Using NiMH Rechargeable in Futaba 3GR-2.4GHz?
 

Hi,

Rather than buying the expensive and low capacity NiCad recommended by Futaba I thought I'd try to use some NiMh ones instead and just use the charging jack.

Unfortunately my charger just shows "open" when I try to charge them via the socket on the radio.

Is there something else I should be doing, or is this not possible at all?

The batteries I have are the Duracell Accu Supreme at 2450mAh

Steve

When the transmitter is on it disables the charging socket, so make sure it's turned off when your trying to charge it.

If your already doing that then make sure your lead is ok, and is polarised correctly.

The only other thing I can think of...I had the 3pm (wheel version of the 3gr) and had some weirdness with this to begin with...one thing being that the hole in the case stopped the plug on the lead I had from making a connection properly. The hole was smaller than the body of the plug itself, and the socket was mounted quite far into the outer case. It felt like it was mating fully but was actually being held out of the socket just enough to stop it connecting properly. So I fettled the plug and the hole a little to make sure it was going all the way in and connecting properly.

I'm not sure what the socket/case is like on a 3gr, but could be worth a look?

you need a long reach charge plug not a short one

Isn't that always the way :eh?:

Any idea where I can get one?

Steve

maplins of course

Looked at Maplins on-line but couldn't seem to find a long reach one, so I've now ordered one from eBay for £1.29 delivered.

Thanks for the help.

Steve

Well, fitted the long reach plug, and it still doesn't work as the charger just shows open.

The lead and charger works fine with my Futaba T9C Super so that's all OK.

Anybody any ideas?

Thanks,

Steve

using gp2700 nimh in my 3vc with no problems at all, have you taken the pack out of the transmitter and charged it on a regular charger to check it is ok? if you havent charged it since buying it the pack voltage may be too low for the tx charger to register its existance

Try these for your tx. They act like lipo with very slow discharge if left for 1 year they will stil have 70% left in them. £9.99 del bargin.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8x-AA-2100mAh-...item35a8fe12e1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TX-Pack-9-6v-N...item35a21667ba

When you say you are using GP2700, are they in a pack format, or just individual cells you've put in? Maybe the 3VC is different to the 3GR?

Not too keen on trying other batteries at the moment as I'll probably just get the same result.

Batteries are currently at 9.9v, so don't see a problem there. Even if they were very low my charger would just read out "low voltage" anyway rather than "open".

Think I'm going to have open up the Tx....

Steve

It looks like I've been using the wrong 5.5mm DC plug.

Didn't know there were two sizes of ID, 2.5mm and 2.1mm

So I've ordered a long reach 2.1mm one now.

Just been lucky with all the other sockets I suppose.

Steve

at least you know what the problem is, its annoying if you cant find it. the cells i am using are made up into a pack and covered with heatshrink, just like any pack you would buy from a shop, albiet soldered rather than welded like commercial ones. looked at the low discharge rate nimh cells also as suggested by bodgit, unfortunately the uniross ones i tried dropped in voltage quite a lot after a couple of minutes use and recovered again after a short break, not ideal really although other makes may well be better.

Oh well, got to think again.

The smaller ID doesn't fit, so the original plug must be the right size, unless they do a 2.3mm ID!!!

Steve

Just charge them out of the radio?

Haven't got anything to hold them while charging...

It's not a Tx pack of 8, they are just 8 individual cells.

Steve

If you have nothing to charge them in then the best and cheapest option would be to buy the set I advised you of earlier in the thread
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TX-Pack-9-6v-N...item35a21667ba

If push comes to shove I might well go the pack route.

I'm using Instants in my other Tx.

It's just that I don't fancy having to keep on plugging and unplugging the battery pack when there should be a perfectly usable charging socket.

Steve

i see if i have one in the shop today and check that one for you to see if it your charger or the radio charging socket that works or not

Well, thank you very much.....

Steve