To Lipo or not to Lipo?

[Re-Mix]

Hi. I've been around the brushless community for quite some time now. Right now my second brushless setup is on the way, the new MGM 80 and Lehner 4200. Im running it on my xxx-t on 6 cells, and I was wondering what batteries I should run. Currently I have some older Sayno 2400 batteries from trinity which I love, but they are old stick packs and are almost falling apart. Im in the market for a new charger and batteries. My frist option was to get the new Novak Ionic and 2 or 3 Gp 3300's from fusionbatteries. Otherwise I was open to explore lipo. Let me know what are my options as far as prices go and all. I'd like to stay under $220 if possible. Thanks for all the help.

[standard_63]

Astroflight 109 and Tanic or Maxxamps 2500+mah batteries should do you ok on that setup. I run my RC10T2 on a Lehner5400 and older Schulze 14.97 or something like that, and after 20 min with a 2250 Tanic pack the pack was just warm to the touch. A bigger pack like 3000 or so should give plenty of amps headroom and good runtime on your setup I would think. Definitely within your budget -- $100 for the charger and ~$40+ for the smaller packs.

The best thing about lipos besides the runtime is how much lighter they are. My T2 feels like it has no batteries in it at all it is so light. I'm havng more fun with it now than I ever had! Definitely try lipos!

[tcolesen]

I would say that you should go for a Maxamps 3s 3300mah pack. 11.1v and 3300mah.
Specs:
Great 1/10 Scale Brushless Pack for High Voltage Applications

3300mah Capacity
11.1 Volts
41mm X 138mm X 23mm [This pack would actually be closer to 17mm tall, not 23mm, they have a typo]
1.625 inches X 5.375 inches X .875 inches
Rated at 48 Amps Max Burst
190 grams
$89.99

A 6cell GP3300 pack weighs ~260grams, and is about 48mm x 135mm x .90mm. So, this pack will handle about 120watts more than a 6cell GP3300 pack, but for 70grams less!
I myself run a 4s (14.8v) 3300mah pack from Maxamps with a Feigao 12s in my Rustler. I haven't actually gotten a real run in yet, since my controller was damaged and in boat mode. I did get plenty of runs in on a 3s 4500 Lipo from Maxamps, and that thing has taken more of a beating than it seems anyone can imagine.

As for a charger, I use a Duratrax Ice, and it can charge up to 4s Lipo at 8amps (8000mah). I don't have any use for a charger (like the Astroflight 109) that can charge up to 9 Lipo cells. I don't even think my 11amp power supply can handle chargers like that!

[Re-Mix]

You guys have any links of where to buy this stuff? I like the ICE Charger, since then i can still charge my old batteries.

To StarluckRC if he reads this - im interested in your 1800 2s packs, but I was wondering if you would match prices to aircraft world which has them for $30. Im also wondering why the are so cheap! If lipo is so great and all, they are half the price of the packs i run now.

[AE_racer38]

maybe because they don't have to be matched.

[TheSteve]

You guys have any links of where to buy this stuff? I like the ICE Charger, since then i can still charge my old batteries.

To StarluckRC if he reads this - im interested in your 1800 2s packs, but I was wondering if you would match prices to aircraft world which has them for $30. Im also wondering why the are so cheap! If lipo is so great and all, they are half the price of the packs i run now.

The 2S 1800ma packs Aircraft world has for 30 bucks are different then the ones Jamie has. Jamie has the more popular and newer 1800ma cells that are narrow(35.95 most places) Because they are narrow they will fit the RC18T and can also handle a higher discharge rate.

[Re-Mix]

Thanks! So wait, how much run time / power will I get with Jamie's 2s 1800 mah packs? I hoping comparable to the 2400 packs I run as of now. What charger would you reccomend for charging these and the 2400 packs?

[starluckrc]

For a XXX-T, I would suggest the 4400mah packs. Polyquest is very strict about minimum advertised pricing, so you will see virtually the same pricing from all dealers. If you need more than one pack, it is best to email to see if better pricing is available.

[Craps]

I have a Duratrax ICE charger and 3 Astro Flight 109s. The Astro Flights will charge an 8000 mah li-po about 15 to 20 minutes faster than the ICE, but the ICE is good charger to have to charge all those nickel batteries too.

With li-pos, you are going to pay more for more capacity that equals more run time. Keep that in mind with your budget. I perfer the 8000 mah batteries due they are almost the same weight and size as a 6 cell nickel battery pack so I don't change the chassis balance along with about 2 1/2 times more run time.

Good Luck!

[ducati777]

^^ 8000 mah must be awesome.

I run the PQ 1800 3s in my rc18t and it rocks. However you're looking for a 10th scale application right? You'll want to make sure the packs can handle the drain, I think mine are 10C, so maybe 18 amps draw. Thats plenty for my lil truck, but you might want to think bigger if you're running a larger truck.