Batteries...

[nick666]

I'm getting varying performance from my packs. I have a good charger, and the packs are fairly new. How long do you let your packs cool inbetween charges, and how long after peaking do you run them?? It seems as if I get best results when peaking, repeaking after 5 min, and then putting the pack straight into the car. They're quite toasty when they come out, though...

[Tore_S]

There _might_ (I don't really know) be a slight increase in performance if you use the battery when it's still hot from charging, but it also decreases the battery's life. And the battery should be allowed to cool down completely before recharge.

You may have noticed that batteries, after being used or charged, stay warm for a longer time than "other materials" would. When you charge or discharge the battery, the chemical structure inside the battery is rearranged, and this process produces some heat. After every charge or use, this process continues for a while, and some of it is converted into heat. To get maximum life from your battery, let this process finish (=battery cool down) before the next charge.

What happens when the battery is used when hot and charged when hot is that it will eventually lose some capacity and/or voltage. I think we're talking small numbers here, and you might not notice it, but in theory... For racing, it might be worth a thought.

Tore.

[pooycow]

if you want your batteries to last, then it is better to, after discharging them to leave them for about 4 hours before charging, because when they are discharging there is a chemical reaction , then if you charge them straight after it is going against the reaction, thus slowly killing your batteries!
that is why i have 7 battery packs, and i let mine rest for 4 hours coz i race and want the maximum performance from my batteries!
hope this helps!

[rc-bdub]

Batteries are tempermental, and vary on performance depending on the temperature of them. I would not run a battery that is toasty especially if the weather is HOT, if the weather is cold you may be fine. If you are not racing, just charge the battery, let it cool a bit than go. If you are limited on the packs you have make sure they are cooled and discharged completly before re-charging. I usually assist mine in cooling done by placing on fan to help suck the heat from them after they have been run and discharged. This takes at least a couple hours, If I had more batteries, I would not do that, but my packs have been going for 2 years+ now and even still race my 1700's against peoples 2000's 2400s and 3000's but granted I do not use my 1700's on the mains.

------------------
Ya ain't driving till ya break it

[nick666]

THanx for the info, guys!