NiCads for Trolling Motor Battery?

[dthrckt]

I picked up a box of AA NiCads very cheap. When I say box I mean like three shoe boxes full...hundreds. Since I only need a couple dozen for remotes/flashlights/etc, I am trying to figure out what I could use them for.

I did some quick calculations on amp hours (# of AAs to attain the capacity of a deep cycle battery) and how much volume/weight that would be. Seems like using these to run my trolling motor could save a decent amount of weight (and save me the expense of a new deep cycle).

If all wired together permanently charging them properly could be an issue, as well as identifying bad cells. I could fabricate some trays to hold cells individually (the way they're used in most products) but that might end up negating any cost benefit. Charging would still be an issue because I wouldn't want to charge 300 batteries 4 or 8 at a time. I'm not sure how to calculate how many amps the charger should supply, but I do know I'd have to monitor temperature.

Any battery experts know if this would be feasible...and even if it is, do you think it would still be too much of a hassle?

thanks!

 

[j_martin]

Re: NiCads for Trolling Motor Battery?

I picked up a box of AA NiCads very cheap. When I say box I mean like three shoe boxes full...hundreds. Since I only need a couple dozen for remotes/flashlights/etc, I am trying to figure out what I could use them for.

I did some quick calculations on amp hours (# of AAs to attain the capacity of a deep cycle battery) and how much volume/weight that would be. Seems like using these to run my trolling motor could save a decent amount of weight (and save me the expense of a new deep cycle).

If all wired together permanently charging them properly could be an issue, as well as identifying bad cells. I could fabricate some trays to hold cells individually (the way they're used in most products) but that might end up negating any cost benefit. Charging would still be an issue because I wouldn't want to charge 300 batteries 4 or 8 at a time. I'm not sure how to calculate how many amps the charger should supply, but I do know I'd have to monitor temperature.

Any battery experts know if this would be feasible...and even if it is, do you think it would still be too much of a hassle?

thanks!

One possible problem is that a big array of nicads, if accidentally shorted, would probably explode in a heart beat. Could wreck your outing.

 

[dthrckt]

Re: NiCads for Trolling Motor Battery?

Good point, since there's a lot more wiring involved, but it is still a concern w/ deep cycles.

In fact, that's why I need a new one...mine got shorted. I'm lucky it didn't explode. The positive contact melted/eroded enough to lose contact or it probably would have. Connection was fused but after the initial leads, and that's what got crossed.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: NiCads for Trolling Motor Battery?

No problem charging a large array of NiCad batteries. Problems detecting a bad cell could be a nightmare.