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Power Advice — Parallax Forums

Power Advice

ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
edited 2011-06-11 01:14 in General Discussion
Hey All...

Looking to provide longer run time for my 'Bots I picked up a rechargeable 7.2 volt, 2000 mAh Ni-cad battery for kinda cheap. From what I've read, it seems this will work with with the BS2 boards. Can I use it, or other r/c car batteries, with my Propeller boards. Any mods needed?

Thanks for any advice!!!!

Amanda

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2011-06-10 17:18
    I don't think there is problem using the batteries with your Propeller boards. You'll need some sort of adapter to connect them. As long as the battery packs in the right voltage range there shouldn't be a problem. I do this myself a lot.

    Duane
  • TtailspinTtailspin Posts: 1,326
    edited 2011-06-10 21:57
    I think you will love them, and might wonder why you waited this long.
    They last a long time compared to four AA's, Plus they fit in all sorts of places...
    Batt3.JPG
    batt1.JPG
    Batt2.JPG


    -Tommy
    Batt2.JPG
    800 x 600 - 255K
    batt1.JPG
    800 x 600 - 250K
    Batt3.JPG
    800 x 600 - 266K
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-06-11 01:14
    Supply power is really divided into to areas. First is the regulated power to the microcontroller itself. As long as the voltage isn't so high that it overheats the installed voltage regulator, there is no problem. 7.2V is within that range.
    Second, is the unregulated voltage supplied to the motors. When using R/C servo motors, 7.2V is just about the upper limit and in some cases in might be better to insert a rectifier diode or two to drop the voltage by .6v or 1.2Vas added margin of safety. I suspect that R/C servo motors were originally targeted for 6VDC use and they do have some internal chips that might be stressed by higher voltages AS they don't have a voltage regulator included internally.
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