Batteries for Buoybots

Buoybot is designed to carry in the control box, one three cell (12V), LIPO battery, fitted with XT60 plug.

o At maximum, a battery as large as 6200 mAh can be fitted. This battery weighs 620 grams, and measures, with allowance for cables, 175mm long, 25mm thick, 50mm high. A battery this size has been proven in testing to provide (when in excellent condition), up to eight hours duration.

o The smallest battery we would recommend, providing approx five hours duration is a 3300 mAH LIPO, weighing 260 grams (160 grams less), and with allowance for cables measures 145mm long, 20mm thick, 40mm high.

• Controller requires 1 x 2200 mAh, two cell (6V), LIPO XT30 connection, which in testing has provide in excess of six hours duration.

Battery testing information.

* three Bouybots with 6200 mAH operated each for 4 hours in max 10 knots, in almost flat water, no weed or any adverse conditions, and on returning home measured an average of 78% capacity remaining.

* the following day, these same three batteries (without top up charge) operated in 12-18 knot wind range, heavy weed, up to 500mm wind driven swell, against an outgoing tide, for three additional hours and returned home measuring an average of 54% capacity. i.e. after seven hours, in varying conditions, approx 25 % battery capacity safety margin remained above what may be generally accepted as a technically "flat" battery.

That above is consistent with data accumulated since inception, and hence why we consider a 6200 as the optimum battery size.

Further, on the same two days, one Buoybot equipped with a 3300mAh LIPO battery returned home after day one with 63% capacity remaining, was topped up to full charge over night, and returned home after the second day with 62 % capacity (and 11.74V) remaining. i.e., after seven hours of use in varying conditions, consumed approx 80% of the capacity. If the 3300 mAh battery was not topped up that night, the battery may have run below 25% remaining capacity and risked significant voltage drop.

Conclusion.

* If you wish to operate Buoybot for short periods (less than four hours),

* if your conditions are generally flat water, (& minimal weed)

* if not above 12/15 knots during those hours,

* if you charge every night before the next use,

... then a battery as low as 3300mAh may be sufficient. If NOT - suggest battery you choose is up to 6200mAh. As at January 2025 recommendation is 5000mAh for up to 6 hours operation.

NOTE WELL - Buoybot is not large, and is designed to float relativity flat, so weight distribution is important. If you choose to use a battery smaller than 6200mAh, then ADD required weight and/or adjust the position of the controller in the hull (the slot in the hull allows approx 20mm of for/aft adjustment) in the right place, to restore Buoybots balance. The ideal when travelling, is a slight “nose up attitude”.

Battery maintenance.

RC yachties will know well the importance of keep batteries in good conditions, and the risks if maintenance is not observed.

The Buoybot owner is entirely responsible for battery maintenance and consequences for ignoring this advice.