I have this old Top Flite Sierra RC plane. Im not sure how old it is, i just got it from my friend. Were planning to fix it up so its flight-worthy. It has this old radio system (the Tx is this 15 year old Futaba Conquest FP-T6NFK FM radio....im not sure about the Rx, but its most likely a 15 year old one that came with it as well). I was wondering if it would be safe to use the old batt packs that come with it as well. The Rx pack is this Futaba NR-4J 500mAh 4.8V pack and the Tx pack is a Futaba NT-8iB 9.6V 500mAh pack (im currently charging the Tx pack to see how well it holds a charge). Im not sure how old these packs are, or how many times they've been cycled, but would it still be safe to use them? I would prefer not to have them run out on me and turn the plane into a lawn dart.

heres a pic of the Tx and the plane


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...1/IMGP2844.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...1/IMGP2842.jpg

Edit: BTW, me and my friend have no RC plane experience, although i have a decent amount of RC boat eperience, and my Friend is into RC cars as well....

I would replace them both. It is cheap insurance to know that you have good batteries.

So many variables but in general if the that Tx battery will last about an hour before the meter drops into the red I'd say its probably OK. If it wont go an hour its probably trash.

I wouldnt trust the 4.8v Rx at all given that you dont know its history.

At least with the Tx battery you can see with the meter when its unsafe to fly and if you should land. You may not have that luxury with the Rx pack.

Please tell me that your going to get an airplane instructor before you try flying something youve put money and sweat in.
Boats and car experience rarely translates to airplanes.

Cheers,
James

I wouldn't use batteries that old in a plane or TX, not worth it.

Yeah, I'll vote for getting new batteries too. The cost isn't that much and you can rest assured that your batteries are ok.

Check out radicalrc.com for new batteries. They have all sizes, shapes, and cell contents for just about any radio.

CGr.

I agree, get new batteries.
You won't be happy with 500mah batteries anyway and will eventually want higher capacity batteries.
2000mah NiMH batteries are relatively inexpensive if you shop around.
http://www.all-battery.com has good prices and I haven't had a problem with their batteries.

Well ill see how the Tx batt lasts and if it can hold in the green for atleast 30 mins or so, we should be safe if we charge it before each flight i guess

as for the Rx batt, i do have a harness for some regular 1.5v non-rechargables that i can use too....i can use those for the first few flights (replacing them of course) for now anyway....

Another question, the receiver antenna is seperated, in total its about 2 - 2.5 feet long, but just about 5" from the Rx, its been torn off....i can solder it back on, but i remember reading that even if you solder it, the range will still be less than how it was innitially.....is this true? should i buy a new Rx? (since its just an FM, im sure i cant find one for cheap if i have to)
Dont worry, were not going to try to fly it ourselves right away......im thinking we can take it to the local RC feild and have an experieced polit take it out first to see how it handles....And the Tx, despite its age, does have a trainer plug...so for the first few flights, we can have an instructor able to take over control to help us learn to fly it.....

You're really trying to push your luck. It would be quicker to just stomp on the whole thing. Plane looks good and for the sake of new bat. why destroy it. By the way if TX bat only hold charge for 1 hour or less heave them they should last at least 3 hours if any good.The radio you have is a good one but get new ba t. for Tx and Rx. Or stick to boats and cars.

Well this isnt all going to happen right away....im not going to take this out to fly anytime soon......i need to do a bit of fixing up with it anyway...the covering on it has a rip in it here and there...i need to CA the hinges for the rudder and elevator back on the tail section (you can just pull it out by hand right now)....Im going to have to replace the power switch for the Rx since its always on despite what position its in....Ill need to tune the motor again since it hasent been run in a while...probably needs a new glo plug too...I was just asking about the batteries since those are the things im not sure about....i know what to do with the rest of it....

If you really think i should replace them both, then i will...im just trying to avoid as many costs as possible as this plane isnt the only thing my money is going to right now....