AC-to-DC adapter for controller

[grimoire]

Let me start off by saying that I know next to nothing about electronics (if you haven't already guessed that )...

I noticed in a couple of other threads that some folks claim that adding extra batteries to their controllers increased the range. One poster said that adding a 3rd AAA battery almost doubled the range. Are other folks who have made "extra battery in the controller" mods seeing the same effect?

Now, I assume that the mod for the AC adapter we're discussing is aimed at just increasing the power to the charger (right?), but would it be possible to do this mod in such a way that extra juice is pumped into the controller's PCB too (keep in mind that I already said I don't know anything about electronics)? If that isn't a non-sensical question, would that be a bad thing to do? Would it actually do anything to help the range?

Thanks in advance for any advice...I gotta say that one of the main things I love about my ZZ is mod-ing it!

[Nightwing]

The AC adapter mod is basically replaces or suplement the two AAA bats in the controller.

If you jack up the voltage { dont go above 5v } you can get a bit more range. Simply making the circuit run more hotter so to speak. Its a old trick to get a bit more signal was to increase the voltage to a tube final but would burn out the tubs much faster.

The one limited componet is rated to 5v. But the charge circuity is designed for 3 volts.

[grimoire]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Nightwing!

So, if I used a 4.5V adapter, I might see a boost in the range (but probably not "double")? I'm thinking about the 4.5V because I'm also considering doing the "no car modification" dual-battery mod mentioned in another thread, and that thread's discussion leads me to believe that 4.5V is probably a more appropriate voltage to charge the 2 batts in series.

I'm a pretty slow deliberater, so it may be weeks before I get around to doing either of these...this is my first RC car (at over 40 years old, I'm definitely a slow starter), and I'm fond of it and afraid of breaking it

[Nightwing]

No problem. Glad to help.

You may see a bit of an increase but not double. Actualy increasing the antenna wire on the car and a longer antenna on the controller would be better.

Actualy its current that charges a battery. As long as you have enough voltage potential to shove current to the battery your ok.

Good luck on the mods!

[grimoire]

I added an 800ma adapter switchable between 3V and 4.5V. Definitely increased my range (probably because the current is greater than 2 AAA batteries ever provided).

An interesting test...when I ran the adapter at 4.5V, I got about 10% more range than at 3V.

[Nightwing]

Basically you are increasing the voltage to the "final" transistor which up the wattage which increases your range. Cute huh!

Just dont go beyond 5 volts or you will fry the IC that generates the tone codes. It maxes out at 5 volts.