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checking a batteries voltage.

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Old 02-21-2011, 03:53 PM
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electricrc68
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Default checking a batteries voltage.

i just got a multimeter, and i have read through the paper it comes with, but it only says things about warnings and the such. does anyone know or have one of these multimeters and help me to find out how to check the voltage of my 7cell 3000mah NIMH battery please? Thanks!!!
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Old 02-21-2011, 04:16 PM
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sloppyG
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

put it on the volts setting and shove one probe in each hole on the battery connector

DC volts setting, and the bottom 2 ports on the meter
Old 02-21-2011, 04:16 PM
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TIGER76
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

Ill give you one tip ..

Dont let the metal ends touch while testing the battery plug..I did the cell expanded and i just made it outside with the pack before it blew lol
Old 02-21-2011, 04:44 PM
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electricrc68
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

oh wow lol. don't want that to happen. how can i prevent that from happening, like keeping them very far away from eachother and keep them lined up straight?
Old 02-21-2011, 04:52 PM
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TIGER76
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

^ Yeah m8 i was rushing when i did it and ruined a £50 pack was gutted [] take your time and you should be fine
Old 02-21-2011, 05:15 PM
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electricrc68
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; ">okay thanks. this is a pretty stupid question, but the pack does need to be fully charged right?</div>
Old 02-21-2011, 05:29 PM
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DaveG55
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.


ORIGINAL: electricrc68

<div style=''margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; ''>okay thanks. this is a pretty stupid question, but the pack does need to be fully charged right?</div>
Depends on what you want to know. If you want to know the voltage at full charge then measure it fully charged. If you want to know what the voltage is when it's discharged then measure it discharged. Both are going to provide you information that is useful to know. If your battery has a balancing plug you can even check the voltage, full or not, of each cell. And that gives you even more useful information.
Old 02-21-2011, 06:03 PM
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cooldriver385
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

Put it in DC 20 volts. And just put the metal spikes in the plugs. Simple.
Old 02-21-2011, 06:14 PM
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electricrc68
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

yeah i did it. got my readings. thanks guys!!!
Old 02-21-2011, 06:32 PM
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Dale Gribble
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

Checking the voltage out of the car is only one data point. You need to try and check voltage under load. Plug the battery in your car, and probe the voltage somewhere between the battery and speed control (if you can) when you are giving the car some throttle. On good batteries, the voltage will hold steady. On bad batteries, the voltage will drop immediately because the cells cannot handle the load.
Old 02-21-2011, 06:42 PM
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Link119
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

But, you should be able to tell by the performance of your titan by just telling if you are getting a decent amount of torque or throttle response. And at the end of the run, the battery shouldnt be hot.
Old 02-21-2011, 07:29 PM
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

So I have the pack out of a Traxxas Slash, a 3300 mAh 6 cell NiMH, at full charge it would read 7.2volts, what should this be discharged to. I think you discharge to .9 volt per cell, is this correct? So discharge to a reading of 5.4 volts? Thanks.
Old 02-23-2011, 11:55 AM
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

I have a couple decent DMMs, but bought one of those same Harbor Freight Centech things for $3. The original battery lasted for over 5 years, and I used it all the time. It was even left on accidentally a few times. The leads that came with it were the weak point. Still works fine, and tests some things that my other DMM in the garage can't seem to do without giving bogus readings. Not bad.
Old 02-23-2011, 12:07 PM
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.


ORIGINAL: Finliefanatic

So I have the pack out of a Traxxas Slash, a 3300 mAh 6 cell NiMH, at full charge it would read 7.2volts, what should this be discharged to. I think you discharge to .9 volt per cell, is this correct? So discharge to a reading of 5.4 volts? Thanks.
Best performance is obtained by discharging to 0.9vc and allowing to cool to ambient temperature before re-charging. Charge then use the pack while still warm off the charger.
I was always told not to discharge nimh too often as they will lose runtime quicker.
Also every pack is different qualityiwse ive had 6cells(7.2v) that have read over 7.8-8.0v my 9.6v packs always read over 10v off the charger.
I use a Fluke 175 true rms mulimeter for readings.
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Old 02-23-2011, 04:22 PM
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rc awesome
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.


ORIGINAL: Crapxxas19

But, you should be able to tell by the performance of your titan by just telling if you are getting a decent amount of torque or throttle response. And at the end of the run, the battery shouldnt be hot.
unless you ahve been running at full throtle for a long time then it will be slightly warm.
Old 02-24-2011, 05:54 PM
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Default RE: checking a batteries voltage.

I bought one of the cheepo harbor freight ones and I keep it in my box. Best 3 dollars I have spent on my batteries. Use it all the time to check if my lipos are charged.

@ tiger: how much did that fluke set you back? I'm lookin at getting a new meter after I graduate my automotive program

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