Charge current for 4200mah nimh

[BHChieftain]

I did some searching on the topic but I'm still not clear...

I have 4200 nimh packs-- what's the best current to use when charging them? My particular charger has .8A, 1.5A, 3.0A, and 5.0A settings. I've been using 3 amps (takes just under 90min, which is good as my charger safetly cut off time is 90min), but I'm wondering if 5A on 4200mah is ok...

-Chief

[CornelP]

5A could be a bit too much... I charge my 5300s at 0.5A. It takes forever, but it seems that you get more juice out of the cells this way...

[Doby]

5A is fine, but the lower the charge current the easier it will be on the cells.

[RandyatBBY]

I would charge it at 4.2 amps . It is the correct rate.

[Dragonturbo3]

I agree with Randy, but I charged all my match packs for onroad at 5A (they were all 4200)

[Make-a-Wake]

I have 4200's(powerizers) and charge them at 5a..........over a year old still strong.

[BHChieftain]

I would charge it at 4.2 amps . It is the correct rate.

So 1C is the bogie to shoot for? If I have 5000mah, I'd ideally use 5A, right?

Since my charger has 3A and 5A, wondering if it a better generaly policy to be a little under vs. a little over (for 4200mah).

-Chief

[CornelP]

Go for the lower setting... If this is the first charge, you should go lower than that (again, so I've been told by somebody at Team Orion). Check the initial voltage, if it's very low, go for a slow charge. I got my cells (selected) at under 1V, but after a long charge at 0.1A, they are now ok...

[m4a1usr]

I did some searching on the topic but I'm still not clear...

I have 4200 nimh packs-- what's the best current to use when charging them? My particular charger has .8A, 1.5A, 3.0A, and 5.0A settings. I've been using 3 amps (takes just under 90min, which is good as my charger safetly cut off time is 90min), but I'm wondering if 5A on 4200mah is ok...

-Chief

Depends alot on what type of charge you want to apply and the application. Charging them (batts already partialy charged) can be done with a high current setting because the charging cycle will be pretty short. But if your going to charge the pack(s) for storage and or for tomorrows play time you should use a slow charge at .5 amps. Since you will have lots of time to wait until the next day at the lake the smaller the charge rate the more it will act like a balance charge. Thats what I got from Joerg several years ago. A smaller slower charge rate will ensure all the cells come up and not the strongest ones first.

John