Battery Upgrade for M4 (handguard)
 

I have CA M15A4 (m4) I am looking to upgrade the battery because I plan to put an M120 spring in it.

I currently have an Intellect 8.4v 1400mah small type battery that fits in the hand guard. But I don't think it would hold up well to my upgrades.

It seems that LiPo's are getting very popular, but I don't know if its worth upgrading my internals for the LIPO. I like the ROF of a 9.6v battery but I don't want to have to install a crane or fixed stock for a larger battery. What is the highest MaH 9.6v battery than can fit in the handguard? This is the best I have found so far: http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...roducts_id=503

I would prefer a battery that came with deans plugs already.

I have also considered cheapbatterypacks.com , and wondering if I can build a pack that would give me what I want.

That intellect 9.6 2000mah is actually the highest handguard battery I have found next to getting a lipo.

There are several on cheapbatterypacks.com and the good thing is they have measurements so you can make sure they fit accordingly.

The batteries that come from that site are flawless, i have ordered several. Mind you they took about 2 weeks or so to get to me.

Again, check the measurements.

http://eliteairsoftbatteries.com/pro...huck-pack.aspx

http://eliteairsoftbatteries.com/pro...tery-pack.aspx

http://eliteairsoftbatteries.com/pro...tery-pack.aspx

The one you linked to will work

Not sure how much you play in a day but I have used this one without running dead in a day full of games and it comes wired to deans

http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...oducts_id=2156

Also you could consider a 7.4 20c lipo small and gives around same performance as a 9.6

Thanks guys, I didn't know about that 7.4v lipo that is something new.

I think you guys have convinced me to go the cheapbatterypacks.com route.

As you posted earlier, if this fits in my hand guard that would be awesome!
http://eliteairsoftbatteries.com/pro...tery-pack.aspx

I can also select deans connectors and find out what the hype is about the "elite" cells.

I think the dimensions are wrong for the "Elite Airsoft 3000 mah 9.6v Double Nunchuck battery pack" on the cheapbatterypacks website (http://eliteairsoftbatteries.com/pro...tery-pack.aspx). I think it might fit in our m4 hand guards...

if that pack is using the 2/3 type cells then i don't see why it wouldn't fit as its just about the same as a small type battery pack except 2 of them. the elite 1500mah cell is supposed to be 2/3 type and .7in x 1.1in. I am pretty sure the height being stated as 1.3440in is a mistake, i have emailed them and if I am right, then this might be the very best 9.6v battery you can fit in the m4 handguard.

So I received a response from cheapbatterypacks (very very helpful by the way) and the thickness listed on the site was incorrect. It is actually .70 ... therefore it probably will fit in my m4 hand guard.

So a 3000mah 9.6v double nun-chuck battery in the hand guard. That is equivalent in mah to some large batteries.

i've got an ICS M4A1 that has the battery in the handguard, so i feel for you on the space issue.
i ordered these batteries: http://cgi.ebay.ca/New-AEG-Airsoft-b...item2307127d84
and have had nothing but good luck with them.
the 8.4v that came with my gun could barely push back the m120 spring for 2000 rounds, with this 9.4v there's been no issues with running out of juice.

and it'd be no problem to throw a deans on these. mebbie look around on ebay, you might be able to find these a little cheaper then the ones in my link.

Though this option looks nice, you are way better having two 1500mAh packs, and switch when one is dead.

Because you can't ballance the packs in that configuration. One will eventually become weaker and fail. That usually means that the other pack is following it.

9.6v 1500-1600mAh will drive your spring no problem for about 1200BBs... I used to spend a bag with my MG, I guess you are not doing the same with an assault rifle.

+1 Internets to this.

I actually carry 2 x 9.6v 1600mah, and to be honest, i haven't gone through one fully at a game yet - but its good to have a backup.

Choose your shots carefully and conserve battery length.

I asked cheapbatterypacks about the issue with balancing the battery packs and about one side of the pack failing.

This is the response I got:
"Actually in parallel that is not really a problem.
When packs are in parallel the packs will balance themselves. So it is really not a problem."

Problem is that you have 8 cells in series, then 2x8cells in parallel. When you want to do such thing, you need to set each cell in pair then have them in serie, not the other way around.

It's not really their problem is what they should have told you. You won't have issues using it. It's when charging that it becomes ugly.

And you won't need that much juice in an M4 anyways. You really should get 2x 9.6v 1500mAh 2/3A packs instead. It will literally carry the same power, but you won't run into trouble.