Those batteries are already here with better ones on the way. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFE) chemistry cells are typically half the weight of comparable sealed lead acid batteries, have a longer (up to 5 times longer) life cycle, and can be charged fairly quickly. LiFE has taken over the model warship combat world for the most part. My Richelieu battleship mounts a 70Ah 6v LiFE battery that weighs the same as a 36AH 6v SLA (12 pounds). The little Verite pre-dreadnaught has a 6v 10ah LiFE that is half the weight of a 7Ah 6v SLA.
LiFE has been used in one of our tanks already though my Strv will probably be the first tank to battle with LiFE on board. Companies are working on better chemistry right now. For instance, one company has a prototype lithium based cell that is even lighter than the LiFE and can be charged in minutes versus a couple hours. That one will be a game changer in the electrical storage world if it ever comes out. Mike ________________________________ From: Buck Cronk <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2012 6:30 PM Subject: Re: [TANKS] Re: Why Not? New Ideas I can't wait until better batteries come out. Smaller batteries that hold more and charge in less time would be a huge advancement in this hobby. On Sat, May 19, 2012 at 12:04 PM, TyngTech <[email protected]> wrote: I concur with Mike. Electric is better for tanks. Though gas has a long and proven record in R/C, it's typically been with unidirectional high speed models (planes, race cars, etc.). In low speed high torque applications, electric power is the way to go. Besides, gas in R/C modeling is going the way of the Dodo. Brushless motors and Lipo technology have matched gas in power to weight ratio and that's where all the development is taking place. > >Steve Tyng > > > >On Thursday, May 17, 2012 7:09:02 PM UTC-4, Mike Mangus wrote: > Nothing wrong with discussing it. Doesn't mean that I'll switch. Still a >firm believer that electric power is better overall for RC Tank Combat. :) >> >> >>Mike >> >> >> >> >-- >You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. >To post a message, send email to [email protected] >To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] >Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat > -- You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat -- You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group. To post a message, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat
