SMC New Improved IB4200 and IB4600
12-13-2007, 06:37 PM
#16
Tech Adept
Yeah i'm completely put off IB cells. Dead cells, can't rely on them etc.
I'll be getting some of the team orion batteries, they sound shiney and reliable.
I'll be getting some of the team orion batteries, they sound shiney and reliable.
12-13-2007, 06:41 PM
#17
why the ?'s
I originally asked the question because I was curious what IB has done to repair their image. From the answers, it seems like not much.
One of the problems in r/c racing is that buying junk products is coughed up as a learning experience, and those that complain are viewed as trouble makers. If you bought a tv and it stopped turning on after a week, would you say, oh well, hope the next one I buy is better. Or what if you bought a car and the transmission went out after a month, would you be happy buying another transmission? Just because r/c racers use r/c products outside of the "recommended settings," does that mean that we have to accept inferior products and wait in line to buy more. I understand that racers overheat the cells during assembly, charge at too high a rate, and sometimes short out and blow the batteries. But that doesn't explain why so many ib4200 were duds.
By not holding IB accountable to the products they make and happily getting in line to buy more, we will only get more of the same.
One of the problems in r/c racing is that buying junk products is coughed up as a learning experience, and those that complain are viewed as trouble makers. If you bought a tv and it stopped turning on after a week, would you say, oh well, hope the next one I buy is better. Or what if you bought a car and the transmission went out after a month, would you be happy buying another transmission? Just because r/c racers use r/c products outside of the "recommended settings," does that mean that we have to accept inferior products and wait in line to buy more. I understand that racers overheat the cells during assembly, charge at too high a rate, and sometimes short out and blow the batteries. But that doesn't explain why so many ib4200 were duds.
By not holding IB accountable to the products they make and happily getting in line to buy more, we will only get more of the same.
12-13-2007, 06:41 PM
#18
Tech Adept
I have wasted a ton of $ on IB's this year. Cared for them like they were one of my children and they all eventually went bad. I got caught in believeing that the "next batch would be better" testimony. 
What a joke.
I am glad there is an option now.
IB's are killing are hobby. Yea I said it.
What a joke.I am glad there is an option now.
IB's are killing are hobby. Yea I said it.
12-13-2007, 08:14 PM
#20
F**k Me Runnin! I have thrown away four SMC/IB 4200s (well cared for & properly built might I add) in the last three months because they had zeroed out for no apparent reason. That sucks! I wish I had be more persistant when I called and complained.
Not trying to disrespect. I just wish I would have know. Or been offered the option. I have spent a lot of time trying to smooth things over with customers who have bought theses packs from me and it has'nt been much fun.
Not trying to disrespect. I just wish I would have know. Or been offered the option. I have spent a lot of time trying to smooth things over with customers who have bought theses packs from me and it has'nt been much fun.
No offense intended.
12-14-2007, 05:03 AM
#21
Tech Fanatic
1) SMC warranties all defective packs.
2) We called our distributors and had them send back all the matched IB4200's for credit or eventual replacement. In essence, we pulled the product from our distribution channels.
3) We sent all the bad cells back to IB and told them we were through with them until they could send us reliable cells. For about two months we had NO batteries.
4) They have manufactured a completely new cell with the emphasis on reliability. As an added bonus they perform like nothing else we have seen.
I certainly understand the reluctance to purchase these cells given their poor track record. However, if they continue to be as impressive as our last two shipments, they definately warrant consideration. I suppose time will tell.
2) We called our distributors and had them send back all the matched IB4200's for credit or eventual replacement. In essence, we pulled the product from our distribution channels.
3) We sent all the bad cells back to IB and told them we were through with them until they could send us reliable cells. For about two months we had NO batteries.
4) They have manufactured a completely new cell with the emphasis on reliability. As an added bonus they perform like nothing else we have seen.
I certainly understand the reluctance to purchase these cells given their poor track record. However, if they continue to be as impressive as our last two shipments, they definately warrant consideration. I suppose time will tell.
12-14-2007, 05:36 AM
#22
The best pack I have right now is an IB4200. I'd buy more.
12-14-2007, 05:43 AM
#23
Tech Adept
1) SMC warranties all defective packs.
2) We called our distributors and had them send back all the matched IB4200's for credit or eventual replacement. In essence, we pulled the product from our distribution channels.
3) We sent all the bad cells back to IB and told them we were through with them until they could send us reliable cells. For about two months we had NO batteries.
4) They have manufactured a completely new cell with the emphasis on reliability. As an added bonus they perform like nothing else we have seen.
I certainly understand the reluctance to purchase these cells given their poor track record. However, if they continue to be as impressive as our last two shipments, they definately warrant consideration. I suppose time will tell.
2) We called our distributors and had them send back all the matched IB4200's for credit or eventual replacement. In essence, we pulled the product from our distribution channels.
3) We sent all the bad cells back to IB and told them we were through with them until they could send us reliable cells. For about two months we had NO batteries.
4) They have manufactured a completely new cell with the emphasis on reliability. As an added bonus they perform like nothing else we have seen.
I certainly understand the reluctance to purchase these cells given their poor track record. However, if they continue to be as impressive as our last two shipments, they definately warrant consideration. I suppose time will tell.
Do you still warrranty after the packs have been soldered up and ran a few times in touring car mod racing. As you know this is the most difficult kind of racing on batteries. Cells begin droping like flies.
If what I stated is still under warranty I would like to send you back 100 or so cells.
Let me know.
Travis
12-14-2007, 06:05 AM
#24
Tech Fanatic
Wow. 100 cells bad? You must run a lot of mod TC! Usually, we warranty against dead cells or problems that are encountered soon after purchase. But not always. It is a gray area when we don't know the circumstances surrounding how the batteries were used/abused (not saying you abused them, but you should see some of the stuff we get back) especially over a period of time. With that said, I would e-mail Danny and explain your situation. Are these all SMC cells? I'm sure we can work something out that is amicable for both of us.
12-14-2007, 06:34 AM
#25
Tech Adept
Wow. 100 cells bad? You must run a lot of mod TC! Usually, we warranty against dead cells or problems that are encountered soon after purchase. But not always. It is a gray area when we don't know the circumstances surrounding how the batteries were used/abused (not saying you abused them, but you should see some of the stuff we get back) especially over a period of time. With that said, I would e-mail Danny and explain your situation. Are these all SMC cells? I'm sure we can work something out that is amicable for both of us.
I purchased 2 packs before the warm up for Cleveland that were terrible. I put them togather without throwing them on a matcher like a usually do. The fact of the matter is I didn't have time. I went out in practice and the car was slow and then dumped hard. Obviously bad cells. I was so upset that I just put them away and chalked it up as $130 down the drain...
I put them on the matcher the other day and they were either completely dead or in the mid 300's and 35 amps.
12 cells is all I am asking to replace. Yes, I have gone through over 100 bad cells including the SHV's from last year.
What is Danny's e-mail address?
Thanks,
Travis
12-14-2007, 06:42 AM
#26
Looking for e-mail? Try here http://www.smc-racing.com/ , where complaints and concerns SHOULD be addressed.
12-14-2007, 08:09 AM
#28
Ener-G and all the hype--were they just to be relabeled IB's. I am a bit confused that all of a sudden IB's are the way to go after promoting Ener-G as the way to go--what is up?
Did I miss something!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I miss something!!!!!!!!!!!!
12-14-2007, 08:50 AM
#29
Mason your right, my hammer is swingin' as we speak
12-14-2007, 08:54 AM
#30
