Battery questions

[timmosav]

As a newbie to r/c boating Ive been using Nicads and NiMh batteries in my electric boats.

Today Ive been looking at some scale model warships and am told either Gell Cells or 6V Lead acid batteries are used in these particular ones I saw.

Can someone advise me if these latter two will give longer run times than a couple of packs of Nicads etc installed.

Would my existing Ripmax Delta Peak charger which works with the Nicads and NiMh batteries be suitable to charge lead acid or gell or will a new charger be needed.

Do the lead acid and gells need discharging before recharging.

Finally which is better in order of preference out of all 4 types and why.

Thanks

[pompebled]

As a newbie to r/c boating Ive been using Nicads and NiMh batteries in my electric boats.

Today Ive been looking at some scale model warships and am told either Gell Cells or 6V Lead acid batteries are used in these particular ones I saw.

1)Can someone advise me if these latter two will give longer run times than a couple of packs of Nicads etc installed.

2)Would my existing Ripmax Delta Peak charger which works with the Nicads and NiMh batteries be suitable to charge lead acid or gell or will a new charger be needed.

3)Do the lead acid and gells need discharging before recharging.

4)Finally which is better in order of preference out of all 4 types and why.

Thanks

Hi Andrew,

1) the motors, used in scale warships don't need batteries that can deliver high Ah over a short period, like your speedboats, ofcourse Nicads and NiMH can be used but it's a bit overkill (and more expensive). Exept for small crafts where weight is an issue, the gel batteries will give you a longer runtime, simply because they are available with a much higher capacity than the Nicads and NiMH.

2) if the manual does not mention gel or lead acid batteries, no.

3) no.

4) for scale ships, I would prefer gel batteries, easy maintenance, and they will work in whatever position you decide to install them (try that with your car battery...)

Hope it clarifies it a bit.

Regards, Jan.

P.S.: if you need a schematic for a simple lead/gel battery charger, powered by a leftover wallplugged powersupply, send me an email.

[timmosav]

Hi Jan

Only just discovered this site gives another outlook on this hobby - might have known you would be frequenting it :rolleyes:

PM on the way to you

cheers
Andrew