Breakdown on battery sources & chargers (with links)

Here is our attempt to educate the average Nerfer on the good battery selection and where to buy.

We highly recommend that you AVOID TRUSTFIRES/ULTRAFIRES/*FIRES!


Option 1:
IMRs (drop in AA replacements)


Recommended Brand: eFest IMR 14500 700mAh
(http://www.myvaporstore.com/Efest_IMR_14500_LiMn_700mAh_Battery_Button_Top_p/ef145007.htm)

Charger: Generic Li-Ion 2 to 4 bay charger with automatic cutoff
(http://atozvaporworld.com/products/chargers/trustfire-dual-bay-charger)

Uses:

  • 2 IMRs (7.4v) with either 2 dummies or a jumper will power a stock blaster better than 4x AAs. A modest increase in performance is observed.
  • 3 IMRs with 1 dummy or jumper will power a stock blaster that has had its thermistor removed (otherwise some cutoff may be observed). A greater increase in performance is observed than with 2 IMRs. 
  • 4 IMRs will power a stock or 130-motor swapped blaster that has had its thermistor removed. The greatest drop-in replacement power level (still not the best out there), but does run the risk of burning motors (stock or otherwise) eventually. 

Notes:
IMRs are essentially *fires that actually put out what Nerf blasters require to perform.


Option 2:
NiCd/NiMH Packs (Typical RC packs)


Recommended Brand: Imedion, Eneloop, Sanyo, Powerex, Lenmar, Turnigy

(http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__37322__Turnigy_7_2V_3000mAh_High_Power_Series_Ni_MH_Stick_Pack.html)

Charger: Multiple options listed
a) Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger & Hobbyking 105W 15V/7A Switching DC Power Supply
(http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=18066 & http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=36904)


or

b) Generic NiCd/NiMH Charger w/ Tamiya Connector (works with standard Tamiya RC connector type packs)
(http://www.batteryjunction.com/12v30chfor67.html)

2S NiCd/NiMH Packs: 2S (7.4v) Packs, recommended with 1500mAh or more capacity
3S NiCd/NiMH Packs: 3S (11.1v) Packs, recommended with 2000mAh or more capacity

Uses:

  • 2S packs (7.4v) can be used for stock motor setups, with better performance, albeit a heavier battery supply with less capacity than LiPos. 18AWG (or better) rewires are recommended.
  • 3S packs (11.1v) should be reserved for setups that utilize higher-grade motors such as Sharks or Blade 180s, as well as a full rewire with 18AWG (or better) wire. This setup has a vastly increased performance, second to the same setup with LiPos.

Notes:
NiCds are the entry level battery packs, and require less maintenance as such. They do not require cell balancing, but should be fully depleted before recharging, or else their life cycle may be degraded.

Option 3:
LiPo Packs (Lithium Polymer packs, top of the top)


Recommended Brand: Zippy, Venom, Bias, Turnigy

(http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__239__85__Batteries_Accessories-20C_Discharge.html)

Charger: Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger & Hobbyking 105W 15V/7A Switching DC Power Supply
(http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=18066 & http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=36904)

2S LiPo Packs: 2S (7.4v) 20C Packs, recommended with 3000mAh or more capacity
3S LiPo Packs: 3S (11.1v) 20C,25C, or 30C Packs, recommended with 3000mAh or more capacity

Uses:

  • 2S packs (7.4v) can be used on stock motor setups that have been rewired with 18AWG (or better) wire. They provide a very high power upgrade as they supply more than enough current.
  • 3S packs (11.1v) should be reserved for setups that utilize higher-grade motors such as Sharks or Blade 180s, as well as a full rewire with 18AWG (or better) wire. This setup will guarantee nearly the top-tier performance of your blasters.

Notes:
LiPos require the most care and upkeep of these packs, but the tradeoff is worth it. A solid LiPo pack can power a blaster through multiple days of use. They require special cell balancing chargers, and are a bit more temperamental (they can go up in flames if not cared for properly), but proper care yields the greatest lifespan.





SCIENCE!The science behind power source selection for electronic blasters (discharge rate, mAh, stall current) can be found over at the Better Nerf By Science blog.












**JSI DISCLAIMER:**
We do not recommend buying any power source before doing your research first. While we have listed links to certain products, said products may not be compatible with every other battery supply, or the setup of the Nerf blaster that will utilized the power source. We do recommend doing some browsing and double checking whether certain products will work together. Things to consider: connector types, input voltage (12v car or 110/120v plug), output voltage (constant, variable), does the charger come with a DC supply or does it require one, is xxxx charger compatible with yyyy battery pack, etc. We are always happy to answer questions. Also, if any information here seems glaringly wrong, please let us know so that we can correct it.

Good sites to browse and purchase wares (as ripped from BNBS):


A few good sources for motor and battery purchase are listed below:
  • Tower Hobbies: http://www.towerhobbies.com/
    Comments: Great source for many RC batteries. Also stocks some Tamiya motors. Handling is fast but the value shipping method is slow (~2 weeks package arrival with value shipping).
  • Hobbypartz: http://www.hobbypartz.com/
    Comments: Huge selection of high quality as well as cheap LiPo batteries (high quality Chinese LiPos). Availability is somewhat low (they sell out really fast after receiving stock). Good source for a LiPo charger as well. Fast shipping and handling (~1 week package arrival).
  • Hobbyking: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/index.asp
    Comments: Huge selection and availability of RC batteries including decent quality LiPos (average quality Chinese LiPos). Shipping and handling is fast for the USA warehouse products.
  • We also recommend atomik-rc.com for batteries, and although it is more expensive than some other sites, their LiPos come with lifetime warranties. 

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