Question about Ni-MH Batteries

[DarkShadow73]

I bought and have charged up a bunch of Ni-MH batteries for my various PF-equipped models. Once I charge them, do they quickly lose their charge if I don't install them in devices right away, or can I just bag them up and wait until I need them, or alternatively can I build a model, put them in the PF Batt box and if I don't run the model for a time, do I have to continuously take them back out and recharge. The 8258 Crane Truck comes to mind here as that batt box is a devil to get out. Obviously I'm not talking about months here, but do they quickly lose charge if not under load in a PF model? I've only ever used alkalines and I know you can hang onto them for a long, long time and unless they are under load in a device of sorts they store for a while and still have good voltage upon initial usage.

I will say one thing, I installed them in my 8043 Excavator, and BAM the gear switching function literally slams back and forth now without any having to hit the remote 2 or 3 times to get it to engage each set of functions.

Thanks, Eric

[Blakbird]

They hold their charge for a long time. Nickel Cadmium batteries lose their charge quite quickly, but Nickel Metal Hydride last longer. You should be able to leave them for a couple of months without worrying about it, although not as long as alkalines. Lithium Polymer batteries hold their charge almost indefinately, but have a much lower current capacity (and other hazards) compared with the other rechargeables.

[rgbrown]

They hold their charge for a long time. Nickel Cadmium batteries lose their charge quite quickly, but Nickel Metal Hydride last longer. You should be able to leave them for a couple of months without worrying about it, although not as long as alkalines. Lithium Polymer batteries hold their charge almost indefinately, but have a much lower current capacity (and other hazards) compared with the other rechargeables.

Also, modern ones have much lower self-discharge than older ones -- should be able to hold the bulk of their charge for months on end.

[Countdown]

I have (had) about 20 Duracell NiMH 2650mAh batteries for my PF models and I must say they are really bad after a year of use (about 50 charge cycles). Maybe they are defective but I ended up throwing most of them away (BTW, disposed properly in a recycling facility)

I also have some Eneloop batteries from Sanyo, and these are the best up to now. They are in my #8043 since August and recharged them only once since. Also the AAA Eneloop are in my PF-Remotes and charged them once or twice in two years.

Granted, I don't "play" very often with my models. I'll recommend the Eneloop batteries anytime.

[hga09]

I have (had) about 20 Duracell NiMH 2650mAh batteries for my PF models and I must say they are really bad after a year of use (about 50 charge cycles). Maybe they are defective but I ended up throwing most of them away (BTW, disposed properly in a recycling facility)

I also have some Eneloop batteries from Sanyo, and these are the best up to now. They are in my #8043 since August and recharged them only once since. Also the AAA Eneloop are in my PF-Remotes and charged them once or twice in two years.

Granted, I don't "play" very often with my models. I'll recommend the Eneloop batteries anytime.

Sanyo Enelops are best for low self discharge rate, i.e. keeping their charge for a long time when not in use. Sanyo recently improved Enelops and now they keep their charge even longer. Older conventional NiMH batteries I used to have would lose their charge within a few weeks.

[rgbrown]

I have (had) about 20 Duracell NiMH 2650mAh batteries for my PF models and I must say they are really bad after a year of use (about 50 charge cycles). Maybe they are defective but I ended up throwing most of them away (BTW, disposed properly in a recycling facility)

I also have some Eneloop batteries from Sanyo, and these are the best up to now. They are in my #8043 since August and recharged them only once since. Also the AAA Eneloop are in my PF-Remotes and charged them once or twice in two years.

Granted, I don't "play" very often with my models. I'll recommend the Eneloop batteries anytime.

Other things that are important - don't run them completely flat - if one goes flat before the others, it can end up being driven in reverse, which kills it. When the motors start slowing down, time to recharge.

[quilkin]

I bought and have charged up a bunch of Ni-MH batteries for my various PF-equipped models. Once I charge them, do they quickly lose their charge if I don't install them in devices right away, or can I just bag them up and wait until I need them, or alternatively can I build a model, put them in the PF Batt box and if I don't run the model for a time, do I have to continuously take them back out and recharge. The 8258 Crane Truck comes to mind here as that batt box is a devil to get out. Obviously I'm not talking about months here, but do they quickly lose charge if not under load in a PF model? I've only ever used alkalines and I know you can hang onto them for a long, long time and unless they are under load in a device of sorts they store for a while and still have good voltage upon initial usage.

I will say one thing, I installed them in my 8043 Excavator, and BAM the gear switching function literally slams back and forth now without any having to hit the remote 2 or 3 times to get it to engage each set of functions.

Thanks, Eric

Keeping charged cells in the fridge will retain the charge for longer (but make sure they are in a plastic bag so they don't get wet with condensation). But at normal temperatures, if they are discharging after a few days then they are faulty.

[DarkShadow73]

I bought the Energizer NiMH's a lot of you suggested, so guess I'm good.

Thanks for the feedback,

Eric

I have (had) about 20 Duracell NiMH 2650mAh batteries for my PF models and I must say they are really bad after a year of use (about 50 charge cycles). Maybe they are defective but I ended up throwing most of them away (BTW, disposed properly in a recycling facility)

I also have some Eneloop batteries from Sanyo, and these are the best up to now. They are in my #8043 since August and recharged them only once since. Also the AAA Eneloop are in my PF-Remotes and charged them once or twice in two years.

Granted, I don't "play" very often with my models. I'll recommend the Eneloop batteries anytime.