MrBlack

It's getting close and may not be a 3200.

or8ital

iTrader: (38)

Will it be lipo?

MrBlack

Of course.

Lipo is a proven to be the safest solution when done correctly.

The other ideas out there contain hidden issues and unrealistic costs not to mention the problems with voltage. Plus Lipo is just now gaining legality with many sanctioning bodies so to release something inferior on the public touting it as better would just kill future development and acceptance of progress.

Yes their are other options, no they are not worth it, yes we are continuing to look at all solutions, but first they must be a solution not just a fancy gimmick.

LiPo will more then likely become the standard for several years maybe longer.

sportpak

iTrader: (26)

Sooner the better. After running buggy and TC with these batteries, I am absolutly dreading buying new 4200s for 12 scale this fall. Looking at what those batteries cost and the reliability issues that are so popular right now, makes me ill. Why can't people just get over it and try these batteries. Who has tried these batteries and gone back?

Richard H

The recent experiences of the laptop manufacturers with Lithium batteries smoking and/or igniting makes me wonder how safe this type of battery is for use R/C cars (and aircraft). Are the manufacturers satisfied that the chances of potentially dangerous battery failures have been reduced to an acceptable level?

Turbo Joe

iTrader: (41)

Sigh

kuzo

iTrader: (11)

To elaborate on Joe's very concise sigh...

Since we are in an Orion thread I'll limit my opinion on their lipos. I have seen no reason to believe Orion packs are anything less than safe. As they are becoming more widely used, there still has been no report of any fires from their batteries. According to the manufacturer, they will not flame up under extreme abuse - only puff up and possibly the wrap will pop open. From what I was told, this has only been reported to them once. I think their safety features have addressed any remaining issues with them - the hard case protects against physical damage, there is a fuse on the negative wire that will burn through when shorted continuously, the cells are tops of the line, etc.

I don't think laptop battery makers are really using the quality cells like the Kokam cells Orion uses. They are trying to keep their costs down in any way possible most likely. The person to ask about the quality of laptop cells would probably be linger here on rctech. He seems to know everything about the differences in qualities.

In short, my answer is - Yes, Orion has addressed the safety issue adequately. Anyone else, I won't say yet.

Richard H

kuzo, thanks for the sensible reply.

TMHippo

iTrader: (13)

Hi All

I already have 2 4800's and 2 3200's and will be buying more LiPo's at the end of the month. I have two boy's that race with me so I need the extra batts as we only have one charger (ICE) right now. Well to get to the point, when will the new battery be ready? I love the one's I have now and if the new battery has more capacity I may get it instead of 3 more 3200's.

Rodney

UltegraSTI

iTrader: (20)

2day's practice makes me wish i had 1 or 2 of these instead. shame that their so much lighter and thus would throw off the buggy's setup.

in time i suppose...that and i agree on the cost for 42s for the return. sadly thats becomin a turnoff thats could stunt the 12 scale class growth during the last yr here.

R

sportpak

iTrader: (26)

My BK2 was crazy with these batteries alone. I thought I'd cheat and not add weight. Well cheaters never win I guess. The car would jump unpredictably. I also couldn't really get the rear end to work. I made a bar of brass that fits into the top recess of the battery. It came in at 2.7oz. Makes the car more stable off the jumps and I get better rear suspension action. I'm not at all an offroad genius, but adding weight helped me out. All in all their still kick ass batteries.

aus jd 2703

iTrader: (5)

hey mow many packs would i need if im going to have 6 runs in 5 hours? some times my runs will be 10 min appart?
im using a standard 540 motor maybe stock motors?
also what differeces is there between a carbon pack and the platnium 48's?

Turbo Joe

iTrader: (41)

No sweat at all...I only use around 1000 mah to do a 5 minute onroad with a silver can motor. You could easily run 2-3 back-to-back races on the same charge. Lately, I've been charging all my batteries (3200 and 4800) at the same 4.8 rate at the track...it doesn't take very long at all to fill the 3200s back up...even if you don't peak them, they still run fine.

yyhayyim

iTrader: (26)

Is it true we can "trick" an ICE charger an charge a 4800lipo at 2C rate? How is this done and is it safe?

Turbo Joe

iTrader: (41)

Just tell the charger you have an 8400 battery. 2C ok as far as Peak and orion are concerned. I'm sure it would be better to have a charger where you could just set the rate, rather than the capacity...but it is what it is. Like I said above, I charge my 3200s at 4.8 when I'm at the track.