Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

What online seller sells the least expensive quality battery? I'm just starting out, on a budget, and would like to purchase a couple of 1300mAh batteries for a used Radian I just got. Can anyone recommend an online retailer that has good quality Lipo's for a great price?

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

The best bang for buck is probably hobbypartz.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

The other best bang for the buck is Hobby King.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Thanks. I thought I'd read a post or two before about HobbyKing having good quality at a good price.

Which brand from these guys is considered best bang for the buck. And I don't mean bang in the literal sense http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...wink_smile.gif

I do also understand the HobbyKing takes awhile to actually get the product in your hands.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

You'd have to just search for the specific packs you want to compare. They are going to be very close.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

They sell Turnigy and Zippy.

Both are cheap and fairly good batteries.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

http://www.cheapbatterypacks.com/ and http://www.gyrohobbies.com/

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

http://www.cheapbatterypacks.com/ and http://www.gyrohobbies.com/

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

What country is Gyro Hobbies in anyway?

http://www.gyrohobbies.com/about-gyro-hobbies

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Hobby king stuff is not quality. Not by a long shot. Hobby King stuff is cheap and nothing more. HK batteries weight more than better brands and don't deliver as many amps with the same capacity. They also don't have any useful warranty at all and in most applications won't last as long. That said, I use them because they work well enough for my purposes. I'll buy 5 $12 HK batteries instead of 1 $60 quality battery and get more fun out of them. For a Radian, they'll be good enough but don't confuse junky stuff that works for quality stuff that performs like it should.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

The real question is: Do you want a $5.00 battery that may last you 50 charges or a $25.00 battery that may last you 300 charges?

I prefer to spend more on a better quality battery because I hate ordering cheap batteries over and over, hoping that they arrive in a timely fashion and in usable condition. I will pay a little more for the piece of mind, however, opinions will vary!

www.empirerc.com sells Hyperion batteries. Their prices have come down quite a bit and they are one of the better quality batteries for the price. If you are only looking for the cheapest batteries, then Hobby King is your best bet.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

I have heard horror stories about hobbyking but I have been lucky. I think say $10 for 100cycles is better than $60 for say 500 cycles, also having more cheap batteries means you can charge them slower and take heaps to the flying field.

Works for me!

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

If you do go the HK route be sure to order from the USA warehouse. I would get Gens Ace or Skylipo from Hobbypartz.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

One place not mentioned and is my go to place for LiPo batts is Value Hobby. His prices are good and the shipping charge is great. He is stateside so warranty is no problem. He will ship as many batteries as you order for a flat rate of 4.99. Oh did I mention the batteries are great? I've never had a dud which is more than I can say for ThunderPower.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Wow this is a really quality thread. I just bought a NexStar EP and was saddened to find out how much the recommended batteries cost through Tower Hobbies and other big name shops. The cheapest were the heavy NiMH that were around 50 a piece. The NiMH I had to look elsewhere were even  more and I won't even mention the $130+ chargers I needed for the 2 battery backs. I was just regretting not getting the gas engine version after seeing those prices and was just about to pull the trigger on 2 Ebay batteries when I found this thread and looked up the sites recommended. I am in IL so I probably would try Value Hobby. I sent them an inquiry to see what they recommend for my application. Thanks for saving me some $$$ now I can get several packs and spend more time flying than watching them charge. On a side note do you guys recommend the temp sensor used when charging LiPO's?

Thanks

Joe

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...7-4v-lipo.html
http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...1-1v-lipo.html

Value hobby is a good place and these two packs would work fine according to manual. Personally I'd like bigger packs though. It's hard to tell without weighing and balancing it. Temp sensor is good insurance against problems. It will shut the charge down in the event of a problem if it works and is set up right.

Here's a good bang for buck charger. http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...ower-b620.html

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

I have ordered lipos from hobbypartz.com and nitroplanes .com( I think they are sister sites) I have bought several of the Skylipos and have never had an issue with them. the gensace are very good as well from what I have heard too. I have bought some of the zippy lipos from an ebay seller and was imoressed with their performance as well. I will probably never spend big money on maxamps or one of the other name branded companies as long as I can get these one cheaper!

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

What is the recommended charge rate for a 5s 3200 mah 20C? How long will it take to peak charge? Are the balancer plugs universal among different battery manufacturers? How are Thunder Tiger chargers?

Thanks

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Lot's of people recommend a 1C rate (not me) and that would be 3.2 amps. Here's one particular pack that may work in the plane well. http://www.valuehobby.com/power-syst...000mah-5s.html I can't find the recommended max rate on it , but I would easily set the charger for 20 amps on this pack. Most users would set it for around 8-10 amps max.

For charge times a general rule of thumb is this:

1C = 1 hr
2C = 30 minutes
4C = 15 minutes and so on.

There are 4 different balance plug configs and you must use the correct one (or adapter)

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

I'd say go for the Hobbyking batteries because i use them and the get some god reviews plus you can now get them in the USA,i'll leave a link for you on some 3s batteries,all you have to do is look for the one you want and if you want to get it in the USA look for the little USA flag under the price,if not the postage from HongKong isn't tat bad and they still work out a lot cheaper than most of the other brands out there. ;)

Turnigy 3s 1300mah 20c $8.95
ZIPPY Flightmax 1300mAh 3S1P 15-25C $6.99

Plus they Sell a good few other brands to so just have a look around until you find the ones that suite you,good luck.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...=&LiPoConfig=3

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Gens Ace are cracking batteries

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Hey thanks for the link I found that one after communicating via email with their support staff. I had some questions on the connector that I was waiting for a response but when I was ready to order it was on backorder. I ended up getting 2 5S Sky Lipo 3300mah 20C packs from Hobbypartz.com and a Thunder T610 200 watt (10 amp)DC balance charger also. I prefered a AC/DC charger so I can charge athome but decided to just get 2 packs and hopefully get2-3 good flights in a day. I know my plane has Deans Ultra connectors so I willneed an adapter or ask a member at the new club if they can solder themfor me. Thanks so much I spent less for the Liposthan I was going to pay forNiMH's.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Sounds like you made a great purchase. Maybe you can make up an old pc power supply for doing them at home for cheap. Your charger might just come with a dean's lead. If not they are THE most popular ones. If you were my neighbor I'd throw one at you right now. Good luck.

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

+1 on that.

Gens Ace have a 5c charge rate and I have fast charged them at the field at the 5c rate and they never even warmed a bit and would charge in about 15 mins.
Skylipos are also good but only have a field charge rate of 2c.

I also have some Nano-Tech batteries from HK wich also has a 5c charge rate. I regularly field charged them at a 3c rate (highest amps my charger will go) without any issues.

Hobbypartz has fast reliable shipping and you should receive your batteries within a week.

I do feel that buying more batteries at a cheaper price gets you more flying time compared to expensive batteries. If they don't last as long who cares - they were cheap and you did do more flying everytime you went to the field. JMO

RE: Where to buy least expensive quality Lipo batteries?
 

Thanks guver but I'm not electronically inclined enough to make a power supply. I was going to order the Dean Ultra plugs from Tower Hobbies unless they are cheaper elsewhere. I hope my balance plugs on the batter match the ones on the charger though.

ckreef-I didn't know the charge limitations. If I would have known that I would have spent a little more cash and got the Gens Ace. Well I will see how things go when I get then.

Not to hijack the thread but I have one more question. Do these batteries have to be broken in? What about brushless motors do they have to be broken in?