LIPO in X-5

[Fiddybux]

Has anyone fitted a Trakpower (gold brick) or other stick pack LIPO (2s2p?) in the X-5.

It should be possible with a little dremelling on the chassis and with all the electrics put on the other side.

Has anyone done this and do they have pics at all?

Also, how to brace it? Does the normal X-5 plastic battery strap hold it all down when turned flat-side down?

Thanks.

[jimmy]

[Chrislong]

Hi mate. The Trakpower saddles is an ideal candidate for fitment into the X-5, this is what I will be using in mine at club meetings.

Not sure on bracing, I am expecting to have to make something to do it, but its no big deal. Will post pictures once done, just waiting for cells to arrive.

Its possible to fit the stick pack on the 4 cell side, you may have to dremel the semi circle out from the back, dremel the squares off for the original battery posts. But again, its no big deal to do. I will look at doing this too.

There is a post in the X-factory section in oOple with pictures of Brians car with Lipo stick in his X-5. Don't pay attention to the switch though.

Chris

[SHY]

Chris, are you thinking one saddle on the left side and one on the right side?

I think a stickpack on the right side is more suitable, as they are so light. And you can fine-tune it by putting the ESC on the right side if necessary.

[Chrislong]

Yep, thats what I had in mind for the saddle cells. But I agree on the stick too - would be a better solution. But if I can do saddle easier than thats good for all.

[SHY]

Well, if you're planning on that I'm a bit afraid it will be too left heavy.

With NiMH I found it to be perfectly balanced with a 5 cell setup and 1 left, 4 right...

So if you're going saddle I think you outta put the ESC on the right side at least.

Let us know what you find out!

Those saddle packs, are they hardcased or not? Saddles should also have "knobs", makes it so much easier to fit any car!

[Chrislong]

Yep, I thought about that. Saddle to the back and ESC directly oposite the motor behind the servo.

[super__dan]

Chris,

The saddle won't fit behind the slipper on the 2 cell side, well I'm 99% certain it won't but happy to be wrong.

Tom and I had a look at Batley one day about this and are sure the Trakpower normal pack will fit down the right side, but with the mods Chris says. It will be possible to convert back to nimh but easier with Schumcaher battery straps on both sides I think.

In my mind if Lipo becomes legal for nats and I can permanently convert I'll put the pack on the back RHS, speedo where the 2 cells are and recevier either at the front left or rear left.

[Fiddybux]

Hi all,

Thanks for so many replies.

Chris: I thought the saddle lipo was taller than the stick pack and so this might also be a problem. Also, we're you intending to run the saddle both down one side in stick config I presume? This is what I was thinking as it provides a bit more flexibility for other cars. Don't know about the extra height (if true) though or strapping it down.

Jimmy: How are you strapping that Orion lipo in there? Can't seem to work it out in my head. Looks like it isn't strapped at all. Is it velcro'd or servo taped down?

Cheers all.

[SHY]

Originally Posted by Fiddybux

Also, we're you intending to run the saddle both down one side in stick config I presume? This is what I was thinking as it provides a bit more flexibility for other cars.

Good idea!

The pic is from Kinwalds car, it may look as he has made some extra slots for straps to put around the batteries. Velcro would probably work, but it will move some so it wouldn't be ideal I think. Some sort of straps would be better. Tape is not a good solution I think, if the battery gets a defect you should be able to get it out of the car quickly and easily.

[craigosh]

It looks like its taped in Russ but not to sure how, maybe a plate thats screwed down!! the tape goes in the wrong direction to be through the battery slots!

I've got a lipo saddle here mate if you want to see how it might fit. Biggest problem i've had is with the connectors and wires sticking up to high and stopping the shell fitting correctly.

But the test out in the street has proven it to be awesome

[Fiddybux]

Kewl! Would love to test it for size Craig.

See you Sunday for the regionals if you're coming.

Like your forum signature by the way.

[Paul_Sinclair]

Brian has a weight plate underneath the Lipo - you can see it just peeking out - and has that screwed down to the chassis (short flat head screws through the normal battery post spots). The tape is there more as a precaution, as there was a massive crash once at the race up in Michigan where the screws let loose and the lipo flew out of the car (nothing else broke though!), so the tape is just kind of extra precaution, I think.

[Fiddybux]

Originally Posted by Paul_Sinclair

Brian has a weight plate underneath the Lipo - you can see it just peeking out - and has that screwed down to the chassis (short flat head screws through the normal battery post spots). The tape is there more as a precaution, as there was a massive crash once at the race up in Michigan where the screws let loose and the lipo flew out of the car (nothing else broke though!), so the tape is just kind of extra precaution, I think.

Hi Paul. Thanks for chipping in.

I understand that the weight plate is screwed on, but if the tape wasn't there are you saying that the lipo is otherwise loose?!

[Speedypenguin]

Originally Posted by Fiddybux

Hi Paul. Thanks for chipping in.

I understand that the weight plate is screwed on, but if the tape wasn't there are you saying that the lipo is otherwise loose?!

Brian has his weight plate attached to the battery so that when he screws in to the plate the battery stays secure to the plate.

As far as LiPo goes I don't use a traditional stick or saddle pack, I use a pack with a smaller overall dimension mounted where the 4 cells go with weight around it to balance/pass weight.

Tell me if I'm not making sense, I don't speak British

[SHY]

These gold bars from TrakPower really look nice! Does anyone know how long they are "side by side" compared to a stickpack LiPo?

And does anyone know if there are big differences between the different brands as to sizes?

Furthermore - which batteries have "knobs"?

[Fiddybux]

Originally Posted by Speedypenguin

Brian has his weight plate attached to the battery so that when he screws in to the plate the battery stays secure to the plate.

As far as LiPo goes I don't use a traditional stick or saddle pack, I use a pack with a smaller overall dimension mounted where the 4 cells go with weight around it to balance/pass weight.

Tell me if I'm not making sense, I don't speak British

Yes that makes sense....thank you.

[usafaircrew]

I run an Orion 4800 in my X-5. I did a little dremel work to get it to fit. I use velcro and have had no issues. I mounted my GTB just behind the motor for cooling and balance. I am happy with it. It seems to make my car handle the same as it did with the old configuration.