curious about runtimes & charging times

[Y2KGTP]

Looking into Lipo\brushless

MambaMax ESC with 5700kv motor
3000-4200 7.4v batteries
4WD 1/10th scale electric

What type of runtimes are people getting? And how long does it take to recharge batteries......

Not sure on what type of charger to get....

[glassdoctor]

About 10 minutes runtime if you are racing, but this is VERY subjective depending on exactly what you are doing... your actual results can be much different from the next guy. Actual runtime could probably range from 7-8 minutes to over 20....

On road or off road? Racing or bashing? High traction or loose dirt? Grass? etc....

I have been using the Duratrax ICE with no problems for lithium and nickel batteries. I have heard the new MRC charger is actually pretty good too.

[Chopster]

Charge times will also vary. As a general matter, a lipo cell, regardless of capacity should take about an hour to charge to about 90%. This is due to the 1C charge current limitation. On the other hand, there are packs, such as lithium manganese packs that can be charged at 2C. It's also my understanding that Hyperion Lipo packs can take a 2C charge, according the the guys at Bishop anyway.

[ElectricThunder]

Charge times will also vary. As a general matter, a lipo cell, regardless of capacity should take about an hour to charge to about 90%. This is due to the 1C charge current limitation. On the other hand, there are packs, such as lithium manganese packs that can be charged at 2C. It's also my understanding that Hyperion Lipo packs can take a 2C charge, according the the guys at Bishop anyway.
The FMA scorpion lipos (if you can even find any!) took about 20-30 minutes to get to 90%. The most time consuming process apparently for a lipo's charging is the last 10% of that capacity, where I believe the constant voltage part of CC/CV comes in.

[Chopster]

I almost jumped on the Scorpion bandwagon just because of the charge rates. I'm glad that I didn't.

Anyway, you're right about the Constant voltage.

[SpEEdyBL]

Whoa, hold on. You should NEVER EVER go with 2s lipo if you can go with 3s or 4s. High voltage setups are always FASTER, and MORE EFFICIENT than low voltage setups. Chances are, your charger will be able to charge 3s or 4s packs anyway, so you should have no problem. If I were you, go with the 4600 and a 2500-4000 mah 3s (11.1v) lipo pack. You can gear down to match a 5700/2s setup in speed, and you runtimes will be way longer. If you gear up, you might be able to outrun some of the hottest 2s setups. Consider a 20c 4000 mah Max Amps 3s pack or a Kokam 20c 3200 3s pack. Both with fit right in your battery tray and weigh about 10 ounces.