New Knowledge Base Topic on Batteries. Long overdue.

[Armortek]

I've just added a long overdue BASIC topic on batteries here:

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=5790&p=49285#p49285

It covers Sealed Lead Acid, Lithium Iron Phosphate and Lithium Polymer battery selection and safe operation. Thanks to Kian and Adrian Harris for adding comment. It's pretty comprehensive (which is code for long but might give some food for thought).

For Universal Carrier owners, the motion pack will require a LiPo battery. These are perfectly safe to use but, as the Topic says:

they are safe but they must be handled correctly, operated within limits and importantly, a proper balanced charger needs to be used. If mishandled, LiPo can suffer a thermal runaway, resulting in an intense and toxic fire, which could destroy the model and cause injury and loss.

This topic covers what you need to know to operate LiPo batteries safely.

As ever, comments welcome.

Stephen

[Robert E Morey]

Excellent article. Thank you!

[John Clarke]

Wow, talk about deja vu, black cats and glitches in the matrix.

Well written Stephen. tricky to write, just enough fear factor included.

The Tiger picture in sepia at a different angle would have made a classic real or fake.

Quality Lipo chargers do not cost the earth, if making a purchase, make sure you look at the supply voltage, as a lot of chargers need a separate supply device. This one shown has a dual supply for working off mains and in the field off a 12v dc supply (car battery).

Loved the quaint 50 cal ammo box.

Great minds think alike.

But I have a lot of batteries, so what better than the 120mm TK shell transport case (Challenger)

Yes, I know it's a training round! But apparently quite good for knocking on bad peoples doors without the usual collateral damage next door from a Hesh round.

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[John Wiggins]

Great article Stephen

Advice on where to purchase suitable chargers and batteries for the UC would be helpful.

Regards
John

[Stephen White]

Thanks John. It was hard to decide what to leave out.

I use these people a lot:

https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/c/35/

HobbyKing has a good selection but make sure what you want is in the UK warehouse or you could be in for a customs delay and extra cost.

https://hobbyking.com/

Component Shop are always reliable but perhaps don’t have the range of goods.

https://www.componentshop.co.uk/

Other outlets I used:

https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/chargers?gcli ... MkQAvD_BwE

https://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/e ... y-chargers

[John Clarke]

Your so right Stephen there is an awful lot of information around.

There will be a lot of space on the UC in the battery box if a 7.4 volt Lipo battery is being used, even with a reasonably high capacity, as can be seen in the picture.
The 7.4 volt 4200mah 40-80C plastic enclosed battery case.
The Plastic case provides impact protection on the actual cell envelope, which is designed for off road models in mind.

To simplify matters I was always of the opinion that the higher the "C" discharge rating, Usually....Usually denotes a higher quality of the cell.
Like all batteries, a decent manufacturer is important too.

One really simple device if you don't have the on board monitoring system on your R/C, is a Lipo battery monitor which plugs in to the battery monitoring plug. It has a digital display and a buzzer that lets you know when the battery gets to it's safe low voltage. At £3.00, silly not to. Use technology to look after the batteries, it's cheap enough.

The UC battery box is easily big enough to take a 7.2volt NiMh high capacity 5000mah battery anyway if Lipo's are not your cuppa. I don't think 0.2 volts will cause too much difference to performance. (The big performance killer will be added weight from detailing ).

I think UC owners may need to have a good field Charger and 50 cal box full of batteries for refueling. Because it looks fun to drive and box of batteries will ensure a great day out.

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[Mick Regan]

Stephen

Excellent article. I know absolutely nothing about lipo batteries, so I’m spending a quite night at work swatting up and checking out supplies.
Do you know what type of battery connector the UC motion pack uses

Thanks in anticipation.

Mick.

[Stephen White]

Mick, hi. I gather from Kian that the kit will be proved for both Deans and XT60. My personal preference is XT60, on which I've standardised for all my aircraft LiPos (except for 6S 5000mAh on which I'm using XT90). Stephen