Blitzor's easy Battery Discharger

[Blitzor]

OK, since I'm at work right now I can't get any pictures up, But I will soon don't worry.

This post is on how to make your own battery discharger, instead of buying an overpriced one off line.

Materials:
1 Lance Tip bulb (found in automotive section at your hardware store)
6" of Black 12 or 10 gauge wire
6" of white 12 or 10 Gauge wire
Soldering Iron and solder
Black electrical Tape

Step One: Strip about 1/2" to 3/4" bare the ends of both of you pieces of wire, exposing the copper.

Step Two: Place the black wire end on the bottom of your Bulb and solder in place.

Step Three: Place the white wire end on the side rise of your bulb, (it is a small cylinder that sticks out) and solder in place.

Step Four: Wrap electrical tape around the bottom of your bulb to hide any exposed metal. This will help avoid shorts, and dangerous electrical situations.

Step Five: Remember to ALWAYS match Black to black, and White to red wires when you discharge, if you mix it up it WILL melt your batteries and cause EXTREMELY dangerous conditions.

CAUTION!!!!!!! Bulb gets extremely hot so keep away from flammable materials, and from materials that easily melt, ie plastic, carpet. I usually place mine on my dresser top, which is wood, it doesn't get hot enough to burn that.

Please be careful when you use this, as improper use can destroy your batteries and imporper use of a soldering iron can burn you or worse.

[P7hk9]

Post step-by-step pics and I'll make it a sticky

[Palafoxx]

Shane,
A few comments/questions about your discharger.

Are you somehow monitoring the voltage of the pack during discharge? I do know that over-discharging a NiMH pack below 0.8v per cell can damage the pack. For example, a 9.6 volt pack (8 x 1.2V cells) you should not discharge the pack below 6.4V, or an 8.4V pack below 5.6V.
I don't often cycle my NiMH packs, but I am actually in the process of doing so as I type this. I'm using my Triton charger to discharge the packs to 0.9V per cell, then recharging.

I'm sure your rig will do a nice job of discharging the packs, no doubt. I'd just be concerned about over discharging the pack.

[Blitzor]

No, all it does is remove all the remaining power in your battery, so if you have been using your battery all day, and it's still got a little of juice left in it, it finishes off that remaining power. Thats all, and pictures will be up as soon as I can find my damn camera.


EDIT: Hey if I just post the pics in order from 1-5, can you edit my original post lou and put them in there? or do you just want me to re post??

[P7hk9]

Originally Posted by Blitzor

EDIT: Hey if I just post the pics in order from 1-5, can you edit my original post lou and put them in there? or do you just want me to re post??

If you just post the pics in order, I'll edit them in.

[Blitzor]

Ok, I hate to double post, but I was just wondering if you still wanted to sticky this thread, or if you wanted me to edit it and then you just delete my garbage posts. Sorry to bother.

[Flamingdogsicle]

All this thing would do is suck up the remaining juice. you would know when it is done de-charging when the battery goes out right?

[Blitzor]

Yes, you know when the battery has no juice left when the light bulb goes out.

[Flamingdogsicle]

i'm going to go bike to ace hardware tomorrow and making one, thanks!

one more question, would any light bulb work?

[P7hk9]

Originally Posted by Blitzor

Ok, I hate to double post, but I was just wondering if you still wanted to sticky this thread, or if you wanted me to edit it and then you just delete my garbage posts. Sorry to bother.

No bother. I forgot. I blame the Martian Death Flu.

All better now, and stickiness!

[Blitzor]

Ok and now just to wrap it up if anyone has any questions on this please feel free to PM me. I hope this helps the community. Thanks to Lou for stickiness, and un-thanks to the Martian Death Flu.