Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / July 2004

   You're probably using a lessor discharge rate while cycling. If, for
example, you use a discharge rate of only 250ma (all 4 ports of the Alpha4
programmed) for a 2000ma battery pack, that pack would probably cycle a bit
higher than it's rating. Also, you may have a really fresh and brand new
pack which might also cycle more than it's rating even with a C5 (or more)
discharge. That's what typically happens to me.
   However, what you're seeing really doesn't matter anyway because the
best way to monitor the condition of your batteries in the long run is to
KEEP TRACK of it's discharge times from a fresh charge over time and watch
for a CHANGE in discharge capacity (be sure to always discharge at the SAME
rate each time or the results will be skewed).
   What you're looking for is when the battery begins to show a repeated
10% to 15% decrease in discharge capacity from when it was new. That's when
you might consider replacing the pack. As an aid to keep track of time in
service, be sure to always write the date when the pack was bought right on
the pack itself.

MJC

This can happen if the battery total capacity is large enough that the A4
cannot discharge at the C rate. For instance if you have a 3000 mah battery
the highest rate the A4 can discharge is 1/3 C since it can only discharge
at 1 amp (1000ma) max, so you are discharging at 1/3 of the rate that should
be used to check capacity, this results in numbers that can be significantly
higher than rated cause the slower you discharge below 1C the more capacity
the battery will indicate.

Also it is not uncommon to have a battery show 10 to 20% more than rated
capacity even if discharged at C rate, this is normal as the battery
manufacturers usually rate their batteries conservatively so the battery is
sure to have at least rated capacity.

flierbk

\

Are you saying that the Alpha 4 indicates more capacity than is rated. Not
unusual to see it as much as 15% or so more than rated. The rating is
MINIMUM capacity.
--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

Hello Paul,

   I get this if I try to cycle my "big" batteries. i.e. 7000mah or
9000mah.  I do not know what the problem is.  Basically in this case the
charger never seems to get to the end of the discharge part of the cycle and
the "numbers" are huge.

Douglas Kaip