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Aunty Post
01 Mar 15 09:56
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Date Joined: 14 Nov 03
| Topic/replies: 12,444 | Blogger: Aunty Post's blog
Bought my grandson a superb model speed boat for Xmas.

What isn't good is that the play time from one charge is only six to eight minutes which is cr@p!

The sellers don't do extra batteries, so I trawled the net and found some on Amazon, which are the same size and power, and got them a couple of weeks ago.

Problem is that the connecting blocks don't fit the boat or charger.

I got some "spade" m&f connectors and have cut off all the blocks including on the boat and charger.
Battery packs are red and black wires which is good.

What I need to know is how do I recognise the polarity of the charger wires which are both black?

One wire has minute printing.....2468  22AWGX2C  VW-1  800C 300V ROHS.

The other has short grey "bars" with gaps between.

Any advice fro the "Chit Chat Techies" will be gratefully received.
Pause Switch to Standard View Help please re model boat charging....
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Report The Leopard March 1, 2015 12:25 PM GMT
Just guess....you have a 50/50 chance.
Report Aunty Post March 1, 2015 12:30 PM GMT
Yeah. so better than roulette then!
Report Smar Tarse March 1, 2015 12:50 PM GMT
A grey "dash" usually indicates the + side.
Report naydam March 1, 2015 1:07 PM GMT
Assuming that the batteries require a charge of  less than 20 volts and that you have access to a Multimeter (electric circuit/amperage/resistance tester) just set it to 20 volts DC and touch the probes onto the charger OUTPUT wires. You will know which probe is positive and which is negative so, if the multimeter reads a positive number, then you know which wire is which. If the meter reads a NEGATIVE number just reverse the probes.

There is, of course the naydam way. Touch the wires onto a bulb and if it glows light, you are correct. If the bulb glows dark, you need to change polarity.
This last suggestion is NOT serious.
Report Aunty Post March 1, 2015 1:22 PM GMT
Thanks naydam. I don't have a meter so will have to ask around.

I'm surprised it isn't made obvious on the wires unless, indeed, the grey bars (dashes) are an indication of positive.

They must be an indicator of something otherwise why have them?
Report The Leopard March 1, 2015 2:15 PM GMT
May be useful :
.
http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/39450/what-do-solid-striped-lines-on-a-wire-indicate
Report Aunty Post March 1, 2015 2:29 PM GMT
Rave on Leopard....

Not quite the same markings but the description is conclusive enough.

Well done for finding that as I hadn't turned up anything specific!
Report akabula March 1, 2015 7:14 PM GMT
You shoulda bought him a better boat you cheapskate. Wink
Report Aunty Post March 1, 2015 8:07 PM GMT
Yeah, I never get anything right......Sad
Report breadnbutter March 1, 2015 8:41 PM GMT
you cant guess ,use a meter if you aint got a meter use your tongue or strip into the batt pack and follow the wiring .

what is it a 9v batt pack 6 AAA's ?  tongue should be fine ...Devil
Report Aunty Post March 2, 2015 11:04 AM GMT
Thanks.... the "batpacs" aren't a problem as the wires are red and black.

The issue was with the charger, but all good advice says the one with markings is the positive, so I'm happy with that....ExcitedHappy
Report Aunty Post March 2, 2015 11:09 AM GMT
Here's one in action.....
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YruPQsm1Fok
Report akabula March 2, 2015 8:35 PM GMT
Is that running time from a charge standard AP?
Report Aunty Post March 3, 2015 10:23 AM GMT
Yeah, that's what they say, which is pretty lame really, and obviously the faster it goes the less time to play.

I have three "bat-pacs" now, and if necessary will get more though f@rting about with a three hour charge will be a bit of a pain!
Report Crisp77 March 3, 2015 10:45 AM GMT
Next time buy a wave powered one.
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