Ni-Cads v. Duralites - A Comparison
By Red Scholefield: http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com/
Technical Comparison using: 6 volt (5x 1.2 V) AA 800 mAh Ni-Cads v.
6 volt (2x 3,2V) AA 800 mAh LiLxMnO2
Weight
NI-Cad 4.25 oz
Duralite 1.2 oz
Internal resistance
Ni-Cad 44 mohms
Duralite 160 mohms
Cycle Life (100% DOD)
Ni-Cad 500+ to 80% of rated capacity
Duralite 300-350 to 65% of rated capacity
Cycle Life (50% DOD)
Ni-Cad 1000+ to 80% of rated capacity
Duralite 600 to 65% of rated capacity
Capacity self
discharge
Ni-Cad 1-2%/day
Duralite .04%/day
Discharge pack to
zero volts
Ni-Cad cells reversed - recoverable
Duralite will destroy cell
Charging
Ni-Cad constant current
Duralite constant voltage
Fast Charge
Ni-Cad up to 4C
Duralite C/3.2 max*
*Fast charge should be applied for not more than 10% of cycling life
Over charge at C/10
Ni-Cad very slight reduction in life
Duralite will destroy cell
Max discharge current
(pulsed)
Ni-Cad 18 A
Duralite 2A
Max discharge current
continuous
Ni-Cad 9A
Duralite 250 ma (per mfg. spec.)
Discharge temperature
range
Ni-Cad -20C to +60C
Duralite -30C to +55C
Storage Temp
Ni-Cad -30C to +50C
Duralite 0C to +30C
Economics:
Ni-Cad 6 volt 700 mAh @ $13.95
Lithium Metal (Duralite) 6 volt 800 mAh @ $34.95
Cycle life of Ni-Cad to 90% of capacity - 500 cycles = 315 Ah
Cycle life of Lithium Metal to 90% of capacity - 300 cycles = 216 Ah
[Assumes that both system give rated capacity for duration of their life
-when in fact Ni-Cad yields 80% of capacity while Lithium Metal yields 50%
at end of life as defined by manufacturer of each system]
Cost of Ni-Cd $19.93/Ah
Cost of Lithium Metal $43.69/Ah
Over life of battery: Cost of Ni-Cad = $0.044/AH
Cost of Lithium Metal = $0.16/Ah
Charger for
for sustaining trickle charger.
Charger for Lithium Metal TX and RX $28.95 each = $57.90
Cycler to check battery performance:
Ni-Cad - $125
Lithium Metal - none available
Fast charge (peak detection and cycler)
Ni-Cad - $125
Lithium Metal - cannot be fast charged.
Investment in Ni-Cad battery charging can be transferred to another
technology (Ni-MH) should the Ni-Cad technology no longer be available.
Investment in Lithium Metal battery charging has no known use should
Lithium Metal no longer be available. (Present manufacturer, Tadiran, has
announced that they will no longer produce the product- except on
"special" runs for the hobby market - sale of the technology has been
rumored but not substantiated, long term availability of Lithium Metal
technology somewhat in question).
IT’S YOUR CHOICE!