External battery? --newb question

[Zembot]

Hey you’re right kif. I plugged the 3-hole connector from my PC’s processor fan into my RN. The two outer pins line up perfectly.

On another note... maybe I’m getting a little off topic. After searching this thread, I’m still unsure about regulators. If I understand correctly, regulators are needed for LiPos and AC to DC converters? I shouldn’t need a regulator if I’m using an external 6v NiMH battery? Do I?

[Bullit]

Zembot you should be fine without a regulator and a 6V NiMH battery. A regulator or power convertor is only necessary when voltage is greater then 6V. RN-1 (HSR-8498HB) servo motors can't handle much more then 6V.

[Zembot]

Received my connectors from mouser.com. They are a perfect match. At first I soldered together a 5-cell pack but it was nearly 7v. Eventually I made three 4-cell packs (using two 6-cell sticks from RC cars) and it works superb. The 4-cells I’ve assembled have voltage ranging from 5.4v to 5.7. Made a few Y-cables so I can use all three packs at once, or individually while I charge the other packs with my RC charger. The best thing is my out-of-pocket expense is only the cost of the connectors. I bought in bulk of ten and it cost about $5.00 total.

It's great! Now I have uninterrupted power for my RN while I spend time trying to program a simple move. If one battery pack dies, I simply connect it to another while the other(s) are being charged with the RC charger. Yeeees!

Thanx all,
Zembot

[Bullit]

You might not want to wire the packs in parallel. Doing so causes one battery to charge another and so on. Often times this is tough on batteries because each pack has a slightly different voltage when charged. With NiMH or NiCad batteries I don't think this will cause any major damage as long as the batteries don't get discharged too far. If you use lithium polymer batteries I'd be worried that this could start a fire.
Just don't leave you batteries in parallel when not in use or your not around to monitor them.