Info on Lipos for a noob?!
 

Hi all, I've just got back into using 1:10 RC buggys, the last car I had was an old Ultima back in the mid 90s so all this new tech is alien to me!!
Is there any good info on LiPo batteries out there on the net that starts with the basics, i.e. what all the figures mean etc...?! I've searched but can't really find much. I'd rather do a bit of research and fact finding for myself before I start asking stupid questions on here! :)
Much appreciated folks.

Al, not as complicated as you might think, Amp hour is Amp hour - same as any batteries, even cells were getting 4500 a pack a few years ago, lipos have plenty of power, shown in the 'C' rate, a 30C lipo will output more than a 20C, as a rule of thumb. 5000Ah x 30C will give you 150amps, 5000Ah x 20C will give you 100amps, you may get a burst higher than this - say 30C cont 40C burst.

The other 'C' figure is for charging, BRCA rules is 1C, so charge a 5000Ah at 5amps a 4200 at 4.2 max, we believe overcharging will not help and can cause major problems. Other numbers are the battery layout, 2S is 2 cells at 3.7volts giving 7.4volts etc.

Things you must remember, dont let the pack voltage drop below about 6volts the packs cannot be recovered, so always disconnect the battery and do not run untill flat. You can use one pack all day, charge - run (5 mins)- charge etc the packs seem quite happy. Some of the larger packs can be tight to get into the battery tray on some 10th cars, there is a BRCA approved list of batteries for BRCA events. Some Esc's have a lipo cut off to stop the car if the voltage drops to far.

You must use a Lipo charger, the old Nicad & NiMh charge profiles will cook Lipo batteries leading to swelling/bursting/fire & the end of the world as we know it.

Sure I have missed something or more likely got something wrong, but we love our Lipos - no more discharging/balancing/charging and needing half a dozen packs for a days racing.

Now - do you have question on brushless motors?

Thanks for such a detailed answer, I really appreciate it. I'd read lots of horror stories about lipos setting alight but it's hard to tell what is true and what isn't when reading old internet articles.

At the moment my car is as follows:
RC10B4 Factory Team with this brushless motor & speedo combo which was recommended my my local shop.
http://www.logicrc.com/?ItemId=M-FS-XC3105&&s=mldkgkhpnrt,c:60,c:60-40,c:60-36
I'm running an 81t spur with a 23t pinion
I use a 3600mah nimh battery at the moment. What type of lipo would you recommend? My car is set up to use a stick battery.
I actually got this car for my 10 year old lad but the bug has bitten me again! :lol:

Did I mention weight, lipo's are much lighter and your (sons) B4 will fly, may need some lead strip under the battery for starters. Not seen much in the way of exploding lipos, have seen a few swelling due to mischarging, but generally I feel comfortable with our lipos, heres the 2010 approved list. http://www.brca.org/BRCA/elecboard/n...20v2%20pdf.pdf

Find a local club and see what they are using, B4's still everywhere. if you are racing at clubs then you will need to match tyers, shocks, setups.

Thanks for that. Am off to my local club today, will have a look and ask a few questions. Thanks for the link to the list of lipos, that will help if my lad gets into racing (which I hope he does) :thumbsup:
Cheers,
Al.