Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 2, 2010 2:24:10 GMT -5
Auto Electric Guns obviously are powered by batteries and their use, upkeep and peculiarities are worth reviewing.
There are two main types of batteries NiCad and Nihm Recently we are seeing more and more li Poly batteries. The Nicad is where it all started and the thing to know about them is they need to be drained between uses as they create a memory that reduces their fill level over time. Devices are available that will drain the battery before being stored. If you have ni cad batteries you should get one and use it.
Nihm batteries do not exhibit the "memory" issue and we are seeing most batteries now that are the Nihm variety. The newest Li Poly batteries are quite compact and provide high performance but at a price, They are quite expensive relative to Nihm or NiCads. Nihm batteries are typically more expensive than Ni Cad batteries.
Regardless of type the thing to consider when looking at a battery is the Power rating and their capacity to hold a charge (The size of their fuel tank) The power is noted in Volts
and the capacity is noted in Mahs. The more Mahs the bigger the charge capability. When properly charged an 800 Mah battery will typically provide you with around 600 rounds (Less if you have a heavy trigger finger and more if you space out the gaps between shots and go with shorter bursts. Cold weather drains batteries faster than warm weather. A 1200 Mah battery will provide roughly 900 rounds. A 2000 Mah battery should last you for any realistic weekend mill sim event unless your a SAW gunner or MG gunner. It's always a great idea to have at least one back up, fully charged battery at an event.
For airsoft guns power ranges from 7.2 volt to 11 plus although most airsoft guns are designed for 8.4 to 9.6 Volt. The power rating will effect the rate of fire but not the power performance from the gun. If your gun is shooting at 320 FPS it will continue to shoot at 320 FPS if the battery is powerful enough to drive the motor. Hence if a 7.2 will adequately power your gun it will shoot just as hard as the same gun plugged into a 9.6 Volt battery. A higher voltage will however increase the rounds per minute cycle of the gun. Upgrade guns shooting high FPS with heavier metal gears and components will require increasingly higher Volt batteries. An underpowered or over powered battery will effect the gear timing and may over time reduce the longevity of the gun so I recomend you use the Voltage your gun was designed for.
Many of the Chinese guns come standard with a NiCad battery and wall charger. Usually rated at around 1200 Mah. The "Free" batteries do represent a good value but be aware that they are generally poor quality and not especially durable batteries. Also note that they need to receive a proper initial charge which will probably be in excess of six hours using the wall charger. They don't provide good clarity on this intial charge. After a good initial charge they will typically only require 3 to 4 hours to charge. The best way to tell if a battery is properly charged when you're using a wall charger is to frequently check the battery for warmth. When fully charged they will feel quite warm to the touch. If you wait until they are hot you have waited too long and the batteries performance will be negatively effected. The wall charger that comes with these Chines guns should be replaced with a quality trickle charger that is designed to automatically shut down once the battery is charged. These are often referred to as smart chargers and they are one of the best airsoft investments you can make.
Slow charging your battery will allow it to last longer than using speed chargers but obviously convenience is important. Charging your batteries a day before the event or the night before is best as batteries slowly drain as they sit.
The connections are also a consideration with your batteries. Most come with either a small or large Tamiya clip and obviously you'll need to insure you have the right connection for the gun you intend to use it with. There are adapters that transition a large to a small or vic a versa. These additional clips draw power however so their use is not ideal. Many people replace their Tamiya clips with more efficient connections but consider uniformity before taking that step. I've seen many the player find himself without a charged battery and unable to borrow one from his team mate because his gun is not set up for a Tamiya clipped battery
Regardless of these factors a key thing to realize is that when fitting your battery into the available compartment in your gun be sure you don't kink the wires or pinch them when connecting them. To do so will cause a short and possibly even a fire. Many guns come with an in line fuse so that if there is a short it will prevent damage to the motor or a build up of excessive heat. A lot of people eliminate the fuse to increase available space to accomodate a larger battery or facilitate easier installment of the battery used. If you do that, taking care of your wires and connections is more critical and be sure its a risk you're comfortable taking.
Storing batteries when not in use is something to consider. They should be kept out of direct sunlight and stored ideally in a warm dark place. I store mine in closed ammo boxes.
Airsoft guns are usually cross wired when compared to RC car batteries so be sure to check the red and black wires on your Tamiya clips to insure they are properly married up.
The most common issue with AEGs is related to batteries or wiring so know the symptions and preventative steps to insure trouble free performance.
I'm sure I missed things and all of this info is based on experience and the input of others that frankly may be flawed or subject to dispute. I hope it helps and adds to your airsoft enjoyment.
There are two main types of batteries NiCad and Nihm Recently we are seeing more and more li Poly batteries. The Nicad is where it all started and the thing to know about them is they need to be drained between uses as they create a memory that reduces their fill level over time. Devices are available that will drain the battery before being stored. If you have ni cad batteries you should get one and use it.
Nihm batteries do not exhibit the "memory" issue and we are seeing most batteries now that are the Nihm variety. The newest Li Poly batteries are quite compact and provide high performance but at a price, They are quite expensive relative to Nihm or NiCads. Nihm batteries are typically more expensive than Ni Cad batteries.
Regardless of type the thing to consider when looking at a battery is the Power rating and their capacity to hold a charge (The size of their fuel tank) The power is noted in Volts
and the capacity is noted in Mahs. The more Mahs the bigger the charge capability. When properly charged an 800 Mah battery will typically provide you with around 600 rounds (Less if you have a heavy trigger finger and more if you space out the gaps between shots and go with shorter bursts. Cold weather drains batteries faster than warm weather. A 1200 Mah battery will provide roughly 900 rounds. A 2000 Mah battery should last you for any realistic weekend mill sim event unless your a SAW gunner or MG gunner. It's always a great idea to have at least one back up, fully charged battery at an event.
For airsoft guns power ranges from 7.2 volt to 11 plus although most airsoft guns are designed for 8.4 to 9.6 Volt. The power rating will effect the rate of fire but not the power performance from the gun. If your gun is shooting at 320 FPS it will continue to shoot at 320 FPS if the battery is powerful enough to drive the motor. Hence if a 7.2 will adequately power your gun it will shoot just as hard as the same gun plugged into a 9.6 Volt battery. A higher voltage will however increase the rounds per minute cycle of the gun. Upgrade guns shooting high FPS with heavier metal gears and components will require increasingly higher Volt batteries. An underpowered or over powered battery will effect the gear timing and may over time reduce the longevity of the gun so I recomend you use the Voltage your gun was designed for.
Many of the Chinese guns come standard with a NiCad battery and wall charger. Usually rated at around 1200 Mah. The "Free" batteries do represent a good value but be aware that they are generally poor quality and not especially durable batteries. Also note that they need to receive a proper initial charge which will probably be in excess of six hours using the wall charger. They don't provide good clarity on this intial charge. After a good initial charge they will typically only require 3 to 4 hours to charge. The best way to tell if a battery is properly charged when you're using a wall charger is to frequently check the battery for warmth. When fully charged they will feel quite warm to the touch. If you wait until they are hot you have waited too long and the batteries performance will be negatively effected. The wall charger that comes with these Chines guns should be replaced with a quality trickle charger that is designed to automatically shut down once the battery is charged. These are often referred to as smart chargers and they are one of the best airsoft investments you can make.
Slow charging your battery will allow it to last longer than using speed chargers but obviously convenience is important. Charging your batteries a day before the event or the night before is best as batteries slowly drain as they sit.
The connections are also a consideration with your batteries. Most come with either a small or large Tamiya clip and obviously you'll need to insure you have the right connection for the gun you intend to use it with. There are adapters that transition a large to a small or vic a versa. These additional clips draw power however so their use is not ideal. Many people replace their Tamiya clips with more efficient connections but consider uniformity before taking that step. I've seen many the player find himself without a charged battery and unable to borrow one from his team mate because his gun is not set up for a Tamiya clipped battery
Regardless of these factors a key thing to realize is that when fitting your battery into the available compartment in your gun be sure you don't kink the wires or pinch them when connecting them. To do so will cause a short and possibly even a fire. Many guns come with an in line fuse so that if there is a short it will prevent damage to the motor or a build up of excessive heat. A lot of people eliminate the fuse to increase available space to accomodate a larger battery or facilitate easier installment of the battery used. If you do that, taking care of your wires and connections is more critical and be sure its a risk you're comfortable taking.
Storing batteries when not in use is something to consider. They should be kept out of direct sunlight and stored ideally in a warm dark place. I store mine in closed ammo boxes.
Airsoft guns are usually cross wired when compared to RC car batteries so be sure to check the red and black wires on your Tamiya clips to insure they are properly married up.
The most common issue with AEGs is related to batteries or wiring so know the symptions and preventative steps to insure trouble free performance.
I'm sure I missed things and all of this info is based on experience and the input of others that frankly may be flawed or subject to dispute. I hope it helps and adds to your airsoft enjoyment.