Interesting. You compare how many nimh's you've seen vent versus how many lipos you've heard gone up, not that you saw in person. Great comparison!!

But seriously, I don't think Lipo is going to save the hobby. It's just going to provide a new option that is cheaper and easier to maintain then nimh's. I've seen both go up, and 9 times out of 10 it's user error. Also, it depends on the type of cell for both cases. I've had an orion cell puff up, but not catch on fire or anything (apparently running one in a touring car on a 100 degree day with a 3.5 isn't good). Meanwhile, I've had IB cells vent and witnessed one IB pack blow up. Likewise, I've seen a maxamps pack melt a car due to it not being charged in a lipo sack. EP and EG cells seem to be more reliable.

In both cases, I think we read and see about the extreme cases. I don't think there were any incidents at ROAR nationals this past weekend and plenty of drivers were using both technologies.

Paul

For heavens sake give it a rest - we are all heartily sick of people who have seen this, seen that, know this, know that. These are the only verifiable facts...

When a LiPo fails it fails catastrophically - heat runaway leading to fire.
When an MiMh fails, it fails benignly - heat and energy dissipation leading to inert state.
LiPo and NiMh are no longer the future - the patented A123 battery structure is.

Whatever you use, just use it. Stop trying to set one part of RC against the other. It isn't big and it isn't clever. Do you want RC to be losing people because all you can find to say is negative to one technology or another?

I've seen the A123 cells in an 8th buggy, and honestly it was quite unimpressive. It would not come close to finishing our 20min main and it had an unimpressive top speed and acceleration. The users lipo was MUCH better, and ran about 18 minutes vs the 4-5 of the A123 cells. They were MUCH too large as well compared to the lipo.

A123 sucks in the performance end... It is all about the safety of it...

Not to sound like a smart ass or show anyone up or anyhting like that but i thought this was a 1/12th thread not a lipo vs. nimh vs. a123. there are probably threads like that all over so go to them and have your little debate.

Bob, we are talking about Lipo vs. NiMH IN 12th scales. Besides, in my opinion, NiMH are still way safer and give you the best performance.

how can you guys do that if it hasn't even happened yet. Except for the fact that smc is coming out with one but it still hasn't happened and i heard to run one of those you have to have a reciever pack to be able to run a servo. and i got that out of that smc thread. but what ever im sticking with nimh

Who cares about lipo in 12th,its not like I have ever even seen one in a 12th scale at the track.From what I read they seem like forever away ,and just way to comlplicated for 12th scale being 3.7,and the electronics dilemna??Im concentrating on racing my nimh,not questionable new tech..Thats my 2 cents,later,Tim.

Nimh's don't just vent and go inert. They can also embed themselves in 2x4s as witnessed at the 07 Oval Carpet Nats. (yes this was caused by user error)

I'm just sick of people comparing what they've seen at their track in the case of Nimh's versus what they read about on the net about Lipos.

Anyways, what rear pod for the 12L4 would be a good upgrade to allow easier use of brushless motors?

Thanks,
Paul

That's because they are 2 to 3 years away from being right for RC. Two to three years ago, you'd have said the same about LiPo. comparing the here and now with the future is futile.

A123 are concentrating on electric (full-size) cars, and ahve more money being given to them by GM, Toyota, Honda and Ford than they have time to do the development. Also, Toshiba, Sony and Apple are wanting them for computers. We (RC) come way down the order, that's why we have to wait. But, when they come, LiPo will be yesterday's news.

And meanwhile, back in the thread, LiPo won't make inroads to 12th anytime soon. Avoid IBs, and the NiMh cell is back where it was three years ago - simple to use, not failing, and providing enough power to run any motor you can get in the car for eight minutes. Like the other posters above, I'm sticking with what works for 12th. If you're desperate to run LiPo, you'll have to look elsewhere, because LiPo in 12th is complex and too light, so it lacks traction and handling.

Once the Team Kwik car comes out The rear pod should be able to bolt onto a L4 no problem. The Kwik car has the nicest pod I have seen to date.

I've actually been using LiPO for 3 years. Its been fine, and I have only puffed 2 packs, but only because I accidentally shorted 1 and the other was internally shorted due to getting hit.

Yea team kwik's car is really nice if i had patience i would get it because of well thought out it was.

any pics? sources where they sell their stuff at? I don't have a local hobby shop, so my purchases are normally online.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/electric...2th-scale.html