E-Maxx battery questions???

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jebnapier@gmail.com - 26 Oct 2005 01:44 GMT

Hey hey all,

I have just picked up an E-Maxx. It is a great truck, I can't wait to
drive it for the first time. I have some questions about batteries and
the chargers for them. New to RC cars, I am.

I was planning to buy two nimh 3000 packs and the MRC 959 brain charger
for my E-Maxx. I was then going to buy two nicd packs as well, perhaps
1800s or 2400s for good measure. Should be good for awhile on
batteries. Now, the MRC is suppose to auto charge and all that. I
picked the 959 because I am hoping it will make all these questions not
important.

However, I noticed that nicd batteries are a fair amount cheaper then
nimh. I am on a budget, I am looking to spend about 100 dollars on a
charger and batties. So, I thought I could get four nicd 2400 packs and
then a quick/trickle charger. Perhaps, one of Hobbicos 900 series.

I don't understand how you tell the charge time in general batteries.
IE: nicd 1700s take on average 24 minutes to charge. Found that info on
a site. So, how long do nicd 2400s or nimh 3000s take?

Can you quick charge nimh? Only trickle charge nimh? Being a newbie for
RC cars, should I not worry about nimh. I don't want to have sucky run
times with my E-Maxx.

If a battery takes 30 minutes to charge, do you quick charge for 15 and
then trickle for 15 or what?

Is quick charge even worth dealing with?

Much Thanks,
Jeb

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Dre - 26 Oct 2005 02:47 GMT

> Hey hey all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> Much Thanks,
> Jeb

DONT get Nicads for an E-maxx, get the best Nimh matched packs for it you
can. I run 4 matched 3000mah Nimh packs in mine and you can really (and I
mean REALLY) notice the difference between those and 2000-1700 nicads..

My matched 3000's take 35 minutes to charge @ 5amps and thats a quick
charge.

With those packs I easily get 30 minutes runtime and can actually keep the
truck running as long as I want as I can charge them as quick as I can use
them. Heat is a bit of a problem though as everything gets bloody hot
(motors, batts *and* speedy can get so hot its uncomfortable to hold your
fingers on them for more than a couple of seconds)

HTH

Cheers Dre

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ephedralover@hotmail.com - 26 Oct 2005 16:07 GMT

> Hey hey all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> Much Thanks,
> Jeb

Great charger for the price. I have used one for a year. Batteries.
Skip the nicd. Get some qaulity nimh packs with GP cells in them. If
your on a super budget, and can't afford matched packs, radioshack now
sells 3300mah packs with GP cells for $25 each. That would get you in
under a $100. Cheap batteries are cheap for a reason. Performance will
be night and day.

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Rick Russell - 30 Oct 2005 03:46 GMT

> I don't understand how you tell the charge time in general batteries.
> IE: nicd 1700s take on average 24 minutes to charge. Found that info on
> a site. So, how long do nicd 2400s or nimh 3000s take?

Depends on the charger. You can safely charge most batteries at up to
5 amps, even 5.5 amps. Do the math: at 5 amps, a 3000 milliamp-hour
battery will take about 3/5 of a hour, or about 36 minutes. Since some
energy is lost during the charging process, make that 40 minutes.

The MRC 959 is capable of up to 4.5 amps, or 4500 milliamps.
(3000mah/4500ma) * 60 minutes equals 40 minutes, or maybe 44-45
minutes with energy loss.

You can find plenty of places selling 3300mah and 3600mah sport packs
for under $30. Those are your best bet.

Rick R.

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / October 2005

E-Maxx battery questions???