[Dan 550]

Lets get one thing straight: we use Exide 6-cell sealed wet batteries, not automotive batteries. An automotive battery produces 12.6 volts and 740 amps through the reaction between electrolyte and a lead mesh, and is not top-sealed except in racing applications. The sealed Exide 6-cell produces 12.6 volts and fewer than 200 amps (Can't find exact, it's on the side of the battery.) from the a lead-acid setup. Take it from an automotive technician; you won't start any car easily with that battery. Also, I bet you anything that that guy tricked you by using an inductor between the starter and Ni-Cad. 200mah will not start any car. It will produce grinding sounds from the starter because it doesn't have enough energy powering it to move quickly. Also, try touching the battery casing from your Ni-Cad in your plane after an hour's flight -- it's too hot to touch, right? That's the amount of strain four drills would put on it during ten seconds of operation in standard tank drive with frequent herky-jerky movements. No chance it would survive a match. A huge Ni-Cad array is required for the robots using them on TV, to make sufficent amps. We're using our Exides for longer than you might want to think, because they're good and reliable.