Estarter battery cells

[dus10lee]

I am trying to understand something about batteries. Someone might say I should put this in the battery area, but I am new and I think this might help out some begginers in my situation. I am thinking about building an Estarter and I was looking at the required battery specifications. It states:

Battery: 7.2-8.4v AAA 500-730mAh NiMh or
7.2-8.4v 270-400mAh 2/3 AA NiCd or AA 600mAh NiCd

What I dont understand is, do you have to use 500-730mAh for NiMh or can you use a larger size for longer flight time? Is this just stating the minimum needed? Also, do you have to use AAA NiMh or can you use any size battery? I noticed most larger size batteries have 2/3A or 4/5AA cells. If I stay within the required 7.2-8.4v range would using a GWS 7-Cell 8.4V 2100mAh NiMH A2 work?

[flyranger]

More amperage on NIMH cells will result in a larger battery package. Will your plane have enough room? More amperage also means more weight - will the plane still balance. Do you have enough room to move the heavier batt pack to compensate?
Check cheapbatterypacks.com. They give the weight and dimensions for their units.

[meegosh]

Excellent site, thanks for the link. I was looking for a site like this! +1 Rep

[Rugar]

Nice thing with the E-Starter is that the battery hatch is located nearly on the CG. You can cut the hatch longer and wider for a larger pack and still maintain your CG. But you still want to keep it as light as possible.