So I was a bit concerned that Javier seemed to have such a short amount of time on his battery pack, so I did some searching. Apparently considering his price, this shouldn't be a huge surprise;) Upon closer examination, his battery pack is only rated at 9.6 volts for 500 mA hours. Thats not a lot at all. Hes got 8 double a cells in series and each therfore is only rated for 500 mA hours. The double A's I have in my camera are good for 2500 mA hours, or fully 5 times what we were using... a quick web search found what I think is the sight I used to go to for batteries:
NiMH Batteries
Bottom line: 16 pack for $45, or $22 for what would be in the boat at one time. That would have 2700 mA hours , or 2.4 times the total power we had in one of Kenny's big old c cell based battery packs (almost his total power :-!).
25.92 watt hours for 8.
weight: 26*8 = 208 grams total
Or these are even better for ~$18 for enough for our needs: Nickel Zinc Link. Cheaper per unit energy, 30% lighter and less volume (only need 6 instead of 8)
24 watt hours for 6.
weight: 156 grams total
A completely different option would be to use Lipo that are crazy light and powerful: LiPo Link.
24 dollars for 7.2 volts*2000 mA hours.
14.4 watt hours for 1.
weight:110 Grams total
Another LiPo option:11.1 V * 1500 mAhr
16.65 watt hours for 1
weight 142g
Hmmm, Thats less than incredible compared to the high end ni based rechargables. Also, they are not as durable as the others should we completely discharge them accidentally. Looks like the NiZn for about $18 above are the best bet.
NiMH Batteries
Bottom line: 16 pack for $45, or $22 for what would be in the boat at one time. That would have 2700 mA hours , or 2.4 times the total power we had in one of Kenny's big old c cell based battery packs (almost his total power :-!).
25.92 watt hours for 8.
weight: 26*8 = 208 grams total
Or these are even better for ~$18 for enough for our needs: Nickel Zinc Link. Cheaper per unit energy, 30% lighter and less volume (only need 6 instead of 8)
24 watt hours for 6.
weight: 156 grams total
A completely different option would be to use Lipo that are crazy light and powerful: LiPo Link.
24 dollars for 7.2 volts*2000 mA hours.
14.4 watt hours for 1.
weight:110 Grams total
Another LiPo option:11.1 V * 1500 mAhr
16.65 watt hours for 1
weight 142g
Hmmm, Thats less than incredible compared to the high end ni based rechargables. Also, they are not as durable as the others should we completely discharge them accidentally. Looks like the NiZn for about $18 above are the best bet.