessing that switch #1 shuts off power to the ESC so the charger can charge the battery without putting current into the ESC.

I hope my questions are sort of clear.

[altterrain]

Hi Dave,

My first bit of advice is to stay away from RS for your battery needs. Their rechargeable batteries are usually low capacity and overpriced. I go to allbattery.com for my batteries (http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp).

You don't have a picture of the charger itself. Is it a dumb charger (basically a plug in wall transformer with a tamiya plug?) They work by just providing a slightly larger voltage, low amperage charge to the batteries over many hours.

It's hard to tell from the pic what the #2 wire is but you may be right.

You did not mention what type of batteries they are (nicad or nimh) but my nimh packs can get pretty warm when charging. 

AllBattery has a nice smart charger for smaller packs for $23 - http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1566

I just put a Li Ion pack from allbattery in my rail truck. Each cell (a bit bigger than an AA battery) is 3.7 volts with a 2.2 Ah capacity. Each cell also has a built in overcharge protection circuit built in. I used a 3 cell pack for 11.1 volts. The charger for these packs is good for 1-4 cell packs and also $23.

I hope that helps.

-Brian 

 

 

[FJ and G]

thanks Brian for the very useful info. Yes, nimh, which I heard are superior to the other.

 

(I think Lith is hi-end)

 

(I forget you are the only other SE modeler on this forum) 

[FJ and G]

Just ordered the small universal charger you linked to. It has the big white prong but not the small black jack shown in my photo so I might need to cut off the white jack and put a black one in its place. Wish connectors were more standardized.

 

(or, perhaps I can use the jumper cables shown and leave the 2 wires exposed or hooked to posts.) 

[TonyWalsham]

The harness you show is for the receiver used in R/C models.

It is definitely not designed to carry the load of powering a model.

The little black plug is for the 4.8 volt receiver battery charger.

[altterrain]

Now that Tony has cleared up that mystery don't be cutting off the big white plug. Its a Tamiya plug and is the standard of RC battery packs. There is also a mini Tamiya plug at about half the size. Your charger will probably come with a plug for it too.

-Brian 

[FJ and G]

thanks for the explanation!

 

BTW, One of the goals is to hide the charging plug port and that big white connector will really stick out. I'll have to investigate that connector. 

[altterrain]

If you take a look at Tony's site he has an installation kit with a plug in jack for charging batteries - http://www.rcs-rc.com/?page=accessories/inst_kits.html. Take alook at the BIK-U-3v2 .

-Brian 

[FJ and G]

Couldn't find that particular link but browsed thru his site and it is pretty neat.

[altterrain]

Couldn't find that particular link but browsed thru his site and it is pretty neat.

They must be screening out those aussie sites where you work . I am able to click on this - BIK-U-3v2 and it takes me right to it. On the page I posted above he also has the jacks and plugs seperately. 

-Brian 

[FJ and G]

thanks; I missed the hot link and was clicking on the URL. Duh!

[FJ and G]

Universal Smart Charger for Nimh battery pack 2.4V-7.2V Instruction says: "Two current levels, 0.6A and 1.2A are selectable by a switch. For battery pack less than or equal 1200mAh, use 0.6A For battery pak over 1200 mAh, use 1.2A HOWEVER, My charger has a 1.8A and 0.9A switch!!! What mAh ratings go with that? Thanks

[altterrain]

For smaller cells (smaller than subC) you're  better off with the slower charge rate. Its much better for battery life.

 -Brian

[FJ and G]

thanks; I was worried that I'd destroy a battery if I had it on the wrong setting (1.8A or 0.9A). Guess I can use either setting then and one setting charges it faster than the other

[heinzm57]

I have a "Astro-Flite" charger and get my power from a small 12V car battery. The charger has a dial for charging rate. NiCad charge at 2-3 times mahr, Nickel Metal Hydride charge at 1 mahr.

This charger handles up to 24 cells, up to 50 V and up to 8 Amp. Another nice thing about this charger: it discharges the batteries first, which is an advantage if one uses Nicads since they might hold "Memory".

In some engines i use 2 -7.2 V .......14.4 V 3000mah packs.

[izzy0855]

There's a great battery manufacturer in Iowa called Cordless Renovations.  They build custom battery-packs for G Scale Trains and I believe they are the battery manufacturer for RCS of NE.  I've talked to Rick on the phone a couple of times, he was very helpful with designing a battery for my system.  I would recommend them to everyone.  There website is www.cordlessrenovations.com