Futaba 7C battery

[Martin Taylor]

As\a newcomer to radio control it would be really helpful to have some idea of how long the Futaba transmitter battery will last before needing a recharge? I am heading towards the stage with my KT where I will be beyond bench testing and into outside test runs and certainly do not want to get caught out with an immobile tank! Does it make sense to have a spare battery?

Linked with this is the issue of battery cycling which is recommended in the handbook to be done every 4-8 weeks but on the Futaba website is said to be only necessary very rarely! Also can you get a cycling device to enusre complete discharge?

Advice gratefully received!
Martin

[Mick Regan]

Hi Martin

Transmitter battery life with the standard batteries can be as short as 45 minutes

Your best bet is to replace them with a higher capacity pack. Have a look at:
http://www.vapextech.co.uk/acatalog/cop ... eries.html

You need TX Pack 9.6v 2600mAh Nimh (Square). At £10.55 with free P&P, they are a bargain, and being NiMh batteries, they don't need recycling.

Hope this helps.

Mick

[Adrian Harris]

I'd also recommend changing to a NiMH battery.

I don't know if they have improved the charger for the 7C over the one supplied with the 6EXA but if it isn't "intelligent", I'd recommend getting one which is.

The Futaba 6EXA charger just keeps pumping the charge in, even when the battery is full, which risks overheating the battery and actually reducing the operating life. Intelligent chargers monitor the battery voltage and switch to trickle charge once the battery is full.

Adrian.

[Martin Taylor]

Many thanks guys . Just to expose my ignorance completely will the Futaba -supplied charger work OK with NiMH batteries?
Martin

[Dale jordan]

Thanks Mick . I can't find the same down here . If I buy one from your link , it should still work on my 7c downunder ? how's the fit into the battery holder ? Dale

[Mick Regan]

Martin

Your Futaba supplied charger will work with NiMH batteries fine, but if you go for the 2600mah pack it will take a long time to charge from flat. It has a fairly low charge current, so it won't overheat your battery. In normal use it will be fine charged overnight.

Dale

It will work fine with your 7c. I found it to be a little loose and it rattled around, so I packed it out with a piece of foam rubber.

Hope this helps.

Mick

[Stephen White]

Mick

I've just received batteries for my 6Ex and 7c txs - they came by return of post, no carriage charge, good quality. Result!Thanks for the link.

All the best

Stephen