I have 10 GWS So3t servos on my robot. when it is on, all are working under considerable strain. what surprises me is that i can only run them for maybe 5-10 minutes before they start jittering from lack of power. I am using a 6v 2800mAH battery pack for power, so i am shocked at how fast it drains, even when in parallel with a 6v 500mA power adapter. any suggestions?
Not so shocking considering that a single servo under considerable strain may be pulling 2a or 2000ma. You may want to measure the current being used by your bot to see what the actual value is.
Hi PrinterFace,
Like zoomkat said, it’s a normal runtime. I used 6x 475 and 12x 645 on my BlackWido project. A 6V 4200mAh NiMh gives me about 20-25 minutes runtime. I’m using a 7.2V 5400mAh Lipo for my phoenix (18x645) and that one gives me power for more then a hour! And it recharges in a hour 
Xan
I’ll test the current the robot draws. also, I have a bunch of questions about Lipo. something like what you have, Xan, how much does that cost? also, i guess you would need a specific charger for it. and i have heard that they explode easily. is safety an issue? and my biggest issue is weight. how do they compare to other batteries in weight?
Hi Printerface,
I had a lot of questions about lipos myself before I started using them. You’ll need a special lipo charger / balancer to charge the lipo. You also need a onboard regulator to adapt the 7.2V to 6V which is suitable for the servos. And you need some kind of indicator to see when the batteries are getting low on power. Lipos are dangerous when the voltage becomes out of range trough overcharging or discharging to much.
I’m not a lipo specialist, I can only say that I really enjoy the power they give me. What I did, and recommend you, is to ask the pros. I’ve posted my questions on the myhobbycity forum. They are using lipos for flying and are really willing to help. Here is my topic, I hope it helps.
Xan
What, 5400 mAh! 
Did you buy a new one again? I thought you said you were using a 4900 mAh LiPo 
oh oh zenta is having another bout of lipo envy. 
I just bought some 3200mah LiFePO4 cells for a work project… 26650 size… rated 12A continuous and 20A pulse discharge, and much safer than Li-ion 18650 or LiPo stacks. 8)
ehm, envy? me? 
I agree about the safer part when it comes to the A123 systems, they are pretty beefy. Using 4 in 2S2P would be great! 6,6v 6400 mAh What are the weight of your 3200 mAh cells?
EDIT: Are you sure about the ratings? 12A continous isn’t impressive at all… I’ve seen others rated with 60A continous and 120A Max pulse discharge. 3200 mAh in a 26650 is pretty good though…
BTW, sorry for hijacking the thread.
LOL, your totally right! You just keep on hammering about your beefy Lipo that even I mixed it up. 
Indeed I’m using a 4900mAh. I think it’s funny how you manage to even know better what kind of Lipo I’m using. It really is getting a sport, isn’t it? LOL
Xan
Some are bragging of their car and some of their LiPo’s…
…and I don’t have a sporty car…
I don’t have a sporty car either… just a harley… but the guy at the local harley dealership keeps asking me battery questions because he’s building an electric vrod drag bike… for his wife no less!