NiCd vs. NiMh for RX Power

[Sgt_BF_Gunner]

Read that RX battery should be the NiCd variety because NiMh batteries dump when abused by 5 digital coreless servos and a gyro.

Guy at the LHS says that that was baloni and that NiMh was the way to go. Nice 4.8 volt 2700mAh 4 cell MiMh, seems like I would get some good flight time out of it in my Raptor 50 Titan?

What are your experiences with RX batteries???

Thanks,
Gary

[zflarez]

The nice thing about nimh is that they don't have a memory like the nicd.

[Jafa]

The memory effect of NiCAD's not as much an operational problem as people make out - by the time it becomes an issue you've got the best out of the pack and your monies worth (NiCAD"s can take a hell of a beating in fast charging and do deliver serious discharges)

The problem is that the NiMH cell capacites are way ahead of NiCAD now, so NiMH is a better option - provided you get a decent cell. You need to know the internal resistance (sometimes referred to as impedance) of the cell - typical crap consumer cells have 25mili ohm, don't use these. Good cells will have 5 mili ohms (this means they can be fast charged and they can deliver current). If you can't get this spec then don't buy em...

The disadvantage with NiMH is that they have a very high shelf discharge rate, 3% to 5% per day (NiCAD is typically 1% per day).

LiIon is another option, but between the cost of the cells and the regulator and more wiring - many have not warmed to this approach

[Gixxer]

My experience was to finally can all of the other batteries you have to worry about charging at the field and always worried about battery time. If your wallet will allow, by a Duralite system and forget about batteries all together! If not, NiMH is prob your best alternative.

In a tedious hobby with so many systems working together Duralites takes away one area of concern! :cool:

[Sgt_BF_Gunner]

Thanks all, I went with the 4.8 volt 2700mAh 4 cell MiMh. Timing is not an issue (I have a T-Rex), I have LiPo's down pretty well... Looks like the nitro birds have fuel AND battery levels to be concerned with.

It's all good...