Maintenance
This subject is often confusing, and always up for debate, but we will try to keep it as simple and as least confusing as possible. This information is based on our opinions from hours of testing, and is only offered as suggestions.
Assembly
- We recommend using our clear shrink (part #F545) on each cell to protect them. Some people like to glue their cells together, to reinforce the pack. This is OK, but make sure to keep the cells flat, aligned, and facing the correct direction before allowing the glue to dry. Most people use
Shoe-Goo™ to glue their cells. Also, Deans®‚ offers a nice assembly jig that helps with the assembly. Use a high quality battery bar, such as our F540 series bars, and good electrical solder. Most importantly, use a high quality soldering iron that goes to at least 900 degrees.
Charging
- We recommend a high quality peak charger, that has the capability of charging Ni-MH batteries. If the peak detection is manually settable, set it at .07 for 6 cell packs, and .05 for 4 cell packs. We have found charging at 6 amps is the best setting for overall good performance. You can gain a little voltage by charging at higher rates, but you will sacrifice the longevity of the pack.
Discharging
- We recommend a high quality discharging unit, that is adjustable up to 30 amps. If you use your batteries for modified, discharge them at 30 amps, and if used for stock, discharge them at 25 amps. Discharge 6 cell packs down to 5.4 volts, and 4 cell packs down to 3.6 volts. Make sure if your charger / discharger has voltage leads, like a Turbo 35™, to clip them onto the battery terminals, not the alligator clips of the current carrying leads.
Tip
- If you want to keep the voltage high in your packs, and in some cases increase the voltage slightly, but are willing to sacrifice approximately 25 to 30 seconds of runtime, you can dead short the pack. First, after discharging the pack on a discharger, you must put the pack into a discharge equalizing tray. Once the lights go out, and before taking the pack out of the tray, solder a short wire between the positive and negative terminals. Now you can remove the pack from the tray, and store it this way until you are ready to use it again. Unsolder the wire the morning you plan to use the pack. It is not recommended that you store your packs this way for more than two weeks.