batteries for my spektrum radio
 

hi guys,

so far i've just been using normal alkaline AA batteries for use in my spektrum dx3, as i liked having 12v over 9.6v for the increased range. but im getting sick of replacing the batteries so im in the market for some rechargable ones.

can anyone recommend me some nice batteries and a fast charger for my radio?

many many thanks

How many threads do you really need to start on the exact same topic? You should delete one or the other

I run 8 rechargeable AAs. They run a little over 11v fully charged and I get several hours of use out of them. When it drops to 8-9v I pull them out and put them on their little charger and in a few hours they're charged back up. Saves a ton of money.

I run a 3s lipo in mine.

Got a link? I would love to have lipo power in my Tx :lol:

https://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/...idProduct=7346

https://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/...2620-3S-TX.jpg

https://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/...idProduct=6955

https://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/...log/ZIP-33.jpg

Use cell phone batteries. Most have a lvc built in, and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They are 3.7v nominal, so 3 of them in series will make an 11.1v pack. Fully charged that is 12,6v. I had some nokia batteries that I was using, and they gave quite a good run time even being 1150mah. I just charged them at .5amp without a balncer and they all charged fine. Sikeston used to sell them prewired, that is where I got mine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Transmitter-Lipo-battery-11-1v-2200mah-for-JR-Spektrum_W0QQitemZ290275659060QQcmdZViewItemQQptZA U_Toys_Hobbies_Radio_Controlled_Vehicles?hash=item 290275659060&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|6 5:15|39:1|240:1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/RC-futaba-3PK-transmitter-TX-2200mah-11-1V-lipo-battery_W0QQitemZ220316023439QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220316023439&_trksid=p32 86.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:15|39:1|240:1318

I am trying the rechargable batteries now and do not really like them. It take's approx. 12 hours to charge 4 of them. I use 8 so times that by 2.

Then they immediately start discharging to under 11volts quite quickly. I picked up a friends DX3.0 and he was reading 13volts. He is using the Lithium batteries that I use in my digital camera. I like them much better. He says they last quite awhile in his radio.

Sounds like you need a better charger. My slow charger takes 4-6 hours, but my other charger can do it in 2-3. I plug them in when I'm done for the day, and when I need them next they are ready. Those ~2500 mAH lipos look like a good deal though, I'll try to remember to pick one up on my next Hobby City order. They should last even longer than my 2200 mAH rechargeables and charge in an hour or so.

I am using the Energizer charger that comes with the Energizer rechargable batteries that can be bought at any Target or Walmart. It's nothing special. :oops:

Yeah, I have that same charger. Very slow. IIRC it charges at 480 mA. I have another one that does 700 mA and another that does 900. The 900 gets the cells really hot though. I'd like to build a battery tray so that I can charge all 8 of them at the same time with my Hyperion charger, set it to .7A or so and let it charge them all :yipi:

Not a good idea to charge aa nimhs over .5 amps. They have very low c ratings, so they cannot accept a fast charge, or they get really hot.

Mine actually stay cool enough at 700 mA. The 900 mA charger gets them over 100 degrees so I don't really use it that often.

this looks like just what i want, but i have no idea of how to connect it up to my spektrum dx3 radio, or even my hyperion duo charger for that matter - which just has deans on it.

the dx3 has a battery case in it that holds 8 AA batteries, and then you just put the battery case back in and it connects up with these 2 silver connectors. no idea how i would plug in a separate battery, as there is no port or anything

Batteries.
 

I use the Energizer and Duracel AA's. They are 2400 & 2500 mah and with the quick charger they fully charge in about 5 to 10 minutes. You can get the charger with 4 AA's for about $30 at wal-Mart or Target. We are lucky because they sell AA four packs in the military PX for less than $8, and no tax.

5-10 minutes? thats awesome! got a link by any chance?

It is a very easy mod for the dx3.0 - Just open up the case and you can easily reach the solder connections on the back of the normal battery connections.

I just soldered on an extra servo lead and routed it into the main compartment - takes maybe 10mins.

Look on Rcuniverse for some low Mah 3s lipos. I picked up a 3s 2500mah lipo for 20 bucks shipped..


When it got here it didnt fit inside the case so I ended up mounting it to the foot of the radio with servo tape... Crude yet effective. 7 hours of runtime and the pack is at 11v still :D

http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s...1114081640.jpg

Try These
 

http://www.target.com/Energizer-Rech...TTERIES&page=1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051826148759

thanks! thats EXACTLY what im looking for.

just gotta find a UK site that sells it!

cheers

$$$$
 

Yea I know that they are selling them in the UK. I was there last year and saw them in a couple of stores, but at a huge increase in price. Of course the exchange rate was killing us back then. Once I calculated the currency exchange the cost was like $75 for the charger and 4 AA's. Make sure that you get the quick charger or it will take you like 2 to 3 hours to charge them up. I use them for everything in our house (remotes, flashlights, video game controllers, clocks, and wireless PC gear, and all of my R/C stuff) and they work great. We now have like 6 quick chargers in use because the boys have several R/C toys that they play with on a daily basis. Compared to most of the other nmh AA's out there these batteries are much better in performance and well worth the price. I try to stay away from using alkaline batteries all together now. I have some of these AA's that I have been using for a couple of years and they are still working fine. Good luck finding what you need and at a good price. Cheers Mate.

do you by any chance know if there is a version of the charger that charges 8 batteries at once?

cheers

Personally
 

I have not seen anything bigger than a 4 battery charger from either Duracell or Energizer, but both sell a quick charger. I have seen larger ones by companies that specialize in chargers, but only by special order, and it has been a few years. Just pick up one quick charger with the 4 AA batteries now and pick up another one later when you have more cash to play with. Have you tried looking on line and purchasing directly from the MFR? I am not sure where else you might buy one. I also know that COSCO & SAMS clubs sell bulk units with a whole package of batteries and chargers for a good price, but you have to go into the store. I do not believe that either of them does on line sales yet. I know you must have some sort of club sales place in the UK that does the same sort of thing. Good luck with that.

FYI Just picked up another 3s 2600 lipo for 18 shipped to mod my second DX3.0...

8 Bay Charger
 

Here is an 8 bay AA battery charger, but I do not know the charge rate/time for full charge.

http://www.maxamps.com/AA-AAA-Charger.htm