Jan 28, 2021 Pageview:7179
Are you searching out for some of the charging related queries regarding 7.2V NiMH batteries? If yes, then you have landed on the right page because, in this article, we will let you know how to charge 7.2V NiMH batteries along with its charging voltage, charging time, and charging amp requirements.
NiMH generally stands for “Nickel-Metal Hydride.” The NiMH batteries are amongst the most challenging batteries to charge accurately and adequately. The charging algorithm of these batteries is somewhat similar and the same as that of NiCd batteries. But one thing to note here is that it is much more complex to charge NiMH batteries than to charge NiCd batteries.
Whenever you charge any battery, there are certain precautions that you must keep in your mind. Similarly, there are some of the precautions that you must surely follow while charging 7.2V NiMH batteries as well to avoid all sorts of hazards and risks. By the end of this article, all your doubts relating to charging 7.2V NiMH batteries will be cleared. So, let’s start then!
Whenever you charge a battery, the first and foremost thing that comes up in your mind is what voltage you should charge your battery with. The voltage for charging a battery plays a significant role in the process of battery charging. If the voltage goes beyond a certain specific limit, then it might cause multiple risks; therefore, it is essential to know the voltage at which you should charge your 7.2V NiMH battery.
The range of charging voltage is between 1.4 to 1.6 V per cell. In general, a constant voltage charging method cannot be used for the purpose of automatic charging. In the case of fast charging, it is always advisable to charge NiMH batteries with smart battery chargers in order to avoid overcharging, which may damage the cells. In other words, we can say that the minimum voltage that you will need to get a full charge varies with the temperature of at least 1.42 volts per cell at 20 degrees C.
There are some of the essential guidelines that must follow while charging these batteries, which are as follows:
Never charge NiMH batteries with incorrect or inappropriate charger
Manually check on the charge status
Check cell temperature
Charge at room temperature
Check on fast charge capacity
Do not trickle charge for longer periods
Now, let’s look at how long it takes to charge a 7.2V NiMH battery.
How long does it take to charge a 7.2V NiMH battery entirely depends on the capacity of the battery? In other words, we can say that the 7.2V NiMH battery capacities affect the time taken to charge it. In essence, depending upon the capacity of the battery and the speed of the charger, the charging time will vary.
The charging time of NiMH battery as per the batteries capacity can be calculated with the help of the formula “Battery capacity + 10% divided by-charger output = charge time“. This formula will give out the result in terms of hours. Moreover, the charging time of a 7.2V NiMH battery depends on three major modes, which are as follows:
Overnight Charging:?If you charge the NiMH battery at C/10 or below, then a 100 mAH battery will be charged at 10 mA for 15 hours.
Faster Charging:?If you will charge NiMH at C/3.33, it will take nearly about 5 hours to get it charged. This is a bit risky because the battery should be fully discharged before charging. If the battery still has 90% of its capacity when the timer starts, then there are high chances of battery venting.
Fastest Charging:?If a temperature monitor is used, NiMH batteries can also be charged at a rate up to 1C; in other words, we can say that 100% of the battery capacity in amp-hours for 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you have any confusion or doubt relating to what amp should you charge your 7.2V NiMH battery, then the information in this section will help you out. The high-performance NiMH battery chargers with a minimum charge rate of 4 to 5 amps in one cycle are required and needed to charge the high capacity NiMH batteries completely that varies around 3000 to 5000 mAH.
There are several inexpensive manual time chargers as well that have a 15 to 30 minutes timer and a preset charge rate of 4 amps or less. These types of NiMH battery chargers usually charge a battery pack with 1500 mAH or less in one 30 minutes cycle. Still, they might not be able to charge a high capacity NiMH battery pack without successive recharges.
There is another basic rule to determine the amp for charging 7.2V NiMH batteries is the slower, the better. This means that if you have enough time to charge your 7.2V NiMH battery, then you must charge it around 3 amps or nearby, and if, in any case, you are in a hurry or rush, then, in that case, you can charge your 7.2V NiMH battery at 1.1 amps. Still, it would be best if you try not to go above this limit; otherwise, there might be risks associated with that.
Here you come down to the bottom line of Charging 7.2V NiMH batteries- Voltage, charging an hour, and charging amp. Hoping that all your doubts relating to charging 7.2 NiMH batteries are cleared from the above information. Though a NiMH and NiCd battery shares the same charging algorithm, it is still way much complex to charge NiMH batteries, and therefore you must always be careful while charging them. The NiMH batteries don’t have a Float Charge, and consequently, it becomes difficult to control overcharge, and the charging is significantly based on forcing current through the battery. So, one must always be cautious while charging the one.
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