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ACE DDVC has two outputs that can be adjusted from 0 to roughly 300 mA current and up to total of 10 battery cells. Bob has this battery set to 180 mA, which is what you would normally charge 1800 mAh batteries for at C/10 rate overnight. That is not an 1800 mAh pack in the photo. |
Q-5: "I own a Hobbico Accu-Cycle which has output charge rates of 50 and 125 mA (milliamperes)," wrote a reader. "Recently I purchased an 1800 mAh (milliampere-hour)-capacity four-cell receiver battery. I read what you said about always charging at the C/10 rate (which would be 180 mA in this example) but wondered if I could charge this new pack at the 125 mA and just settle for less than the rated capacity?"
A-5: You probably could get away with it, but I would be uncomfortable with that kind of charging in the long run. It would almost be like saying that the battery was never fully charged but is that all right?
I would prefer that you buy a variable output charger, such as the ACE DDVC, set it for 180 mA, and let it stay on charge overnight, or at least for 10 hours. Then you would have maximum battery capacity available, and the battery chemistry would be happy. The result would be a long-lasting battery pack.
I receive many questions similar to this one; they all involve making do with equipment (chargers) on hand. Many alternatives will probably work, but I recommend the technically correct approach.