The battery is the power source of the Mini 4wd, which cannot be ignored and has a significant impact on the race. But we cannot blindly pursue capacity because the most important thing for a battery is its discharge platform, which is closely related to the number of revolutions of the motor.
The higher the discharge platform, the more energy it outputs and the longer it lasts. So, which is the best Tamiya Mini 4wd battery? I will give the answer below.
Batteries for Mini 4wd
The Tamiya Mini 4wd runs on AA batteries, which are divided into zinc-manganese batteries, alkaline batteries, nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, and nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries, and more according to their chemical composition.
Ordinary zinc-manganese batteries have poor discharge performance, and alkaline batteries cannot provide the strong current required by competition-level motors, so both are unsuitable for mini four-wheel-drive vehicles. Of course, if you are a beginner, alkaline batteries are a good choice.
At present, the most commonly used batteries for Mini 4wd are NiCd and NiMH. Below I will analyze their advantages and disadvantages in detail, and recommend some of the best batteries to you.
Best NiMH batteries for Mini 4wd
Due to the continuous development of battery technology, NiMH batteries have become the ideal battery for the Mini 4wd competition. Compared with NiCd batteries, they have the following advantages:
- Low internal resistance
- Superior discharge performance and higher discharge platform
- no memory effect
- Large capacity, twice that of nickel-cadmium batteries
- low cost
Overall, NiMH batteries outperform NiCd in every way and are the best choice for practice and competition.
Recommended NiMH rechargeable batteries
- Brand: Ovonic
- Chemistry: Rechargeable NiMH
- Capacity(mAh): 2400mAh
- Voltage: 1.2V
- Size: AA
- Weight: 32.5g
- Package: 4 cells
- Price: $2.82
2400mah capacity, which means a more stable current flow to the motor, providing a longer run time. Honestly, this battery is not suitable for racing due to its low discharge rate. But it’s the best option for fun or practice , and the extra power allows you to have more fun with the Tamiya Mini 4wd, and especially for the price, it can’t be beaten.
NiMH batteries are durable and will last a long time as long as you use and charge them correctly.
- Brand: FDK Corporation
- Chemistry: Rechargeable NiMH
- Capacity(mAh): 950mAh
- Voltage: 1.2V
- Size: AA
- Weight: 45.3g
- Package: 2 cells
- Price: $12.58
It is currently Tamiya’s official race battery and packs an amazing punch. It’s one of your best options if you’re planning to race . Also, it takes about 50 minutes to charge. Be careful not to overcharge and over-discharge any battery, otherwise, it will damage the battery.
The difference between NiMH battery and NiCd battery
The production materials are different. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are made using hydrogen storage alloys and potassium hydroxide solution. The negative electrode is a metal hydride, and the electrolyte is a potassium hydroxide solution. However, nickel-cadmium batteries are generally made of nickel powder and graphite powder.
The number of types varies. There are two types of nickel-metal hydride batteries, high-voltage, and low-voltage, while nickel-cadmium batteries are not divided into high-voltage or low-voltage, and there are fewer types.
Charging requirements are different. Ni-MH batteries cannot be overcharged, otherwise, the activity will be reduced, and the positive and negative electrodes will swell easily. Nickel-cadmium batteries can be overcharged, but should not be overcharged frequently.
The service life is different. NiMH batteries have a longer life, they can be charged and discharged for more than a thousand cycles. The general life of nickel-cadmium batteries is half that of nickel-metal hydride.
Features are different. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are stronger, and nickel-cadmium batteries are slightly weaker, about one-fifth of the characteristics of nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions for Tamiya Mini 4wd battery
1. Can NiMH batteries and NiCd batteries share a charger?
Can. If the parameters of the NiMH battery and NiCd battery are the same, their chargers can be used universally, but if the parameters are different, they should not be used universally. However, when using the same charger to charge NiMH and NiCd batteries, it should be noted that NiMH should not be overcharged, but NiCd can be overcharged for a while after being fully charged, so try not to mix chargers.
2. Ni-MH battery or Ni-Cd battery, which is better？
In terms of life, characteristics, etc., Ni-MH rechargeable batteries are better because they are more durable. However, the choice of these two batteries depends on their prices. Generally, Ni-MH is more expensive than Ni-Cd. If you pursue higher cost performance, it is recommended to choose a NiCd battery for Tamiya mini 4wd, but if you want to use it for a longer time, you should choose a NiMH battery.