I have build my first robot (simple hexapod). It uses an 4.8v 150mAh NiMH battery pack but i have no charger for it.
Any suggestions on how to charge that battery? Do i need to buy a special charger for it or can i just hook it up to a 5v adapter and let it sit for a bit?
A bit more… Volts: You need a bit more "over-volts" to make the battery charging. Maybe 10% - 15% over the nominal voltage. Smarts: your charger must know when to stop, or your battery (or charger, or both) will get damaged. Maybe not the first time, but down the road definitely. The smarter your charger, the better care it will take of your battery. Rectification maybe: you are considering a DC adapter, right? Alternating current (or even intermittent DC) will not fly.
A 5V regulator would work fine on 4,8V Nicads. They not so picky. I use 7.2 V for 6V. Years ago I built a varable DC power supply that is 1 - 15 VDC. It will automaticly shut down after about an amp. I also built in a spot with jacks that you can plug in a Digital Volt meter and replace with a jumper. Mabe a switch would be better. I used a LM317 ajustable regulator . Just watch the current. Can charge anything uo to 14VDC no problem. Word of advice, LiPO patterys easy to fry. I found out the hard way. Never had a problem with NiCads. They also make auto sensing chargers for R/C stuff that chatge from. 2.4V to 8.4V Nicads.