Help deciding on electronics
 

Just bought a TC5 roller and since I have been out of the hobby for quite some time, alot of things have changes.

Local club is running on concrete road course if this helps. I will need to purchase all electronics to get functional.
Need help on following:

Radios - 2ch vs 3ch?
ESC -
Motors - brushed vs brushless
Chargers - Can someone explain LIPO?
Batteries

ETC
Doing some research online, but seems a bit confusing. Can anyone recommend a site for Newbies like myself?

2.4 ghz, Brushless and lipo is the way to go. You won't believe the kind of run-times, consistency, and power the new tech has to offer. As far as which electronics to get that totally depends on how much you have to spend, I say check out what the fast guys are running in the class you will be competing in. I use a Bantam e-Station BC-6 charger and I'm very happy with it, but I have heard the cheaper (Turnigy) chargers are almost identical and appear to even use the same menu interface. Just make sure to get a charger that balances cells as well, which most do these days anyway.

The most important thing you need to know about lipo is that each cell needs to stay between 3.0-4.2v and never more or less or it can cause damage or even fire. That just means its important to have a lipo charger and an ESC with a low voltage cutoff, or run an external one on older ESCs without an LVC built in, and always be sure to charge with the proper settings and keep your cells balanced. Most of the new chargers now have fail-safes to prevent fires and battery damage anyway. The "C" rating is basically a rough estimate of the discharge rate that the battery gives in relation to its mAh rating, higher C is better but you really just need a battery that will supply a bit more current than your motor will draw. Unless you are running a hot motor (about 6000+ kv) or low mAh batteries, the really high C-rated batteries will be overkill and make no difference. Due to the efficiency of lipo power you will probably get 20% or more longer runtimes than an equivalent NiMh, and they have much more consistent power than the older types, so no more drops in speed as the battery loses charge.

There are tons of resources available for brushless info and sensored vs sensorless so I won't go into detail about that unless you have specific questions, in which case just ask. I hope this helps you.

thanks for your reply and all your help. I am learning quite a bit.

I found a Spektrum DX3-S with DSM2 radio and receiver NIB for 179.99 Good Deal?

What do you think about the Mamba Max Pro ESC with 5700kv motor? With the info you gave me about LIPO's, I am calculating that I will need at least a 2s 25C 5000mah Lipo for this motor and setup?

I really like my DX3S, 179 is a great deal. Actually its too good. Is it used? I have that castle 5700kv motor and would definitely recommend it. You can't go wrong with Castle Creations stuff. If I was going to get an ESC now I would definitely get the MM pro.

25c 5000mah batteries will be fine, thats what I use too.

Hey I really do appreciate your input. This website is by far the best and friendliest one I have been to. In regards to the Spektrum it is new in the box!!! Also I am glad I made some good choices based on your information. I did buy the Mamba Max Pro ESC with the 5700kv motor. Still need to get some lipos and a charger. Have you ever heard of the Thunder AC6 Lipo charger/discharger/balancer? Seems to have gotten some very good reviews and the price is right. It seems like I cant stop researching on the internet for RC info. I am hooked!! Now to look for a local club/track.

Thanks again.

I have heard of that charger, but have never used it. The people that I saw had, seemed to like it.

I use a Bantam BC-6 but looking at the Turnigy 6 cell charger on Hobbyking it looks like its the same thing (different case) but for 1/5 the price. It wouldn't surprise me. Getting a fancy charger for lipo doesn't have nearly the advantage it did in the NiMh or NiCd days. As long as you get one that charges at at least 5A, has balancing built in, and has good reviews I would feel confident in the purchase. Auto cell detection and lipo storage mode are also pluses and included on most chargers these days. Keep in mind there are I think 3 (maybe 4) types of balancing plugs so you may need an adapter depending on what is on your batteries.