Roy thanks for the battery info. Len

Roy. My setup for charging is quite similar to yours. In addition, I have a spare motor as a load which I can connect to a battery or ESC to test either.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA 🇺🇸

Hey-you
I have two old Graupner ones to load the ancient ni cad batteries and the lead ones. Since two years i m using for the motors of my boats ni-mh batteries 6v 10 A and bought a second hand top of the bill Graupner
With all the latest features and i m very satisfied with the results

The small cell charger ⚡ I use, perhaps somewhat dated (does NiCds) but uncomplicate (unlike so much other modern electronics) and easy to use 👍. I have two of them. Manual and information at: "Thunder AC6 charger" on the internet.

Hi Len I have fitted out 4 sets of old tx's 2 x 27Mhtz and 2 x 3 ch. 40 MHtz. All had a row of shaped AA holders in the back.
If you recall back in the day the Tx used dry batteries or 12 volts to operate, with rechargeable you are down to 9.6 volts but all still works.

Now that cell capacity has increased the AAA cells are now at around 1 Ahr. When the old Tx's were new they only had 500mAh batteries anyway.

I bought a set of 10 AAA cells (cheaper buying 10) wired them together in a row which gives 12 volts, and as they take up less space, they fit into the old moulded space without cutting the mouldings out.
I found the - and + connections in the Tx and wired them to a lead with a female servo socket. (Get an extension lead and cut it from there).

I then connected the rest of the servo lead to the battery and it all works at 12 volts and although there is a low capacity there is a higher Wattage available.

That was using 1.1Ahr cells and they last a whole afternoon of being in operation.
When I found this worked, I contacted The Component Shop and they made me up 3 sets of 10 cells, far neater than I had made with servo lead connectors and as I said a comfortable fit in the back of the transmitter.

Hope this helps
Roy

Thanks for the info Roy. What is your solution for using the high capacity modern AA cells you mentioned. Len

Hi all, I use chargers at the low end as my model boat motors rarely exceed 5 amps. I like the intelligent chargers and also like to be able to charge 4 - 10 cell batteries.
So what chargers do you use?

I currently (pun intended) use Vapex Smart chargers 4 - 10 cells (ie 12 volts), good indication leds during charging and 2 versions 500 mA and 3000 mA I have 2 of each. Been in use for several years and no issues at all.

I also have a beehive of connectors (2 sets) which suit all my transmitters and drive batteries. These are based around a set of chocolate box connectors and the outlets have every thing I might connect to. All have a single inlet to the Smart charger so swapping around is easy. It is a mess and I am too ashamed to photograph them for you!

I do utilise all the old RC electronics as it still works and some is at least 50 years old now and I have acumulated many crystals along the way. I have not advanced to 2.4Ghtz because the transmitter aerial is so small you can't retrieve a boat with it! The bands are so open now I rarely get interference.

If using old transmitters with push in AA batteries, be aware that high capacity modern AA cells are slightly wider and you may not be able to get the back on the transmitter. I have a solution if interested.

Regards to all,
Roy