Li-po batteries (yes or no)

[codieskid]

Just been reading about Lipo batteries here: http://www.teamorion.com/Products/Batteries/Lipo

Has anyone ever used any of these, if so are they any good and what are the advantages/disadvantges. They sound pretty good but will they fit in a zx-5 and what modifications would need to be made to get them to fit?

so are they lipo, go go or a lipo, no no? (sorry that was terrible)

Cheers

Trev

[lanidrac57]

Hi Trev,

I have tried a Maxamps 6000 mha in my ZX-5 for one of the last race we had here during summer. Man, i can cant wait for the winter season to start. Its simply awesome. I did 3 x 5 min practice + first qualification. Then charged the Lipo pack again (took 25 min) and did 2 more qual + final. Had the same punch in the end of the final and i even did more practice after race day and never saw the power go down. I run that with a Brushless 6.5. I ordered a 4000 mha for my B4 and i will get rid of my 10 nimh pack and only use 2 lipo pack. I only needed to do really minor modification to the car since the 6000mha is a bit thicker than normal pack.

What i like: Only need to charge once during day, cause i first charged the pack the night before race day(Keeps is charge 100%), No need charge, discharge and manipulate 10 packs, More Punch, More runtime, Lighter than normal pack so i can put lead weigth in the car where i want for getting the car balanced,

What i dont like: Sor far... nothing. I heard that i will have to buy a balancer (around 50$) do balance the pack every 25 charge to keep it in good shape. So what, i dont have 10 packs at 60$ each. An the other thing have to be carefull not to bring the pack under 6v or it will be dead.

So i guess thats it... sorry my english is not really good..so i tried my best.

Eric

[stefke]

As long as they sometimes burst into flames rather violently, I'm staying away from LiPo. To fragile and dangerous for me. Ask the RC flying boys who have more experience with LiPo.

[jimmy]

I do wonder how much the risks are hyped up. But after seeing normal cells (particularly 4200's) blow in very dramatic ways, I am cautious around those now myself - could easily get blinded or lose a finger or something crazy like that. :eek:

[stefke]

I saw two blow up at the local flying field and I can tell you, I never saw any sub-c cell blow up so violently. One took an entire airplane with it, the other even put the surrounding grass on fire. NOT a pretty sight.

[_sleigh_]

Safety is suppose to be a big issue with LiPo's and also they're not on the BRCA Electric board approved list, so can't be used at BRCA Sanctioned meetings.

I'm not sure how BRCA insurance is effected either, say if you use LiPo's at a club meeting and they go bang and hurt someone. I'll investigate that one and post more when I know. (might be nothing, but worth checking)