Laptop Batteries?

[sidewinder]

Is there any reason you couldn't use a laptop battery for a RC car? I was thinking of going with a 14.8V lipo for the 1/6 nascar when I build it and I searched ebay for "14.8V"...it came back mostly laptop batteries like this:14.8V, 6600mAh, LI-ion...I didn't see a discharge rate though. Has anyone tried this or researched the idea?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-R3000-and-Pa ... 638Q2em124

[betty.k]

it's not recomended because laptop batteries have a low discharge rate.

discharge rate is listed as a "C" rating, eg: in the case of those 6600mah cells 1C would be 6600 ma (6.6a). so it can safely deliver 6.6a, if you try to pull any more out of it you will damage the cells and they'll probably fail violently.

you want to look for a rating of at least 15C for rc car use, helis and planes can get away with lower ratings.

[sidewinder]

Thanks, I kind of figured there must be a reason I hadn't seen anyone using them...it's a shame though.

[vwmicrosizer]

i think there are some 14v drills ou there if not 18v.