There are several battery types that will successfully power your VH12 Hexapod. The batteries you choose will affect how long the robot will run, recharge time, etc.

This article explains your options.

Battery Safety Tips

Rechargeable batteries are by far the most cost effective and environmentally friendly kind of batteries, but some simple safety rules are recommended:

Never, ever put non-recharegable batteries in a battery charger!
If you are using rechargeable batteries, make sure you are using the right kind of charger for the batteries you are using. Follow all manufacturer recommendations.
Never leave batteries charging unattended. Never charge batteries "overnight". It is safest to charge batteries in a place that will not be damaged by heat, just in case the rare instance of a damaged battery overheating during charging occurs.
Investing in a "smart" charger is well worth the extra cost, as they will generally keep your batteries in much better shape than "dumb" chargers. You can buy a dumb charger for under $10, but if it damages your batteries so they can't hold a charge, did you really save any money? A good smart charger is about $25 but will keep your batteries running for many hundreds of chargers. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish!
If you are charging batteries, it is normal for them to get warm, but if they feel hot, disconnect the charger immediately.
If there is any visible damage to a battery or if it appears to be swelling, stop using it immediately.
Some kinds of rechargeable battery cannot be disposed in the trash but must be recycled, follow all instructions and markings on the battery.

Gamepad: Any kind of 9v battery

The gamepad has minimal power requirements and can be powered by either non-rechargeable or rechargeable 9v batteries. Alkaline, NIMH, NICAD, or LION batteries will all work fine for the gamepad. The gamepad was designed to fit a standard 9v battery in its battery compartment. You can expect several hours of usage. Do be sure to turn the gamepad off when not in use.

Only Use Rechargeable Batteries for the Robot

Non-rechargeable batteries, such as alkaline batteries, cannot produce enough current (amperes) to drive the robot reliably.

The major types of rechargeable battery used today are Nickle Metal Hydride (NIMH), Nickle Cadmium (NICAD), and Lithium Ion (LION).

The robot comes with a 9v battery clip and a six-cell AAA battery holder that uses a 9v snap connector. However, you can find 6xAA battery holders with 9v snap connectors if longer battery life is desired.

Below we discuss the different options for the robot.

9V Lithium Ion Batteries

A 9V Lithium Ion battery can be used to power the robot. For a 700 mAh Lion battery, you can expect 8 to 12 minutes of constant use on a charge. Please note that Lion batteries require special smart chargers, you can't use chargers for typical hobby NIMH or NICAD batteries to charge LION safely.

Note that 9v NICAD or NIMH batteries typically in the AAA size cannot typically provide enough amps to power the robot successfully.

6xAAA Rechargeable NIMH or NICAD Batteries

You can use a 6xAAA battery holder with a 9v snap connector to power the robot using NIMH or NICAD batteries. Typical battery life for continuous use would be 15 to 20 minutes for a battery with 1000 mAh capacity.

6xAA Rechargeable NIMH or NICAD Batteries

You can use a 6xAA battery holder with a 9v snap connector to power the robot using NIMH or NICAD batteries. You can expect 30+ minutes of continuous usage using these batteries. However, because AA batteries are about twice as heavy as AAA batteries, they do put a little more stress on the servo motors.

Other Options

The robot will also run quite well on two AA LIFEPO4 batteries (which have 3.2v nominal cell). You would probably need to get a 2xAA battery holder and solder on a 9v clip, or make a converter to go from 9v clip to some other battery connector such as JST or Tamiya. Note that LIFEPO4 batteries require special smart chargers.

Vorpal The Hexapod Battery Recommendations

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