New " SHORTY" GP 3300 cells
#1
Tech Addict
Thread Starter
New " SHORTY" GP 3300 cells
I found this at Sandhill Raceway Cell website:
The NEW “shorty” GP 3300 - The “long” GP 3300 that we are accustomed to running with awesome voltage and low internals has been >> discontinued<<. It has been replaced by the new “shorty” GP 3300. The shorty is approximately 1 mm shorter on the positive tab; it appears it has been smashed down into the cell. However, the weight difference is not even noticeable.
Performance: This cell is very strange. Although the labels read are very low they perform outstanding on the race track. Racers have become too accustomed to labels / numbers / and their chargers. With these cells, these methods of comparison from the old cell to the new cannot be used. I can honestly say that a 1.165 – 1.170 in the new cells is equal to almost a 1.180 in the old cell. Track records are being beaten across the country with mid 1.16’s to upper 1.16’s. The old cells performed very well on the second run because of increased voltage but loss in runtime. The shorty will not lose runtime but gain on the second charge, about 150 – 250 seconds more!!! Now modified racers can even run them twice, who would ever believe that! The packs have much more punch and rip on the second run! Even three runs in 48 hours are possible without loss to performance.
Assembly: If you are gluing the cells use Shoo-Goo for easy disassembly. Any type of battery bar, whether silver or gold, is recommended. Most important is not to overheat the cell while soldering. This common problem can be avoided by using a hot soldering iron (40 watts+) with quality ROSIN core solder not acid core. If possible do not pre-tin the cell with solder as this could reduce performance because solder is a poor conductor of electricity. A good tool for assembly is a Dean’s® battery jig. Avoid using shrink wrap around the entire pack as this can trap heat and rob power.
Matching: Use the same charge rates as listed above for charging. Set the discharge rate to 30 amps with a .90 cut off and time of 5000. These are the same parameters we use for matching. Make sure no air is circulating around the cells as this can give inaccurate readings. Do not use a fan. If you are using a Turbo 30 or 35 chargers make sure the voltage alligator clips (small), are connected directly to the bar and not to the current alligator clips (large).
Charging: Only charge GP 3300’s with chargers suitable for NiMH batteries. Suggested charge rate is 6.0 amps with a peak detect setting of 0.03 volts for 4 cells and at least 0.05 volts for 6 cells. Before a race, repeak the battery again between 4 and 5 amps with the same peak detects. Repeaking helps lower the internal resistance of the battery, although it doesn’t significantly improve voltage.
Discharging: When the race is completed discharge your battery down to 0.90 volts per cell or 3.60 volts for 4 cells and 5.40 volts for 6 cells. If you would like to increase the performance of your pack try using an “equalization” tray for a few minutes before charging to equalize the cells. Note that some trays on the market are not equalization trays and do not have a cutoff point. The “equalization” tray can also be used just after the battery has been discharged. If you do not have charger capable of discharging try using at least ten 1157 tail light bulbs wired in series. The bulbs are 2 amps each which will give you at least a 20 amp discharge.
***************************
Any comments or input regarding these new cells will be appreciated. PLEASE POST ALL RESPONSES HERE IN THIS THREAD.
The NEW “shorty” GP 3300 - The “long” GP 3300 that we are accustomed to running with awesome voltage and low internals has been >> discontinued<<. It has been replaced by the new “shorty” GP 3300. The shorty is approximately 1 mm shorter on the positive tab; it appears it has been smashed down into the cell. However, the weight difference is not even noticeable.
Performance: This cell is very strange. Although the labels read are very low they perform outstanding on the race track. Racers have become too accustomed to labels / numbers / and their chargers. With these cells, these methods of comparison from the old cell to the new cannot be used. I can honestly say that a 1.165 – 1.170 in the new cells is equal to almost a 1.180 in the old cell. Track records are being beaten across the country with mid 1.16’s to upper 1.16’s. The old cells performed very well on the second run because of increased voltage but loss in runtime. The shorty will not lose runtime but gain on the second charge, about 150 – 250 seconds more!!! Now modified racers can even run them twice, who would ever believe that! The packs have much more punch and rip on the second run! Even three runs in 48 hours are possible without loss to performance.
Assembly: If you are gluing the cells use Shoo-Goo for easy disassembly. Any type of battery bar, whether silver or gold, is recommended. Most important is not to overheat the cell while soldering. This common problem can be avoided by using a hot soldering iron (40 watts+) with quality ROSIN core solder not acid core. If possible do not pre-tin the cell with solder as this could reduce performance because solder is a poor conductor of electricity. A good tool for assembly is a Dean’s® battery jig. Avoid using shrink wrap around the entire pack as this can trap heat and rob power.
Matching: Use the same charge rates as listed above for charging. Set the discharge rate to 30 amps with a .90 cut off and time of 5000. These are the same parameters we use for matching. Make sure no air is circulating around the cells as this can give inaccurate readings. Do not use a fan. If you are using a Turbo 30 or 35 chargers make sure the voltage alligator clips (small), are connected directly to the bar and not to the current alligator clips (large).
Charging: Only charge GP 3300’s with chargers suitable for NiMH batteries. Suggested charge rate is 6.0 amps with a peak detect setting of 0.03 volts for 4 cells and at least 0.05 volts for 6 cells. Before a race, repeak the battery again between 4 and 5 amps with the same peak detects. Repeaking helps lower the internal resistance of the battery, although it doesn’t significantly improve voltage.
Discharging: When the race is completed discharge your battery down to 0.90 volts per cell or 3.60 volts for 4 cells and 5.40 volts for 6 cells. If you would like to increase the performance of your pack try using an “equalization” tray for a few minutes before charging to equalize the cells. Note that some trays on the market are not equalization trays and do not have a cutoff point. The “equalization” tray can also be used just after the battery has been discharged. If you do not have charger capable of discharging try using at least ten 1157 tail light bulbs wired in series. The bulbs are 2 amps each which will give you at least a 20 amp discharge.
***************************
Any comments or input regarding these new cells will be appreciated. PLEASE POST ALL RESPONSES HERE IN THIS THREAD.
#2
Tech Addict
Thread Starter
Please e mail us with ANY questions you may have, we know batteries and will be glad to help you!
www.sandhillsraceway.com
www.sandhillsraceway.com
#3
Tech Adept
Not trying to be too negative or anything, but.......
GAINING 150-250 seconds of run time sounds rediculously suspect to me. Gaining 15-25 seconds of runtime would be impressive, but 150-250 sounds impossible. Are they actually saying I should see 550-650 secs at 30 amp discharge on the second run? That would make them something like 4500's.
GAINING 150-250 seconds of run time sounds rediculously suspect to me. Gaining 15-25 seconds of runtime would be impressive, but 150-250 sounds impossible. Are they actually saying I should see 550-650 secs at 30 amp discharge on the second run? That would make them something like 4500's.
#5
Tech Addict
Thread Starter
Originally posted by John Fontaine
I don't understand. The first post you say you found this information on a website sounding like you were a racer that just found information. The second post you say email US for any questions. Are you associated with this company or not?
I don't understand. The first post you say you found this information on a website sounding like you were a racer that just found information. The second post you say email US for any questions. Are you associated with this company or not?
#6
250sec increase in run time is pretty impressive, at 30amp discharge it is like the cell's capacity increased by about 2000mAh
#7
Tech Elite
iTrader: (2)
Originally posted by jeepnyy
I am a driver not related to Sandhills. I found this info in the web and thought will pass it on to the rest of the hobby community. The web address is cut & pasted from their website where you can ask question regarding the aforemention cells. I will get a couple of packs myself to see if the info is true or not. And will post results as soon as I get hold of them.
I am a driver not related to Sandhills. I found this info in the web and thought will pass it on to the rest of the hobby community. The web address is cut & pasted from their website where you can ask question regarding the aforemention cells. I will get a couple of packs myself to see if the info is true or not. And will post results as soon as I get hold of them.
Edited for content. I misinterperated the original post.
Last edited by John Fontaine; 01-26-2004 at 12:08 PM.
#8
Tech Champion
iTrader: (5)
On the new cells which I have three new packs of to test and race with-they wil charge for 150 to 250 seconds longer on the second charge of the day. IN fact-I think last weekend my shorty cells were taking up to 4 or 5 minutes longer to charge the second run.
Maybe thats what they meant. And they are NOT hurting for rip in stock-and word from the Mod Oval guys-this is the best Mod pack EVER!! Really shines at high amp draw.
SRC knows what they are doing with batteries-they really do and they are no Bull$hit people. I am sure its not hype.
Lets not start a flame war over the interpretation of the post.
Maybe thats what they meant. And they are NOT hurting for rip in stock-and word from the Mod Oval guys-this is the best Mod pack EVER!! Really shines at high amp draw.
SRC knows what they are doing with batteries-they really do and they are no Bull$hit people. I am sure its not hype.
Lets not start a flame war over the interpretation of the post.
#9
Tech Adept
Please don't think I was trying to start some kind of flame war... not at all. In fact I've heard nothing but good things about Sandhills, the track and their cells. I'm sure they're great cells.
But.... I would still like some clarification. I'm most inclined to think it was an error of some sort. If it isn't, this would be probably the biggest jump in cell capability in years. I'd also apologize.
I've also heard that the new cell's track performance exceeds what their voltage would indicate.
rayhuang... Your explanation would make more sense. 150-250 secs more charge time at 5-6 amps makes quite a bit more sense than 150-250 seconds of DIScharge time at 30 amps... Agreed?
Again... I'm not trying to be too negative, like I said above. No disrespect at all.
But.... I would still like some clarification. I'm most inclined to think it was an error of some sort. If it isn't, this would be probably the biggest jump in cell capability in years. I'd also apologize.
I've also heard that the new cell's track performance exceeds what their voltage would indicate.
rayhuang... Your explanation would make more sense. 150-250 secs more charge time at 5-6 amps makes quite a bit more sense than 150-250 seconds of DIScharge time at 30 amps... Agreed?
Again... I'm not trying to be too negative, like I said above. No disrespect at all.
#10
Tech Elite
iTrader: (2)
I was also a little confused. A 150-250 second additional charge time @ 5-6amps is much different than a 150-250 increased discharge time @30 amps. I'm also assuming that you kept the same peak detect when you got the extra 3-4 minutes of charging time for the second charge?
#11
Tech Champion
iTrader: (5)
Bodido-hey no problems with what you said here!!!
I just know how these things escalate on these threads!!!
Yup-my chargers aare all set the same and the cells receive the same post race treatment. ON my Pulsar its set at 6 amps and 5mv detect and the T35GFX I just bought is set at 6amps 0.05 detect.
I just know how these things escalate on these threads!!!
Yup-my chargers aare all set the same and the cells receive the same post race treatment. ON my Pulsar its set at 6 amps and 5mv detect and the T35GFX I just bought is set at 6amps 0.05 detect.
#12
Tech Regular
maybe more cycling is in need from matchers?
#13
Hello,
I have several packs of Fantom and Fuku short can 3300's. I can say that they are very good. They do seem to a little perform better than the long can's with the same numbers. But I don't think that my 1.175 Fantoms short cans run as well as my 1.180's Fantom long cans.
As far as gaining runtime, I really didn't notice any gain on the second cycle. But then again, I only run my packs once a week and only care if my pack will get through the 5 minute qualifiers and main with out fading, which they do.
My 2 cents!
Joe
I have several packs of Fantom and Fuku short can 3300's. I can say that they are very good. They do seem to a little perform better than the long can's with the same numbers. But I don't think that my 1.175 Fantoms short cans run as well as my 1.180's Fantom long cans.
As far as gaining runtime, I really didn't notice any gain on the second cycle. But then again, I only run my packs once a week and only care if my pack will get through the 5 minute qualifiers and main with out fading, which they do.
My 2 cents!
Joe
#14
Bad choice of words.....but no reason to start a flame war. These guys make solid batteries....just need to work on the sentence structure
Later EddieO
Later EddieO
#15
Tech Addict
Thread Starter
Koabich::o you run on-road or oval? As for the difference between long & short cells, have you notice which one has better torque? Which is you preference ...Fantom or Fukuyama?
Thanx
Thanx