CrysJo

I just ordered myself the 2.5 T-Maxx. This will be the first R/C I own. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I receive it in the mail but today someone at a hobby shop told me that using rechargeable batteries in the compartment that powers the servos isn't good because they are only 1.3v...so four only add up to 5.2v whereas regular batteries are 1.5v adding up to 6.0v. What does that mean and is it true? I have a bunch of NiMh batteries that are rechargeable that I planned to use...are these not good enough?

Airbus 9e

You need a 5 cell rechargable Rx pack....it will make around 6 volts....Don't use the alkaline holder....it only holds 4 cell, which at 1.2 volts is only 4.8v...plus on a truck like a T Maxx, the cells could fall out of the battery holder, or the holder itself can break causing the radio to go dead, but not the engine...bad things happen then....

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXH462&P=0

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXMEY1&P=0

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHCF1&P=M

Get those 3 things....5 cell hump pack....switch harness with charge jack, and a wall wart Rx pack charger and for about $35, you'll be good to go....With the swich harness and jack, you'll ba able to charge the Rx pack without taking it out of the box...

Futaba radio accessories work with the Traxxas radio gear..

...and I'd stay away from the hobby shop you went to....they sound like idiots...

DaveG55

The hobby shop told you part of the truth. Alkaline batteries do produce 1.5v/cell and nicad and nimh rechargables produce 1.2v/cell (not 1.3v) as nominal voltages but there is a lot more to it than that. Fully charged, a rechargable battery gives more than 1.2v and as you use them the voltage will drop. The result is a very usable period of time that the battery votage is plenty high enough for rc use.

So, yes, you can use 4 rechargables in the stock 4 battery holder. Yes, it will be less voltage and the servo strength and speed will suffer a little but they will work just fine.

If you want the optimum radio & servo performance, then do as Airbus 9e suggests and get a humppack with a switch and charger, it's a good upgrade over stock alkaline batterys.

You can also use your rechargables in your transmitter if you want.

CrysJo

Will that hump pack fit in my truck's little box thing?

CrysJo

Wow, I've learned more in like two minutes than I have in a week on the net...thanks guys! I'm gonna be on here sooooo much.

DaveG55

Most do, though some radio/battery boxes are tighter fits than others. You should be good.

CrysJo

http://www.rcplanet.com/ProductDetai...Show=TechSpecs

Will this work or is it not compatible with my truck?

Airbus 9e

That will work, but you'll still need the switch harness....The plug on the stocker is different, plus then you can charge the pack while it's still in the battery box.....

Argess

I use NiMh in my battery holders (that only hold 4 AA cells) with no problems. Yes, only 4.8 volts. However, under load, the voltage doesn't drop very much at all. Four regular alkaline batteries (duracells, energiser, etc.) may be 6 volts, but under load, they can easily drop much more than 4.8 volts.

This type of load will occur when a servo strains against the steering, or against the brakes, etc.

What were those little Radio Shack cars?...X-mods? Well, my son used to paly around a lot with them, and his car was much faster with 4 NiMh batteries (at 4.8 votls) than with 4 alkaline Energisers at 6 volts total.