RC car batteries

[GJR]

Hello all,

In the process of building a Tamiya Frog RC buggy (a moment of childhood nostalgia took control of the credit card! ;oD) and I need to order a battery and charger. I remember all those years ago that the NiCd batteries took 16 hours to charge and gave just 10 minutes or so of run time.

Before ordering the kit I'd read a bit about the new LiPo batteries that typically lasted half an hour or more, but now I'm getting around to actually buying something I've noticed that you can also get cheaper NiMH batteries. Presumably the LiPo batteries are better, but are they worth the extra money.

What are the typical run times for the LiPo vs NiMH batteries?

From what I've read the LiPo chargers are significantly more expensive, so is the extra expense worth it or is it simply better to buy a couple of the NiMH batteries?

Thanks for any advice.

[khevolution]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-iMAX-B6-RC-Lipo-...

buy one of those chargers and it is the only charger you will ever need. as for the lipo vs nimh debate im sure if you search the internet you'll find this argument many times, my personal opinion is the Lipo is worth it. as long as you do you research you will be fine.

[wacattack]

Lipos all the way. But as has been said, do your research ond don't buy Chinese crap just to save a couple of quid. Lipos can dangerous if not handled properly

[blueST]

If for any reason you don't want Lipo, I think you'll be more than impressed with modern high capacity NiMH batteries coupled with a delta peak charger. Compared with the old NiCds they'll charge quicker and run for miles longer. I get bored before I run out of batteries now.

I get my packs from here http://component-shop.co.uk/index.html

And I have this charger http://www3.ansmann.de/cms/charging-technology/cha...

[khevolution]

may i add http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/index.rc?... to you search i've bought about 5 packs from them now and had no problems

[GJR]

Thanks for your advice guys. I've ordered the iMax charger, the battery is next.

[khevolution]

Just an extra piece of advice, I forgot to mention that it comes as a 12v charger, therefore the mains adapter does not come packaged with it, but a quick search round eBay and you should be able to find the correct one, or if I have a dig round my shed I might have a spare that I can send for the price of postage, PM if your interested

[GJR]

Thanks for the advice. I did notice that the link stated no power supply, but a quick look around their site and I found that they did offer a charger and power adaptor for a little extra. Thanks for the offer though.

I see from the images on their site that the battery connectors are not the Tamiya style, but I think I may have a spare connector pair (male and female depending on which is required) from my old original collection of bits and pieces.

[khevolution]

if its the one from my link there called Deans connectors and there alot better then tamiya, i have found the tamiya have a tendency to melt themselves together under high load

[Stig]

In terms of run times, I use 4600mAh NiMh batteries in my Tamiya 'Vanessa's Lunchbox' (reissue).

I get over an hour of run time out of them!

As said above, you'll get bored or break something before the packs run dry these days!!!

[theshrew]

Stig said:

In terms of run times, I use 4600mAh NiMh batteries in my Tamiya 'Vanessa's Lunchbox' (reissue).

I get over an hour of run time out of them!

As said above, you'll get bored or break something before the packs run dry these days!!!

Jeepers that must be the slowest car ever if your getting that long mate. If it a stick pack dont run it dry either its possibly you might damage a cell in the battery.

Best things are lipo's by a million miles. Get a decent one and it will last ages. Get a charge sack for it tho as they are very dangerous if they have a problem.

[DoubleSix]

It's total overkill to get a Lipo for what this chap is doing. A bit nostalgia with a Frog!! Just get a couple of higher capacity NiMH by a good brand like Ansmann;

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/ansmann-7...

I get over half an hour from the above with 2011 Avante, none of the Lipo worries/dangers, just good old skool fun. Modern fast charger pumps it up in very little time...

[GJR]

DoubleSix said:

It's total overkill to get a Lipo for what this chap is doing.

I think this is true to be honest. Based on the comments I've gone for a 4700mAh NiMh battery that was £31. Just the one for now. I've seen a few comments about the dangers of LiPo, especially if they get a bit battered. I doubt it occurs that often, but considering the higher price, I think (as an RC novice) the NiMH will be fine for me. As I said earlier, if they last longer than 5 mins I'd be chuffed. I can always move to LiPo's in the future.