Roxor

Hi,
I'm new to the RC hobby, and looking to purchase my first car. After much debate about nitro vs electric, I think i'm gonna go with the HPI Savage Flux HP.
I'm in New Zealand and we don't really have any lhs which sell that so I'll be buying from either A Main or Tower when they finally get it in stock.

As shipping is gonna take a while, i want to make sure i get everything in one hit. So far i have....

Remove Product(s) Price Qty. Total

HPI 1/8 Savage Flux HP RTR w/2.4 Radio HPI104240 - HPI 1/8 Savage Flux HP RTR w/2.4 Radio
1 x Out of Stock
Note: This item is not eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
$594.99 $594.99

ProTek R/C 2S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 35C Hard Case Battery Pack (7.4V/5000mAh) (ROAR Approved) PTK-LPH-5000-2S35-P - ProTek R/C 2S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 35C Hard Case Battery Pack (7.4V/5000mAh) (ROAR Approved)
$59.99 $119.98
Dynamite 3S Hard Case 25C Li-Poly Battery Pack w/Traxxas Connector (11.1V/3200mAh) DYN5371T - Dynamite 3S Hard Case 25C Li-Poly Battery Pack w/Traxxas Connector (11.1V/3200mAh)
$74.99 $149.98
HPI 5mm Bore Steel Mod 1 Pinion Gear (22T) HPI100921 - HPI 5mm Bore Steel Mod 1 Pinion Gear (22T)
$13.75 $13.75
ProTek R/C "Prodigy 610" LiPo/LiFe/NiMH DC Battery Charger (6S/10A/200W) PTK-8502 - ProTek R/C "Prodigy 610" LiPo/LiFe/NiMH DC Battery Charger (6S/10A/200W)
$74.99 $74.99
ProTek R/C "Prodigy 65 AC" LiPo/LiFe/NiMH AC/DC Battery Charger (6S/5A/50W) PTK-8501 - ProTek R/C "Prodigy 65 AC" LiPo/LiFe/NiMH AC/DC Battery Charger (6S/5A/50W)


So 2 x 2S batteries and 2x 3S batteries. Is that enough? or do you think i should get 2 more 2S batteries? I was also wondering about the chargers, do i need a DC one? or will AC do? - e.g if i had 6 lipo batteries, use a set and put them on the DC charger will they be ready by the time i've gone through the other batteries?
Is there any other parts that you think i should order? (does something always seem to break on the Savages?) Is there some other neat items I've overlooked? (the is a Castle USB programming thing - is that something i should grab also?) Also I noticed a purple roll cage and front bumper thing i'll prolly grab.

One more battery question. Would the difference between 3200mAh and say 4000mAh be run time? or does mAh affect the speed of the vehicle also?


Thanks for reading this long post

Roxor

Just a quick update...from reading the pages of the Savage Flux thread, i don't think the 3S batteries were going to cut it. Also some folks said the Drive shaft can sometimes go, so i got another of those. The battery charger is a duel one so i think i can use either AC or DC current to charge.

New updated list here, can you see anything missing that i might need in the next 6months (tires?)

Thanks again.


HPI 1/8 Savage Flux HP RTR w/2.4 Radio HPI104240 - HPI 1/8 Savage Flux HP RTR w/2.4 Radio
1 x Out of Stock
$594.99 $594.99
ProTek R/C 2S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 35C Hard Case Battery Pack (7.4V/5000mAh) (ROAR Approved) PTK-LPH-5000-2S35-P - ProTek R/C 2S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 35C Hard Case Battery Pack (7.4V/5000mAh) (ROAR Approved)
$59.99 $119.98
HPI 5mm Bore Steel Mod 1 Pinion Gear (22T) HPI100921 - HPI 5mm Bore Steel Mod 1 Pinion Gear (22T)
$13.75 $13.75
ProTek R/C "Prodigy 65 AC" LiPo/LiFe/NiMH AC/DC Battery Charger (6S/5A/50W) PTK-8501 - ProTek R/C "Prodigy 65 AC" LiPo/LiFe/NiMH AC/DC Battery Charger (6S/5A/50W)
$99.99 $99.99
Mugen Battery Strap Set (2) MUGE0837 - Mugen Battery Strap Set (2)
$5.49 $5.49
Castle Creations Castle Link USB Programmer Adapter CSEPHXL - Castle Creations Castle Link USB Programmer Adapter
$21.49 $21.49
ProTek R/C 3S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 45C Battery Pack (11.1V/5000mAh) PTK-LP-5000-3S45 - ProTek R/C 3S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 45C Battery Pack (11.1V/5000mAh)
$99.99 $199.98
ProTek R/C 2S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 65C Hard Case Battery Pack (7.4V/5000mAh) (ROAR Approved) PTK-LPH-5000-2S65-W - ProTek R/C 2S "Supreme Power" Li-Poly 65C Hard Case Battery Pack (7.4V/5000mAh) (ROAR Approved)
$84.99 $169.98
HPI 6x71mm DriveShaft (Black) (Savage/Savage X) HPI86089 - HPI 6x71mm DriveShaft (Black) (Savage/Savage X)
$3.69 $3.69
HPI 11x123mm "Super Heavy Duty" Drive Shaft Set (2) HPI86246 - HPI 11x123mm "Super Heavy Duty" Drive Shaft Set (2)
1 x Out of Stock
$25.99 $25.99
HPI Heavy Weight Gear Differential Grease (30,000wt) HPIZ164 - HPI Heavy Weight Gear Differential Grease (30,000wt)
$2.79 $2.79
HPI Drive Gear 18-23T (1M) HPI86097 - HPI Drive Gear 18-23T (1M)
$4.59 $4.59
HPI 3mm Lock Nut (6) HPIZ663 - HPI 3mm Lock Nut (6)
$2.29 $2.29
HPI Aluminum Upper Arm Brace Set (Purple) (2) HPI86048 - HPI Aluminum Upper Arm Brace Set (Purple) (2)
$5.49 $5.49
HPI Lower Arm Brace (Purple) (2) (Savage) HPI86070 - HPI Lower Arm Brace (Purple) (2) (Savage)
$2.79 $2.79

PhoenixGG

once you get your flux, I recommend finding a nice grassy area to start riding on, or that stunning body won't last more than an hour.

Duster_360

iTrader: (21)

Castle has recommended that lipos for the Flux HP be a minimum of 5000mah and 25C or a minimum of 125 amps (5000/1000 x 25C = 125amps) based on the C rating otherwise you risk damaging the esc. If you ask one of the Castle guys what they run,you find out that run 30C rated lipos, again with a minimum capacity of 5000mah.

Take a look at this about lipos and charging before you decide on what charger. If you want a dual charger, you will prob be looking at a DC powered charger.

http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-lipo-batteries.html

Roxor

Thanks for that battery info.

Another question - "w ww.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11954". Sorry i have too few posts to post url's, hope you don't mind me cheating like this. This picture shows the wires, I think the White plug thingy is the JST-XH which is used to charge the battery, is that right?
And the other two wires Black and Red are used to connect to the car?. i think the Flux is a Deans connector......do i have to buy something else to attach to those battery wires? i guess i have to solder it on? I am uncertain of which one i need for the flux - could someone point out the productid at hobbyking that i would need.

Thanks again.

Duster_360

iTrader: (21)

No offense, please read that lipo tutorial I linked above - lipos can be dangerous if you don't understand what you're doing and from your ques, you're not there yet.


The white thing is the balance connector - you don't usually charge thru the balance connector - you can, but charge rate is limited due to the small wire size. You want to balance charge lipo using a balancing charger, you'll connect the black and red leads and the small white tab to the charger at the same time. The charger will charge thru the blk and red wires (main power wires) and use the others to bring the individual lipo cells in the battery into balance (equal or near equal voltage).

Flux is set up with Deans connectors. HK doesn't sell deans, you can find them at your lhs and if you're not certain about soldering, have the lhs change the connectors. Deans are a little challenging if you don't have a lot of soldering experience - HK lipos come with large gauge wires making it even hard to solder.

Been many lipos ruined by a momentary short due to inexperience allowing the live wires to touch and short out.

That lipo you linked a 4000mah 3S 45C would make the grade amp wise, (180amps) and should be ok. One thing you're prob not taking into account - if you get same capacity (mah) 2S and 3S lipos, you can run one of each (also need to be same C rating) for a 5S setup. Thats what I've been doing for a while with my Flux, 6S (pr of 3Ss) seems to really increase the wear and tear and maintenance, 4S gets a little tame after 50-60 runs and 5S seems to be the best of both worlds, faster and snappier the 4S, but without all the extra wear and tear and maintenance that 6S seems to cause.

You can't mix lipos if they are diff capacity cause the current draw will overheat and damage the weaker lipo.