I just upgraded an old kit from NiCD to NiMH. I did it mostly for the extended run time. But is it just me or do NiCD have a lot more punch then NiMH batteries? Im finding myself gearing down to get my low end back.

As far as Ive ever known Numh packs are much better, Iwouldnt mess with nimh, just skip to lipo. A lipo can be bought cheaper thab decent nickle packs

+1 i bought NimH once. Once. (you'll love lipo!)

NiCads don't have more punch, or longevity. Just get a lipo system and don't look back.

Hello,

NiMh should have about the same punch overall but will have much more run time over your old cells. I know many are suggesting that you step up to lipos which could be a good move but if you are just bashing around the house and yard and not racing there is no great reason to do this unless you want the extra power and runtime that come from a lipo. This could be a good move but there are many things to consider...

You need to upgrade much of your equipment such as have a lipo compatable charger that can balance charge, have a speed controler that has a cutoff as you cannot run lipos all the way down like you can with NiMh cells.

Make the jump to Lipos is more expensive up front but the cells last well and provided great power, but there is more maintance and with lipos over NIMh cells regarding charging and discharging practices to make sure you keep the cells healthly.

Either way have fun and move at your pace.

Hope this helps.

It's nice to see someone touch on the subject and not just suggest the newest thing.

I ran NiCd as kid so I can't really compare the difference. As I kid it was a Nikko radio control, so it's not like I was "in to the hobby" by any means. That was my first and only RC until I was able to purchase my own at the age of 29. hahaha. The jump from NiMh to LiPo was insane, but expensive.

Something for others to consider is that he may have a rig, or electronics that can't handle LiPo. Notice how he didn't mention LiPo at all.

Excluding LiPo from the discussion and focusing only on the differences between NiCd and NiMH, there are other benefits of NiMH over NiCd than just longer run-time that people haven't touched upon.

The biggest issue with NiCd batteries is the need to fully discharge the battery before recharging it, due to their memory being negatively affected if you don't. With NiMH batteries, you can recharge them without the need to fully discharge first.

I also find the newer technology in battery construction means that NiMH batteries seem more powerful and (obviously) can run much longer.

Of course, the advantages of LiPo are longevity (they have a much longer life expectancy) and provide a much more consistent output voltage throughout the discharge cycle, unlike NiCd and NiMH batteries, which get noticeably weaker as you discharge the batteries.

to the OP's actual question, nimh packs weigh a bit more than a nicd pack.
This could be some of the reason you don't feel as much punch. Other than that a pack vs pack comparison between nimh and nicd doesn't work well, without getting long winded....it's not really apples vs. oranges but more like red delicious vs. granny smith. same basic thing just not the same....
If lipo isn't an option stick with nimh, nicds for the most part are gone and for good reason..

Thanks for all the input. I just got a new charger about a month ago and it does support LiPo. I think im gonna move to LiPo. But my ESC does not have a cutoff voltage, its an old Tekin G-12c which was great 10 years ago. Do you think this voltage buzzer would do?

www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXADUK&P=7
(copy and paste link into browser)

Looks like it plugs into the balance plug and sounds off when the cells get to low.

Thanks

a Novak smart stop is your best option IMO, they're about $30 and are simple to wire in. They cut the power and not just give a tone or beep that you hope you can hear..


http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPGM8&P=7