Alright so i recently bought a dx6i and i love it so far but i have been really worried about lots of things regarding the battery. I have honestly researched this topic a lot and have gotten so many different opinions that i just don't know which one to agree with so i am going to throw all my questions i have out there. ok so i have the original spektrum batteries and charger. How long do you need to charge those to get a full charge and how long is too long that will damage the battery? What is the safe voltage that you can fly down to? (this is my hardest question that i have been really trying to figure out for a long time)? how often do i need to fully discharge the batteries (and how much do you discharge them? like do i just keep the radio on till it dies or what?) and my last question is that i am going to get some sanyo eneloop batteries soon and i am wondering if i can use my original charger that came with my dx6i and how long do i have to charge them for?
sorry that i may sound frazzled but i just want to make sure i do the best thing for my dx6i to make it last as long as possible!
Thanks,
Tucker

1. With the wall wart charger leave it on as long as you want, no damage will occur. Overnight is generally fine and plenty. If the batteries are fully discharged (that does NOT mean DEAD!), it'll take ~15 hours.
When batteries become warm, they are charged.

2. You don't ever need to fully discharge the batteries, EVER, EVER. This is OLD and FALSE information.
http://www.dansdata.com/gz011.htm

3. Read the manual. It states clearly what low voltage alarm is.

4. You CAN absolutely use Eneloops, and I suggest them, just plain better batteries. My experience with Spektrum 1500mA was poor. More capacity with Eneloops, therefore takes longer to fill with the original wall wart IF you discharge the to low voltage. You'll also get more run time. Charging > leave on the wall wart if you want but overnight is generally all you need unless you have really discharged them (forgot the TX on over night or something).

Last-Do NOT expect the guage on the screen to EVER show them as full, even when freshly charged. The screen 'gas guage' is calibrated for alkaline so is not accurate at the top for NiMh.

Now, let the confusing/conflicting opinions begin.
Why do you think you'll get better answers this time?

Honestly that was PERFECT! Thank you so much. Its just nice because i finally got to explain MY situation instead of looking at other peoples. So thanks again, you really did clear up my main questions that were worrying me!
Thanks Again,
Tucker

The Manual says it sounds an alarm when it reaches 4.1V I put mine on the charger the night before I fly. and I fly a lot !!! two or three different birds. and Mine starts out at 5.7V and I never see it below 5.4 No Worries.

And I am using the same spektrum re-chargable Batteries that came with it.

sorry to post on an old thread, but i was just wondering if you recommended getting the 2500 mah eneloops, or the 200mah ones?

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop-.../dp/B004UG41W8

I've only got experience with the original 2000mA ones.
Likely either one would be fine. This single opinion seems like it's a viable review. If you do some searching you can probably find more. Read the first review, or as many as you see fit.
http://picasaweb.google.com/10546238...T06OxBz7AdqChw

I recently did some testing in my DX6i

1500 cycle version (2000mah)
21.5 hours to hit alarm at 4.1v

500 cycle version XX (2500 mah)
26.5 hours to hit alarm at 4.1v


Cheers

What's the (supposed) difference in discharge rate for those that may have long breaks between uses?

Do you mean the difference in long term self-discharge?

Originals 1000 cycle onbe rretain 80% for 2 years

New 1500 cycle ones retain 75% for 3 years.


Higher capacity (25000?) ones do not maintain charge as well long term ,mostly just better if yo use in real high drain electronic - camera flash ,high drain flashlights, kid's toys and such.


Charles

On amazon, it says that the 2500mah "Batteries maintain 75% of charge after 1 year of non-use"...

Can Eneloops be charged while in the DX6i using the plug-in charger that came with the DX6i?

Originally Posted by Left Coast DJ

Can Eneloops be charged while in the DX6i using the plug-in charger that came with the DX6i?

Yes, they are just NiMh and that's what the charging system was designed for.

how long would each type (2000 and 2500) have to charge for if using the plug in charger?

That would depend on the current state of charge, and the amp capability of the charger itself.

With the wall wart style a good over night charge cycle should be good.

Originally Posted by flydiver

What's the (supposed) difference in discharge rate for those that may have long breaks between uses?

Interesting reading about discharge rates.

http://www.stefanv.com/electronics/l...discharge.html