Need the Battery know how..

[cswann821]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anyone had some good article/links which can easily explain the differances between the major battery types used in RC hobbies, their applications ect. I'm just tired of haveing to ask...which to use, or really, would like to be more educated on the topic to make better decision on what to choose and when. This goes for chargers as well.

Thanks alot

Chris

[extra330ss]

ni-cds are the standard lower performance batteries, they are trickle charged, used in generally low voltage, and mah settings, such as in 40-90 size planes. they are most often seen with 4.8 volts... ni-mh is very similar to ni-cd only they have a different chemical makeup. these are also trickle charged, but usually have higher mah ratings, and usually either 4.8 or 6 volts... li-ion (you sometimes here guys call them "lion batts") are lithium ion cells packed in a very different way to ni-cd/ni-mh... you usually buy them by cell count [expressed by 'S' (such as 2s for a 2 cell, 6s for 6 cells, ect ect)] lithium batteries will most often have a 3.75 volt per cell rating at full charge, or 3.7 volts averaged, so 1 cell packs are 3.7v, 2s packs are 7.4, and so on. lithium packs (both li-ion, and li-po) will usually come in cell count from 1-6. however there are specialty packs that will go beyond that. li-ion packs have generally high mah counts, so they last longer than nickle packs... li-po packs have in most people's opinions, the best performance, however, they are also the most dangerous. lipos can explode if not properly maintained or charged. this means that the packs can be trickle charged by cell voltage checking chargers (ones that will not charge if one cell is overcharging but another is undercharging) and ballanced every few cycles, or as most people choose to do in order to play it safe, ballance charge every cycle, which is the recomended way of doing things. in most ways, lipos are the same as liions, but they have different chemical makeup. lipos, and lions are mostly used in high torque applications such as giant scale aircraft, or electric planes, and helicopters... because of the higher performance, lithium batteries especially with higher cell counts will need a voltage regulator, or bec (battery eliminator circuit) as not to roast our servos, ignition cdi's, rx's, or other electronic components wich are not quite as high performance. this is fine for large, or giant scale aircraft, where the performance is needed, and no expenses should be spared to recieve a safe overall product, however, in smaller scale aircraft, such as trainers, funfly planes, or just about any other .25-1.20 size airplane that is using standard servos, or even up to a giant scale airplane, where weight, or performance is not such an issue, regualtor systems, and lithium batteries are simply a luxary expense which will save a few ounces, but add to the complexity, and overall exprence of the aircraft, in which case a ni-mh battery will be prefered... if all out low cost in planes from 25-90 size is desired, and a lack of performance is acceptable, ni-cds are perfectly reliable, and cost effective for the application.

I'm sure someone else has more to say, just my 2cents

[cswann821]

Hey was great! Thanks alot

[rcbobp]

What about A123's? Am I correct that they are Li-Ion's? Should they be handled (charged) the same as other Lithium batteries?

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

A123's are a lithium based battery. Not an Ion. If I remember right, they are a Nono Phosphate chemical composition...........

I'm still not sold on them....... I'll stay with my Ion's and Poly's!!!!! I've had a friend nearly destroy his 50cc arplane with A123's.

[Cobra1]

go to http://www.hangtimes.com/ as it has a FAQ about just about all battery types. Oh by the way, they sell batteries also.

[NormS]

Battery University: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/
NormS