It is important that today's batteries reach a temperature during charge that is not too hot and not too cool; the batteries can actually be damaged if they become too hot, but they will not have optimal power if they are too cool. All in all, it is ideal for your batteries to be in the 46-52 deg C, 115-125 deg F range when you go to race. Keep in mind, though, that it is common for batteries to gain heat after charge. You should, therefore, leave "room" for this increase in temperature.

Consistently reaching your desired peak temperature, however, can become a big hassle when you must charge in different ambient conditions. External factors, such as the time of day, weather, and your physical setting, have a large impact on the temperature your batteries reach. While it "works" to change your charging settings (charging rate and/or delta peak) to adjust to different ambient conditions, your batteries can gain more useful life and even more power if you utilize the different charging accessories offered by Much More Racing.

Much More charging accessories allow you to change the charging environment of your batteries so that you do not have to drastically change your charging settings to reach your desired peak temperature. You can end up, therefore, with a better and more predictable charge. Using charging accessories offers several advantages:

• You can use consistent charging settings that "train" your batteries and give them more life.

• You do not have to input settings that will slow you down in high temperatures.

• You do not have to excessively overcharge batteries for them to gain heat (power) in cooler temperatures.

• You can more safely use settings that the ambient conditions do not permit.

Here, I will break down and summarize the different charging accessories offered by Much More Racing by temperature.

Temperature Range: Less than 20 deg C (68 deg F)

In this temperature range, it is best to use the Battery Warming Tray:

A cooler battery will have a lower average voltage. The Warming Tray physically alters your charging environment so that your battery is not too cool during and after charge, giving it more power.

The Battery Warming Tray can be powered in two different ways. If you own a Much More Cell Master charger, you can plug the tray directly into the output pin and program the temperature in the main setup menu. If you do not own a Cell Master charger, you can power the tray with the Much More 3080 Warmer Controller and set the temperature with the rotary dial. In both cases, the Warming Tray will stop warming when the battery's temperature exceeds your set temperature. With no battery or a cool battery inserted, the Warming Tray will stabilize at your set temperature. The normal setting range is between 30 and 35 deg C.

Other tips for using the Warming Tray:

• If your ambient temperature is close to the edge of the Warming Tray's practical temperature range, unplug the warming tray (for no warming) and place your battery inside it during charge. The tray will create a "packing" effect on the battery to warm it only a little. The battery will basically hold more of its heat.

• Sometimes it is practical and effective to warm a battery before and during charge, especially in cold conditions.

Temperature Range: Between 20 and 25 deg C (68-77 deg F)

No charging accessory necessary.

Temperature Range: Between 25 and 30 deg C (77-86 deg F)

In this temperature range, it is best to use the Battery Heat sink without optional fans:

The Battery Heat sink will dissipate heat as it works its way outwards from the insides of the cells. This process effectively changes the charging environment of the cells by allowing them to gain their heat at a more desirable rate in correlation with the charging cycle.

When using the Battery Heat sink, you can usually get away with higher charging rates and delta peak settings (conditions permitting).

You can actually adjust the amount of heat dissipation within this range through the addition or removal of the Battery Heat sink's bottom four posts. The Heat sink dissipates less heat with the posts removed because air is not able to flow around the bottom.

As a bonus, the Battery Heat sink will spread the temperatures of the individual cells across the entire pack, equalizing the temperatures of the cells as you charge.

Always remove the battery pack from the Battery Heat sink after it is done charging. Overcooling after charge can reduce the battery's power.

Temperature Range: Over 30 deg C (86 deg F)

In this temperature range, you have a few options. You can use the Battery Heat sink with optional fans, the Cooling Fan Stand, or even the Battery Heat sink in conjunction the Cooling Fan Stand.

Battery Heat sink with Optional Fans:

Much More offers a set of three optional fans that can attach to and accommodate the Battery Heat sink:

These fans help cool the Battery Heat sink so that it is more effectively able to dissipate heat from the battery. The fans can be installed in two different ways: blowing towards the heat sink (for more cooling) or blowing away from the heat sink (for less cooling).

Again, always remove the battery pack from the Battery Heat sink after it is done charging. Overcooling after charge can reduce the battery's power.

Cooling Fan Stand:

The Cooling Fan Stand can effectively ventilate or cool the battery. It is recommended for only the higher end of this temperature range. The Cooling Fan Stand can be powered in two different ways. If you own a Much More Cell Master charger, you can plug the stand directly into the output pin and program the temperature (at which the fans will start) in each charging profile's setup menu. If you do not own a Cell Master charger, you can power the stand with any 12V power source.

The Cooling Fan Stand is adjustable in two ways:

- Fan Orientation: You can set up the Cooling Fan Stand to push air toward a battery (for more cooling) or pull air away from a battery (for less cooling).

- Distance From Battery: The shape of the Cooling Fan Stand allows it to be set up at different angles and various distances in relation to the battery (obviously, the closer the fans to the battery, the more cooling).

The Cooling Fan Stand can also be used in conjunction with the Battery Heat sink in very high heat conditions. In this case, the same rules about orientation and distance apply.

Avoid cooling the battery after it is done charging. Overcooling after charge can reduce the battery's power.

For a more comprehensive explanation of the Cooling Fan Stand's adjustability, please see this article: Using the MMR Cooling Fan Stand

 

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