Subc Vs Aa

[srfrkyle1234]

i've been reading and it seems as though the AA are preferred over the SubC. but my dumb question is... is a 2500mah AA going to have the same runtime as a 2500mah subc? I like the idea of smaller/less light batteries, and if i can get them to run just as long as SubC's then i'm gonna be all good. thanks

 

[TwistedCreations]

Now i sure am not electronic guru, but with my exp., the sub C's will give you a longer runtime as they hold more and can handle more of the amp draw...

With both being 2500's, i doubt you will see much difference, but there will be some... I only run AA's anymore.. 7 cell packs. The only C cell packs I run are on my stick and that's cause under the knuckle packs..

 

[HannibalLecter]

I just put together my first 2500 AA pack, and running a HiTec 645 with a single 55t lathe on my 2.2, I get upwards of 2 hours run time (that's mostly follow the leader type crawling - not constant running). When I put the digital servo on it, it decreased to about an hour tops. I love just how light they are, and with the size, you can practically put them anywhere on your truck. Be careful charging them - I only charge them at 1 amp.

 

[mazdaparts]

The reason crawlers can run the AA's is the amp draw is less than what is required of a modified or stock motor in regular truck or buggy. The maH rating is your runtime of the battery pack, not necessarily the runtime of your truck. For example, given your truck, a 1500maH battery may run 30 minutes, and theoretically speaking a 3000maH battery should run 60 minutes. But in my truck the same battery may only run 20 and 40 minutes respectively. I use sub C's because that is what I have and I can charge them faster (at 3-5 amps vs. .5-1 amps).

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

As TC said, they will not (in general) give you the same runtime as a similar rated Sub-C. The reason for this is cells dont handle as much amp draw, so the voltage drops. AA's do not work with brushless, but they work well with 55t and higher motors. The most I could get my 2500's to discharge at without severe voltage depression was 6 amps. After that the voltage dropped off fast. Most people add a cell or two to combat this.

I prefer 2/3 A's over AA's. 4x the discharge rate, and I can carry two packs if I want longer runtime.

 

[srfrkyle1234]

well let me be a little more specific:
im building a TLT
55t integy
(1) TowerPro MG995 servo
TQ3 reciever
Novak XRS Reversible Sport ESC

my plan was to buy a pack of 12-16 AA 2500mah batteries on ebay and build my own packs. i was hoping to get about 2 packs from these. So what i'm trying to ask is... would these batteries create enough juice to run me about 45 minutes or longer.

if not, my next Idea was to buy this pack of 20 sub C's and make about 4 custom packs. i'm pretty sure these batteries wouldnt have any problem handling the load. and long run time too

However, i would love some extra suggestions as to which battery is light and carries the longest run time. these batteries i feel are really cheap as opposed to buying them from 'custombatterypacks.com'. basically i'll be getting 4 packs for the price of 1 or 2

 

[syco133]

I ran a energizer 2500 mah 7 cell pack on my tlt with a 55 turn lathe motor and a rooster and a 645mg servo and 14/87 gearing and I could get a little over an hour of run time out of them.when I went to brushless I had to jump up to the ib1400 cells they are alot nicer but dont get the run time.One thing you need to remember on those batterys is you get what you pay for and they wont take a fast charge where the energizer 2500's charge at 2.5 without any problems for me.Hope this helps you out some.

 

[srfrkyle1234]

thanks for the info.
essentially what i'm asking is... overall is a SubC or AA better. sounds like subC...

 

[TwistedCreations]

just go with the AA packs, you won't regret it since your only running a 55t lathe motor... Just remember to cycle the packs though. Your first time out, you won't get a long runtime. 2nd charge a litle longer, etc.etc...

Although the energizer charger itsself charges them at like 6-7amps, I don't suggest doing that all the time... I'll either charge mine at 1-2amps. Yes it takes longer, but prolongs the battery life also.. When I am in a hurry, i'll slam in at 4 volts, but they sure get hot and fell like a bomb about to explode..

 

[srfrkyle1234]

awesome thanks for all of the great info guys. now i can finally finish my crawler!!

 

[srfrkyle1234]

I found these on eBay. looks like a great deal http://cgi.ebay.com/16-AA-2600mAH-1...hZ020QQcategoryZ48620QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

 

[S-Dog]

I love those tenergy SubC cells.... I get 2.5hrs runtime on a 3500subc 6 cell pack with over 400oz of torque(on 2 servos) and a revolver...