Original Wild Willy Battery replacement

[Darug]

Hi, I've been looking through posts and had no luck, yet..

I have an original Wild Willy from 1984, that I restored, after spending 30+ years in neglect. I managed to obtain a Hump Pack battery several years ago from the UK, and it worked.  However, I was too scared to use it too much, then the next time I udsed it the battery was dead ( think I may have disposed of it). When I looked at the Ebay site again, they had no stock available. I've been unable to locate this recently. 

I've seen a few posts about hacking the original case, which I think I may have disposed of.  

So, What would be the best solution?

Is there a battery available somewhere, Or will I need to buy Sanyo/Panasonic 'C' type batteries?

Can you use a LiPo substitute? (I assume not)

 

 

[Darug]

I found this, which is related to a previous post of mine. https://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/101435-retrovintage-remake-of-the-classic-battery-cases/

[Grumpy pants]

If you’re going to run the WW, then recasing a new battery in the old case would be my 1st route.

If it is just for display purposes, then I would just clean up the original battery and leave it at that.

A quick search on eBay for ‘Tamiya Sand Scorcher battery’ brings up new hump back battery packs. 
 

[Gebbly]

Overlander make custom battery packs. I used them to make a custom pack for me and their customer support was very good at responding. You could give them a shout and see if they could make an old hump back style battery.

As an example they made me a 7.2v 5000mAh NiMh with xt60 connector and it cost £30

In fact WheelspinModels is selling one of their batteries that looks like it could be humpback shaped. Would this fit?

[Darug]

20 minutes ago, Gebbly said:

Overlander make custom battery packs. I used them to make a custom pack for me and their customer support was very good at responding. You could give them a shout and see if they could make an old hump back style battery.

As an example they made me a 7.2v 5000mAh NiMh with xt60 connector and it cost £30

In fact WheelspinModels is selling one of their batteries that looks like it could be humpback shaped. Would this fit?

Thank you. The Wheelspin looks perfect.

Hopefully freight isn't too much.

[Darug]

On 8/19/2024 at 7:22 PM, Gebbly said:

Overlander make custom battery packs. I used them to make a custom pack for me and their customer support was very good at responding. You could give them a shout and see if they could make an old hump back style battery.

As an example they made me a 7.2v 5000mAh NiMh with xt60 connector and it cost £30

In fact WheelspinModels is selling one of their batteries that looks like it could be humpback shaped. Would this fit?

Thank you guys (especially Overlander). The battery arrived today. Well packaged and postage was reasonable.

[Gebbly]

Fingers crossed it fits and Willy is zipping around again soon

Any chance of a photo of the finished vehicle?

[Darug]

38 minutes ago, Gebbly said:

Fingers crossed it fits and Willy is zipping around again soon

Any chance of a photo of the finished vehicle?

I've never painted it. I know I was missing crossbars, and bought new ones for WW2. I did upload original pics(somewhere), before I started restoring. The battery looks great. I have a new charger that is better than I had. Previous battery may have been with this charger.

I still have some original decals.