Airsoft Electric Gun Battery Guide

Battery Guide

Note: Cells used in airsoft battery packs are 1.2 volts per cell.

Ni-MH vs Ni-Cd (Nickel-Metal Hydride vs. Nickel-Cadmium)

Nickel-Metal Hydride cells:
Nickel-Metal Hydride cells tend to have a higher Mah (Milliamp hours-refer to the capacity) than Ni-Cd batteries which make them ideal for any gun you have. They're great for those guns that use mini batteries. I have noticed that my battery packs that have a 25amp discharge rate have a higher ROF than Ni-Cd packs. Another great advantage is their spiking tendency; the spiking tendency is the tendency for more voltage to come out of the pack. Spiking is what causes your fuse to blow, or even worse, your motor. Ni-MH packs do not have this tendancy, while Ni-CD's do. One thing to look out for here, the discharge rate, never get something lower than 20 (personally I never go below 25) amps. A lot of cheap cells out there will run 12 amps, while your average Ni-Cd has 14-16 amps. There is one other disadvantage to Ni-Cd batteries, they cannot be charged as many times, however, when it comes to airsoft guns, this is not something to worry about. Also, with a higher discharge rate, your going to need new fuse, which is a mere .30cents or less at a hardware store, Lowes, home depot, or auto parts store.Also, for some reason, your ROF doesn't start dropping as gradual as it is with a Ni-Cd battery, only the last 15 shots or so will shoot slow before your battery goes dead.Watch out for: Cheap battery packs from http://www.batteryspace.com/ these battery packs advertise A PEAK rate of 25amps, when they do not run more than 12 amps. These are the cheap battery packs. These cheap battery packs WILL run a stock spring, but not at the same ROF of a Ni-Cd, unless you run a higher voltage (i.e. you will have to get a 9.6v battery for a stock gun, but when you upgrade, that battery will be worthless).
Pros: Higher MaH rating. Less likely to spike. No discharging necessary. Higher discharge rate than average Ni-Cd batteries. Can give a higher ROF due to higher discharge rate. The cheap cells are cheaper than a Ni-CD pack. No memory effect.
Cons:
Can be more expensive unless you get the cheap cellsNeed to watch for a discharge rate of 20amps or higher.New .30 cent fuses if you get a good pack.Little warning when your battery is about to die.

*Intellect and Elite are the best Ni-MH Batteries*

Nickel-Cadmium Cells:
These cells are the norm for AEG’s. These are the battery packs that Tokyo Marui standardizes their AEG’s for. Most sites give you one of these packs for the new gun that you order. These cells are tried and true, been used for a very long time.These have a higher discharge rate than crappy Ni-MH cells, and you never have to worry about your gun not being able to be powered with one of these packs. If properly shimmed, unless your running an EXTREMLY stiff spring, an 8.4v pack will run it, though at a lower ROF than if you were to upgrade your battery.Also, with these batteries, your guns ROF will start dropping as your battery goes dead, so you'll know when to get ready for a battery change, or conserve your shots.
Pros:
Cheap. Easy to find. Never have to worry about the amperage. Warning when it is going dead.
Cons:
They spike. Less Milliamp hours. Memory effect. Have to be Discharged.
*If you must get a Ni-Cd, get a Sanyo*

AEG brand recommended battery:
TM AEG’s running a stock configuration
8.4v battery
CA Stock AEG’s
8.4v or 9.6v battery will run fine
ICS m4a1/Car 97 series
Stock 8.4v battery
G&G
I have no clue, they are new, but you can read on and take a good look at what the gearbox has and make your own decision.
G&P
Read G&G section
ICS/AE mp5 line
This is a bit tricky, due to the various versions produced of these guns if you get an AE/ICS with metal bushings, and a m100 or equivalent and higher spring, you can run a 9.6v battery, though it will wear out faster if you decide to use a 9.6v battery with a m100.
7.2v battery packs:
Theorized what the FAMAS was designed for, also explains why it has such a high ROF with a 8.4v. These packs are also used to help shim, but more on that later. 6 cells total in one pack.
8.4 volts
These packs are suggest for a stock spring. They give decent RoF and come with all MPEG's. An 8.4v battery pack will pull up to an m130 if shimmed properly.
9.6 volts
A 9.6v battery is suggested for an m110-m130 so you won’t have a large ROF drop off. I do not suggest using a smaller voltage since your battery life will drop drastically, almost by half. 8 cells total in one pack.
10.8v: I would not suggest a 10.8v battery unless you have an m120 and higher, have steel gears (CA come with stock steel gears, TM is zinc alloy, ICS I am unsure of). a 10.8v will most likely shred your piston quickly. Even with an m120 it is still a bit much to be putting into your gun, you have to be VERY careful not to hold back or you will blow your motor. As for a m130, I would suggest you get some torque-up gears and an aftermarket motor if you have a TM (CA is ok, ICS, unsure of). 9 Cells in a pack.
Milliamp ratings and how long they last:
This is a bit hard to explain. A mini battery is 600 mah, that will last you about 700-800 shots. But keep in mind if your using a Ni-Cd that number slowly degrades after time as the memory effect takes it’s course. 1700mah battery will last you all day, but if you have a long day and spray a lot, it might go dead. A 2000mah battery will last you all day and then some. A 3300mah battery will EASILY last you 2 days of solid airsofting.Running a 9.6v with a lower spring:If you decide to run a 9.6v with a lower spring, MAKE SURE you have metal bushings. Also, careful if you don’t have steel aftermarket gears, should you use a TM with a m100, the ROF might be a bit too much, if your not properly shimmed.
Weather effects:
Yes, weather does effect your battery. The cold makes your battery life shorter, and it has also been said (but not experienced by my personally) that it will also cut down on ROF. Be careful when playing in EXTREME cold temperatures, it makes metal more brittle (and plastic), easier to crack (gearboxes beware).
Shimming:
Okay, I know what you think, shimming is a gearbox issue, it has nothing to do with the battery, WRONG! Shimming has to do with the gears, and how they spin. Now then if a 8.4v battery (Ni-Cd or Ni-MH with 20 amp or higher) is NOT turning your gears with a m120, you need to re-shim. Believe it or not, but m100 or lower guns should be able to run off of a 7.2v Ni-Cd battery.


most credit goes to RLB from airsoftretret.com, I made corrections and added things with *'s