Bulb Type Dischargers

[R_C_MAN]

In the July 2000 issue of RCCA on page 120 there is a bulb type discharger at the bottom of the page made by Racer's Edge. Does anyone know where this can be found. I tried calling them but with no luck. I do not have any close good hobby shops so I order most of my stuff. Does anyone know if any mail order hobby places like Tower Hobbies has it. http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/smile.gif

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I like my R/C trucks fast dont you?

[tech9racing]

I seem to remember a guy selling homemade dischargers at the track for $5. They were a bit of tongue & groove with a whole heap of bulb mounts wired in series with a standard battery connector at the end. Screw in the bulbs (not supplied but about 15c each from the hardware shop) plug in the battery and watch the batteries discharge.

I'm not sure about the number or size of the globes though, it may not matter with some batteries, but with some it might.

Sure beats paying a premium when you get the satisfaction of making it yourself.

By the way all these prices are Australian, and with the dollar the way it is at the moment, those prices probably convert to about .000000000001% of what I quoted. Pity R/C Car Racing isn't in the Olympics, they are so boring.

[R_C_MAN]

The one I was talking about has a thingon it that will stop dicharging when the cell is at 5.4 volts. Just to be sure not to overdischarge.

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I like my R/C trucks fast dont you?

[texasranger556]

tower hobbies has those bulb dischargers, but they have W.S. Deans. The kit costs $23.99 and that includes 12 bulbs Part#TL2554. Assembled, it costs $34.99 Part#TL2555.

There is a cutoff box sold separate for $24.99 Part#TL2553 from W.S. Deans also.

U.S. Prices

Hope this helps

[I R Racer]

You can make your own bulb-discharger, I made one and it works just fine. I just bought 14 automotive turn signal bulbs from the auto parts store, and soldered them in series with some wire from the cord of a busted lamp. You want quite a few bulbs, at least 12 I would think, to get close to the discharge rate of your car's motor. Otherwise the batteries can develop a "memory" and lose their punch. I simply watch the bulbs and disconnect the battery when they begin to dim. It will discharge a fully charged 2000mah pack in about 6 minutes. Never had any problems after a couple years using it.

[hpiguy]

Most people use the 1157 Automotive bulbs,

They pull at 2 amps each.

So if you run ten bulbs, as most do then you are pulling 20 amps.

So the guy with the 14 bulbs (if they are 1157s) is pulling 28 amps, which is OK for 2000s. A ,lot of guys are now running 15 bubls for the 3000s and the newer 2400s and 2000s seeing as alot of matchers (Trinity) are dropping tests at 30amp loads.

[R_C_MAN]

Thanks everyone for there help. I finally found there web site which is www.racers-edge.com (http://www.racers-edge.com) But for some reason the discharger isn't even on their site.

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I like my R/C trucks fast dont you?