Diamond Geezer Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Hi guys How many amps can I charge my 12v 7ah battery at need to fast charge it if I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 (edited) If you're talking about a 12V sealed gel battery, then the safest way to charge it will be use your regular 4 button charger on Pb mode with a max charge rate of 0.1XC which for a 7Ah battery will be 700mA. The cheapo wallwart chargers that are often sold to charge these batteries will do them no good at all. Personally I wouldn't be going down the route of fast charging sealed gel batteries if that is what you have - they have specific needs for charging depending on how the battery is to be used and will not tolerate misuse, possibly resulting in over pressure and case rupture in extreme cases. Edited November 10, 2021 by Cuban8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 (edited) As C8 says. Check the side of the battery, it may give the max cell voltage to set your charger to. Around 2.3V is the safe figure if memory serves. I'd not use a 12V these days though, lipos are a better mousetrap for our needs, I think. Edited November 10, 2021 by Nigel R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Geezer Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 Nigel What lipo would I need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Any 3 cell lipo of sufficient capacity should do it - anything above an 1800mah should be fine I would think, it's not like you use your starter for long periods. This is a good "second life" use for packs that may be past their best and you would no longer fly in an electric model. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Geezer Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 yup, just that. Got an old 3s 2200 strapped to the starter. Another one (backup) on the glow panel / pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Yes agree, a lipo may well be a better solution these days - I'll go that route when my existing Gel battery finally packs up. A lot lighter for the field box as well. A couple of my flying buddies have Align lipo starters, not cheap at around the £100 mark but when I borrowed one after my field box battery when flat (!) the performance was astonishing and my 120 fourstroke burst into life with the merest touch of the starter. Easily twice as effective as my ages old starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wagg Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 3 hours ago, Diamond Geezer said: Hi guys How many amps can I charge my 12v 7ah battery at need to fast charge it if I can. My battery has a guide on its side. Shows the voltage and "initial" charging current. (in my case = 2.7A max'.) I use the PB setting on my charger and up to now has been fine. https://www.ebay.com/itm/231568304738 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 8 hours ago, Cuban8 said: Align lipo starters I think I paid £20 for my second hand bottom-of-the-range sullivan starter. With a sad old 3s 2200 stuck to it, it will happily spin a 15cc motor. I tried it once with a 4S lipo (the 3s was flat) and it was almost frightening - way too much torque for any motor I have. It would certainly start much, much bigger motors with that attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.