Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

If you have a tank query and you can't find the answer anywhere else, post here. (TIP - Check for answers in FAQ, use the 'search' facility or even check this board before posting here).
Forum rules
If your question is electronics related please post it in one of the relevant boards here: viewforum.php?f=31
User avatar
SteelBird
Corporal
Posts: 382
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:03 am

Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by SteelBird »

My Mato's PzIII comes with a 300Mah NiMH battery. The battery has separated 3-pin charging connector. I don't like to remove the upper hull all the time. So I stick the on/off switch on the speakers near the rear hatch. Just open the hatch and I can turn the tank on or off. Further, I leave the charging plug outside the tank near the exhaust area. So when I charge the battery, I just plug it in and no need to open the upper hull. I run my tank just about once per week. Most of the time it stays as a desk queen. My questions are: first, if I leave the battery inside the tank connecting to the boarding for long period, would it hurt the board or battery? second, is it alright to charge the battery while connecting to the board?
H/L Pantiger, H/L Leopard 2A6, Mato Panzer III, Hybrid Tiger 1 and some tank wreckage
User avatar
leopardgreece
Corporal
Posts: 491
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:48 pm

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by leopardgreece »

Hello, i suggest to unplug the battery, never leave it plugged on . Better for keeping the battery in good condition for short or long period. Mery Christmas.

???????? ??? ?? SM-P605 ??? ??????????????? Tapatalk
User avatar
SteelBird
Corporal
Posts: 382
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:03 am

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by SteelBird »

leopardgreece wrote:Hello, i suggest to unplug the battery, never leave it plugged on . Better for keeping the battery in good condition for short or long period. Mery Christmas.

???????? ??? ?? SM-P605 ??? ??????????????? Tapatalk
Thanks for your advice. Merry Christmas!
H/L Pantiger, H/L Leopard 2A6, Mato Panzer III, Hybrid Tiger 1 and some tank wreckage
Aussie
Corporal
Posts: 471
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2016 11:49 pm
Location: Darwin , N.T. , Australia.

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by Aussie »

When I got my first tank I was extra carefull to make sure I removed the battery EVERY time without fail after finishing playing with it.
Now I have 9 tanks , which ever is my favourites at the time , mudguts and I have a tank BB battle on the veranda , finish our battle and park what ever tank we used up , with batt's in them , NIMH's and a lonely , that goes forever , LI-ON , plugged in 'till we play again.
Never any drama this end.
Don't get your panties in a bunch , we still got hand weapons and the fifty!
Aussie
Corporal
Posts: 471
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2016 11:49 pm
Location: Darwin , N.T. , Australia.

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by Aussie »

I wonder sometimes why peeps worry so much about battery removal?
Do you remove your battery from your phone every time it needs charging?
Your cordless drill?
Your I pad?
Your I Pod?
Your alarm to wake you up in the morning?
Your Lap top?
Don't get your panties in a bunch , we still got hand weapons and the fifty!
User avatar
jarndice
Colonel
Posts: 8403
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:27 am
Location: the mountains of hertfordshire

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by jarndice »

Ever since the introduction of LI-POs into our hobby there have been "Incidents" where Tanks caught fire while their batteries were being charged in situ,
It is worth remembering an incident some years ago where an aircraft carrying a box of LI-POs in the hold crashed into the Florida Everglades, It was a total loss with no survivors,
The investigation concluded that the box containing the LI-POs had been roughly handled between the Airside Warehouse and the Aircraft, This caused the Batteries to ignite within the box,
While in flight the fire escaped the box and burnt through the control cables causing the inevitable accident.
The carriage of LI-POs as freight in Aircraft is no longer allowed.
Personally I never charge my Tank battery's while they are in the Tank even though my TORRO Tiger 1 came with a built in charger socket, Have you ever felt how hot the battery's can get whilst on charge including NI-MHs ?
Shaun.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
User avatar
Tiggr
Staff Sergeant
Posts: 819
Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2016 6:19 pm
Location: North Wales near Chester

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by Tiggr »

When I charge my batteries I take them out of the tank and whilst they are charging they are on a non combustible surface. I never leave them charging when there is no one in the house either.

I do leave them in the tank when not in use - the circuit is off.
Tiger 1 Early Taigen,
Tiger 1 Mid Torro,
Tiger 1 Late Taigen,
King Tiger Taigen (P)
Jagdtiger Torro
King Tiger (H)
King Tiger Torro (H)
Tiger 1 late Torro
Panther G Taigen
Aussie
Corporal
Posts: 471
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2016 11:49 pm
Location: Darwin , N.T. , Australia.

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by Aussie »

Agreed , while charging , close eye.
Don't get your panties in a bunch , we still got hand weapons and the fifty!
User avatar
SteelBird
Corporal
Posts: 382
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:03 am

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by SteelBird »

It is always a good practice to remove the battery and when not in use or charging. However, for lazy guys like me always find a way which is easier. Yes, when charging the battery I'm always there in the office. I never leave it charging alone. Further, I use stock charger which is very slow, and I never experience 'hot' issue while charging. Stocks batteries will get hot but not the high quality NiMH. As I understand Li-PO are designed for fast discharging that they're popular with brushless motors, and of course, they are more dangerous too. I will never use Li-PO in my tanks unless I want a F1 tank.
H/L Pantiger, H/L Leopard 2A6, Mato Panzer III, Hybrid Tiger 1 and some tank wreckage
User avatar
wibblywobbly
Major
Posts: 6396
Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:30 am
Location: South Wales Valley
Contact:

Re: Leave NiMH battery inside the tank?

Post by wibblywobbly »

I have a shelf full of tanks, they all have Nimh batteries it, and I never take them out all year, except when charging them. Will happily charge one while it is still sitting in the tank, it's never been a problem. As said above, no other battery powered item needs the battery taking out for any reason, so tanks are no different.

A peak detect charger will only charge the battery to capacity and then cut the charge rate to a trickle. So no risk of overcharging, magic smoke etc.

Lipo's are a higher risk, but then again, that's why I don't use them. :haha:
Tiger 1 Late
Panther G
King Tiger
M36 B1
Post Reply

Return to “General Questions”