Cheap Airsoft Batteries

[slink182]

My $0.02.

Purchase a battery from a reputable dealer/manufacturer. The "quality" of a battery isn't easily recognized. Outside of maker's marks, voltage capacity and current rate, there's no much to tell you if one battery is "better" than the next.

Recognizing "quality" in airsoft guns is fairly easy - metal or high-polymer construction, quality gearboxes & motors, type of wiring harness used, fit & fitment, and builder's name.

Batteries, on the other hand, are chemical storage piles. What you're paying for is the quality, reliability, and performance LIFE of those piles. The chemicals that make up the piles require a minimum level of purity to function, and a high level of purity to function reliably over a long period of time. You can't see the chemicals, so you can't gauge their quality, but this quality is reflected in the price for the piles.

The chemical piles in cheap batteries will almost always have impurities mixed in. They will hold a charge, but they may not hold them over as long a period of time. They may self-discharge at a faster rate, or consume energy faster in the field (not lasting the day). Their rechargeable lifespan may not be as long as a quality battery pack. They may overheat quicker (because of the impurities), and they may use cheaper materials for the battery housings (leading to leaks). Really cheap batteries have been known to explode or ignite on fire while charging.

So, although you are free to use whatever battery you want, from whoever you want to get them from, just be aware that cheap batteries - while able to perform in most cases - do not come without inherent risks.

[BobbyDangerous]

Batteries, if you want quality you're going to have to pay. It's like the difference between an energizer and a panasonic. Pay the money for quality. I switched to Lipo

[Thebrick534]

Well thanks for all the imput. Now that it was explained why i shouldn't get one of those batteries i'm trying to find one that'll fit in my PEQ box. Thats one of the biggesty problems. My PEQ can only hold up to a 8.4v mini and there seems to not be many of those around and if there are some they dont hold much MaH. I have been looking around so don't tell me to google it but i'd like some help finding one with around 2000mah because my battery now 1100mah and shoots like a 7.2v cause the amperage is shit. Please help me.

[CPT Scott]

Most of what you will get here is bashing for new guys. So don't stress it. A few will pop in with some good advice though. Don't buy into the harsh words some use, it's fun for them to be cruel and serves no purpose. As most did point out, be mindfull of the old term "you get what you pay for". I like to bargan shop and have made lots of great deals but I shop with patience. Deals will not be quick to pop up. Try suggesting a budget you'd like to shop within $ wise. This may allow others to get what you are aiming for instead of using the term cheap. This will allow people experienced in buying to direct you to some mid range brands. Not the top shelf but not the bottom rung.

Keep a stiff upper lip when dealing with bashers and take some good advice as you see it. The issue with not knowing if you don't know. Read between the lines and good luck Brick!

[slink182]

Try these batteries. Firefox 8.4V, 4000 mAh, and should fit in your PEQ. NiMH is, imo, better than NiCad (slower resting discharge rate, no memory issues, unlike NiCad batteries). Just google it.

As an alternative, DBoys has a PEQ box already fitted with a battery.

[Thebrick534]

lol i would buy it if it could fit, its a large type though and is much to big for my PEQ box. As I said the biggest battery that can fit in it is 8.4v mini type battery.

[Thebrick534]

Bump.

[Drake]

Don't bump your thread after half an hour like that. If/when someone has something to add, they will.

[Thebrick534]

Honestly i wish i could use Lipo's since there's so many of them and all have a pretty good MaH and are around 20 to 40$. But sadly i have no experience with them and i don't have deans connectors to use. If someone could teach me how to charge one and and if there are ones with mini tamiya connectors to show me where they are. I would be most grateful and alot of time would be saved, also, I'm only looking for a 7.4v because its the same as a 9.6 and i dont need a very high ROF.

[slink182]

There are plenty of threads here regarding the care & maintenance of LiPo batteries. As for dean connectors, you can purchase them at R/C hobby shops, and swapping out Tamiya contacts for deans is simple if you're handy with a soldering iron.

If you decide to use LiPo's, consider installing a MOSFET - it'll save wear/tear on your trigger contacts.

Alternatively, if you decide to stick with NiMH/NiCad, just carry a second battery pack into the field in the event your battery runs out. And since you stated that you don't require a high RoF, a high mAh rating shouldn't be a bullet point in your decision making.

[Thebrick534]

well I need a high MaH since i do play fairly long games and right now 1100 mah isnt cutting it. What amount of mah do you think i should need to last, lets say a 4 to 6 hour game?

[icaris]

I played a 24 hour game on 1 1200mah 0_o

The average I've seen are 1100-1700

[Thebrick534]

OH MY! lol. Alright so if i buy another firefox 8.4v 1600mah and still keep the battery i have now, i think i should be good for my games. Now i just need a smart charger, these wall chargers are complete ass.

[icaris]

Well, this is the cheap batteries thread but i have to warn you I have heard lots of bad things about those firefox batteries.

DO NOT USE A STANDARD WALL CHARGER TO CHARGE LIPOS

If you cant atleast get a dumb charger with a light to tell you its charged and you take it off immediatly, dont even try to charge those batteries or youll fry them

[Thebrick534]

AWWWW WTF! lol well now im confused, iv'e heard there fine and now there not good. Oh i just dont know what to do. Thanks for all the advice though.