Tamiya LF Batteries vs Lipo 2s, 3s

[80sBasher 25]

So I noticed some of the high-end street RC stuff from Tamiya is designed for the Tamiya LF battery. Looking it up on Tamiya's page there isn't a lot of performance info other than a higher maximum number of cycles and improved safety over standard Lipo I believe its also more compact. If anyone has used these across various RCs, I'd like some feedback on whether or not they are broadly compatible from a sizing perspective and if they are comparable to standard 2s or 3s Lipo in terms of power output and duration of run time.

 

 

"

LF Battery LF2200-6.6V Racing Pack Item No: 55102 This is a high performance Lithium-ion battery pack designed for R/C model use. Making it compatible for quick charging is its featured large-capacity high-power output as well as having superior safety characteristics. Minimal self-discharging and reduced memory effects enable long-lasting battery life, allowing approximately 1000 recharging cycles. The balance connector allows a balanced charging for reconditioning of each individual cell. DEANS connector enables a large amount of current flow whilst ensuring a secure attachment. Also includes a connection adaptor for use with Tamiya speed controllers (ESC)."

 

 

[markbt73 5701]

You're talking about two completely different types of battery here.

Lithium Iron Phosphate - LiFe for short, also sometimes known as A123: Tamiya's batteries, 3.3v nominal voltage per cell. Safer, more stable, supposedly more durable (thought I have not found that to be the case), low voltage cutoff at around 2.5 volts per cell. I believe Tamiya's new breed of ESCs (TBLE02 and 04) have a built-in cutoff for these.

Lithium Polymer - Lipo for short: the entire rest of the industry. 3.7v nominal voltage per cell. Manufactured in massive quantities, available from dozens of manufacturers. Subject to thermal runaway if mis-handled or charged wrong, but the effects are now well-understood and easily preventable. Requres a low voltage cutoff no lower than 3 volts per cell, which is what most speed controllers use, because Lipo batteries are quickly becoming the industry standard.

Edit, to better answer the actual question: In my opinion, Tamiya backed the wrong horse here. I tihnk they were worried by the inherent dangers of Lipo batteries and turned to LiFe as a subsutitute. But the significantly lower voltage (6.6v versus 7.4v for a standard 2s pack) makes LiFe a non-starter, for me anyway, and for most people, it seems. The difference in "punch" and top speed is huge, and a LiFe-powered car will typically feel like a NiCd/NiMH-powered car with about half a battery charge. Plus, the one LiFe pack I had (not Tamiya-branded, admittedly) only lasted about 50 cycles before it wouldn't take a charge, with me being hyper-attentive to cutoffs and charge rates.

Stick with standard 7.4v Lipo packs, and get the right low-voltage alarms for them if your ESC doesn't have a cutoff. You'll be a lot happier.

[80sBasher 25]

Good to know. I'll stick with my lipos then.

[alvinlwh 7069]

4 hours ago, markbt73 said:

In my opinion, Tamiya backed the wrong horse here.

No so simple, JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) may have different rules to the rest of the world. I do not profess to be an expert on their laws but I believe given the relative safety of LI-FE, they can be marketed towards children with less risk of liability to Tamiya as well. Just my 2¢.