Battery Secrets for Your Radio Controlled Boat

Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries are the preferred common choice for today's radio controlled model boats. Their advantage is in their ability to discharge energy quickly. Older-style batteries could hold more power, but their slower energy release meant lower horsepower and therefore lower speeds. Additional Other advantages to using Ni-Cd batteries include their rapid recharge rate and reasonable relatively inexpensive price.

How to Choose the Proper Battery Type

Individual batteries are called cells and Ni-Cd cells each produce about 1.2 volts. If you have 6 cells joined together, your battery pack is rated at 7.2 volts (6 cells x 1.2 volts). As you add cells the voltage goes up, but so does the weight. You have to find the best combination for each boat.

Electrical current is measured in amps and the capacity of a cell is rated in amp hours. Most Ni-Cd batteries used in radio controlled boats have a capacity of 1.4 amp hours, which is usually written as 1400 milliamp hours, or 1400 mAh. The batteries will last longer with a low discharge rate and will run out quicker if the rate is higher.
The amount of power delivered to your boat's engine is calculated by multiplying the total voltage (determined by the number of cells) and the current draw in amps. Most ready-to-run (RTR) boats consume between 10 and 20 amps, so the run time is about 4-8 minutes. This is a sweet spot for the beginner because the batteries won't overheat the motor or the speed control.

Increasing either the amperage or the voltage will make the boat run faster quicker. Generally Usually, it's a good idea to add cells (voltage) and keep the amps at a moderate level to prevent avoid overheating.

Three Types of Batteries

Ni-Cd batteries are classified as SC, SCR and SCRC. The SCs are what you'll generally get with a basic RTR boat. For beginners they're a good choice because they last a long time and don't cost much.

SCR cells discharge their power faster, producing more horsepower and faster boats. They can also be recharged many times a day, so if you have several battery packs in rotation you can run your boat most of the day.

SCRC cells usually put out 1700 mAh, so they can run longer and produce more energy, but you have to be careful not to overheat them. Also, they will only take 2 or 3 recharges per day, so most radio control boaters only use them for special occasions, if at all.

Choosing a Charger for Your Batteries

There are several types of battery chargers to choose from. A timed charger will automatically turn off when the time you set has expired. So if you charge a flat battery at 5 amps, it will take 17 minutes to fully charge. The problems arise if a cell wasn't completely discharged before recharging. This can lead to overheating, the leading cause of battery failure.

A peak-detector charger, on the other hand, will turn itself off when it detects that the battery has received a full complete charge. This type is very convenient, and not likely to overcharge a battery. The main problem with some of these chargers is the possibility of turning off too soon. If you suspect this is the case, wait a few minutes and turn it back on. If it shuts off within a minute or so, the pack was fully completely charged. If not, this second charge will finish the job.

Overheating is a cell's worst enemy, so always be sure it's cool before charging or being placed back in your boat.

In order to get the best long-term performance from your battery pack you should make sure it is completely totally drained before recharging. Some chargers have a discharge function that will take care of this for you, but if not, you can attach the pack to a small light bulb (like a car's turn bulb) until it goes dark. This will ensure you'll always get the maximum charge to your pack.

After digesting all this information, you should be able to maximize your batteries' ability to power your remote controlled boat. Now go out and have fun!

Article Source: http://www.articledirectorylive.com

Bill Neighbor has developed a unique web site to inform and instruct beginners in the sport of radio controlled boats. You can also find a great selection of boats for yourself or as gifts.

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