Battery life in cold weather

[mainetruckin]

So living in Maine the temps in winter can get pretty cold, but i like to run my rc's in the winter time anyways but ive noticed that the battery life seems to not last very long due to the cold, what are some tips to keep the life going longer in the cold, im running Nimh batterys and do any of you think making an insulated pouches would work? i know that the batterys produce small amount of heat with power is being drawn and if i could contain the heat better would it keep the charge longer so i can stay outside longer with it so i have to change batteries less

[Charlie-III]

Keeping them warm if you're not using them (assuming you are running more than 1 pack) helps.
Wrapping a pack you are running can also help.

Basically what is happening is that to make power, it's a chemical reaction. Most reactions work better when warm, cold packs slow down the reaction reducing the power.

[Johnnysplits]

Originally Posted by mainetruckin

im running Nimh batterys

Solution to the problem...lipo

[PaloAltoK5]

Originally Posted by Johnnysplits

Solution to the problem...lipo

Eh, no, Lipo performance is even worse than NiMh batteries in the cold.

But keeping your bats as warm prior to running is a good idea. and pretty much the only way to "improve" their performance. We have the same issues here in NW Illinois, with earlier this week getting down to -50 F with windchill...

So get the largest capacity batts you can, keep them warm, and run'em!!

[mainetruckin]

Originally Posted by PaloAltoK5

Eh, no, Lipo performance is even worse than NiMh batteries in the cold.

But keeping your bats as warm prior to running is a good idea. and pretty much the only way to "improve" their performance. We have the same issues here in NW Illinois, with earlier this week getting down to -50 F with windchill...

So get the largest capacity batts you can, keep them warm, and run'em!!

im running 5000mah ones, if i can make an insulated sleeve to put them in for when im running them would you think it would improve it?

[PaloAltoK5]

It might, if they are warm when they go in the sleeve. The batteries may be old too, you can always try to recondition them, fully charging them, then discharging them full a few times. Some chargers even have the function programmed in them. Also, trickle charging them will give you longer run times, but a little less pop.

[mainetruckin]

these are new batteries, one have like 3 charges on them

[Olle P]

I haven't noticed any drop in performance with my LiPos while driving for some half hour or more in sub zero temperature.
Possibly because the batteries were room temperature at the start.

[GLHS592]

I have more experience with lipos in planes than my SCX10. I've noticed my lipos don't last as long and my planes are down on power when the temperature is in the 50's (F). When the temperature is 70 or above, my Eflite Mini Pulse XT will climb straight up. In the 50's, it will run out of steam and stall even at full throttle. I have found if you put a lipo in an inner coat pocket, before you use it, it will improve the performance.

With my SCX10, I don't use constant throttle, so the lipo doesn't get that warm. I did notice the last time out that my 4000 mah 2s seemed like it lasted 30 minutes less than normal.