Traxxas TQi: short range with rechargeables

[slw2206]

Quick Question,

I have a Traxxas TQi radio (it came in my XTR RTR vehicle kit). I threw 4 Tenegy Pro Rechargeable batteries in it and went for a drive. During that drive the car would (I assume) lose connection and stop until I walked back into range, re-established connection, and started moving again. I was only about 100 - 150 feet away from the truck when it stopped moving and became unresponsive.

Question is...

1. Should the TQi radio have more range than 100 - 150 feet typically? Seems it should.
2. Is it likely that the rechargeable batteries could be a likely culprit of the shortened range that I was experiencing?
3. Are good lithium batteries a better alternative?
4. Are there any rechargeable packs alternatives out there, if I don't mind doing a little rewiring / soldering?

 

[Meep556]

I used rechargeable Duracell double As in my remote and noticed that my Rlaaro would lose connection pretty frequently. I just went to normal double As and it seems to do fine now. But as for the range... I don't know... surely it should have more range. My rlaaro would lose signal even from 5 feet away. So I never experienced a range issue with it.

 

[9x19]

Most rechargables are 1.2v per cell. Alkaline batteries are 1.5v per cell. So you're running on 4.8v with rechargeable vs 6v with alkaline AAs. The lower power in could very well translate to lower power (shorter range) out. Try some alkaline and see. If no improvement, likely a faulty transmitter.

 

[Meep556]

Most rechargables are 1.2v per cell. Alkaline batteries are 1.5v per cell. So you're running on 4.8v with rechargeable vs 6v with alkaline AAs. The lower power in could very well translate to lower power (shorter range) out. Try some alkaline and see. If no improvement, likely a faulty transmitter.

This is why i love this forum lol.

 

[slw2206]

Most rechargables are 1.2v per cell. Alkaline batteries are 1.5v per cell. So you're running on 4.8v with rechargeable vs 6v with alkaline AAs. The lower power in could very well translate to lower power (shorter range) out. Try some alkaline and see. If no improvement, likely a faulty transmitter.

You'd think an Engineer would have remembered rechargeable are only 1.2V vs a standard AA cell which is 1.5V, but nope I didn't.

Went out today and bought a set of Energizers
Still not amazing range out of the TQi but it's better than the rechargeable. I'll decide if over time if I want to sink money into a more robust solution, or perhaps dig out my old radio system which was an expensive solution from my old NMT.

 

[9x19]

One other thing to check is the receiver antenna. If it's been damaged (exposed end of wire clipped), that can also affect the signal strength reaching the receiver. You can sometimes fix that by stripping back just a bit of the insulation.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

Theres also the option of switching to rechargable Lion AA's. They are typically 1.5v per unit and tend to hold higher voltage longer than a standard throw away AA.

 

[WickedFog]

Most rechargables are 1.2v per cell. Alkaline batteries are 1.5v per cell. So you're running on 4.8v with rechargeable vs 6v with alkaline AAs. The lower power in could very well translate to lower power (shorter range) out. Try some alkaline and see. If no improvement, likely a faulty transmitter.

Even Alkaline batteries, as @Mrgoodwrench35 said, tend to have their voltage fall off rather quickly. I use Eneloop Pro's in my Flysky and RTR Tx's with zero issues, and they stay charged for over a year. I can get numerous LiPo packs ran through an RC before I have to charge them.

But I too have not had very good luck with Duracell rechargeable batteries.

 

[DavidB1126]

I personally use Costco Kirkland brand AAs in my Futaba, and used to run them in my old radiolink radios. They worked fine for me.

 

[slw2206]

One other thing to check is the receiver antenna. If it's been damaged (exposed end of wire clipped), that can also affect the signal strength reaching the receiver. You can sometimes fix that by stripping back just a bit of the insulation.

Receiver antenna is fine, luckily it's a brand new truck so while an important thing to check I was fairly confident this would be good.

I did order a set of 8 AA rechargeables that are 1.5V and come with a USB charging pack that I can hook up in the truck (just in case it's needed when we're bashing in the woods).

Will report back if this brand of battery provides the 1.5V instead of the typical 1.2 that recharges usually provide.

 

[Greywolf74]

Receiver antenna is fine, luckily it's a brand new truck so while an important thing to check I was fairly confident this would be good.

I did order a set of 8 AA rechargeables that are 1.5V and come with a USB charging pack that I can hook up in the truck (just in case it's needed when we're bashing in the woods).

Will report back if this brand of battery provides the 1.5V instead of the typical 1.2 that recharges usually provide.

Alkaline vs NiXX batteries isn't the issue here. No matter what batteries you are running you should have at least 1/4 mile of range (maybe a bit lower if using a really cheap radio but well above 150ft). Generally these issues are a damaged antenna on the receiver, as @9x19 mentioned earlier. It may be damage that you can't see. I'd replace the receiver with a known good one and test it.