battery toast

[digger]

My old system that my son uses, NR 6V ni-cad waterbottle battery won't hold a charge, NR wants $110 to replace. Looking for advice on a home brew battery replacement that makes sense, source for new cells, or should I just buy a new NR trail rat or L&M commuter for $90?

[splat]

Go to your local Hobby shop , and look at the battery packs that are used for RC cars 7.v at about 1700 Mah Nicad , NiMH will be higher , but charging could be a problem. they will also sell individual cells to make your own.

How many maH ( AH ) is the current batterry rated at ?

[digger]

I think capacity is around 4ah. I seem to remember 2.5hrs with a 10w bulb and 1.75 with a 15. This place has some interesting r/c stuff http://www.batteriesamerica.com/newpage8.htm. I was not looking at the r/c stuff thanks. They have a 6V nicad pack 4400mAh for $32 that may work (w/ old charger). Think it'll work or is a flaming heap that bill can jump over more likely?

[turch]

Current model TrailRat battery info from the niterider.com website: 4.1Ah Nickel-Metal Hydride Rechargeable Battery. Nothing miraculous here. I've used www.batterystation.com before. I also like what I see on batteriesamerica.com. It's all basic electrical engineering. Have them cobble up the right config or go at it yourself. BTW - you can often recover niCADs by cycling them with one of those high end charging systems like the Astro Flight 110 Deluxe shown on the page you referenced.

[C.P.]

Just did the exact repalcement you speak of through batterystation.com. I ordered my stuff via web, and they had everything back within a week or so.

They sent back a shrink wrapped - with leads - all wired - ready to go - battery pack for 37 dollars plus shipping. All I had to do was solder the leads from the pack to the wire harness - wala new replacement done. I actually took digital shots of each steps as I disassembled the batt - and re-assembled it and plan to turn it into a little how-to page for any that ask for it...should be done with it before winter is over.

[digger]

Just ordered from batteryamerica 6v 4400mAh shrink pack. Seems like an easy replacement. Not likely that i'll use a water bottle. Probably just use an old camera bag i have laying around and strap it on the frame. Thanks for the insight and encouragement.
DS

[turch]

So simple it makes no sense going with a factory replacement. It's ridiculous what they want for their replacements (for instance they want $70 retail for the trailrat battery but the whole shebang runs around $110. Digger, you just paid around Niterider's wholesale price for your battery. Good move in my opinion.).

Ladies and Gentlemen may i please have your attention. In these troubled times of global warming, energy shortage, and mid-east conflict, it is an honor to be here today to to pay homage to the tireless efforts and renewable resourse that is the battery. Let us all raise our glasses and drink to it's health. Charge on dude, long may you live.

glug, glug glug...ahhhhhh ;D