Battery charging question

[DavidN]

Sorry for putting up this question. I am still new to the RC world. I typed up battery charge in search and there were over 500 posts about it. So I just had to start it as a new topic. After I finished out the battery from driving my tank, do I need to recharge it right away? Or do I just put it in my used battery box until I need it and then charge it up? Thank you!

[keilau]

Sorry for putting up this question. I am still new to the RC world. I typed up battery charge in search and there were over 500 posts about it. So I just had to start it as a new topic. After I finished out the battery from driving my tank, do I need to recharge it right away? Or do I just put it in my used battery box until I need it and then charge it up? Thank you!

It depends on the type of battery that you use. The Lithium (ion or polymer) battery have very low self discharge rate. You can charge it up and put them on the shelf for the next use. It is very convenient. The NiMH or NiCd does not retend their charge very well over longer period of time. It is better charge them right before use.

My favorite battery for RC tank is Lithium-Ion for its high energy density, safety and low cost. I wrote a post on how to make Li-Ion pad for cheap. Please, note Post #6 on charger choice.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/305133-a-diy-alternate-battery-for-heng-long-tanks

For the cost of a good battery pad, you can get a name brand smart charger that charges fast and give you longer battery life.

[DavidN]

Very informative. Many thanks!

[keilau]

This is the smart charger I use. This charger can be program to accommodate many different type of battery of different capacity. Make sure to get the SkyRC genuine charger. (There are many cheaper look alike knock-offs at e-bay which has mess up programming that cannot be updated.) At $40 on Amazon, it is an excellent value, but it needs an external power supply ($22). I like it running very cool and I have an extra power brick from my bench available. SkyRC also has an AC/DC version at $50 which runs quite hot due to the built-in power supply.

https://www.amazon.com/SKYRC-Professional-Balance-Discharger-Charging/dp/B00L5YBJI2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=124BFMVCYQT0Y&dchild=1&keywords=SkyRC+Q200+QUATTRO+AC%2FDC+2X100W+2X50W+Lipo+Battery+Balance+Charger&qid=1634921552&sprefix=skyrc+q200+quattro+ac%2Fdc+2x100w+2x50w+lipo+battery+balance+charger%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-4

This is NOT a high charge rate charger for at battlefield use. It can charge the 1800 mAH battery that comes with most HL tank in an hour. My DIY 6000 mAH pad takes about 4 hours. I usually have a few spare battery pad on standby.