Team Orion Goes Li-poly!

PeterV · #1 11-03-2005, 03:01 PM

Team Orion says...

Not all the info is in, but these 4800 mAh, 7.4 volt packs are made exclusively for Team Orion by Kokam. (Kokam's a well-know LiPo manufacturer, if you're not already hip). The sockets accept Team Orion connectors so you can solder the connectors directly to your speed control wires (the battery will come with a pair of connectors) or
you can use an optional adapter that uses a Tamiya connector.

The pack can be charged using any LiPo charger.

Team Orion LiPo vs NiMH cells:

Dimensions Platinum Edition LiPo
Length 137.5 mm
Width 45 mm
Height 23 mm
Weight 258 g (9.1 oz)

Dimensions NiMH assembled w/bars
Length 138 mm
Width 45.5 mm
Height 23 mm
Weight 401 g (14.2 oz)

ORI14000 Platinum Edition 4800 LiPo Battery $199.99

AudiTT-Quattro · #2 11-03-2005, 03:07 PM

Maybe this is the ticket LIPO has been looking for; there's finally a well known company to bring LIPO into the market.

That box holding the battery is sick! I'm loving the fact that it accepts gold connectors. Is the price MSRP?

PeterV · #3 11-03-2005, 03:08 PM

This just in...

The silver case is plastic, and the paint doesn't rub off easily.

-much lighter than 7.2v standard Sub C packs

-Does not get hot

-Power is ridiculous according to Orion test drivers

-much more run time

-"A 10-turn feels like a 7-turn".

$125 street price

Sorcerer001 · #4 11-03-2005, 03:38 PM

Built-in cutoff? I'm just afraid that one mistake will destroy a $125 pack.

PeterV · #5 11-03-2005, 03:49 PM

No word yet on the cutoff. But if you run the new LRP QC3, the cutoff is built into the speed control!

Sorcerer001 · #6 11-03-2005, 03:55 PM

Sweet! For the time being I suppose I should look around for the smallest external cutoff... may be usefull info for people wanting to buy this pack. I dig the plastic case, the foil has been one of the hardest things to get over when considering a LiPo.

minimole · #7 11-03-2005, 04:07 PM

Looks nice.
About the cutoff, Im sure some manufacturer (hopefully Team Orion) will bring out a little chip that goes between the ESC and battery (or something) that cuts off the power when the pack gets low. You can get them for planes/helis.

''The pack can be charged using any LiPo charger.'' Just a word of warning to thoseof you who have the MRC 969 Superbrain charger, I would NOT recommend even attempting to try charging lipos with it. Im sure its possible, bu t its just too risky for my liking.
If you want more info, do a search in this forum:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=129

Duane

Jason Sams · #8 11-03-2005, 04:10 PM

Cutoff- According to Team Orion if you turn off the car or truck when you notice a performance drop off and recharge the pack you shouldn't have any problems. The majority of the speedos coming out will feature internal cutoffs.

JoshsTL01 · #9 11-03-2005, 04:12 PM

this will teach people not to crash. one mishap, and you just lost $125

good to see it in r/c onroad though.

rckid11 · #10 11-03-2005, 04:17 PM

Once I see some postive reviews I might pick one up...

rukiddingme · #11 11-03-2005, 04:34 PM

I think the whole purpose of the case is to protect the battery in a crash. I think it's dialed no more worry's about bending or cutting open the packet that contains the cells. Also I know with Lipos you can charge days before hand and still get 99%+ performance imagine. charging 3 packs on Friday night going to the track Saturday night without a charger or a power supply and running 6 heats of buggy. I'm in!

MaxxThrasher · #12 11-03-2005, 04:38 PM

This is awesome news. I've had success with both companies. It's great that they got together on the Li-Po. People need to get over their skittishness of Li-Pos, it's the wave of the future.

elite · #13 11-03-2005, 04:47 PM

that is the best looking pack I have ever seen......

ive used lipos in T4 applications and ill tell you......you cant go wrong....

minimole · #14 11-03-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonS

Cutoff- According to Team Orion if you turn off the car or truck when you notice a performance drop off and recharge the pack you shouldn't have any problems. The majority of the speedos coming out will feature internal cutoffs.

True, but I still prefer to know EXACTLY when to stop, not 'kind of when it gets slowish'...lol

Duane

jocktheglide165 · #15 11-03-2005, 05:22 PM

I hope its user friendly it will sell if user friendly.

2fast2slow · #16 11-03-2005, 05:35 PM

They seem pretty good ands cheap

rukiddingme · #17 11-03-2005, 05:39 PM

I talked to someone at Orion I guess they have been getting a lot of calls on this, anyway they told me these are not just your traditional lipo batteries re-packaged they are actually a new method of construction that they have been working on for over a year with the manufacturer and they are far superior in durability. They said one guy wiped out a cell with out the case while running exposing the matrix inside and it didn't even heat up or swell. That is almost too good to believe but time will tell the proof will be in the pudding as they say.

rootdown · #18 11-03-2005, 05:59 PM

i've been away from the hobby for a few years and this news grabbed my attention. i didn't even know of this technology till now. imagine one of these batteries used in a brushless motor system.

Mr. Schumacher · #19 11-03-2005, 06:02 PM

EP racers will miss battery assembling/soldering and comm cutting in the near future.

metalry101 · #20 11-03-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minimole

True, but I still prefer to know EXACTLY when to stop, not 'kind of when it gets slowish'...lol

Duane

I agree 110%. At $125 bux a pop, I don't want to guess when to stop driving my car, I want it to tell me when to stop driving.

This is awesome and a half...way to go Orion!

MaxxThrasher · #21 11-03-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rootdown

i've been away from the hobby for a few years and this news grabbed my attention. i didn't even know of this technology till now. imagine one of these batteries used in a brushless motor system.

Yeah dude, you need to do some catching up! This type of technology is still new to the cars, but has been out for a couple years. Li-Po/BL systems are all over. Do yourself a favor, subscribe to RCCA and visit this site often!

rootdown · #22 11-03-2005, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxxThrasher

Yeah dude, you need to do some catching up! This type of technology is still new to the cars, but has been out for a couple years. Li-Po/BL systems are all over. Do yourself a favor, subscribe to RCCA and visit this site often!

i use to have a subscription. my newest car that i have is a t3 and the last one i bought was a factory team gt. i haven't really been into this stuff since the t3 has been around.

oh yeah. have brushless motor sytems gotten more available?

MaxxThrasher · #23 11-03-2005, 06:17 PM

In the past 3 years? Yes they have. Go to the Brushless Motor section and read up!

Mr. Schumacher · #24 11-03-2005, 06:20 PM

Wait... stick pack only? Can't fit it on my Losi XX-4, Schumacher CAT3000, Tamiya 414M2... which require saddle packs only. Also, it can't be accommodated on my Yokomo BC buggy because the chassis shape...

rukiddingme · #25 11-03-2005, 06:29 PM

When I talked to Orion they said this was just the begiining and they are already at work on other versions of it but they would not tell me what "other versions" meant.

Maybe they have a saddle pack in the works?

Oh man now I want to call them back.