jgrone8500

I am in the market for some new batteries but I am practically stupid when it comes to buying them. I am looking for a battery that gives me longer run times, not more power. I am open to using a parallel system with 2 batteries as long as I can get longer run times. I prefer Nickle metal but if lipo is far superior with run time I will consider a new charging system.

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

What kind of car are we talking about? 1/10 stadium truck, 1/8 buggy?

In general, when going Lipo, you are first going to need something to alert you when the Lipo gets down to 3.2V/cell. If a Lipo is discharged below 3.0V/cell it can be damaged and no longer function. This is usually done by the ESC in a brushless motor system, as it has a built-in LVC (Low-Voltage Cutoff) for Lipos. If your ESC does not have this function, you can get external Low Voltage Alarms that plug in between the battery and the ESC, or the balance tap, and it beeps when the voltage cutoff is reached.

How much run time are you looking for? A 2S 5000mah Lipo in a 2wd Stadium Truck will run for 25min. And 5000mah is common now. I've seen 7500mah and even 10,000mah (that one was as thick as a 3S).

THis is a nice little, quiet, charger: http://www.hobbypartz.com/73p-ac680-accharger.html Love mine.

zackS30

Rob, you and that ac680 charger lol!
Hes right though I bought that charger per his recommendation and the charger is awesome!
It does everything, plus a few things ive not used too lol.

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

Ha Ha, I know....I pitch it a lot. But it's hard to beat for $56. Unless one is charging a bunch of saddle-packs, it's a great little charger. 8^)

Tcook1999

if you want a longer run time get a bettery with a larger number of MAH. if you are running a brushed system you can get a nickle metal battery but lipos are so much better could you be specific on what your running. but her is a nimh battery http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-5000-8...tick-hump.html and any lipo that has a 5000mah or higher rating batterys are better on Hobbyking.com

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

Do you like the Turnigy Hard Packs? $23 IS a good deal for a 30-40C 5000mah pack. And you like dealing with HobbyKing?

Tcook1999

yes i do so far (The only problem is they didn't email me when my order didn't ship but they have your order status on their website.)i haven't had any problem with their batteries and for 23$ you cant go wrong, and i have had batteries that were much more expensive and the turnigy ones out did them in my opinion for everyday use. I use them in different cars so i cant exactly tell you the run time but in my stadium truck i get a good 15-25 min depending if my stadium truck decides to be stupid on me...

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

Now, look at this: http://www.hpiracing.com/en/part/101974 That's HPI's Reaktor 500 charger. Know what it lists for? $180 !!!!
Tower lists it for $124 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXASUJ

YET it is the exact same charger as THIS: http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html for less than $50!!! And you can get the AC680 for less than $60, and it has 80W of charging power compared to 50W of the others. THAT's why I keep recommending that charger. And it makes one wonder: If that's the kind of markup HPI is trying to get, they may be in more trouble than we think. They only make a few vehicles that are worth buying, the rest are crap from what I read. They acquire the rights to distribute HoBao products from OFNA, then botch that up, and OFNA gets HoBao back. WHo's running the show over there??

Donwebster

GE power 7.4V 5000mAh 30C LiPo battery: http://www.wtotoy.com/7.4v-5000mah-3...rc-models.html
or GE power 11.1V 5200mah 30C LiPo http://www.wtotoy.com/ge-power-11.1v...elicopter.html

EXT2Rob

My Feedback: (1)

Those look like soft-packs. If the batt compartment is secure and well protected,to keep the pack from moving, that might be ok. Hard packs are safer. Soft packs can be damaged more easily, and can cause fires.