[Paco]

It could be ANYTHING relating to the battery.  Perhaps you installed one cell backwards.  Perhaps you used NiMH cells and a NiCD charger, or a myriad of other possibilities...  Any pics?

[yellowmonkey]

I'll try to get some pics set up later (my digital camera is poor anyways), but I know my pack is constructed correctly as far as materials and structure go. My real concern is with the solder. I did a cruddy solder job so my solder is blobbed on each terminal, and instead of battery bars (the metal terminal connectors that you solder in between batteries) I used uncovered 16 awg wire. Besides the solder blobs, the only thing that bothers me is the fact that the wires seem to be touching other parts of the top of the batteries. http://www.advanced-battery.com/NiCd1.JPG ... let me explain. You know how there is a terminal on the positive end of the cells in that pic, that is raised (so as to allow for venting of gas)... well my wire is touching some of the metal on the outside of the main (raised) terminal. So should I just stick some rubber under the wire or what? Right now, that's all I can think of that may be causing this problem.

[Paco]

Did you use NiCD or NiMH cells?  Are you 100% sure about the cells?  Where did you buy them?  Is your charger CERTIFIED for NiCD AND NiMH charging (not many are certified for BOTH)?

[Harley]

Soldering batteries like that can damage them internally from the heat of the soldering iron.  That's why they spot weld the tabs on them instead.  Juat ask anybody that works at Batteries plus or any other shop like that and they will tell you the same thing.

[yellowmonkey]

I'm sure I used the right batteries. Sanyo NiCd Kr 1500-aul 1.2v 1500mah batteries. I also used a charger which was rated to charge my cells. I know I didn't damage them while soldering because I used the cold joint soldering method, which won't stick the best but will not give the cells too much heat. I'm in the process of ordering a new charger for my batteries, so I'll open the charger and watch the resistor this time, if I can feel it getting too hot, I'll try to resolder my battery using battery bars... as soon as I get my charger that is.

P.S. Anyone know where I can pick up some battery bars locally? Ordering online I would have to spend more on S&H than on battery bars.

[Harley]

Why don't you just take it to Batteries plus and have them do it for you.  They'll charge you around $5 to put the pack together properly.

[yellowmonkey]

We and I did not know that they did that. That idea sounds capital harley; I know I could redo it right, but for 5 bucks it may be worth my time and cash.

[yellowmonkey]

So I finally got around to charging my home-made 9.6v battery for my m15a4 and I fried a resistor and melted a side of the charger. I had one of the Winstar(tm) brand multiple setting chargers. I was hoping that one of you guys might know what the heck happened... the main suspect is the home-made battery pack (of course... because I made it). Anyways, the battery is a 9.6v 1500 mah pack made for a CA m15a4 RIS. It is similar in construction to the one in this picture: http://www.rccentral.com/images/51_9.jpg
Different sized cells though.

Could my poorly done, blobbed solders be causing any trouble? My friend had suggested that somehow my battery shorted out the charger, but I don't see how that's possible. Let me know if you guys know anyting about what might have happened. Meanwhile, I'm going to get another charger.