Maintance Question for NiMH lights
04-02-07, 10:05 AM
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Maintance Question for NiMH lights
Hello all:
I used a Cygolite Nite Explorer Xtra this year: https://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/7-RoverNimhXtra.htm
I am trying to maintain the NiMH battery as best I can over the summer for next winter. I have set up a light timer to turn off automatically after a set number of hours. I'm currently charging it 12 hours once a month but was wondering if a different schedule might be better. Does anyone know the answer to this or have any better ideas? Thanks, Steve.
I used a Cygolite Nite Explorer Xtra this year: https://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/7-RoverNimhXtra.htm
I am trying to maintain the NiMH battery as best I can over the summer for next winter. I have set up a light timer to turn off automatically after a set number of hours. I'm currently charging it 12 hours once a month but was wondering if a different schedule might be better. Does anyone know the answer to this or have any better ideas? Thanks, Steve.
04-02-07, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by SpokaneSteve
Hello all:
I used a Cygolite Nite Explorer Xtra this year: https://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/7-RoverNimhXtra.htm
I am trying to maintain the NiMH battery as best I can over the summer for next winter. I have set up a light timer to turn off automatically after a set number of hours. I'm currently charging it 12 hours once a month but was wondering if a different schedule might be better. Does anyone know the answer to this or have any better ideas? Thanks, Steve.
I used a Cygolite Nite Explorer Xtra this year: https://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/7-RoverNimhXtra.htm
I am trying to maintain the NiMH battery as best I can over the summer for next winter. I have set up a light timer to turn off automatically after a set number of hours. I'm currently charging it 12 hours once a month but was wondering if a different schedule might be better. Does anyone know the answer to this or have any better ideas? Thanks, Steve.
I think you have the right idea. NiMH batteries will discharge over time, and the best way to keep them in shape is to use (cycle) them. barring that the timer one a month will work fine and keep the batteries in good condition. It's better to top them up this way once a month, rather than constant trickle charging them.
As to the timed cycle, I'm sure you are using a dedicated smart charger, as such you can set the time to what ever is required to ensure a full charge, or longer. The charger will just shut down once the batteries are topped up.
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04-02-07, 01:49 PM
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If you have a smart charger, charge the battery every chance you get. Batteries love shallow cycles. But since the site lists charge time as "overnight," I'm guessing it's not a smart charger. What's the capacity of the battery, and what's the current output of the charger?
If you have any electrical skills, you could get a smart charger from a place like an RC hobby store and wire it up. It should be able to fully charge the battery in 1-3 hours.
You can leave it plugged in all summer with a smart charger. I'm not sure that your current schedule is better than leaving it on the shelf until next winter.
If you have any electrical skills, you could get a smart charger from a place like an RC hobby store and wire it up. It should be able to fully charge the battery in 1-3 hours.
You can leave it plugged in all summer with a smart charger. I'm not sure that your current schedule is better than leaving it on the shelf until next winter.
04-07-07, 01:08 AM
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Cygolite recommends
https://www.cygolite.com/4-Support/FA...eral%20Battery
A. Proper care and maintenance of the battery will ensure the maximum battery life. Always keep a charge in the battery. Do not over drain the battery. Before extended periods of non-use, charge the battery fully before placing it in storage and give the battery a full charge every 3 months while in storage.
https://www.cygolite.com/4-Support/FA...eral%20Battery
A. Proper care and maintenance of the battery will ensure the maximum battery life. Always keep a charge in the battery. Do not over drain the battery. Before extended periods of non-use, charge the battery fully before placing it in storage and give the battery a full charge every 3 months while in storage.
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04-13-07, 06:24 AM
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I use a mechanical timer to maintenance charge both a Niterider EVO nimh and a Nighthawk sealed lead acid system for 1 hour per day. Both systems are always ready to go and have been working properly for 3 years.
