Running aeg off car/motorcycle battery

[scnitzelmahn]

Hi, recently purchased a echo 1 ZB26 light machine gun and am looking into the feasibility of running an aeg off a motorcycle battery hidden in a crate or ammo box.

The battery could be carried by an assistant gunner and plugged into the gun when in fixed positions, with a switch used to disconnect the regular nimh or lipo battery housed inside the gun. With a voltage of 12v and considerable charge capacity, there would be clear performance benefit when being able to move isn't the priority.

Concerned at the amperage, I am not sure offhand what kind of amperage a motorcycle battery puts out compared to an airsoft battery and what kind of stress its going to put on the system.

If running an lmg off a motorcycle battery is feasible with modifications, what kind of modifications would be nescissary for reliable function? Mosfet, motor, gears, wiring, etc?

thanks,

-Smith

[RainyEyes]

You can't calculate the requirements so just measure it.

The load is determined by the gun so get a regular lipo with a multimeter and test the current/volt on a multimeter.

Then determine with your battery the difference with the same measures.

The rest is up to you if you need to add resistors, upgrade motor (which will most likely die out if you burn it) etc.

[Amos]

Another question -- Why?

The gun's designed to run off of small batteries... Why not just use an 11.1 LiPo and not have to worry about it?

[cetane]

I bench test with emergency light/fire alarm panel 12v batteries. Let’s you see what the draw is with an almost unlimited amp supply, so you can determine if your little battery going to cut it.

It’ll work fine, but you can get a big honkin’ 11.1 10,000 mah to stuff in a mag pouch or ammo can that will be loads lighter than a lead acid or AGM battery.

[Danke]

Originally Posted by Amos

Another question -- Why?

The gun's designed to run off of small batteries... Why not just use an 11.1 LiPo and not have to worry about it?

No kidding.

What's a better choice the $8 airsoft/RC battery or a $80 motor vehicle battery? Even if you're worried about it going flat on a milsim you can get a couple and still come out ahead.

[scnitzelmahn]

A vehicle battery can runs between 11-14v, so it does have a higher voltage, and charge capacity is vastly larger than even the largest airsoft batteries

As for cost, I haven't seen 11.1 lipos for anywhere near $8... most i have seen are in the $30-50 price range. Considering a vehicle battery can put out more voltage, longer, and for cheaper than the cost of multiple lipos... Assuming that you, or somebody, is willing to cart around the weight.

[RainyEyes]

You want to look at amps more than voltage...

Measure it.

[Danke]

Need a new gearbox for an Echo1 ZB, also wiring harness, also the grip, stock, bipod, and magazine melted, where to find?

[Amos]

Originally Posted by scnitzelmahn

A vehicle battery can runs between 11-14v, so it does have a higher voltage, and charge capacity is vastly larger than even the largest airsoft batteries

As for cost, I haven't seen 11.1 lipos for anywhere near $8... most i have seen are in the $30-50 price range. Considering a vehicle battery can put out more voltage, longer, and for cheaper than the cost of multiple lipos... Assuming that you, or somebody, is willing to cart around the weight.

Okay but why? Batteries have not been the bottleneck for airsoft gun performance for like... 10+ years.

There's a limit to what you want in a gun...

check out Hobbyking for cheap batteries.

[RainyEyes]

Hobbyking isn't the best place to get airsoft batteries... The duties are quite excessive... My last order came up to almost $60 for two batteries. Batteries themselves were barely 40...

Try TA or pinnacle hobbies they'll usually get it for the same price but at least it's domestic and you're not giving your money to fedup or ups.

[ThunderCactus]

Im jumping on the "why?" train.
A motorcycle battery isnt terribly heavy, but its totally redundant.
Firstly, voltage isnt the sole thing that affects rate of fire, easiest thing to do would be to just tell us what rof you want, and we'll tell you how to get it.

Amperage supplied is irrelevant. If your battery could supply 20,000A you could still run an aeg off it since the aeg is only going to draw what it draws.

If you're concerned about efficiency, dont be. Full auto is more efficient than semi auto and you can build an LMG that shoots about 8BB/mah no problem.

Anyway there's other things to consider, voltage causes arcing. Amperage is what does the damage in the arc, but even low amperage arcing causes burning. So you'll make the motor pretty dirty.

Whats the performance your looking for? What rate of fire and how many BBs do you want it to be able to shoot in one battery?

[Short Round]

Yes.

[Desmodus]

Yes.

[BioRage]

yES.