Hi
I have a car battery charger that has a setting for 6v 6amp, can I use this to charge the 6.0 Volt Ni-MH 1600mAh Battery Pack ?
I would not advise it for a couple of reasons. Car (I am guessing you mean automobile, not R/C car) battery is Lead-Acid not NiMH so peak voltages and determining when the battery is charged is different. Next, unless you mean up-to 6 amp and you can set it to something less, charging your 1.6AH (1600mAH) at 6A rate is going to make it hot quickly and will not fully charge the battery before it reaches a temperature that damages it. Normally you charge NiMH batts at about 1C (C is capacity of the battery at a 20 hour discharge rate, 1.6A, 1600mA in your case) or less. Some quick chargers might be able to do it faster but they are using sophisticated electronics and closely monitoring the battery while doing so. A lead-acid battery charger is just going to pound 6A into the battery until it can’t take it any more, which is generally fine for a lead-acid battery but very bad for a NiMH.
Thanks Eddie
I suspected it would not work but wanted confirmation as I am just starting to learn about amps and volts. Your explaination helps alot as I try to get a handle on the ins and outs of robotics. This is a fasinating area.
Thanks again
Wayne