discharging

[eddie416]

Im kinda new to airsoft and i would like to know if it is really important to discharge your battery before charging it up again. thx

[flack]

Search button just beside the forum's one

[SHaKaL]

Instead of responding with bs, it would have taking you less time to respond with yes or no...

It's always better to discharge your battery's after a game (that i heard) but myself i discharge them before charging... never had any problems with them (i use nimh batteries)

[flack]

the answer IS Yes and No :wink:

well in fact, I didnt remember which kind of cell need to be fully discharged... I know that some type don't need it... I should do a little research :smack: :cheers: :wink:

EDIT: there ya go http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthr...ht=discharging

NiMh don't have to be discharged
Nicd have to be discharged / memory effect

[Mantelope]

Originally Posted by SHaKaL

Instead of responding with bs, it would have taking you less time to respond with yes or no...

It's always better to discharge your battery's after a game (that i heard) but myself i discharge them before charging... never had any problems with them (i use nimh batteries)

This is why one should search. The information you just gave is wrong. Frequently fully cycling NiMH batteries is not good for them.



Eddie: read www.batteryuniversity.com

[eddie416]

k thx a lot guys

[swatt13]

wow thanks harley, ive been picking up tidbits of knowledge here and there for the past year, and everything ive ever learned, i could have learned in 20mins, where were you a year ago!!

really, the memory effect is very minimal. but it helps to discharge the nicad

I have a 3000mah nicad and rarley discharge and I have not noticed any changes.

[Greylocks]

If you want better answers and local help; clarify your location. "sff" means nothing.

[shbadmintonclub]

Originally Posted by Greylocks

If you want better answers and local help; clarify your location. "sff" means nothing.

What does his location is to do with asking info on discharging battery? Its not like he's asking for mechanical assistance.

As for the OP's question, I assume you have nicd battery, since nimh do not need discharging at all.

Here is a FAQ regarding info on nicd battery. Hope it helps.

[Mantelope]

Originally Posted by Droc

I have a 3000mah nicad

Uh... these don't exist, at least in any battery size you can fit in an airsoft gun. Sure you're not thinking NiMH?

Anyway, the so-called memory effect will NEVER be experienced with airsoft batteries. Specifically, the memory effect occurs when a NiCad battery is routinely discharged a very exact amount, and then recharged, over and over again. This scenario is never encountered playing airsoft. What people complain about when they say "memory effect" is merely voltage drop due to old age or abuse.

[swatt13]

hmm ok, well just to clarify harley, i have a 8.4v 1700mah mini battery, i usually use it 2-3 (teus, thurs, and sun) times before i ROUTINLEY discharge (via my tlp charger), which then automatically goes on to build a slow base charge, where it switches over to fast charge to complete. i do this maybe 1 a week, is this NOT reccomended routine then?

if i understand you and droc correctly, would you recommend to just charge my battery when ever w/o discharging? ive never found a definitive answer, i only assumed it needed to be discharged before each recharge because of the tm dischargers you can buy, i "read between the lines" if you will, i just would like to find out if i was reading the RIGHT lines.

[Mantelope]

If it's NiMH, I wouldn't use the discharge. If it's NiCad, sure. There are no 1700mAh mini (2/3A) cells, so either you're not using a mini or you're wrong about the capacity.

Your routine is not nearly strict enough to encounter the actual, serious "memory" effect. Really, the only time it's ever been observed is on satellites, which draw a very exact amount of power for a very exact amount of time before they're recharged via their solar cells.

[swatt13]

yup, your right its only a 1200mah nicad. so my routine isnt harmful to the longevitey of my battery? well thanks for clarifying that up for me and anyone else who ever wanted to ask.

[Greylocks]

Originally Posted by shbadmintonclub

What does his location is to do with asking info on discharging battery? Its not like he's asking for mechanical assistance.

His location has a lot to do with the effectiveness of the assistance. Local resources may be better, we may know stores or local battery experts where he could get direct help and information.
It's a HUGE bonus to have that kind of help. But he, and you, have the right to pass on that help. I'm pointing out the advantage.