TOPIC:

eddrick wrote:

As far as I know, your only options for nicads at the mo are second hand ...

You can still get Nicads as single cells ( e.g. here ) ... of course with unbranded cells you never know if they're any good until you try them

& I've never had any luck soldering even tagged cells

Tagged cells are easy with a 30W iron, but if they're untagged you'll need a 60W gas iron minimum. If soldering untagged cells, the higher power the iron the better, you need to get the heat in & get done quickly or you risk damaging the cell (Tags are usually spot welded). That's one of the joys with using power tool packs - they're already tagged, so all you have to do is cut the tags to seperate the cells, then reposition & solder the tags back together.
I find using seperate flux makes the job a lot easier too, the new leadless safe for kids & dolphins solder requires more heat & doesn't flow as well as the proper stuff.
Don't use a pencil blowlamp, the heat transfer's too slow & you'll end up popping the cell, setting fire to something or injuring yourself. Don't bother with those 100W automotive pistol type irons either, they're pants. Antex Gascat is the way to go.
As I said earlier, if you stick to sub 1400mAh, they'll usually be ok. Unfortunately, most power tool packs have 1900s in them...

its probably best if i didnt make my own at this point i wouldnt know where to start anyway.
im just getting to grips with charging a battery let alone making one

thanks for all your advice though jr

Well, IF you decide to go NiCd, look for Tamiya ones on ebay.
If you go NimH & get on ok with them, let me know what brand they are please! Ta ta ta

will do eddrick,on both accounts.

il be on a mission for the perfect NiMH battery.

thanks to all again for great advice and help

jtf

HI guys

just a quick one,just to let u know ive decided on this one in the end.no particular reason,it had the same specs as others i looked at.it just appealed to me.

www.modelsport..../cr161.jpg

and this x2.

www.ebay.co.uk/...336e7982cb

thanks to jonny retro for the link.

jtf

Looks like a good choice.

Let us know how you get on with them.
Nice to see a battery seller giving test specs for their batteries, V encouraging

I don't drive that much so every time I wanna use the Lrp charger, I take a peek in the manual.
It still manages to surprise me with features I hadn't even noticed...

Charging the pack for an F40 test drive btw.
Discharging at the moment - it's been giving almost 8V for the first Ah. At a 2.5A discharge current.