On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 03:58:46 +0000, John Rumm
wrote:

T i m wrote:

month, all year) at that pace and didn't have a cell fail? In fact in
my 30 years or RC car racing (sponsered driver for some of that) I've
never had a cell fail? I have seen others have cells fail, I've

Reminds me of when a friend built a small (i.e. under 1kg) fast electric
boat using some NiCd cells he recovered from an old (pro video) camera
battery belt...

Worked really well until one of the cells vented under full load. This
resulted in one of the most impressive sinkings I have ever seen!
Picture this tiny craft speeding along at 20mph - a loud BANG! - and
craft transitions from that forward speed, to an instant vertical
descent! Bit like a Harrier VIFFing in reverse!

The release of gas from the cell burst the hull / deck joint almost the
full length of the boat, starting at the bow - opening it up like a
crocodile's mouth - spoilt the hydrodynamics a bit!

Nice!

I think the venting arangement on these cells is much better theese
days!

As I said, I have seen other folk get into trouble with cells and I've
melted a pack in the old days before auto chargers.

A mate had a cell explode in his 12th Electricar (back in the Ally
pally days). The 'built in' packs would br run, be charged, run, be
charged and as we had low club numbers at the beginning not enough
racers to make more than one heat! (to give the cars a break inbetween
races).

All the best ..

T i m