DarkCataclysm
02-12-2007, 07:15 PM
Technical Review by Dark Cataclysm of AOG
NiMH 9.6V Ballistic Battery Pack
For Halo/Reloader/Pulse Paintball Hoppers
Web: www.ballisticbatteries.com
E-Mail: info@ballisticbatteries.com
Phone: (602) 493-3717
In this review I will be covering the Ballistic Battery Pack. It has received extensive testing both in-house as well as with players in the field. Patrick Kivin of Ballistic Batteries has been in the battery pack industry for over 15 years specializing in high performance battery packs for RC Racing and Paintball. The customer service I experienced was absolutely the best I have had in a long time. Reminds me of the WDP MT’s high quality customer service. I even received a phone call from Ballistic Batteries. We had a good 15-minute conversation about loaders and the new pulse loader. Ballistic Batteries is sponsoring the Naughty Dogs for the 2007 season, this is the pack powering their loaders.
The review includes:
What’s in the Box?
Charging Instructions
Maintaining Maximum Performance
Battery Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Good Batteries go Bad
NiMH Chemistry
Disposal
I am writing this review because I am passionate about the sport of paintball and I love high-tech gizmos, electronics, and computer programming.
So without further adieu, lets get this review rolling!
What’s in the Box?
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0099.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0110.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0107.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0114.jpg
The packaging for this battery pack was excellent. The pack was enclosed in a sealed bag inside a box packed with Styrofoam peanuts.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0116.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0117.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0129.jpg
The sealed bag contained a 9.6V Ballistic battery pack, charger, and battery instructions.
The battery pack had a protective rubber sleeve over the battery terminals to prevent any chance of a battery short or problems during shipping. After removing the rubber sleeve the thick high quality battery terminals could be seen ensuring a solid low resistance connection. Another feature is the secondary battery lead for charging the pack. This connector is keyed so you can only plug it in one way so no need to worry about polarity.
Rating on the Ballistic Pack
Scale 1-10
10 = Perfect Score
Performs as Advertised 10.0
Quality of Battery Pack 10.0
Power 9.5 (Hopper spins fast all day long, great for multi day scenarios)
Packaging 9.0 (Battery Terminals Protected)
Price 9.0 (Considering it is handmade and cells are
cycled so pack is ready to go when you get it, the price is decent)
Battery Weight 8.5 (better than standard 6AA)
Ease of use 8.0 (Charging must be timed)
This battery pack is an 8-cell pack configured in series. Industry standard rating for NiMH cells is 1.2V nominal voltage per cell. So 8 cells * 1.2V = 9.6 Volts
Difference between hand soldered ballistic packs and mass produced packs
Ballistic battery packs are assembled with these considerations, quality of cell, quality of battery leads, and type of material used to connect the cells. Ballistic batteries are hand soldiered together and produce a lower peak voltage and a higher average voltage sustained throughout the discharge cycle compared to a pack that is constructed using tin tabs and spot welding. So what does this mean?? More Power, Higher Performance!
Every pack is cycled (charged and discharged) on special testing equipment before going out. Each cell is cycled before assembled which assures best cells are used.
Other mass-produced battery packs that use tin tabs and are spot-welded to each cell, this produces a high resistance pack. The higher the resistance in a battery pack the higher the peak voltage will be but the actual average voltage of the discharge is lower. It will also decrease capacity and average voltage of the pack. The difference between manufacturing methods can be as much as 15% loss of capacity and voltage just in the pack assembly.
Below is general information about NiMH battery care and Information related to the Ballistic Hopper Pack.
Ballistic Battery Pack Charging Instructions
You must charge the new Ballistic Battery for 4 to 5 hours before using
This pack works with the Halo / Reloader / Pulse Hopper
Charge the Ballistic pack up to 4 hours first and every time.
The Ballistic pack is fully charged when it is warm to the touch.
Overcharging 1-2 hours occasionally will not damage pack.
Extreme overcharging (many hours) will ruin the pack. (Dead Cell)
For best performance charge every 8 to 9 cases of paint.
Allow 3 to 4 charges for battery to reach maximum capacity.
The gun must be off before and during charging.
NEVER let the positive and negative terminals connect or ground.
Coins, keys, guns or any metal will ground / short the pack.
If the pack melts or shows burn marks, then it was grounded.
Grounding or overcharging the pack will not be warranted.
We added a separate charge jack so you will never have to unplug the pack to recharge it.
Add some foam or cloth around the pack so it does not rattle around and damage the pack.
Maintaining Maximum Performance
Tips to extend the life of your Ballistic Battery Pack
For top performance with the ballistic pack, charge every 8 – 9 cases of paint.
(These tips apply to all NiMH batteries)
It is better to top off a battery pack then it is to deep discharge and recharge.
NiMH cells do develop some memory although not near as bad as NiCd.
Once every other month let your pack discharge fully instead then recharge instead of topping it off.
With NiMH you should never discharge below 7.2V with this pack or 0.9V per cell. The halo board has a cutoff turns the halo off before the pack would be at risk of over discharge.
Do not charge the battery in extreme cold or heat.
Most importantly follow the charging instructions.
Battery Storage
If you don’t plan on playing for a few weeks it is a good idea to remove the battery pack because hopper board can draw a small current on the battery even if they are shut off.
It is a good idea to save the rubber sleeve that came with the battery that way when you store it you won’t have to worry about accidentally grounding the pack.
Just like people, NiMH batteries are most comfortable at room temperature, do not store them in extreme cold or heat.
Leaving them in a hot car can reduce the life of the battery.
Most manufactures recommend a 40% charge for long storage.
FAQ
Q: How should I prepare my brand new Ballistic Battery Pack?
A: Your very first charge will be for 4-5 hours. Check it at 4 hours if it is slightly warm then it is fully charged and you can remove it from the charger and let it cool. If the pack is not warm you can let it charge a little longer. Check every 20 mins to see if pack is warm. Charge no more than 5 hrs on your first charge.
Q: Should I use up all the battery energy before charging?
A: It is not necessary to deplete the battery before each charge. Over cycling the cells wears down NiMH. Fully discharge once every 2-3 months to prevent memory effect.
Q: Should the battery be kept fully charged when not in use?
A: No it isn’t critical. Most manufactures recommend a 40% charge for long storage.
Store in a cool place. Battery can be fully depleted and recharged when taken out of extended storage.
After charging when is my battery ready to use?
As soon as the pack cools you are ready to rock and roll.
Why after charging is my battery pack hot to the touch?
If after charging the pack is hot then you have overcharged it. – Slap yourself on the wrist.
When good batteries go Bad
So what is the main cause of NiMH battery failure?
Overcharging, Over-depleting and cell reversal.
Over depleting a cell creates an imbalance of chemical ratios, throwing off its chemistry making it difficult to recharge. A NiMH cell with a terminal voltage of 0.9V is considered depleted. Typically an over depleted can be restored by first charging it slowly, by a rate lower than C/4, until 0.9V terminal is reached. Over depleted cells are also more prone to reversal.
Cell reversal is when the terminal polarity reverses or falls to zero and the battery will not hold charge. This usually happens in one of two conditions. The more common is when a sufficiently large voltage is applied backwards across the terminals (i.e. a positive voltage to the negative terminal and a negative voltage to the positive). This is the case when one cell in a pack has a lower voltage than its neighbors: the cells on either side actually force the terminals to switch polarity. Less common is when the cell must discharge at a very high rate, similar to a short circuit, and has the same symptoms. A reversed cell will usually register 0V across its terminals, and can sometimes be resuscitated by charging it very slowly.
NiMH Chemistry
Anode: Rare-earth or nickel alloys with many metals
Cathode: Nickel oxyhydroxide
Electrolyte: Potassium hydroxide
Except for the anode, the NiMH cell very closely resembles the NiCd cell in construction. Even the voltage is virtually identical, at 1.2 volts, making the cells interchangeable in many applications. Here are the cell reactions:
Location Reactions Voltage
Anode MH + OH- —> M + H2O + e- 0.83
Cathode NiOOH + H2O + e- —> Ni(OH)2 + OH- 0.52
Overall NiOOH + MH —> Ni(OH)2 + M 1.35
Advantages
· 30-40% higher capacity than standard nickel-cadmium. Nickel-metal-hydride has potential for yet higher energy densities.
· Less prone to memory than nickel-cadmium - fewer exercise cycles are required.
· Simple storage and transportation - transport is not subject to regulatory control.
Environmentally friendly - contains only mild toxins; profitable for recycling.
Disposal
Although nickel-metal-hydride is considered environmentally friendly, this chemistry is also being recycled. The main derivative is nickel, which is considered semi-toxic. NiMH also contains electrolyte that, in large amounts, is hazardous. If no disposal service is available in an area, individual nickel-metal-hydride batteries can be discarded with other household wastes. If ten or more batteries are accumulated, the user should consider disposing of these packs in a secure waste landfill.
Cost
http://www.ballisticbatteries.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=221989&InfoID=200
45 dollars + Shipping and Handing
Battery Pack, Instructions, and Charger
Further reading
Web
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NiMH_battery
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/
Book
Electricity and Electronics
Howard H. Gerrish / William E.Dugger
I am in no way affiliated with Ballistic Batteries©.
This review is only over the Ballistic Battery Pack!
This is NOT a battery comparison review so please refrain from posting
(battery A is better, or get battery B type remarks)
If any information provided within is misspelled or needs corrected please private message me and I will make an effort to fix it as soon as possible.
If you are producing a different battery pack for paintball hoppers please do not post in this thread. Make your own.
NiMH 9.6V Ballistic Battery Pack
For Halo/Reloader/Pulse Paintball Hoppers
Web: www.ballisticbatteries.com
E-Mail: info@ballisticbatteries.com
Phone: (602) 493-3717
In this review I will be covering the Ballistic Battery Pack. It has received extensive testing both in-house as well as with players in the field. Patrick Kivin of Ballistic Batteries has been in the battery pack industry for over 15 years specializing in high performance battery packs for RC Racing and Paintball. The customer service I experienced was absolutely the best I have had in a long time. Reminds me of the WDP MT’s high quality customer service. I even received a phone call from Ballistic Batteries. We had a good 15-minute conversation about loaders and the new pulse loader. Ballistic Batteries is sponsoring the Naughty Dogs for the 2007 season, this is the pack powering their loaders.
The review includes:
What’s in the Box?
Charging Instructions
Maintaining Maximum Performance
Battery Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Good Batteries go Bad
NiMH Chemistry
Disposal
I am writing this review because I am passionate about the sport of paintball and I love high-tech gizmos, electronics, and computer programming.
So without further adieu, lets get this review rolling!
What’s in the Box?
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0099.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0110.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0107.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0114.jpg
The packaging for this battery pack was excellent. The pack was enclosed in a sealed bag inside a box packed with Styrofoam peanuts.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0116.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0117.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/DarkCataclysm/IMG_0129.jpg
The sealed bag contained a 9.6V Ballistic battery pack, charger, and battery instructions.
The battery pack had a protective rubber sleeve over the battery terminals to prevent any chance of a battery short or problems during shipping. After removing the rubber sleeve the thick high quality battery terminals could be seen ensuring a solid low resistance connection. Another feature is the secondary battery lead for charging the pack. This connector is keyed so you can only plug it in one way so no need to worry about polarity.
Rating on the Ballistic Pack
Scale 1-10
10 = Perfect Score
Performs as Advertised 10.0
Quality of Battery Pack 10.0
Power 9.5 (Hopper spins fast all day long, great for multi day scenarios)
Packaging 9.0 (Battery Terminals Protected)
Price 9.0 (Considering it is handmade and cells are
cycled so pack is ready to go when you get it, the price is decent)
Battery Weight 8.5 (better than standard 6AA)
Ease of use 8.0 (Charging must be timed)
This battery pack is an 8-cell pack configured in series. Industry standard rating for NiMH cells is 1.2V nominal voltage per cell. So 8 cells * 1.2V = 9.6 Volts
Difference between hand soldered ballistic packs and mass produced packs
Ballistic battery packs are assembled with these considerations, quality of cell, quality of battery leads, and type of material used to connect the cells. Ballistic batteries are hand soldiered together and produce a lower peak voltage and a higher average voltage sustained throughout the discharge cycle compared to a pack that is constructed using tin tabs and spot welding. So what does this mean?? More Power, Higher Performance!
Every pack is cycled (charged and discharged) on special testing equipment before going out. Each cell is cycled before assembled which assures best cells are used.
Other mass-produced battery packs that use tin tabs and are spot-welded to each cell, this produces a high resistance pack. The higher the resistance in a battery pack the higher the peak voltage will be but the actual average voltage of the discharge is lower. It will also decrease capacity and average voltage of the pack. The difference between manufacturing methods can be as much as 15% loss of capacity and voltage just in the pack assembly.
Below is general information about NiMH battery care and Information related to the Ballistic Hopper Pack.
Ballistic Battery Pack Charging Instructions
You must charge the new Ballistic Battery for 4 to 5 hours before using
This pack works with the Halo / Reloader / Pulse Hopper
Charge the Ballistic pack up to 4 hours first and every time.
The Ballistic pack is fully charged when it is warm to the touch.
Overcharging 1-2 hours occasionally will not damage pack.
Extreme overcharging (many hours) will ruin the pack. (Dead Cell)
For best performance charge every 8 to 9 cases of paint.
Allow 3 to 4 charges for battery to reach maximum capacity.
The gun must be off before and during charging.
NEVER let the positive and negative terminals connect or ground.
Coins, keys, guns or any metal will ground / short the pack.
If the pack melts or shows burn marks, then it was grounded.
Grounding or overcharging the pack will not be warranted.
We added a separate charge jack so you will never have to unplug the pack to recharge it.
Add some foam or cloth around the pack so it does not rattle around and damage the pack.
Maintaining Maximum Performance
Tips to extend the life of your Ballistic Battery Pack
For top performance with the ballistic pack, charge every 8 – 9 cases of paint.
(These tips apply to all NiMH batteries)
It is better to top off a battery pack then it is to deep discharge and recharge.
NiMH cells do develop some memory although not near as bad as NiCd.
Once every other month let your pack discharge fully instead then recharge instead of topping it off.
With NiMH you should never discharge below 7.2V with this pack or 0.9V per cell. The halo board has a cutoff turns the halo off before the pack would be at risk of over discharge.
Do not charge the battery in extreme cold or heat.
Most importantly follow the charging instructions.
Battery Storage
If you don’t plan on playing for a few weeks it is a good idea to remove the battery pack because hopper board can draw a small current on the battery even if they are shut off.
It is a good idea to save the rubber sleeve that came with the battery that way when you store it you won’t have to worry about accidentally grounding the pack.
Just like people, NiMH batteries are most comfortable at room temperature, do not store them in extreme cold or heat.
Leaving them in a hot car can reduce the life of the battery.
Most manufactures recommend a 40% charge for long storage.
FAQ
Q: How should I prepare my brand new Ballistic Battery Pack?
A: Your very first charge will be for 4-5 hours. Check it at 4 hours if it is slightly warm then it is fully charged and you can remove it from the charger and let it cool. If the pack is not warm you can let it charge a little longer. Check every 20 mins to see if pack is warm. Charge no more than 5 hrs on your first charge.
Q: Should I use up all the battery energy before charging?
A: It is not necessary to deplete the battery before each charge. Over cycling the cells wears down NiMH. Fully discharge once every 2-3 months to prevent memory effect.
Q: Should the battery be kept fully charged when not in use?
A: No it isn’t critical. Most manufactures recommend a 40% charge for long storage.
Store in a cool place. Battery can be fully depleted and recharged when taken out of extended storage.
After charging when is my battery ready to use?
As soon as the pack cools you are ready to rock and roll.
Why after charging is my battery pack hot to the touch?
If after charging the pack is hot then you have overcharged it. – Slap yourself on the wrist.
When good batteries go Bad
So what is the main cause of NiMH battery failure?
Overcharging, Over-depleting and cell reversal.
Over depleting a cell creates an imbalance of chemical ratios, throwing off its chemistry making it difficult to recharge. A NiMH cell with a terminal voltage of 0.9V is considered depleted. Typically an over depleted can be restored by first charging it slowly, by a rate lower than C/4, until 0.9V terminal is reached. Over depleted cells are also more prone to reversal.
Cell reversal is when the terminal polarity reverses or falls to zero and the battery will not hold charge. This usually happens in one of two conditions. The more common is when a sufficiently large voltage is applied backwards across the terminals (i.e. a positive voltage to the negative terminal and a negative voltage to the positive). This is the case when one cell in a pack has a lower voltage than its neighbors: the cells on either side actually force the terminals to switch polarity. Less common is when the cell must discharge at a very high rate, similar to a short circuit, and has the same symptoms. A reversed cell will usually register 0V across its terminals, and can sometimes be resuscitated by charging it very slowly.
NiMH Chemistry
Anode: Rare-earth or nickel alloys with many metals
Cathode: Nickel oxyhydroxide
Electrolyte: Potassium hydroxide
Except for the anode, the NiMH cell very closely resembles the NiCd cell in construction. Even the voltage is virtually identical, at 1.2 volts, making the cells interchangeable in many applications. Here are the cell reactions:
Location Reactions Voltage
Anode MH + OH- —> M + H2O + e- 0.83
Cathode NiOOH + H2O + e- —> Ni(OH)2 + OH- 0.52
Overall NiOOH + MH —> Ni(OH)2 + M 1.35
Advantages
· 30-40% higher capacity than standard nickel-cadmium. Nickel-metal-hydride has potential for yet higher energy densities.
· Less prone to memory than nickel-cadmium - fewer exercise cycles are required.
· Simple storage and transportation - transport is not subject to regulatory control.
Environmentally friendly - contains only mild toxins; profitable for recycling.
Disposal
Although nickel-metal-hydride is considered environmentally friendly, this chemistry is also being recycled. The main derivative is nickel, which is considered semi-toxic. NiMH also contains electrolyte that, in large amounts, is hazardous. If no disposal service is available in an area, individual nickel-metal-hydride batteries can be discarded with other household wastes. If ten or more batteries are accumulated, the user should consider disposing of these packs in a secure waste landfill.
Cost
http://www.ballisticbatteries.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=221989&InfoID=200
45 dollars + Shipping and Handing
Battery Pack, Instructions, and Charger
Further reading
Web
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NiMH_battery
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/
Book
Electricity and Electronics
Howard H. Gerrish / William E.Dugger
I am in no way affiliated with Ballistic Batteries©.
This review is only over the Ballistic Battery Pack!
This is NOT a battery comparison review so please refrain from posting
(battery A is better, or get battery B type remarks)
If any information provided within is misspelled or needs corrected please private message me and I will make an effort to fix it as soon as possible.
If you are producing a different battery pack for paintball hoppers please do not post in this thread. Make your own.