Need a LiPo

[iGP81]

I have slowly started to build a Kyosho Optima Mid 2022.

I've chosen a Hobbywing Quicrun 10BL120 ESC G2 Combo with 3652SL 4000Kv G2 Motor, SPT SPT4412LV Servo and Futaba R203GF Receiver however, one thing that is missing currently is a LiPo battery.

What "mah" 2S LiPo would you recommend preferably from a reliable and reputable brand?

[Blaino8]

My .02...  I've been running the Ovonic 2s Lipo's and have no complaints.  They're inexpensive and have more than enough power and run time.  Amazon has a 2 pack of them 6200mAh @ 50C for $32.  

[iGP81]

4 hours ago, Blaino8 said:

My .02...  I've been running the Ovonic 2s Lipo's and have no complaints.  They're inexpensive and have more than enough power and run time.  Amazon has a 2 pack of them 6200mAh @ 50C for $32.  

I'm in the UK and can't seem to find this brand, any other recommendation as there is a huge variety of choice out there.

[iGP81]

47 minutes ago, RedLizardon said:

Gens Ace are my go to. 

What would you recommend 2S wise from this brand based on the model configuration?

[Howards]

Just get whatever meets your price point on Modelsport or wherever. 4-5k is roughly what you need. 
 

Unless you have specific requirements the Zee batteries on Amazon will do. 

[Wooders28]

I don't have a new mid, so , what kind of room is there, to get between the belts?

This is my goto 2s stick lipo, fits anywhere a 6s (7.2v) nimh/nicad fits (think it's a little smaller if anything)

Just not in stock until May...🤦‍♂️

 

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/core-rc-4000mahr-7.4v-30-60c-2s-lipo-388538

[iGP81]

Sent a message to ModelSport and got a response back this morning, they recommended this LiPo to me.

[iGP81]

I've started shopping around this morning looking for all recommendations, Voltz brand any good? I found a Voltz 5000Mah 7.4V 50C Lipo Battery with XT60 plug which is what I need however, I was recommended to use a Male Deans to Female XT60 Adapter Plug... are these safe to use?

[Andreas W]

I would personally avoid adapters if I can, just because it's more hassle, more wiring to tuck away and a potential failure source, when the Deans connector gets more roomy after time. 

 

I have a 60th anniversary Optima Mid to build when the mancave is finished. I plan to run a square pack hardcase with bullet connectors and solder bullets directly on the ESC wires, but it's an equal good solution to run bullets to XT-60 or whatever connector you prefer. 

 

I have recently got a few Sunpadow platin batteries for low prices. Until now my go to has been Gens Ace,  but Sunpadow has been half the price,  so little to think about. The Sunpadow has holes for the bullets going through and the bullets are easy to get out by pushing from below,  if they are tight. 

 

I would get a square pack with bullets and if your ESC has XT-60 I would just get a driving/charging cable with bullets in one end and XT-60 in the other. 

 

Like this for example, or another brand if preferred,  but a battery of this type would be my choice. 

 

https://www.sunpadow.com/sunpadow-platin-series-rc-car-racing-battery-5500mah-7-4v-2s1p-suitable-for-1-10-tc-modified_p114.html

 

https://www.sunpadow.com/sunpadow-platin-series-rc-car-racing-battery-5500mah-7-4v-2s1p-suitable-for-1-10-tc-modified_p114.html

 

[Howards]

6 hours ago, iGP81 said:

Sent a message to ModelSport and got a response back this morning, they recommended this LiPo to me.

Just get that then. 

the every day batteries are much of a muchness. As long as they fit, they will be fine. The voltz stuff is fine too, as is the core stuff. All come from the same factory in China most likely.

[alvinlwh]

1 hour ago, Howards said:

All come from the same factory in China most likely.

Exactly this. How is one to know if that ROAR/BRCA (or whatever alphabet soup) approved battery is really using the good parts? Or some unapproved batteries are in fact using the same parts inside an approved battery? 

A manufacturer just needs to fill in a form, submit a fee and a battery to get the approval seal. They just need to submit a good battery for the application, but what happens after that? Who knows? 

[Howards]

Yeah. On the one hand, I get the intention of the 'approved kit' list, but on the other, I find it funny how everything on it is at least twice the price of an everyday battery which by and large does exactly the same thing. 

[Wooders28]

On 3/29/2025 at 6:47 PM, alvinlwh said:

How is one to know if that ROAR/BRCA (or whatever alphabet soup) approved battery is really using the good parts?

The BRCA just say for the lipo gear to be purchased from a recognised UK outlet to the model industry. 

Basically just to stop the dodgy fake stuff that's littered through eBay and Amazon. 

On 3/29/2025 at 4:55 PM, Howards said:

All come from the same factory in China most likely.

I've worked in manufacturing all my working life, and just because its "made in the same factory" , doesn't mean its all top quality!! 

The top grade perfect stuff goes to the named brands who pay more, but demand quality (in this case, sold in the major model shops) 

The next level down ,that's just got through quality control gets sent to the less fussy brands

Anything that's scraped through, or worse still, the nightshift passed it (🙊🤣), goes to anyone that will take it.

(Been known for products that should have been destroyed, have found their way out of the factory .This usually only comes to light when there's been multiple complaints, and there's a bit of an investigation) 

 

If you're buying lipos, lipo chargers or charge bags etc, just buy it from a proper modelshop 🤷‍♂️

Or pay your money take your chance.

 

[Wooders28]

On 3/29/2025 at 10:18 AM, iGP81 said:

Sent a message to ModelSport and got a response back this morning, they recommended this LiPo to me.

Looks good to me 👍

[alvinlwh]

2 minutes ago, Wooders28 said:

The next level down ,that's just got through quality control gets sent to the less fussy brands

A friend once said this to me "What do you call a doctor that just pass his exams with the minimum possible score? How will you know how your doctor actually did in his exams?". 

5 minutes ago, Wooders28 said:

worse still, the nightshift passed it

Ah, no difference from the  Friday Afternoon Rover (if it has a K series inside, then any day of the week)! 

[Wooders28]

21 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

How will you know how your doctor actually did in his exams?"

If they're practising at a Hospital/clinic found on Amazon or eBay ,I'd probably say not as well as a Doctor at a top private hospital? 🤷‍♂️

 

23 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

no difference from the  Friday Afternoon Rover

Exactly! 

"Come from the same factory " doesn't actually mean a great deal, it's kind of more the quality control after that..

[alvinlwh]

11 minutes ago, Wooders28 said:

If they're practising at a Hospital/clinic found on Amazon or eBay ,I'd probably say not as well as a Doctor at a top private hospital?

Don't think it is that simple as Amazon and Ebay don't offer medical services. Rather, how do you know, for sure, that the Bupa doctor did better in his exams than the NHS doctor? When they both have the same exact certificate? 

11 minutes ago, Wooders28 said:

"Come from the same factory " doesn't actually mean a great deal, it's kind of more the quality control after that..

Again, not that simple, how do you know the pass sticker was not slapped on by the night shift? You worked in manufacturing you say, so is there a different coded pass sticker for the night shift? Does it means night shift = lower quality and gets packed into a different box to be sent to different buyers? If that is the case, the next car I buy, I better ask the dealer to get one from the day shift. 

[Wooders28]

18 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

is there a different coded pass sticker for the night shift?

Everything is Bar coded and scanned these days, so it's possible to trace back to the specific person and machine! 

(It's the workers on their first nightshift that's usually the one to watch for, as they've probably been awake for 16+ hours at the start of their shift already, alot gets held back at final inspection ,where each batch then gets 100% inspected and regraded by a fresh faced permanent dayshift team, but some can slip though)

[Howards]

2 hours ago, Wooders28 said:

I've worked in manufacturing all my working life, and just because its "made in the same factory" , doesn't mean its all top quality!! 

Yes, you are right. If you look at my comment in context I was suggesting that Voltz, Overlander and Core are all that second level tier of supplier you mention in your comment above. I’d probably include Zee in that list based on experience and others’ experience.

BRCA does have a sanctioned equipment list for nationals and regionals and some local class racing is done to BRCA equipment rules.- although likely only enforced if it looks like you are winning! 

[Wooders28]

10 hours ago, Howards said:

BRCA does have a sanctioned equipment list

For shorty batteries, I don't think I've ever checked if it's legal or not!! 🙈😳

I always get them out of Modelsport or MB Models (intellect seem the best value)

 

10 hours ago, Howards said:

rules.- although likely only enforced if it looks like you are winning! 

I seem to remember a bit of drama a while back, with people disqualified for their liHv batteries being over the 4.2v per cell limit 😬