Systema Ni Cd batteries no longer in production

[andres]

I have read this at Arnie's. I believe it is interesting. I am just copy-pasting it

Systema have sent out a quick Q & A about NiCd batteries and the fact they will no longer be shipping that type of battery:
Q.
About NiCd batteries which we imported before import prohibition, please note that according to the law after July 1st 2009 it is also forbidden to sell NiCd batteries, and all NiCd batteries still in stock must be destroyed. The prohibition is not only to import but also to sell. I agree with you that NiCd batteries are the best battery for toy gun use, many times better than NiMH and LiPo, but unfortunately they belong to the past. We need to look forward and choose the best available now.

Regarding T.W. battery, please read this answer thoroughly and understand it. Please explain the correct information carefully to your customers. Thank you for your help. (Systema)


A.
As alternative of the NI-Cd battery for electric guns, it is true that the most excellent performance is Li-Fe (Lithium ferrite). This is our conclusion after repeated tests for about one year.
Although this overlaps the last explanation, there was size problem for adoption.
However, outer diameter phi22mm, full length 65mm and the cell of voltage 3.3V, current value 1600mAh will be soon available on the market. We will process this cell into a pack and conduct the last test, and then we will release it formally as T.W. battery.

This new style battery pack will be used without any processes on the gun body.
The charger for this battery packs will be released, too.
The price of these new products is not decided yet. The scheduled release date is late in next January.

These are already decided matters.

Since it seems that there is some misunderstanding, please let me correct.

We do not deny the use of Ni-MH battery for T.W. We just told that we cannot produce it because there is high possibility that it will not be able to fully realize the performance of the battery because it may completely discharge due to the characteristic of Ni-MH battery during the shipment to you after we produce it.

We never deny everything like end users use NI-MH battery which they got by themselves. Of course, with the battery whose voltage and current value are extremely higher than the battery which is currently produced by us, there may be problems on the board.

The value of the power supply which T.W. board and motor can accept is as follows:

(1) Voltage 13.2V

(2) Current Incoming current Up to 40A

This is the maximum value we recommend. Considering the value, for the battery before we release Li-Fe battery, the rating of the battery which we can recommend is as follows:

(1) Voltage Up to 12V

(2) Current Up to 4A

With the battery whose value is below the above mentioned value, even if it is Nil-MH battery, there is no problem practically. Especially for voltage, please secure more than 8.4V.

Since end users are careless to the performance of battery in many cases, when a gun does not function well, they suspect the gun first. To the contrary, if they satisfied with performance of the gun, then they connect the battery whose capacity is too much and it causes failure. In order to avoid such a situation, there is no appropriate way other than enlightenment of the correct knowledge to users.

Thank you for your continued support in advance. Thank you as always.

Best regards,

Kumi (Systema)

[lUcIfEr]

HOLLY F***.
NiCD's are no longer allowed to be sold and stocks must be disposed???
one of the gayest things i will be hearing this year.
nice find, thumbs up for the notification.

[andres]

I guess it must be some kind of environmental regulation in Japan

[lUcIfEr]

Nope, i looked for nicd ban in japan, no such things so far...
EVERYONE is going to be friggin pissed if the jap gov does such dumb thing...especially SANYO and ppl who play RC.

[Kingwell]

Ni Cad batteries are old hat now

they're very inefficient and only give out more power than NiMh cells for a very short time, they have massive memory problems and low capacities

so all in all, does it really matter that they're out of production

[Blake]

It's not like anyone in Japan should be surprised. There have been talks of stopping production and sales of NiCds for well over 5 years. When I was there in 2005, Echigoya said they were in the process of selling off their remaining NiCds because they would only be selling NiMH.
And yes, NiCd hasn't been a serious choice for almost a decade. Throw that tech in the pile with 8-tracks, pop-up headlights and bias ply white walls.

[Tackleberry]

Nicads are not RoSH complient.

What is RoSH...Read on:

The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment". This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.

Basically means that Nicads cannot be imported into europe and the same applies to the USA.

This also covers stuff such as solder. You'll have noticed when unsoldering wires on newer PTW's the solder has a much higher melting point and is a real pain to work with.
This is because there is little if any lead in RoSH complient solder. Ironically this solder has a much lower resistance so is better for electronic circuitry.
Easy to spot, when it cools it has a dull matt finish as opposed to leaded solder which is shiney.

Can't say I'm sorry to see the back of Nicads. Should have been killed off long ago.

Tac

[macguyver]

I run power tools for a living. Corded is not an option, so it must be cordless. I run them in every environment, and I work them hard. Lithium-ion suck in the cold, and the torque is so-so. NiMH are horrible in the cold as well, and if left unused for any decent length of time, the batteries are always dead. They will not stay charged more than a week or 2, even less if they are stored in the cold. When 50% of your year is below zero, this is a problem.

I take out the NiCads, at -20, they work, everytime. When I need the torque, I use them with the Li-Ion-equipped tools. If I have a NiCad pack fail, I cut out the dead cell (it's only ever 1 dead cell), replace it and done. Not so with the NiMH and especially not with the Li-Ion.

A battery is designed to turn chemical into electrical energy and vice-versa. Some "seem" to do it better than others, but that's based more on ignorance than anything, it all comes with a price. There is no such thing as 1 battery technology being better than another, you are swapping 1 feature for another, nothing more.

[Tackleberry]

Valid point Mac. But the fact remains they cannot be imported or sold in Europe or the U.K.

My favourite bit about the whole RoSH thing is that certain types of electro plating on screws and various other componants is also banned.

Basically every far eastern manufacture of any product from cars to watches has had to jump through hoops to comply with these regs.

Tac

[macguyver]

I'm surprised that Europe and the UK have not yet banned oxygen. I mean, it's a corrosive oxidizer, the component necessary for combustion. House fires could not occur without oxygen.

Think of all the women and children that can be saved from the harmful effects of oxygen.

Sometimes the whole environmental bullshit needs a kick in the sack to wake it up to reality.

On the plus side I can still get NiCad batteries in Canada, no problems there.

[Tackleberry]

I don't know about banning oxygen (although nothing supprises me these days), but the way things are going we'll certainly get taxed on the air we breath....!

Tac

[airsoftmatthias]

I have to say that I'm quite excited to hear about the Li-Fe batteries Systema intends on coming out with. Ni-XX batteries have always been useful in my experience, but now that I have the option to use Li-XX batteries, I tend to opt out for the Li-XX. I can't wait to see what happens.