Reedy LiPo Battery Packs - Future Li-Po?

[kfcaddict]

Reedy 5000 mAh 7.4V Pro LiPo pack

I was looking at purchasing a Ni-Mh charger and some new batterys soon but I stumbled on this. Now that it looks like Li-po will be safer, cheaper and easier to fit in off road cars, does anybody think that Li-po will be accepted into brca rules in the short term and more importantly does anybody think it will it completely take over and make Ni-Mh batteries obsolete in time? Or will people stick with Ni-Mh for years to come? What are peoples views?

[HVAC25000]

It's STILL not a saddle pack....

[JCJC]

There have been a few threads on here and on Racechat, I asked Jim Spencer (via pm) on RaceChat if there was a chance they would be sanctioned in 10th off road, Nationals - NO in 2008, Regionals - No in 2008.

Those are hard NO's, We need a proposal at the AGM to change the rules, (currently cars have to be driven by max of 6 subC cells - Nat & Regional level) then the Electric Board need to approve the batteries for the season. Club & what you do otherwise is up to you. I understand there is no problem with BRCA insurance, if they were approved they would be covered.

Here is the (edited) reply I had from Jim Spencer

" Hi, Ok first off we're only taking about 1/10 Off Road Regionals, as they're the only class to run regional racing under the control of the full section commitee.

So the answer to your question is 'No' as the 1/10 Off Road rules don't allow LiPo's for any of their sanctioned events.

Any other sort of 'regional' event such as TORC or STCC from the touring car world then it's their choice.

Homologation works like this
When a section passes the rules for a new class it can - if it wishes - ask the Electric Board to draw up a homologation list (Bikes didn't bother) and the Touring Car section may well yet do so they're busy discussing that bit.
Assuming they do the E.B. would then contact the manufacturers asking for product to be supplied. (I suggested that a "vested interest" may propose & supply a sample-JCJC)

So in essence :-
No class uses them = no list.
1 class uses them = maybe a list > if they want one.
Get to a couple of classes and you'll definatly get a list.

The drivers in the classes need to vote in their use at Nationals to generate the info folks seem to want - almost as a comfort zone?

Hope this helps Jim -Jim Spencer "


Thread on RaceChat tucked away in the BRCA General Q&A forum,

http://www.rcracechat.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38852

http://www.rcracechat.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38896


In answer to your question, I think lipo will take over, mabey the top guys looking for ultimate punch will keep with Ni-Mh, but lipo would make my racing at club & regional level easier & cheaper, and I am carefull where I charge our IB4200 at 4.5amps.

[_JP_]

if they do become ok to surley everyone has to change or there has to be a seperate class, we run 7.2V and Lipoly are 7.4V

is that .2 of a volt is an advantage?

[HVAC25000]

Originally Posted by JCJC

mabey the top guys looking for ultimate punch will keep with Ni-Mh

The .2volt difference doesn't help when you can't get the same amperage.

right?

[Gayo]

Originally Posted by _JP_

if they do become ok to surley everyone has to change or there has to be a seperate class, we run 7.2V and Lipoly are 7.4V

is that .2 of a volt is an advantage?

Those are nominal tensions, an average NIMH is at 8.4V at least when fully charged, so is the lipo, so not (enough of) a difference here.

Hope this is not too confusing

[JCJC]

Much use of Lipo's in buggy's in France ? Gayo

[OldTimer]

Hard cased lipos are legal in Belgium this year, so it will be interesting to see how they get on. And if there is a big move across to them or not.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by OldTimer

Hard cased lipos are legal in Belgium this year, so it will be interesting to see how they get on. And if there is a big move across to them or not.

yeah but still waiting for a saddle pack to put in our S2 !

[OldTimer]

I know of three manufactures working on hard cased saddle pack lipos, so hopefully not to long to wait

[Chrislong]

Personally I want to try them first, but if as good as I expect, I intend to use them at club meetings and save the Nimphs for Regional/national events as it means they'll stay new for longer (with the odd equalise & partial charge session to keep them from dieing)

Chris

[RogerM]

Chris ..... have you found somebody doing some that will fit in the 4-2 arrangement then????

[super__dan]

I'm afraid not, but stick packs fit the X6 across the back.

[mark christopher]

saddle packs will come

the EB will have a list of lipo standards as they are now allowed in 19 Touring Class

whats needed is a vote at the agm to allow them
the .2 volt no advantage, the big advantage is, good life span, no discharger/equalize, they dont loose performance over thier life. they are lighter and may put cars under weight.
so your options are to re set up the car or add lead to keep your settings

[_JP_]

OK can I run 7.4V nimh then :)

I know a few guys at the club have moved to them and it does make life easy.

matched lipo's next :)

[Gayo]

Originally Posted by JCJC

Much use of Lipo's in buggy's in France ? Gayo

Unfortunately, they aren't legal for now. Fingers crossed for 2008, I'm not holding my breath though.

I use an LRP 5000 for training and it's really good. 15mn+ run time on a 6.5 on astro

[Gayo]

Originally Posted by RogerM

Chris ..... have you found somebody doing some that will fit in the 4-2 arrangement then????

p
You can fit it on the 4 cells place, but some creative strapping is needed. I'm working on it.

[JCJC]

Found a handy guide to LiPo in the TC section of the BRCA web site

http://bombay.directrouter.com/~cent...=105&Itemid=25

Interesting read.

[Chrislong]

Originally Posted by Gayo

p
You can fit it on the 4 cells place, but some creative strapping is needed. I'm working on it.

Hi Raphael,
When done, can you email some pictures to me please? I have had a look, and thought about a stick pack on the 4 cell side, lead on the 2 cell side.

[Al3xis007]

yes the run time is more and less maintenance but..
can they take hard landings???
and i know ppl that have tried them in touring cars on-road and they say they're not as powerful as the 4200's
(i dont need more power! and the xx4 def cant take any more captain)

we'll have to wait and see... lipo or lipoo