Hey just wondering if anyone knows a retailer to source some good nimh cells. I have an old tc3 that I would like to build a 6 cell pack for. Long gone are the days of pushed matches packs but my car is still setup with a brushed motor and Novak esc. I’d like to get it running again without converting it to a brushless lipo setup. I don’t think the ole IRS chassis would like the power, and not sure if I could even fit a brushless setup in the car. Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

EP-5000SC : 1.2v 5000mAh Sub-C NiMH cell (batteriesamerica.com)

You don't need to use a brushless motor to use a LiPo.

yes I do understand that, but I’d like to keep the classic Novak cyclone tc esc in the car. Im not sure if that would support a lipo battery ? Don’t want the magic smoke.

It'll work with a LiPo. You'll just want to add an external alarm plugged into the LiPo balance port so you don't over-discharge it.

A full charged 6 cell NiMh had about 8.5v, a full charged LiPo 8.4v, which smoke?
The only problem is that the old ESC has no low voltage detection. A LiPo alarm is a 2 dollar thing to help you with that.

But the NiMh cells are everyywhere to get. The old style stickpacks are sold everywhere and with most battery specialists and many RC shops you can still find the NiMh cells as well.

Plus their ESC was actually rated for 7 cell, which should give a bit more headroom.

I have ran 2S LiPo on many of my brushed cars without LVC built into the ESC... although an LVA is preferred as mentioned above, I never used one and was careful to stop running the car at the first hint of battery fade, never over discharged a battery being careful. Not uncommon for many racers to disable LVC as well to get an extra lap in a long main today.


I found it necessary to gear down because LiPo tends to provide more punch and this wasn't an issue for the ESC, but longer run times from LiPo would tend to build up heat on the motor and wear out the motors faster, more info here:

• What gearing for upgraded electronics?
  

I don't see any reason to use NiMh anymore, there are too many reasons why LiPo is better.


Good Luck!

Thank you for all of the great info, I will try out a lipo and tape it in place, the irs chassis is cut out for battery cells. Not going to race the car just have fun with a friend at a local track. I haven’t run this car since SoCal Raceway shut down early 2000’s. Cheers!

I have seen some racers use silicone caulk to glue their 4S LiPo on the chassis of 1/8 cars and remove the battery tray... there are many brands of cars that use velcro straps which tend to generate too much flex and cause premature damage to hard case LiPo's so gluing the battery to the chassis mitigates this issue, plus the silicone acts as an extra layer of flex to help increase grip.

Do not glue your battery to the chassis. Jesus christ.

Don't shoot the messenger, I personally haven't done this myself, I am simply reporting what I've observed as a means to mitigate what I perceive as a design flaw. Fortunately the brand of buggy I run offers a carbon strap to properly secure the battery so the chassis flex doesn't damage the battery case and/or internal wiring of the balance leads. With the previous brand of car I ran, It was very common for me to have to disassemble my LiPo and re-solder the internal wiring for the balance wires. Ever since I switched to a brand with the carbon strap, no more balance wire problems. The guys who are gluing their batteries to the chassis... also not experiencing damaged balance wiring either. Major drawback to gluing your battery is that you can't easily swap batteries in the event your pack has a failure, you'll have to rely on double sided tape to finish your race day won't hold up as well as silicone.


Just because someone does something that seems weird, doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't an effective solution to a greater problem.

I’ll start with tape, silicon glue isn’t permanent but there’s not enough chassis to make it effective.

Its a terrible safety hazard.

a battery like this will fit in your slotted chassis
Turnigy nano-tech 4200mah 2S2P 40~80C (Hardcase Stick Pack) (hobbyking.com)

HobbyKing™ BX100 1~8S Twin Buzzer LiPo/LiFe/Li-Ion Voltage Checker (Black) | Hobbyking

Turnigy Accucell C150 AC/DC 10A 150W Smart Balance Charger (US Plug) | Hobbyking