solar696

Hi guys, just received my new radio/receiver.
I am shocked to se that they came with nicad batteries.

Just wondering what advantage the nicad has over niMH,
I would think the nicads would be moretroublesome because of the memory effect, wherre as Nimh could be just rechargedor topped off as needed with out cycleing the battery.

Would it be wise to swap it to Nimh?

thanks

JPMacG

My Feedback: (2)

Long life, inexpensive, relatively low self-discharge rate, very reliable, and relatively tolerant of overcharge. Most battery experts say the memory effect is a myth, although some modelers disagree. I would say if you don't need the extra capacity then you are better off staying with NiCds.

Ed

Very unwise !

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

Well in my 9C I went from a 600maH Nicad to a 1650maH NiMH pack.
Weight was the same.
The 600maH pack will give me about 2 hours or 8 flights before alarming at 8.4 volts.
The 1650maH pack will give me 5.5 hours of time.
Depending on your flight time and TX, you make the choice.

solar696

cool :-)
sounds good. I'll stick with the the Nicd then.

thanks for the info.

j.duncker

My Feedback: (2)

The only major downside of NiMH that I have found is that when my TX battery drops to the point the low batt alarm goes of I have 1 minute to land.

richrd

NiCd wins most of the time. ..NiMH is more cap for less wieght and thats about it for NiMH.
Still as I buy Iam replacing all of my NiCD with NiMH
Rich

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

That is true.
When a pack drops below 1.1 volts per cell (8.8 volts) then it falls like a rock.
I have tested it down to 7.9 volts.
I still get RF but the range is drastically reduced.

Rodney

What JpmacG said, very good advice.

Panzlflyer

My Feedback: (15)

The newer Nimhs are low impedance and high current as good as a Nicad. Dont mix the poor performing 1650 and 2700 packs up with the new breed, although the ol;der ones still have some use in low current drain apps.

bnrusso

Here is some good reading (one page) about the facts of comparing ni-cd to ni-mh.
http://batteryuniversity.com/partone-4.htm

And here's a chart analysis to review re: comparision of all battery chemistry.
http://batteryuniversity.com/partone-3.htm

Your expectations and usage determine which type is best.
Since my use in RC (TX and RX) is for low current usage (.5C OR LOWER) and longer use time between charges (I fly almost daily). I choose ni-mh for RC.
In my older power tools where high current and over discharge occurs regularly and bateries last several years I choose ni-cd.

The only negative for using ni-mh is that I need to charge them with a seperate higher rate charger than the wall block that comes with the ni-cd pack.

If not for cost and the fires, I'd prefer to use lithium cells for my TX too (don't loose voltage over time when not in use) (Can be recharged in an hour or two).