I Wheelie A LOT

iTrader: (15)

Thanks for your offer, but no thanks. I just decided to go with this battery and this charger. THIS IS FINAL! No more changing lol
Battery - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ePo4_Pack.html
Charger - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dproduct=11668
Is this pretty good?

I Wheelie A LOT

iTrader: (15)

Would a Promatch 8 cell Nimh be generally faster than the 3s LiFe? or not even close?

I Wheelie A LOT

iTrader: (15)

I haven't bought the packs yet since i heard they have a reputation of puffing. What does puffing mean anyways? If its puffed, does that mean the pack has gone bad?

WindDrake

iTrader: (13)

Puffing is what happens when the lithium cell starts doing things it shouldn't at the chemical level, and gas (oxygen) starts to build up in the cell, expanding it. This is a good condition for a FIRE in a LiPo cell. Even though LiFePO4 batteries are considered safer then LiPo, the risk is still there (however slight).

More importantly, it means the design of the battery is crap. LiFePO4 batteries are far more tolerant to mishandling and abuse then LiPo. Just charging the thing shouldn't make the pack swell.

I Wheelie A LOT

iTrader: (15)

Thanks for your reply. I ordered some 2s 30c Turnigy LifePo4 with a Hobbypartz charger. How do i balance the cells? (Sorry i'm a noob) or will the charger come with instructions? Oh and if my pack does get puffed, what should i do with it? Thanks.

ta_man

iTrader: (168)

Hmmm...

I thought you were getting the Zippy LiFe packs. I would have told you not to waste money on the Turnigy LiFe packs. Mine puffed just sitting around. And not from being discharged too much - they were stored at 40% charge and puffed. When they do that, take them to your LHS for recycle/disposal.

I Wheelie A LOT

iTrader: (15)

Isn't Zippy and Turnigy made by the same people? Which one did you get? 2s or 3s? Did you break in the batteries when you got em?

ta_man

iTrader: (168)

Don't know if they are the same inside but Turnigy and Zippy are two different labels.

Yes, I broke them in. 10 cycles of 1C charging and 3C discharging to 40% on a digital discharger. All that time spent to do it right and for nothing. The two packs that had no use puffed just as fast as the two packs I used a few times.

I Wheelie A LOT

iTrader: (15)

Dang that sucks, i hope it doesn't happen to mine. On the break in process, did you just charge it at 1c and then put it on your car or just discharged it after that?

ta_man

iTrader: (168)

I used a computerized digital discharger (Tekin DIS-350). That's how I know the discharge rate was 3C and that I only took it down to 40%.

thecman26

iTrader: (112)

I was told with lipo and the same for life not to use any kind of discharger.
Just use the charger to charge, balance, and discharge packs. Perhaps thats why.

I Wheelie A LOT

iTrader: (15)

+1 That might be the cause of your problem.
Someone told me to break in my packs by taking it easy the first 10 cycles or so. NO Full throttle runs or hard acceleration. Also i think it might be best to use an LVC with the LiFe packs even though it isn't necessary.
Speaking of LVC, anyone know the voltage cutoff for a VXL-3S? I really would like to know since i want use the LVC with one of my Life packs.