lithium bats in controller

SlackerZ · #1 10-14-2002, 12:47 AM

I didn't have any AA bats but a 3.6v lithium battery was on hand so I put it in the controller just to see what will happen. I've got a zz but this is my first micro and I don't know if what I'm seeing is unusual. Sometimes my charging led will shine brightly when I push down on the car and other times it will broad cast an average glow regardless of how hard I push or wiggle the car when on the charger. Its my first micro so it seems as fast as everyone says but the run time is about 1.5 minutes...is that short for a non zz? I assumed lithium would be superior to alkaline and the box specified it only because someone may use cheap non alkaline with poor results.
slackerZ

Nightwing · #2 10-14-2002, 12:52 AM

I know the ZZ take a lot of current. What is the current rating on that bat you are using?

shred · #3 10-14-2002, 09:38 AM

I took the batt out of my zz and put it in the micro.

The car seems more responsive but the run time is shorter.

Should I double charge???

Nightwing · #4 10-14-2002, 02:11 PM

Could be its can not produce enough current to charge the battery.

Have you tried a regular set of battries?

MTL · #5 10-14-2002, 06:00 PM

i use the AA Energizer "E2" lithium batteries in my controler all the time..they are only 1.5V

Nightwing · #6 10-15-2002, 01:20 AM

From ther site the AA Lithium can handle up to a max of 2amps and discharge of 1.5amps looks good.

Cant post the direct link but just got to http://data.energizer.com/
and follow the links.

SlackerZ · #7 10-15-2002, 05:18 AM

When charging the regular AA bats the controller always provides a brightly glowing led compared to the 1/2AA lithium. The lithium is to big to fit under the body or in the chassis so I've got no practical use for it...dang
-SlackerZ

Nightwing · #8 10-15-2002, 09:01 AM

Excuse me....

Its sounded like you were recharging the 1/2 AA lithium. Could be me. Its 5am and been working an all nighter.

If the single lithium battery does not glow or is very dim the 1/2 AA battery even at 3.0 volts is not producing enough to run the charge side. Could run the transmitter side but not enough for the critical side.

From looking at the Everready site, which ever of the two they list, it look like burst current for a few seconds and its spect to drop to 2v at 800ma which may be barelly enough to do the job.

Use Alk battries. If you substitue for them you need to match voltage levels and current draw.

2 std size AA Lithium can do it but not one of these small one cell 3v ones. They have a temp current limited built in.

PS: If that the same battery in your picture, that looks like one you would use to power the clock/cmos in a computer. Those are designed for low sustain current draws while this is a high current draw application. The circuity could go to 5v max of the TX-2 chip. The circuity is designed for 3v and drops when charging.