[lobster2006]

Is it possible to make your own battery pack with rechargable batteries hook together?

[moo]

Many people do just that

[lobster2006]

Originally Posted by moo

Many people do just that

what kind of batteries do they use.

[aceplant00]

what sized pack you trying to build

[Ken Currell]

Hi

You can choose between several types depending on the application.

The 3 most common are:
Nicad
Nickel metal hydride
Lithium polymer

Industrial cells are also used.

A123 cells and similar cells
Makita Lithium Ion cells

Lead acid for power panels

I even know someone who uses duracells soldered together for a flight pack.

There are likely others that I haven't mentioned.

[marco2236]

Energizer and Duracell both make Nimh cells with over 2400 mAh now..thats what I built a few packs out of.

[Helno]

I recently made a receiver pack out of a black and decker VPX pack. I removed the outer casing and connected the appropriate lead to connect to an RC receiver.

VPX packs are 1100 mah 6.6 volt A123 batteries.

[lobster2006]

Originally Posted by aceplant00

what sized pack you trying to build

6.0v pack 2700mah

[Gary Maker]

I have made up all my own battery packs for the last 16 years or so.

You can purchase individual cells at most hobby stores or many places on line. I purchase cells by the box of 50 cells. Sanyo 2,700mAH AA NiMH cells. Very important though is to buy cells with tabs and when assembling your pack, solder the tabs only. You can also purchase the leads and the shrink wrap and most hobby stores but probably much cheeper on line, Ie. Hobby King etc.

Tabs are especially important on the positive end of the cell. The positive end has a plastic spacer which allows the cells to vent if the internal pressure becomes too great, usually caused by over charging the pack. IF you solder directly on the button on the positive end you could easily melt the spacer and ruin the cell or at least greatly weaken it.

As you're probably aware, you would solder 5 cells in series (positive to negative) to get a 6.0v pack. ( Each cell is 1.2v X 5 cells = 6.0v)

Also important is to use rossen core solder, NOT acid core solder, as it could attack the metal and could cause a short over time.

For a great source of information on batteries, Google Red's Battery Clinic.

[xray]

Radio Shack sells plastic holders for 4 & 8 batteries with leads attached.