LI-whatever Versus NI-MH

[lperagallo]

OK, so the verdict is in. The batteries for my turbine need to be replaced. As I sit here and think, I wonder why we use Li-whatever in anything. Most times they need a regulator, they are sensitive, expensive and quite frankly not worth the pain. Why can't I just use some good 4500MAH Ni-MH?s While weight may be an issue for smaller helis, it really isn't that much of a problem in the turbine.

Were there more problems with batteries going bad in turbines before the Li-pos, Li-on, Li-mn?

What makes the Li-anything make it better? What benefits do we get?:dontknow

Lou

[MarkWebber]

The only time I've ever had an issue with Ni-MH was on my flybarless conversion. The battery just couldn't supply the amps needed when running 3 gyros. Other than that, they were working great. Cost is definately better, too. Though I guess you turbine owners shouldn't be too worried about that.;)
As long as you don't exceed the output capability and some cell manufacturers are better than others.

[PaulH]

From what members of my club have said, SR Batteries (http://srbatteries.com/) are the best NiMH/NiCd packs that money can buy. However, they are expensive. The vendor states that the cells are "aerospace grade" and "screened and matched".

An alternative is NoBS Batteries (http://www.hangtimes.com/nobsbatteries.html). According to several threads on RCU and RCG, the owner of Hangtimes Hobbies used to work at SR Batteries. The build quality of the packs is similar, but the cells are a more "off the shelf" variety. The packs are also half the price of those from SR Batteries.

Food for thought! :)

[bcook01]

All packs are made up of either AA, C, or D cell formats. Panasonic is the leader in NimH batteries. They are extensively used in broadcast cameras and equipement with good results.

Key to life and reliability is quality of the charger.

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/battery/oem/chem/nicmet/#data

is a good reference source.

It is very easy to make up your own pack with use of a soldering iron and some solder. This way you know what you have and you can isolate, test, replace invdividual cells if need be.

There are only a few quality manufacturers and typically quality batteries are not used in RC applications, and none of them will tell you the source of their batteries.

If you do not want to solder there are manufacturers of D and C cell holders, typically 4 or six cells that can be used. This way you can replace the individual cells at any time without soldering..

This way you are assured of the best quality!

fyi

Bob