BIG CHANGES IN 2008: First there were NiCads. Then NiMh came on the scene as it had increased power density – more energy for the same weight. Then came Lithiums. Lithiums had and still have the best energy density around. Lithiums have been improving. Lithium Metals relinquished to Lithium Ions. Then Lithium Polys and now Lithium Ion Nano Phosphate are on the scene. Lithium Ion is still the winner of the energy density battle. The only reason we turned to Lithium Ions was due to the outstanding weight savings. In large planes we could save ½ pound or more. Due to the outstanding weight savings, we put up with a lot of drawbacks like higher prices, need of regulators, need of new chargers, need of new field checker, lower burst amps, can stop working if over charged or over discharged, and slow charge rates. And with all that, they are still the standard for giant scale planes because of one advantage - weight. The weight advantage outweighs the disadvantages.

Things are changing. Due to the fire in the storage facility of Panasonic where their Li Ion batteries were stored for laptops, there is a shortage of all Li Ion batteries. That, coupled with tighter controls that the main manufacturer, LG Chem, is putting on their vendors, Li Ion cells are hard for us to obtain at this time.

There is no perfect alternative on the market at this time. What we want is the energy density of Li Ion and all the great properties and ease of use of NiCads. We don’t have that. TBM will be carrying 4 types of batteries, as all have merit. They are Li Ion (though they may not always be in stock), Li Poly, Li Ion Nano Phosphate (known to many as A123), and NiMh.

New to the scene and creating a lot of interest are the Li Phosphate A123 batteries. A123 is a company which makes Li Ion Nano Phosphate batteries. Others do to. TBM will offer A123 and lower cost competitive packs as well. If you check out our product comparison page, you will see that Li Phosphate batteries are bigger and heavier but have some better qualities than other batteries. Li Ion batteries still reign supreme in power to weight.

NOTE: Due to the shortage of Li Ion cells, spot prices for cells have doubled. We must pass along part of the increase. Supplies of batteries are difficult to find so we may be out of stock for long periods of time.