cnordick

I've always used the stock batteries that have come with my Futaba systems. They have always been Ni-cads. However, after I start looking at NIMH (with increased capacity) and Li-po's (with increased capacity and light weight) is it a good move to switch to one of these other kind of batteries. Or better yet, is this even possible. I am interested in both transmitter and receiver battery conversion if this is a good move. Thanks for your time.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I switched to the NiMh some 12 years ago and never looked back.

The LiPo and LiFe(A123) batteries are a different technology and require different chargers.

With the LiPo batteries, the voltage is wrong and you have to use some form of a voltage reducer or regulator

With lithium batteries you cannot discharge them below a certain point or the battery will be damaged beyond repair.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

I switched about the same time as 8. I do use the Lipos for my little electric plane but like 8 mentioned, they charge differently and have a few draw backs for normal sport flying. A lot of guys I fly with have gone over to the A123s but they are flying giant scale and using voltage regulators. For most weekend pilots nicad or nim is just fine.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

There's a drawback to using regular NiMh batteries and that is that they discharge on their own over time. You cannot charge them up on Sunday night to use a week later. You need to charge them right before use or maybe the night before.

There's another kind of NiMh battery called a Eneloop that does not self discharge. You can use existing NiMH type battery chargers with them.

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When comparing NiMH batteries with NiCd batteries, the NiMH batteries have a higher internal resistance and therefore the instantaneous amperage available from a NiMH battery is not as great as that from a same size NiCd battery. This is a fact that must be allowed for.

The Eneloop battery, in addition to not be self discharging, has a low internal resistance and offers more instantaneous amperage capacity

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The A123 LiFe type batteries do not normally need a voltage regulator as their charged voltage for a pair is very much like the charged voltage of a 5 cell NiCd or NiMH pack

jimmyjames213

My Feedback: (2)

if you can go life batteries, they are much better than either nicd-nimh and way better than lipo (lipo is the worst imo...risk of fire, bec sometimes fail...ect)

Hewey19

I switched my planes to NIMH and have been very happy with the performance. 

exnordel

I also switched to NIMH, but over time realized they have a much shorter life than NICAD. I switched back to NICAD, but the high capacity ones. I am now running 1100mah NICAD's in all my TX's.

Vince

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I have NiMH batteries that I have been using for 12 yrs

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

They don't like the heat of fast field charging so if you are one of the people that charges on the way to the field with a quick charger you only get a year or so out of them. I also made up a couple of packs with the Eneloop batteries, they really do hold there charge. As for the danger of the Lipo during charge?? Now that people understand them charging them is no big deal. The chargers have been improved to stop charging when they hit there full charge and they have beeping warnings when the charge is over. I never leave the room when charging them and I do keep a watch to see how close to being fully charged they are. If there are fires these days from charging them it is an operator error, not the battery.

orbsah

If I get a NiMH Rx pack, can I charge it with the charger that came w/ the radio (intended for NiCad)?

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Yes

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

If it is a greater capacity battery, you will need to leave the battery connected to the charger longer

orbsah

Any suggestions for how much longer? The Rx charger that I have is intended for a 600mAh NiCad and has an output rating of 50mA. The 2000mAh NiMH battery that I have indicates the "standard" charge is 11 hours at 200mA. Just not sure how I'd know if and when it's charged to peak using the 50mA charger. Thanks in advance for your help.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

It will take 3.3 times longer 2000/600=3.3333

It will not hurt your NiMH battery to leave your 50ma wall wart charger hooked up to your battery for a longer period

airbusdrvr

In your planes??

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I check them before each flight

ZachB10

My Feedback: (9)

Trying to avoid buying a new charger here.  I've been using the Futaba wall charger that came with my radio for my nicads, but I'm needing to buy new receiver batteries and it looks like the Hobbico 6v 2000 mAh Nimh should work well for my needs.  The charger charges at 100mA, and the max recommended charge for the 2000 pack is 1.4A, think I would be OK to just use my wall charger and leave the larger nimh packs on a bit longer?

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

That is correct

http://www.radicalrc.com/abattfaq.html

ZachB10

My Feedback: (9)

So no risk of fire or batteries blowing up?

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

correct


http://www.radicalrc.com/abattfaq.html

ZachB10

My Feedback: (9)

Thanks dude. That's a big help. So basically just get the pack charged fully, then use a tester to make sure it's putting out the appropriate numbers and go ahead and use the wall wart. Charge overnight before hitting the field. Good news.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

If the battery is discharged it may take three days to recharge it with the wall wart

Roo Man

My Feedback: (1)

There are new NiMH batteries [hybrid] that will hold a charge for extended periods [weeks, months]. The only negative I am aware of is that they cannot be fast charged, I charge mine at 500MA.

NiMH batteries are lighter and smaller than a comparable NiCAD and now come in much higher voltage, mine are 2,100 MA.

Cheaper to, I got mine at Batteries plus [made by their on site tech] with std RC plug [supplied by customer] and it cost me lass than $15.00, This includes our clubs discount because the tech is a member of our club.

Gary

TimBle

LiFePO4,......or A123 LiFePO4, nuff said.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

The new style NiMH batteries that do not loose their charge are called Eneloop batteries and they are available many places and can be charged with the regular chargers

Older peak detector chargers 10yrs old or older designed for NiCd batteries may not detect the voltage peak in a NiMH battery so be careful