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nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/6/2008 4:11:37 PM   
fox59


 

Posts: 45
Joined: 9/5/2007
From: elko, MN, USA
Status: offline 		Gents:

I hear various bits regarding nmhi battery reliability and would like to know anyones personal experiences. Read one statement that certain hi capacity mnhi sanyo cells arent' much good.

Comments?

fox59
       Post #: 1

RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/6/2008 5:27:49 PM   
richrd


 

Posts: 754
Joined: 7/18/2005
From: Waterford, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Personally no difference NiMH last longer in my camera and TX, Rec etc. Since i always top off really do not notice the self discharge
Rich

(in reply to fox59)
       Post #: 2

RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/6/2008 7:06:57 PM   
rmenke


 

Posts: 1667
Joined: 6/25/2004
From: Merced, Ca., CA, USA
Status: offline
Fox 59

I have been using NiMAH packs in my transmitters and receiver packs for a number of years basically for the additional capacity and weight savings with good results. I find they must be broken in per manufacturers instructions or their performance is poor overall. The original "Hydro-max" packs were found to be of poor quality, had a high rate of bench testing rejection. They may have improved, but will not be used in my equipment. The JR sport packs seem to be of good quality and have performed well for me over several years of service. Their service in grandchilds little stuff is fine for the limited needs. My high performance or high dollar birds are still powered by SR Nicads simply for the quality and predictable performance and durability. Do not want something scooting around at 150 mph + and loosing control from a dead battery, been there, done that. I figure the distance from turn 1 to our club pits is about 1/2 second. Not much running time for anyone, much less this old gieser. ENJOY

(in reply to fox59)
       Post #: 3

RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/6/2008 7:34:48 PM   
Rodney



Posts: 4616
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: FL
Status: online 		NiCads still have the advantage in everything except weight per unit capacity and being more stressful to the landfills if not properly disposed of. In most other resepects such as longer life (nearly twice as many charge/discharge cycles) less prone to damage due to over or under charge, lower internal impedance etc., NiCads rule.

(in reply to rmenke)
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RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/6/2008 7:53:00 PM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4731
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Ni-Cds also maintain nearly 80% of their original capacity throughout their life. Ni-Mh on the other hand, start losing capacity from the first day they are used.

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RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/6/2008 8:34:33 PM   
fox59


 

Posts: 45
Joined: 9/5/2007
From: elko, MN, USA
Status: offline 		I think it will be nicads for me, at least for the flight packs. Many sources state the same things. The highest capacity sanyo AA is 1100 ma. methinks. Are these any more delicate than lower capacity AA cells?

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       Post #: 6

RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/6/2008 10:51:34 PM   
XJet


 

Posts: 3158
Joined: 3/31/2003
From: Tokoroa, NEW ZEALAND
Status: online 		I've just about tossed all my NiMH packs now.

No, I haven't gone back to Nicads -- I've switched to A123 and LiFePO4 packs.

These have all the advantages of Nicad (low internal resistance, low self-discharge, very long life) but with all the benefits of NiMH -- high energy density and no memory effect, very safe (no intrinsic fire danger).

I use 1350mAH LiFePO4 packs in my 40-60 sized planes and 2300mAH A123 packs in all my bigger planes.

Not one single problem to date!

Because I build my own packs, a 1350mAH LiFePO4 pack costs me well under $10 and an A123 pack well under $40.

Cheap, effective, reliable and much lighter than anything else except LiPo.

I expect that just as NiMH pretty much took over from Nicad, these new lithium-based technologies will soon take over from both.

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RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/7/2008 2:42:15 PM   
kazakore



Posts: 46
Joined: 2/1/2008
From: Surbiton, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Rodney

NiCads still have the advantage in everything except weight per unit capacity and being more stressful to the landfills if not properly disposed of. In most other resepects such as longer life (nearly twice as many charge/discharge cycles) less prone to damage due to over or under charge, lower internal impedance etc., NiCads rule.


I think it's more the capacity per volume that makes them a more viable choice than Ni-Cad a lot of the time. You only have so much space in which to fit your batteries, Sub-C cells are a standardised size, and NiMH have a far greater capacity than Ni-Cad.

(in reply to Rodney)
       Post #: 8

RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/7/2008 3:33:46 PM   
dick Hanson



Posts: 9838
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: slc, UT, USA
Status: offline 		Where space permits - the A123 -in 1000/2300 sizes - power/rx/ ignition -beat any others hands down.
However - the camera industry is using new "rechargables-in AA size - which look to be perfectly acceptable for TRANSMITTER power-
( EENLOOPS and Ray O Vac Hybrids , rechargeables.- the specs show them to be very well suited )
any reason to not use these as tx replacements (I make my own packs )

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RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 3/18/2008 9:21:52 PM   
errie



Posts: 83
Joined: 5/10/2005
From: Knysna, SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		I have to go with nicads, I have 3 JR 1100mah 4.8v packs and they never let me down. I do mild aerobatics with 40/60 size planes with standard servos in them. I dont need high capacity NIMH packs cuz I charge my nicads every time before I go fly, I just feel safer doing that.

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(in reply to fox59)
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RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 4/3/2008 11:19:16 AM   
cruzomatic


 

Posts: 1887
Joined: 1/28/2003
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Status: online 		All my plane rx's use nicads. My main tx (Futaba 9cap) uses nimhs, nicads on my spare tx though.

(in reply to errie)
       Post #: 11

RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 4/4/2008 8:01:31 PM   
JPMacG


 

Posts: 1135
Joined: 1/2/2002
From: Ivyland, PA, USA
Status: offline 		I have some NiCds packs that are 8 years old and still have good capacities and low self-discharge rates. I don't think NiMH would have lasted so long.

(in reply to cruzomatic)
       Post #: 12

RE: nmhi vs nicad reliability - 4/7/2008 2:17:28 PM   
hilleyja


 

Posts: 2175
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Salem, WV, USA
Status: offline 		I have just about switched all of my birds to 2200mah 6volt NIMH (cheap eBay batteries) and have found that they hold up quite well. My rule of thumb is to check the voltage level under-load before my flying session. If the pack is close to 6volts I will peak charge it before flying.

Recent history: I have a Hanger 9 Twist 150 with a 2200mah 6vold NIMH pack. The flight system consists of a Hitec Fusion 9-channel RX, (4) Hitec HS-5625 servos, (1) Hitec HS-5645 servo, and (1) Hitec HS-425 servo. The last time I peak charged this pack was over 3 weeks ago. The last time I flew her was 4 times yesterday. When I check the voltage level before flying it was 6.53volts under a 250mah load. I estimate I have about 8 flights of approximately 10 minutes since charging.


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       Post #: 13

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