Charging new Ni-Cads - What method is best?

[wlambing]

Folks,
Got a new pair of 7.2V, 1800 mah, 6 cell packs for the Trepang. Figured the 10 yr. old 1500s were due.

Should I trickle charge these new batteries for 18 hours, each, or slam them on my fast charger at @ 20 minutes??

TIA,
Bill

[toneburst]

Hi,

as far as I know

Hi,

as far as I know the best thing to bring your batteries to life is to first trickle charge with 1/10C for 14-16hrs.
I allways do this before charging faster. Secondly I usually do a 3x cycle after this, (discharge, charge, discharge, charge, discharge, charge) using about 1/3C. After this the batteries are allmost at their max performance, and you can charge them as fast as you like (if they don't start acting as a lightsource it's OK), but I never use more then 1/2 C as this gives me a more 'safe' feeling. Using NiMh though...

Jos