rumours rumours

[Chrislong]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

chris has the best sugestion get lipo in and let the boffins work the rest out

Thanks Mark. I am for Lipo so lets not bicker, lets use this thread to find out the interest and gather support and more importantly - attendence at the AGM of those keen for Lipo like many of us are. (otherwise its pointless).

Carl, im up for sharing a lift if you don't mind, Mr.Cocker too? The more the merrier.

[bigred5765]

nps at all wana do it in my car chriss ooowwwwww

[frogger]

I'm still struggling to see why there is a need for dimensions. Lipo technology is different and fast evolving. As long as the pack complies to the maximum nominal voltage and safety specs why would you want to limit how big or small it can be? It should be up to the driver to make it fit the way he or she wants to in whatever car they choose to run.

I for one want the biggest possible packs I can get so I need fewer of them. You should only charge a lipo at 1C and so the bigger capacity packs allows for faster top ups in between races. I would also prefer to use my saddle packs from my B44 in my B4 so again, I need fewer packs. It would make it absolutely pointless if I am allowed to run a saddle pack in my B44 side by side and then when put together they suddenly don't fit the maximum dimensions. Why compare them to stick NIMH packs, lipo is different?

We've been running lipo's in the BRCA Micro Nationals for the whole of last season and continue to do so this year again and the only specifications are the maximum nominal voltage. It allows good freedom of choice and all budgets to participate in lipo technology and we've not had any problems anywhere.

[SHY]

Originally Posted by Chrislong

If you wish to do it your way, be my guest, but its Jimmy who id like to confirm - is this the right place for this topic? I think not.

Be my guest. But the last time I checked this was an international discussion forum? Or am I wrong? Who's hurting? You don't have to comment on threads that you don't like or that doesn't interest you. Nor is it confidential or inapropriate. We are all experienced racers, and IMHO we can together make some thorough proposals. The EFRA representatives are ordinary people like you and me. I've even been offered a position there many years ago, goes to show how little it takes huh?

Originally Posted by mark christopher

how many of your proposals got through???

Most of them are now in the EFRA rule book, last year I handed in one which was also passed.

Now, it works like this:
First see the blank EFRA proposal form (it's posted it previously in this thread). There you specifically point to an existing paragraph for a given class. You then have 3 options:
-delete
-amend
-make a new rule

You cannot "link" proposals. You must have "single standing", complete proposals to vote on.

And it should be 100% accurate even down to the punctuation. You don't write "we want LiPo" and "leave the rest to EFRA". Actually, for anything to be seconded and then voted on it has to be formulated in advance. You normally don't do "bench proposals". And one tries to avoid to change the proposals at the AGM. For that to happen it has to do with something extraordinary. This is normally not done. And belive me, it get's late at those meetings so you just don't have the time.

Therefore I'm now just trying to make some complete alternatives to make it easier to vote over them. Get it?

Personally (as I've already said in this thread) I think it might be best to leave out the dimension rules. I still want to try and formulate an alternative with dimensions. If we are to restrict to dimensions, it'd better be as sensible as it can be.

If you guys could help me gather dimensions for as many hard cased lipos as possible that would be great!

Mark, what would you propose then if we were to have dimensions?

And any thoughts on the labeling?

Anyone know of similar products to the Lipo Sack that work well? (I ordered a ceramic "bunker" in november from Bishop Power Products, but I still haven't received the damn thing)

Finally, let's drop the attitude and be friends! This is model car racing! I just want some good input as to formulating some EFRA proposals. Chill out!

[jimmy]

Absolutely international Shy - and hopefully more international later this year , but maybe it's worth making a new thread about EFRA rule proposals? But then again, what do I know!

[Chrislong]

Wow, lots of info there. Not trying to be difficult, just trying to do whats right as we have some very useful/well informed people who represent us at the BRCA and this forum bypass's that resource.

Ok, good information. I am by no means an expert on Lipo so won't pretend to be able to be as thorough as it deserves with specification. But I will support any Lipo proposal, but my main interest is with the BRCA, as I do not race Efra events often (I last raced the Euro's in Austria, and the Belgium GP is not a true Efra GP - which doesn't take away any greatness, as it is an awesome event regardless).

I am expecting some Lipo's soon, will provide some dimensions shortly if this helps you . From what I have been told reliably, most cells released are within sensible dimensions already but there may be 1 brand which has released a pack taller than what we should allow. Time will tell.

[SHY]

Thx mon! Yes, sorry. I know this was originally a thread about rumours of a 5 cell limit... so I kinda sidetracked it. But it's not the first sidetracked tread now is it? I'll try and make a dedicated thread next time!

oOple is the one and only good forum I know of, worldwide. So I really appreaciate it! Even if the UK race reports are none of my business I guess, I still enjoy them a lot as well! RcTech also has good activity, but it's a bit to US-oriented for a european IMO.

I've been hearing since I was a kid that "the club should change this", "the national association should change that", "EFRA should..." But it's really down to every one of us to make a difference! The super swede Dallas Mathiesen who is head of EFRA (and IFMAR) puts so much of his spare time into this that his wife has threatened to leave him many times. Believe me, they appreciate all the contributions they can get!

[SHY]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

trakpowers is 70 x 47 x 30 for the 4900 and the 3200 will be 70x47x21ish,

saddle needs to be different. ie bit longer and taller

b44 takes the 4800 under the top deck so where did your measurements come from?

OK, so two saddles in series would make out 140 mm. When I measure the B4 it looks like it can take a full length of 143-144 mm. So we could maybe say 143 mm max length.

47 width is great, the B4 chassis can take 47,2-47,3 mm max.

But the height? We'd have to make a dummy to be 100% sure, but you say you can fit a 30mm tall pack without modifications into a B4? (not B44) To me it seems like approx. 25mm is max what you can get in there without modifications.

For 4WD cars I can't really see it being any problems in any case. Anyone?

Can someone with other 2WD makes do some measurements?

[mark christopher]

double post

[mark christopher]

y make a dummy i have a trakpower pack

whats the problem if you have to mod a car slightly? its "model" car racing most have modeling skills and companies already make lipo fit kits for cars
ill state again the 30mm trakpower will fit in the b4 by just rasing the bat strap posts, i have posted pics on this forum (look in associated thread)
they WILL also fit in a b44 by just lifting the batt straps, and the same for the d4 id you space the rear top deck 2mm up.

i have already suggested you get all the dimensions for lipo saddle off the manufactures site and go with that.
there is no point in making a rule that outlaws what is already available!

b4 http://www.oople.com/forums/showpost...9&postcount=31

b44 http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10160

[Lee]

Originally Posted by SHY

For 4WD cars I can't really see it being any problems in any case. Anyone?

I think the aero may have an issue regarding height, the drive shaft runs very close to the cells as it is, its not some thing that can be changed easily either

[SHY]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

y make a dummy i have a trakpower pack

whats the problem if you have to mod a car slightly? its "model" car racing most have modeling skills and companies already make lipo fit kits for cars
ill state again the 30mm trakpower will fit in the b4 by just rasing the bat strap posts, i have posted pics on this forum (look in associated thread)
they WILL also fit in a b44 by just lifting the batt straps, and the same for the d4 id you space the rear top deck 2mm up.

i have already suggested you get all the dimensions for lipo saddle off the manufactures site and go with that.
there is no point in making a rule that outlaws what is already available!

b4 http://www.oople.com/forums/showpost...9&postcount=31

b44 http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10160

OK, I'm working on getting all the specs right now.

B4: Ah! Brilliant, so you just put the top deck on top of the rear "dock" and problem solved!

You must not forget that most guys on this forum are experts. While the vast majority of racers are total noobs when it comes to mechanics. And the more "plug & play" things are, the better! The worst enemy IMHO as to getting more people into RC has always been cost and complexity. The Playstation Generation expect things to just work...

[SHY]

Originally Posted by Lee

I think the aero may have an issue regarding height, the drive shaft runs very close to the cells as it is, its not some thing that can be changed easily either

I have the A-1 myself. I think if you dremel away the "grid" it will fit. But it may render the chassis a bit less stiff of course.

Or use a saddle lipo with less capacity and a lower profile so you can keep the grid.

Still working on the list... So far I've found that the Schumacher CORE 3250 actually is stated to be 48mm wide (http://www.rccaraction.com/ME2/dirmo...2CB5F516B4C10&). Can someone double-check that please?

[Lee]

Ok shy, lets just hope that there is no performance advantage from running a lipo. Personally i wouldnt go altering a chassis "flex" just to fit in a certain pack of cells, plus then there is the issue of adding weight to get the balance the same again.

This does not mean i wont propose it or vote on it, but i do feel it could be a sticking point for some

[SHY]

For OR you don't need the extra "performance". But the weight saving is a big plus, and hence you can be faster (not necessarily). I'm sure you can still win races with NiMH batteries.

Personally I'm just fed up with NiMH. Expensive and too much hassle. Not to mention all the expensive charging and matching equipment. For instance that &%¤=}@! Spintec ICC charger... I think I'll use a sledge hammer on it next year...

LiPo technology is inexpensive and very user friendly. And for practice and fun you get fantastic long runtimes.

[mark christopher]

lee read this thread http://www.rcracechat.com/vb/showthr...272#post330272

the trakpower 3200 is slimmer than than nimh pack

[JCJC]

Originally Posted by SHY

that &%¤=}@! Spintec ICC charger... I think I'll use a sledge hammer on it next year...

They will be cheap secondhand next year if this is passed, sledge hammer may bring more satisfaction


Love this proposal

[Lee]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

lee read this thread http://www.rcracechat.com/vb/showthr...272#post330272

the trakpower 3200 is slimmer than than nimh pack

Cheers mark, someone Pm`d me saying this, but isnt a 3200 lipo similar to a 4200 nimh?

[RogerM]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

y make a dummy i have a trakpower pack

whats the problem if you have to mod a car slightly? its "model" car racing most have modeling skills and companies already make lipo fit kits for cars
ill state again the 30mm trakpower will fit in the b4 by just rasing the bat strap posts, i have posted pics on this forum

Just checked my RB5 and you'd not get anything more than 25 tall under the strap. You would have to make up a new hold down plate for the rear, which would require a milling machine to do in a way that wouldn't look aweful or more importantly damage the speedo wires!

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by Lee

Cheers mark, someone Pm`d me saying this, but isnt a 3200 lipo similar to a 4200 nimh?

same foot print but it will be about 21 tall i f i remember corectly