|
|
|
|
 |
RC BATTERIES AND
BATTERY TIPS
|
If someone has been using electric RC car models for some time it is
essential for him to know how to take care of the batteries. They are
the power generators for these racing models. A little attention and
handling gives them better life span and more power. It is essential
to understand how to charge, discharge and take care of them.
It is often assumed that doubling the battery pack would make the car
go faster or give more battery life. Actually, in case of RC Cars, this
is not the case. The added weight will neither add speed nor life to
the battery. Also wiring them in series would just increase the voltage
but would not affect the capacity. Only some of the monster trucks are
designed to run with 14.4 volts rest are designed to run on 7.2 volts
only with two packs wired in parallel.
The common confusion also prevails between the heavy duty and alkaline
batteries. User often does not know which of them are better and supposes
that although heavy-duty are cheaper but alkaline last longer. Actually
“heavy duty” are also alkaline batteries. It is just that if any battery
is allowed to sit for some span of time, one would be considered lucky
to derive anything out them after that. Manufacturers use the term heavy
duty to denote their bargain brand batteries. They also have premium
brand batteries. The difference in cost is generally due to difference
in cost in producing standard alkaline or oxy-alkaline cells. Other
than this the manufacturers also change their premium battery names
frequently in which the actual difference lies only in tweaking the
oxy-alkaline formula a little bit.
Usually most of the alkaline batteries give similar performance and
life span regardless of the brand. Other than that usage pattern also
determines the battery performance and life span. Different usage patterns
in different models give varied response from the batteries. If one
is using controller to charge the cars then using alkaline batteries
is preferable. If simple controller is only used than carbon batteries
are also sufficient.
NiCad and NiMH batteries are the commonly used batteries for RC models.
NiCad is usually the ones that give more value for money while NiMH
give more capacity that means longer run times. NiMH batteries are good
to charge at 5 amp for racing conditions. Charging them at higher amp
would result in higher acceleration but the battery would flatten out
till the end of the race. For NiCad batteries 5 amp balances best between
top speed and punch.
For storage, the best option for NiCad is to discharge them up to .9
volts and then store them. For example 7.2 volt batteries should be
discharged up to 5.4 volts and then stored. If these have not been used
for more than a week then it is good to charge them for up to 1 minute
and then use them. NiMH batteries thirty percent of the charge should
be put into the pack and then stored. Dead batteries should be maintenance
zapped once and then cycled on the bench couple of times. If the same
is done every alternate day it can help the dead batteries get some
charge.
Batteries are the moving power of the RC cars. If proper care is taken
they give out maximum power and better run times.
About The Author:
Peter Dobler successfully operates several web sites on the topic of
internet marketing and web site optimization. Visit his main web site
at:
http://www.sell1on1.com
Other RC Race Car Related Information
|
