Tamiya RC Batteries Query

[Jon Brown]

Hi like a lot of people it seems lockdown has prompted me to get my R/C cars going.

I've only got some ancient batteries (ni-cads?) and looking at new battery technology. I have an escort Cosworth 90s and a new m05 chassis on a new build classic mini shell.

Can anyone recommend a suitable battery and charger (and where best to buy from), does anyone know the run time of modern batteries?

[pete]

If you want hassle-free running and charging, you can buy modern NiMH packs which have about 2.5x the runtime of old NiCd batteries, and offer a pretty much "charge, run and forget" experience. I have a couple of 3000mAh NiMH packs that give at least 20 minutes running in my son's Tamiya DT03, which are shaped like an old Tamiya "stick" pack. I bought mine from Modelsport, here, but there are plenty of suppliers:

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/enrich-power-3000mah-...

Note: be careful of buying the higher capacity 5000mAh NiMH packs, as the cells are not a standard size, so they don't always fit in older Tamiya chassis. These 3000mAh versions seem ok in most things, according to wisdom online.

If you're really keen, you can move up to LiPo batteries, which have a much flatter voltage discharge curve, and can deliver a lot more current, hence more speed and acceleration, but they need care and attention. e.g. need to be stored at 50% capacity so they don't self discharge to a dangerous level; cars need a suitable voltage cutoff or alarm so you don't discharge them too much; have to be charged and ideally stored in a fireproof container; are susceptible to impact damage and you get the idea. More performance, and higher capacities available in small packages, but less suited for occasional bashing around. There's a really good guide here if you're interested in moving up in future: https://rogershobbycenter.com/lipoguide

If you might move up to LiPo in the future, buy a suitable charger now that will charge anything. I've got a SkyRC e680 charger which is internally a clone of the industry standard Imax B6, cost under £40 online, and runs from mains or a 12v supply. Just remember to buy suitable 4mm-to-Tamiya adaptor cables so it will work with the batteries above.

Hope that helps!

[lufbramatt]

+1 …. I've got 4 of the Enrich 3000mah packs mentioned above here and they're great for the money. I got a "Fusion" branded fast charger from the same site for about £25 and it works fine, if a bit plasticky.

Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 15th June 15:06

[Jon Brown]

Thanks Pete, thats perfect. I wont be getting seriously into it so the lower cost and easier option would definitely be far more suitable

[Murph7355]

I just bought a bunch of Overlander 3800 batteries for mine (would have bought 3300s as the price differential to 3800s didn't make perfect sense, but they were out of stock), along with a smart charger.

https://www.overlander.co.uk/nimh-batteries/7-2v-6...
https://www.overlander.co.uk/nimh-batteries/7-2v-6...

and

https://www.overlander.co.uk/chargers/overlander-r...

Then bought the right cable to use with the charger, something like these (Overlander don't seem to do them):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XT60-to-Tamiya-male-fem...

(Checking which ends you need is easily done from images on the Overlander site).

I bought that charger as it was a decent speed and allowed checking of the batteries/discharging them. Also has a few safety features built in.

[dr_gn]

O/T, but I'm looking for some new NiCd batteries to fit in my ancient Dremel battery pack. I took it apart and it's basically 6 AA batteries wired in series as two sets of 3. It has a specific charger, so I want to retain NiCds.

Plently on Amazon from China but apparently it's ilegal to import them to the EU becasue of the Cadmium content. The UK sourced ones are much more expensive.

The new Dremels are much bigger and heavier, but the one I have was just the right size and weight, and nicely balanced. Any ideas on where to source decent new NiCads at an affordable price?

[The_Jackal]

Whatever you do, buy a charger that charges all the different batteries with different leads and balance charge connections.
The B6Max (i think) and all the clones like it are pretty cheap and will last you through all your RCs.
£30 should get you an ok charger. Dont go cheaper.

[cjs racing.]

The_Jackal said:

Whatever you do, buy a charger that charges all the different batteries with different leads and balance charge connections.
The B6Max (i think) and all the clones like it are pretty cheap and will last you through all your RCs.
£30 should get you an ok charger. Dont go cheaper.

Imax B6AC is my go to charger.

Can't fault them for the money. I currently own 3.

[Murph7355]

dr_gn said:

O/T, but I'm looking for some new NiCd batteries to fit in my ancient Dremel battery pack. I took it apart and it's basically 6 AA batteries wired in series as two sets of 3. It has a specific charger, so I want to retain NiCds.

Plently on Amazon from China but apparently it's ilegal to import them to the EU becasue of the Cadmium content. The UK sourced ones are much more expensive.

The new Dremels are much bigger and heavier, but the one I have was just the right size and weight, and nicely balanced. Any ideas on where to source decent new NiCads at an affordable price?

The last time I had to source some batteries like that (for a gate sensor IIRC) I bought from RS.

[CubanPete]

I bought an imax B6 copy and two lipo packs from hobbyking.

A tamiya to 4mm, and a deans to 4mm (for the charger) and a low battery alarm off ebay.

Total bill was just over £50. As a casual basher, I don't find them that much hassle to look after. The charger has a storage charge cycle.