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?

[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

[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?