Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Batteries & Chargers => Topic started by: darthu812 on November 04, 2009, 07:28:52 pm

Title: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: darthu812 on November 04, 2009, 07:28:52 pm
Hi there.

Which battery would be the best to drive a 505 motor with a 30amp electronic speed controller?
it would be perfect to know the TYPE (lead acid etc), MAKE/MODEL (yuassa etc) and POWER (6V 4AH etc)?
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: craftysod on November 04, 2009, 07:34:33 pm
First question what is the boat.
Dont assume it has to be lead acid,unless its a big boat that requires ballast,as lead acids are heavy.
Depending on the voltage of your motor,and if you want speed or duration or both.
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: malcolmfrary on November 05, 2009, 08:46:29 am
Not familiar with a 505 motor.  Is it a typo for a 550?
Like craftysod says, it all then depends on the hull type and your expectations of it. 
The characteristics of the particular type of motor will have a lot of influence as well since the bare generic type number doesn't indicate the characteristics of the motor, just the case size and sometimes the number of poles.
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: darthu812 on November 06, 2009, 05:35:46 pm
The boat is a scale 1:32 model of the trawler "Our lass ii"
Yes sorry that was a typo  its a 550 motor not 505.
any recommendations?
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: malcolmfrary on November 06, 2009, 07:16:11 pm
For a trawler, the biggest that you can fit in without sinking the boat.  Bigger battery = bigger fuel tank = longer run time.  The limit is being able to trim the boat correctly.  What do the kit manufacturers say?
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: darthu812 on November 07, 2009, 03:38:09 pm
The kit manufacturers don't state anything about the battery
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: ixion on November 07, 2009, 03:44:49 pm
If its the RTR 'Our Lass II' you will need a 6v 4.5ah lead acid battery. You wont get anything bigger through the opening in the deck!
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: DickyD on November 07, 2009, 04:08:42 pm
6V 5Ah SLA is the same size as 6V 4Ah SLA

http://www.component-shop.co.uk/html/batteries.html
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: malcolmfrary on November 07, 2009, 11:18:47 pm
If its the RTR 'Our Lass II' you will need a 6v 4.5ah lead acid battery. You wont get anything bigger through the opening in the deck!
Sounds like a good and valid opinion.  Being able to replace the battery without demolishing the boat is always a good idea.
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: tomo55 on March 10, 2010, 02:32:52 pm
good advice the biggest you can get in for that type of boat.if you go for a high planning boat in the future weight will be more of an issue,
Nimh packs are good but might be worth looking at Lipo packs.
Chris
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: justboatonic on March 11, 2010, 02:58:51 pm
Speaking of which, why is it that 4.5 and 5amp SLA are always taller than virtually any other SLA battery!?  >:-o

4.5 & 5amp would be ideal if it were not for the fact that as they are taller, they raise the centre of gravity of a boat. Your only option seems to be to lay them on their side which, Im not sure is a good thing even for SLA's.

Or does anyone know where you can get less tall and long 4.5 & 5amp SLA's?
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: FullLeatherJacket on March 11, 2010, 05:03:00 pm
4.5 & 5amp would be ideal if it were not for the fact that as they are taller, they raise the centre of gravity of a boat. Your only option seems to be to lay them on their side which, Im not sure is a good thing even for SLA's.

There's no reason why you shouldn't operate SLA batteries in any orientation, although upside down probably isn't a brilliant idea. Don't overlook the fact that the grey bit is denser than the black bit, so if you're planning on laying the battery down across the keel line then it shouldn't straddle it exactly 50/50.
FLJ
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: DickyD on March 11, 2010, 05:47:03 pm
I have several boats with SLA batteries lying on their sides same as most people on this forum, they work perfectly OK. :-))
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: wombat on March 13, 2010, 08:30:48 pm
Speaking of which, why is it that 4.5 and 5amp SLA are always taller than virtually any other SLA battery!?  >:-o

4.5 & 5amp would be ideal if it were not for the fact that as they are taller, they raise the centre of gravity of a boat. Your only option seems to be to lay them on their side which, Im not sure is a good thing even for SLA's.

Or does anyone know where you can get less tall and long 4.5 & 5amp SLA's?

SLAs can be operated in  any orientation but must never be charged inverted. I have successfully charged them when they are on their sides

Wom
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: justboatonic on March 14, 2010, 12:38:33 am
Aye, I have two SLA's laid on their side in Drumbeat. Just seems odd to me that SLA's of this ampage ie 4.5 or 5amp, are taller and shorter than virtually any other SLA you care to name.
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: FullLeatherJacket on March 14, 2010, 07:08:18 am
David
The size and shape is probably dictated by the main customers, who might likely be the motorcycle/scooter manufacturers?
FLJ
Title: Re: Which battery to drive my boat?
Post by: DickyD on March 14, 2010, 03:31:33 pm
are taller and shorter

Clever  {:-{ %)