Which battery pack to buy?

If it were mine, I would look for the highest capacity 8 cell nimh battery that fits, assuming the original nicad cant be revived/zapped/found, eg:

You'll need a nimh capable charger as well. I picked up a wall wart one from Radio Shack on clearance for $5.00 and one I can run off 12 volts from tower for like $30. Do not use a nicad charger on nimh batteries.

Ah well, it looks like tower is having technical difficulties. I think I might have gotten my wires crossed on their 7 cell and 8 cell pacs though. My slinger pack would also fit, it IS 8 cells, has 200 less amp hours and weighs 4.5 oz less. When tower is working properly again, have a look. Most of the specs are available (weight and dimensions) so you should be able to see what will fit before you buy.

Good luck.

Both. More Voltage is like more cubic inches. More mAh is like a bigger gas tank. Those direct-drive "550" electric planes need all the help they can get.

Those two packs aren't your only two choices. Seek out other vendors besides Tower, and you'll be amazed at the options available to you.

I'm with Matthew on the battery choice , although at best the performance will be very marginal if built and equipped as was suggested in the kit. I would go with a 6 or 8 cell 3300 mah NIMH or maybe a LiPoly pack, although there are more safety considerations with LiPoly and you need a LiPoly charger. You can charge your NIMH with your NiCd charger if you monitor the heat and voltage carefully , but you do have to keep a close eye on it all the time you're charging and charge at a slower rate. C1 is a safe rate. eg: 3300 mah , charge at 3.3 amps and that will charge it in about an hour.

That kit came with a direct drive 600 ferrite motor with no speed control , just a servo operated on/off switch. They also recommended and the aircraft was set up for standard size servos . This airplane will be too heavy for any more than marginal performance as equipped. I would recommend an Electronic speed control with BEC. The ESC will get rid of the weight of one servo , one on/off switch and The BEC will get rid of the weight of the flight pack. The ESC will also let you manage the throttle and save lots of battery when just cruising around. If you have them available I would go with lighter mini servos. Weight is the MAIN consideration when flying electric.....can't stress that enough.

You can always use the ESC and battery pack in another electric airplane when you decide to move on to something else. I think you'll enjoy electrics. Been flying them for a long time now and I 'love'm'.

I have 11 electrics ranging from a micro indoor flyer that tips the scales at 1.4 oz to a 7 lb pattern airplane. I still have 5 glow powered airplanes and don't plan on quitting them altogether, I get lots more stick time on the electrics.

A very good source for electric info would be

H>I bought a Great Planes Electricub over ten years ago. It's been

Greetings, My recomendation is for 1900 MAH 4/5FAUP cells. They can handle up to

Regards,

Art