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Cox Engine of The Month
home made battery box
Page 1 of 1
home made battery box
anyone got any ideas on how i could make a cheap battery box for two d cells? a photo would be great if someone out there has any input,
bullit132- Gold Member
- Posts : 197
Join date : 2013-04-11
Age : 63
Location : charleston,sc
Re: home made battery box
I used to just tape two batteries together with electrical tape, and tape the lead-outs to the batteries as well. The lead out's were terminated with alligator clips.
It worked fine, but the clips were not very convenient, so eventually I just bought a dedicated box online, although admittedly, the price is not exactly a bargain.
It worked fine, but the clips were not very convenient, so eventually I just bought a dedicated box online, although admittedly, the price is not exactly a bargain.
dirk gently- Gold Member
- Posts : 430
Join date : 2012-02-03
Age : 42
Location : Poznań
Re: home made battery box
You can buy a cheap twin D cell holder at Radio Shack(or rip one out of an old talking teddy bear), yank the wires off and rewire it in parallel with thicker wires that lead to your clip. Good quality copper conductor that supports several amps is a MUST. Speaker wire or lamp cord. It's best if your holder has copper leaf springs instead of the chrome steel coil springs, but either will work. Solder all connections.
I bought a Thunder Tiger Kwik Klip which is a piece of junk because the plastic rots. But I removed the electrodes and screwed them to a wooden clothespin and it works great on all engines. The wires are good. They are easily available, usually at the LHS. It has an inline switch too. Don't leave it connected for any length of time in the Test(Off) position because a trickle current still flows.
After trying many brands, including Energizer, I also recommend Rayovac D cells. They keep working much longer for me. I buy 8-packs that come in a convenient plastic box and keep a pair of spares in my flight box.
I bought a Thunder Tiger Kwik Klip which is a piece of junk because the plastic rots. But I removed the electrodes and screwed them to a wooden clothespin and it works great on all engines. The wires are good. They are easily available, usually at the LHS. It has an inline switch too. Don't leave it connected for any length of time in the Test(Off) position because a trickle current still flows.
After trying many brands, including Energizer, I also recommend Rayovac D cells. They keep working much longer for me. I buy 8-packs that come in a convenient plastic box and keep a pair of spares in my flight box.
Last edited by RknRusty on Sat May 04, 2013 5:56 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Clarified an unclear statement)
_________________
Don't Panic!
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
RknRusty- Rest In Peace
- Posts : 10869
Join date : 2011-08-10
Age : 68
Location : South Carolina, USA
Re: home made battery box
thanks again rusty
bullit132- Gold Member
- Posts : 197
Join date : 2013-04-11
Age : 63
Location : charleston,sc
Re: home made battery box
I made a pack for my friend Patrick, using four Duracell "D" batteries and the plastic blister pack they came in. He's been using it since Spring last year. I soldered a wire around the batteries' ends and wrapped the whole thing with strapping tape.
The plastic box keeps out dirt and prevents shorting while it rocks around inside Patrick's metal toolbox. I think the extra two cells also help clear and fire the occasional overzealous priming his engines receive !
The plastic box keeps out dirt and prevents shorting while it rocks around inside Patrick's metal toolbox. I think the extra two cells also help clear and fire the occasional overzealous priming his engines receive !
Kim- Top Poster
-
Posts : 8624
Join date : 2011-09-06
Location : South East Missouri
Re: home made battery box
I use 3 single D-cell holders from radio shack, in parallel, fastened to a board, with binding posts. The 3rd battery really helps for winter flying.
I also find the 3 batteries last significantly longer over using 2. I am sure 4 would perform even better, but I am not remaking my setup.
Phil
I also find the 3 batteries last significantly longer over using 2. I am sure 4 would perform even better, but I am not remaking my setup.
Phil
pkrankow- Top Poster
- Posts : 3025
Join date : 2012-10-02
Location : Ohio
Re: home made battery box
I'm thinking of cutting open a 6volt lantern battery
and using a pair of the cells in parallel. 3 might be a bit
much. Open for comment.
Bob
and using a pair of the cells in parallel. 3 might be a bit
much. Open for comment.
Bob
dckrsn- Diamond Member
- Posts : 2750
Join date : 2010-10-21
Age : 71
Location : Long Island, New York
Re: home made battery box
I run two D-cells in parallel. They get replaced each spring, whether they need it or not.
Re: home made battery box
What is cheap?
These are only $8.95 and wired correctly:
http://coxengines.ca/cox-starter-battery-box-no-clip.html
These are only $8.95 and wired correctly:
http://coxengines.ca/cox-starter-battery-box-no-clip.html
Re: home made battery box
I agree, the cost of materials and time to make one makes $8.95 seem pretty cheap to me.
Cribbs74- Moderator
-
Posts : 11907
Join date : 2011-10-24
Age : 50
Location : Tuttle, OK
Re: home made battery box
When I was a kid, No.6 cells were very expensive, and the cox starting batteries tended not to last, probably due to being past their sell-by date by the time I bought them. I used to wait for radioshack to have a sale on D-cells. I'd get 8 of them, bundle them like cord wood, and solder a wire around the ends. I'd put a little block of wood between two of the end cells with two brass screws in it for connections. Then I'd make cardboard end covers, and wrap the whole mess up with masking tape. (cause it was the cheaper than electrical tape). One of these would last me about a year or two IIRC. A couple of tricks: Rough up the ends of the batteries with sandpaper where you intend to solder. Use a big iron and work fast, so you don't heat up the insides of the cells.
kevbo- Silver Member
- Posts : 91
Join date : 2013-03-05
Re: home made battery box
Good advice. I always worried about damaging the internal connection to the end plates.kevbo wrote:...Rough up the ends of the batteries with sandpaper where you intend to solder. Use a big iron and work fast, so you don't heat up the insides of the cells.
_________________
Don't Panic!
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
RknRusty- Rest In Peace
- Posts : 10869
Join date : 2011-08-10
Age : 68
Location : South Carolina, USA
Re: home made battery box
I've had no luck soldering to D cells. Yes, I used a big iron and tried to work quickly, but when I was done, both cells were reading dead - zero volts.
tubebass- Silver Member
- Posts : 75
Join date : 2011-08-11
Age : 71
Location : Saint John, N.B, Canada
Re: home made battery box
Hi Alan,
Here's a batterie box for 2 "D" cells I made over the weekend. I used the formed plastic bit from the retail package and built a plywood box around it. I cut 2 pieces of copper to size and inserted them on both sides. With 2 brass bolts the inner plastic is held in place and wingnuts hold the cables . The cover is held on with a rubber band. Here are some pics.
Lieven
Here's a batterie box for 2 "D" cells I made over the weekend. I used the formed plastic bit from the retail package and built a plywood box around it. I cut 2 pieces of copper to size and inserted them on both sides. With 2 brass bolts the inner plastic is held in place and wingnuts hold the cables . The cover is held on with a rubber band. Here are some pics.
Lieven
OVERLORD- Diamond Member
- Posts : 1807
Join date : 2013-03-19
Age : 58
Location : Normandy, France
Re: home made battery box
that is very cool im making one today
bullit132- Gold Member
- Posts : 197
Join date : 2013-04-11
Age : 63
Location : charleston,sc
Re: home made battery box
Pretty slick. Funny how the simplest things turn out to be the best solution.
_________________
Don't Panic!
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
RknRusty- Rest In Peace
- Posts : 10869
Join date : 2011-08-10
Age : 68
Location : South Carolina, USA
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