another really newbie question - batteries

[blakeatron]

can somebody recomend decent batteries - ive got a blue old tamiya one thats nearly dead, and a cheapo one thats not bad - but i would like longer running times, and maybe more oomph!

what do all the numbers mean?

[tamiya monkey]

hi there i use nimh batteries rather than ni-cad and generally go for 3000mah or above, the brand really does'nt mean much to me as i dont race. but you also have make sure you charger is compatable.  hope this helps, higher the mah means more run time.

[techie]

Have a search for vapextech on e-bay. I have bought a few of his batteries (4300mah was £20 for example) the batteries have been very good indeed and his service is very quick.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/7-2v-NiMH-4300mAh-Re...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[94eg!]

If you live in the USA, I suggest you get some Gold Peak 3300mah

Ni-Mh racing packs at Radio Shack.  They are only $24.99 and that

is an unbeatable deal.  At that price you can get two packs for

the price of one 4300mah pack (totaling 6600mah ).  The first

couple cycles of these packs will easily hold 3500mah before settling

at their regular 3300mah capacity.  It would also seem that Radio

Shack is starting to phase these packs out with some generic "radio

shack" brand packs that contain crapy industrial "green" cells, so get

the Gold Peak brand while they last...

In any case, your going to

want to go with Nimh batteries (much higher capacity than Nicd). 

This means you will need a special computerized "peak detection"

charger specially made for Nimh batteries too...

PS: The terms are as follows:

mah

= milliamps.  This refers to the capacity of the individual cells

(ie: 3300mah).  Larger is better, but also more expensive...

v = voltage.  Usually R/C racing packs are 7.2v which means they have 6 individual cells inside (@ 1.2v each)...

Nicd = Nickel Cadmium.  Older battery chemistry used for years. Definently outdated unless you race competitvly.

Nimh

= Nickel Metal Hydride.  Newer battery chemistry with much higher

capacity than old Nicd. Requires a special chargers for Nimh packs.

Lipo = Lithium Polymer.  Newest battery chemistry in

R/C with huge capacity & also a huge price tag (curently the

cutting edge technology on the market). Also require special chargers

for Lipo packs.

[Wrc action]

I got 3x vemom 3600 mah batteries and they have been superb stick packs so far, look out on ebay and you will see some gd deals. just look for middle of the range and you cannot go wrong really.

regards Ryck  

[Tamiya Learner]

Have a search for vapextech on e-bay. I have bought a few of his batteries (4300mah was £20 for example) the batteries have been very good indeed and his service is very quick.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/7-2v-NiMH-4300mAh-Re...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

I agree with techie, really good service and products, including their sub C batteries for self build packs[]