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Matching correct ESC for Lipo battery??

Matching correct ESC for Lipo battery??

Old 04-09-2008, 05:01 PM
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Smile Matching correct ESC for Lipo battery??

Hello, I am thinking of changing my cheap electric rtr electric car to lipo batteries for longer and stronger performance.
Is there a certain type of ESC required or feature it needs to run lipo batteries. I have heard something about it requiring a 6v cut-off so it doesn't damage the lipo battery.
I have also heard a need something called a 'balancer' for my charger (Swallow 2), whats this about?
Can anyone give me some info or point me in the right direction??
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Old 04-14-2008, 04:58 AM
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Default Matching ESC and Lipo battery?

Anyone know what i should be looking at????
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Old 04-14-2008, 07:00 AM
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You can use any ESC you want to use. It's just that the newer ESCs have a voltage cutoff program to keep from over discharging a Lipo (2C @ 6V, 3C @ 9V). You can use any ESC that doesn't have a cutoff by installing a cutoff in your car, Novak makes one for 2C or 3C. This would help if you're bashing but if you're racing then you don't over discharge as long as you remember to recharge after each heat. Did I mention that the Novak GTB ESC can only use a 2 cell Lipo or either a 4,5 or 6 cell NiMH/NiCad? Something to consider before buying an ESC is what you want to do with your car.

You will get some controversy about balance chargers. I for one use a balance charger and fortunately it has rebalanced the cells on more than one occassion. Some people say that there are batteries in hard cases that do not need balancing but then why are they equipped with a balance port/tap?
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Old 04-17-2008, 05:21 AM
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Yeah, it would be good if 'the big companies' would clarify some of this stuff with all the new technology that is out there. I don't want to have to throw stuff out if I dont have too!
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Old 04-18-2008, 09:01 AM
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Rebalancing a lipo pack is never a bad thing but does not have to be done every charge. I have used lipo packs in my electric foamys for years with out the need for a balance charger. Before the event of these chargers we use to just seperately charge each cell to bring the pack back into balance if needed. The constant current/constant voltage will terminate each cell at exactly 4.2 volt per cell bringing the pack back into balance. That is why early cells had taps to charge each cell seperately.
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Old 04-18-2008, 11:31 AM
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HarrisRC.com sell the Novak 2 cell LiPo Smart Stop for $30 (AUD).

As others have said a balancer is not really required for daily charging. The only reason I got one was because I mainly use Trakpower and Flightpower lipos and they offers excellent warranty service here in Australia for those that use their balancers.

Using a balancer doesnt increase or decrease the charge time so once you have one you might as well use it all the time.

grassrootsracer: most of the major lipo battery and charger manufacturers and even some of the motor and speed controller manufacturers offer excellent information for first time lipo users on their web sites. Trakpower, Flightpower, MaxAmps, Team Novak, Castle Creation and Team Orion to name a few.
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