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[AlanP]

Having not been in model boating for long I am only used to dealing with gell cells and pen cells. I have recently treated myself to a Futaba 6ex 2.4 that comes with NiCd battery packs for Tx and Rx plus a charger. How do I know when the batteries are charged, the red light for the Rx appears to dim as it charges but that could be my imagination, the green light for the Tx is bright all the time.

and more........both packs are 700ma, would it pay me to get larger capacity or are they Ok for a couple of hours sailing.

and yet more......according to the destructions they need discharging because of a memory, how often has this to be done, would a small motor be alright for discharging as I don't fancy leaving the Tx or Rx on untill they run down.

Sorry for all the daft questions, but I don't want to muck anything up.

Regards Alan

[boatmadman]

Alan,

If you can change the nicad batteries for nimh batteries, you will get rid of 'memory' problems and the need to discharge the batteries before re charging.

Regarding the charging lights, think we need to know what type of charger it is, but generally green means ok its ready, and red means its charging.

The 700ma pack size is small, good ones are 3700ma or more now. However, sailing time depends entirely on how much current is drawn by the motor for any given battery size.

[Colin Bishop]

Regarding the charging lights, think we need to know what type of charger it is, but generally green means ok its ready, and red means its charging.

My Futaba 6 EXA charger is purple in colour. The green LED indicates that the TX is charging, the red one that the RX is charging. It's not an automatic charger, you just leave it on for an appropriate length of time.

I agree that it's best to substitute higher capacity NiMH batteries. They don't cost much and are more satisfactory all round.

Colin

[barriew]

The 700ma pack size is small, good ones are 3700ma or more now. However, sailing time depends entirely on how much current is drawn by the motor for any given battery size.

We are talking about Tx and Rx batteries here, so the current draw is quite small, however, Colin is correct - change the Tx battery at least. There are two suppliers who support this forum, Model Power and Component Shop. Give them a call ( not this weekend though they are at an exhibition) and get their advice. The same charger supplied with the set will charge NiMh.

Barrie

[wideawake]

Hi

I'm surprised that the set was supplied with NiCd batteries.  An EU directive has outlawed them except for very limited uses (not r/c).  As others have said, NiMH is a far better chemistry for our purposes anyway.

Anyway when you do dispose of the NiCd packs, please don't throw them in the bin but dispose of them safely at a recycling centre.  They are being withdrawn because cadmium is a very nasty metal if it gets into the environment.

Cheers

Guy

[AlanP]

Thank you all very much for the advice, I feel a lot happier now 

I will change the batteries for NiMH when I get nearer to finishing the boat and just use what I have at the moment for setting the gear up.

Pleased to know that the same charger will do NiCd and NiMh as I seem to be getting quite a collection of chargers and didn't want to add yet another one.

Thanks again.
Perhaps in the distant future I might be able to give advice   

Alan

[wombat]

I'm surprised that the set was supplied with NiCd batteries.  An EU directive has outlawed them except for very limited uses (not r/c).  As others have said, NiMH is a far better chemistry for our purposes anyway.

The irony of this is that the very limited use for NiCd batteries is for emergency lighting - the biggest user of NiCd batteries.

Wom

[tomocj]

use nimh batteries ,no memory effect and last for hours ,what more can you ask for .
Ive recently dabbled in Lipos (electric glider) they are good but take care when charging etc .Ive gone back to glow /diesel engines in my planes prefer them to electric ,still use nimh for the rx though.loads about on the internet and very cheap.

[maninthestreet]

Buy an intelligent charger as well, like one of these:



http://www.component-shop.co.uk/html/body_radio_control1.html