Confused about cells

[Chris Green]

Hello everyone!

I was hoping to order my cells for the 2008 season this week. I have the money ready, and just need to decide what to go for.

I will be running a B44, and a B4 at the mid-west regionals. The B44 will be running a 5.5R, and the B4 will probably have a 6.5L in it.

I have one set of GrePow Kapow4200's, and one set of GP3700's. Both of these should be ok for both classes (The 3700's might struggle a bit, as they are old ish). So, I will need 2 more sets for this season for sure.

However, the commonly used cells are IB's and EP's. However, these cells are un-reliable at best. There are obviously other threads to discuss this, so I don't want to go into that too much.

So, what should I do?

For regionals, I understand that I can use 2007 cells. I can't find a 2007 list, so I don't know what cells are ok for me. If anyone could help me with that, I'd be grateful.

So, I could do any of the following;

1. Buy some IB4200's, look after them, and pray they don't blow up on me.

2. EP4200's, as above. there are obviously fewer explosions with these, but in comparison, not many people run them.

3. Orion SHO4200. These will probably be popular this season? they are expensive, but if they are as solid as GP3700's or similar, then that's great!

4. buy some of last season's cells from people that are running at the nationals this season? There will probably be loads of solid GP3700's and such like being sold? Possibly Batt4000's?

5. take a gamble, and buy some of the other cells on the brca approved list? So many of these are un-proven? run-time is unlikely to be an issue, but I am majorly concerned about safety.

I charge my cells in the kitchen at the moment, and I'd hate to see them explode when the missus is in there, or a member of my family (and I've recently spend £3600 on laser eye surgery for the wife, so I need to look after her peepers!). Plus, I go club racing with my dad, and 10 y/o brother. The thought of something exploding around them, or any of the other kids at a meeting is horrific.

For someone like me, there doesn't seem to be an easy option? I really don't know what to do?

I'd really appreciate some advice.

Thank you,

Chris.

[markwilliamson2001]

Hey mate,

I have some 5 or 6 run GP3700's that are in pretty good nick tbh, and have been looked after well with an equaliser, and 2 older packs of 3300's which the punch have dropped off a bit, but you will easily last with in 2wd.

I was thinking of going LiPO at leominster, so would not need all these batteries. Let me know if you want the GP3300's, as I can bring them on Friday for a tenner!

Cheers
Mark

[Chris Green]

cheers Mark,

Can you let me know what you want for them all? how many packs of 3700's have you got?

I've got some older 3300's for club racing, but I might be interested in some more. The 3700's do interest me though.

Thanks.

[markwilliamson2001]

I have one pack hardly used, but one of the cells has vented during charging, and just needs replacing, and will not currently charge. The dodgy cell was like that when I bought it, got worse after the 2nd charge, when it failed to charge the pack.

I have 5 other packs, some hardly used, some older. I don't mind letting 3 packs go to you. £15 a pack sound okay?

What are you doing about regionals this year? Would you like to pit in/ travel up together, as I am normally on my own. Also since I would have less packs, I would need to charge on the day. I know you were looking at a generator, and don't mind chipping in a bit on the day to 'steal' some of your electricity!!

Let me know
Mark

[bigred5765]

i would think no matter what you buy as long as there on the eb 2008 list will be more than upto the job

[Chris Green]

Yes, I agree Carl, I'm sure any of the 2008 cells will provide more than enough capacity for me. I guess the question for me really, is should I bother with the 2008 cells, if i don't need to?

Mark, I'd be interested in 2 packs for sure. I'm sure they'll be fine for me in 4wd too? I guess they are the ones you ran in your XX-4? i'm afraid I wouldn't be too interested in the pack with the vented cell though. As long as the pack can hold close to 3700mah in capacity after equalising, I'm happy? Sound ok?

I'll need to confirm if I can definitely run these this season first? I can't find any documentation on this yet?

Regarding the regionals, yeah, travelling / pitting together sounds good. You are only doing the 2WD rounds if I remember correctly? At the moment, I plan to do all rounds except Stoke.

For 4WD, I hope to do 4 out of 5 rounds. Do you know if it is 3 rounds that count?

Thank you.

[ryan_93]

does anyone know weather gp3700's where on the 2007 cell list

[CharlieF]

Hi Guys.
All cells of 2007 spec are good for both regionals and End of Season Finals in 2008.
Regards
Charlie Fraser
Sec. BRCA 1/10th Off-Road Section.

[Chris Green]

Thanks for the clarification Charlie.

So, I'll be fine for this season with 3700's. At least I won't be concerned every time I charge / discharge!

Thank you.

[OldTimer]

I spoke to Paul Worsley yesterday also about GP3700, and he said there will be a clarification hopefully coming soon from the EB.

[Chris Green]

I've had a reply from Paul, as follows.

1. At Regional events in 2008, you can use cells from the 2007 list (and of course from the 2008 list if you wish) It is ONLY National events that have to use the new cells detailed on the 2008 list.

2. The BRC, Juniors and F3/4/5 Finals in Sept. 2008, are not National events. Therefore you can use the cells from the 2007 list as at Regionals. (Obviously you can use from the 2008 list if you wish).

3. Indoor Finals in 2009. Not sure about this one yet.

This will clear up the confusion.

If anyone has a copy of the 2007 cell list, I'd be grateful?

Thank you.