Batteries

[justo316]

Ok, so here's a place to post anything about your battery setups.

From reading a lot, I guess Lipos are the best. Then GP1100's are about as good as you can get in nimh form. KAN1050's rate up there too.

I'm just curious as to whether there are any bigger capacity nimh/nicd cells we could use?

I just tried strapping my usual 1/10th, 4 yr old 2400 nicds in my mini-t and it runs beautifully. No cogging with the brushless. No standstill wheelies, but after a couple feet, wheelies galore!

[Bowling Ball]

Have a hunt around on the net for Li-Po (Lithium Polymer) packs

I know they are available for Air R/C and there is some companies dealing with Road R/C.

Li-Po's are different from NiMh/NiCads. They are alot lighter, can't be fully discharged (apparently they will explode!), have radical Amp Hour ratings (try 6000mAh wee!) and have a very long runtime. They also don't get as hot as other batteries, making them more efficient (In electronics - less heat = GOOD!)

I have heard a single 7.2V pack goes for around $150US. You will also need a Li-Po compatable charger.

[justo316]

yeah, I know about Lipos, which is why I'm not going to get them. Can't afford it and especially can't afford for anything to explode!

[James]

im thinking group buy, I want lipo.

[justo316]

I just read the one18th thread abou the guy whose lithium packs blew up.....scary stuff. While I understand all batteries should be watched as they charge, I don't like the thought of really having to babysit lipos.

[BALISTC]

I've got vids on my computer of Li-Pos blowing up........VERY nasty!!!

[danhfvcsd]

woa man - i dunno what kinda batteries you have to pay $150 US for, but i only paid USD$28 for a 2cell kokam 1500 mah lipo WITH a female deans plug PREinstalled @ tower hobbies ;)
Chargers are good too! - i got a Novatech 2&3 cell charger for AUD$80 at the LHS - there is a green lipo charger out by Prolux which is a good cheap alternative too - only $50 at my LHS!!! thats 2 lipos AND a charger for UNDER USD$150!!

I agree the prices are huge compared to nimh cells, but it seems to be 3 cell and above that gets pricey.

heres a 3cell battery that Shawn @ castle recommended for the 8000 :)
1570mah 3cell Apogee pack
http://www.parkflyermotors.com/secure/shop/item.asp?itemid=645
USD$65.25 - kinda pricey, but for 100kph+ i'd pay USD$100! -lol-

[James]

LiPo's are fine and wont blow up if you learn how to charge and user them properly. They are the future battery of R/C.

[justo316]

I heard they can't take too much of a knock?

[Bowling Ball]

woa man - i dunno what kinda batteries you have to pay $150 US for.... *SNIP*-

My experience of Li-Po's is for 1/10th, hence the higher mAh I quoted (6000). Last time I checked, 3 months ago, a 7.2v 6000mHa for 1/10th in pack format was $150US.

After typing my response I realised that infact I was in a 1/18th forum - sorry for the price scare!

[danhfvcsd]

woa man - i dunno what kinda batteries you have to pay $150 US for.... *SNIP*-

My experience of Li-Po's is for 1/10th, hence the higher mAh I quoted (6000). Last time I checked, 3 months ago, a 7.2v 6000mHa for 1/10th in pack format was $150US.

After typing my response I realised that infact I was in a 1/18th forum - sorry for the price scare!


-Sorry man - my bad too :) Didnt realise you were talking larger mah :D

I have heard they dont like being knocked around - ppl tape a piece of foam on the ends to stop the tabs (-&+) coming loose i think though....i might have heard something about a battery taking a real hard hit once, and puffing, but thats it...no explosions - that ive heard of anyways -l-

[justo316]

My batteries just exploded :(

[BALISTC]

Your joking?

What happened???

[justo316]

I built my 8 cell KAN pack but it wouldn't fit cos of the way I routed the wires. So I started cutting off the shrink wrap. I didnt get anywhere near the battery before I heard it hiss and fizzle. I quickly chucked it outside and it started going nuts... :(

Now it's dead!?

[BALISTC]

Damn!

Sounds like you shorted it out... :(

[justo316]

Does ryper do 8 cell GP packs?

Just got confirmation my credit card wil lbe sorted out by next week. So first thing I'm doing is ordering some batteries.....plus my M18 stuff ;)

[justo316]

Juls said he can get me a custom made 8 cell pack in the same configuration as I was trying for, for about $40. I'm assuming it will be using KANs, in which case I'm very happy!

I just ripped apart my free Venom pack that came with my fullforce chassis, and replaced the piss weak wire with real hardcore thick stuff. Response was much better with the brushless. Still nowhere near pulling wheelies, but at least it lasted a bit longer before it started cogging. Got up to some great speeds on the road.

[BALISTC]

Yeah i went to visit Juls yesterday to pick up a Motor saver for my Savage, and he reckons that the KANs are better than the GPs, even though many say the GPs are better than the KANs??

Either way, my GP 8 cell is WAY too powerful to use for anyhthing apart from showing people how many times you can flip the Mini-T onto its roof..

[justo316]

I'm sure they are much of a muchness....Too bad mine blew up.

I reckon the Zapped and matched 270+ GP packs would be damn good though.

[justo316]

How long do you get?

[justo316]

That doesn't sound very good. How are you charging them? What is the wire gauge on both packs? You're using deans right?

[BALISTC]

Mine goes approx. 8 mins on extreme timing, but on normal it goes heaps longer...and the 8 cell hasnt run out of its first charge yet even after 10 mins running on normal timing.

[justo316]

*ahem*....soon to be MY 8 cell !lmao

[justo316]

Dang! I used the last 2 or 3 minutes left of charge in Balistc's 8 cell GP pack, and my truck was flying.

NO cogging.

Charging it up now to see how it goes on a full charge.

[justo316]

WOW! My Mini-T is now psycho! Drove it on grass and have worn out the inside tread of my rear tyres!
Had to stop after a few minutes cos I didn't locktight the pinion and it's come loose.

[BALISTC]

WOOOHOOO!!!

See what a good quality set of cells can do? !amazed

Too bad about your bumper though :(

[justo316]

yeah I know....:(

And I put the pinion back on, gave it a bit of a squeeze on the throttle. Pinion came loose. The set screw caught the motor plate. Now I can't get the allen key into the hole anymore....Guess I really do need that Integy pinion set now.

Battery life aint that great though. I think Ive got it on extreme AND high power starts, so I think I should probably turn something down ;) I reckon you should just keep the 6800, and gear it up for speed. I'm gonna gear mine down. It goes too fast, and the motor runs real hot on stock gearing. That'll improve battery life a bit too.