Teu-104bk - Good For Lipos?

[lee1980]

Its the newer version of the esc that comes with tamiya kits and I have even seen new relases are now coming with the 104 to!

I haven't tried mine yet but got it for my re-re buggy champ as i have a the Life battery it says has low voltage protection for the life battery would it be same for a lipo?

as the cut off level is not adjustable or anything!

By far the cheapest esc I could find with low voltage cut off and i plan to get an rs 540 black can to soon!

[WW-nut]

Hi Lee,

With regards your Life battery, just wanted to make sure you'd seen this: http://www.tamiya.com/english/info/LF%20Battery%20Notice.pdf

[lee1980]

Hi Lee,

With regards your Life battery, just wanted to make sure you'd seen this: http://www.tamiya.com/english/info/LF%20Battery%20Notice.pdf

thanks yeah i did by chance see it on tamiya site last week mine must be ok as i have used it and im sure you would notice if red didnt follow through when connected it all up!

well mine didnt explode!

[terry.sc]

...it says has low voltage protection for the life battery would it be same for a lipo?

No, the cutoff for LiFe cells is down to 4v, and the buggy would be moving pretty slowly by that point. Lipo cutoffs are at 6v. Taking a liupo down to 4v will kill the pack.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Hi Lee,

With regards your Life battery, just wanted to make sure you'd seen this: http://www.tamiya.com/english/info/LF%20Battery%20Notice.pdf

I posted about that here.

[beetleman]

When I first saw the release of the new 104 ESC from Tamiya, I was elated. I thought - finally a smart solution from dependable Tamiya, which will put an end to having to buy Novak's great but expensive Lipo cut-off module for each model in order to save those batteries and avoid a car to burst into flames.

However, a deeper look into this I found that its description does not mention Lipos - it only says: "Compatible with LF batteries, and includes a battery cut-off function to prevent over-discharging." The minimum cut-off voltage of LF batteries is way too low for Lipos, rendering this ESC's cut-off feature useless with Lipos? Also, we all know that Tamiya do not officially support Lipo technology for some reason.

So putting one and one together - was my joy for nothing? Has anybdody gotten it yet and can shed some light on this issue?

Thanks,

Eitan

[terry.sc]

Threads merged - might as well keep the discussion in one thread, rather than repeating ourselves.

[cubsfan2009]

It's also disappointing that they didn't think to add a BEC into the new ESC. Some things Tamiya does just doesn't make sense.

[dimblum]

The odd thing is LiFE batteries don't require a cut-off since they cannot be overcharged or overdischarged. I am not sure why Tamiya would have built a cut-off into their ESC designed for LiFE batteries??

I could not find any info online that confirmed the TEU-104BK is LiPO compatible.. I would be weary of trying their ESC with a LiPO unless they say it is specifically rated for one.

The ESC has a 25T brushed motor maximum and does not mention compatibility with brushless..

Each LiPO cell has a 3.6V cut-off (technically it's 3.3V). All RC Car LiPO's use 2 cells to equal 7.2V (the standard (sometimes more cells are used for special batteries)). Cut-off voltage is usually rated per cell, so a 4V cut-off could be a correct spec..

I think Tamiya needs to provide us a little more info.. There are not enough specs to know for sure.

[Butler]

There is no info in it being LiPO compatiable because it simply isn't. Thats that.

[lee1980]

Im sure on instructions for my Life pack it still says do no discharge below a certain voltage? so whos right? one would hope tamiya, only ran my bc

a few times with it but been worried about going to low so stopped after abour 15mins, when i think it will last a longer i hope! now i got this esc be ok!

I will use a mamba max on other stuff with lipos!

[hedge]

...Tamiya do not officially support Lipo technology for some reason...

LiPo is still relatively new, we have only had 2 full seasons of racing in the UK where LiPo was allowed by our governing body the BRCA. Many countries do not trust or support the technology. For years we had only NiCad and then NiMh but right now the future is blurry will it be NiMh LiPo or LiFe, lots depends on support and IMHO a serious LiPo fire at a big event causing harm will kill it dead and we will all be using NiMhs again.

[hedge]

Each LiPO cell has a 3.6V cut-off (technically it's 3.3V).

Do you mean LiFe 3.3v each = 6.6v total

All RC Car LiPO's use 2 cells to equal 7.2V (the standard (sometimes more cells are used for special batteries)).

LiPo are 3.7v each = 7.4v total

Cut-off voltage is usually rated per cell, so a 4V cut-off could be a correct spec..

I think Tamiya needs to provide us a little more info.. There are not enough specs to know for sure.

LiPo each cell is cut off at 3v or 6v total, discharge below this level will damage the cells and may make them reject a charge from a LiPo charge.

Cheers

Paul

[terry.sc]

Also, we all know that Tamiya do not officially support Lipo technology for some reason.

Lipos aren't used for racing in Japan, in fact all touring car classes only run 5 cell/6v maximum and buggies run to 7.2v maximum.

Tamiya don't sell lipos, and are unlikely to ever do so considering Tamiyas main market are bashers who will have no understanding of the dangers of mistreating lipos.

The question should be why should Tamiya support lipos.

As for Li-Fe, the discharge voltage threshold is so low that your car will slow to a crawl before the voltage gets too low.

[dimblum]

Good catch Paul. I definitely made some mistakes in my post..

- Yup, LiPO cells run at 3.7v each - not 3.6v

- Lipo cutoff is 3v per cell not 3.3v.. Novak sets their ESC cut-off for 2 cell LiPO configurations (6.25v), so a 4v cut-off on the TEU-401BK would not make any sense if it was rated for a 2S LiPO pack.

I am still curious why Tamiya would have added a cut-off voltage for LiFE cells?? Specs are out by other battery manufacturers confirming that LiFE cells do not require a cut-off of any kind.

Here is an example from one of the MaxAmps packs: http://www.maxamps.com/Life-2250-66-Pack.htm

Tamiya's specs don't mention cut-off requirements or 'lack there of' for their batteries: http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/551...ttery/index.htm

I can't imagine that they would use cells of a lower quality. Hopefully more information will be available soon.

Do you mean LiFe 3.3v each = 6.6v total

LiPo are 3.7v each = 7.4v total

LiPo each cell is cut off at 3v or 6v total, discharge below this level will damage the cells and may make them reject a charge from a LiPo charge.

Cheers

Paul

[super gripper]

Mtroniks do a some brushed esc's with lipo cut off.

Storm Tio's

I buy these

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/mtroniks-tio-storm-x-esc/rc-car-products/37739

[bromvw]

The Mtroniks Sniper RV12 is lipo compatable and around half the price of the one above - Also available from Modelsport .

[GregM]

Gives thread CPR...

It's aliiiiive!!

So anyway, I'm doing my research before I go crazy on eBay.

Would like an ESC in my Grasshopper 2. It's the 'Super G' so has 540 motor. I also need a battery and charger.

I was just about to buy a TEU-104BK but then I saw this thread.

Has time found an answer?

I don't have loads of money so it's gotta be right.

Help a noob and earn yourself a hug.

Neither the TEU-104BK, nor its predecessor TEU-105BK features LiPo-cutoffs. However, the 105BK features a BEC at last, to be compatible with all those BEC-less 2.4 GHz receivers.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Generally speaking the lower the motor turns i.e 4.5T will rev faster and higher.

A high turn motor i.e 55T will not rev high but have loads of torque.

The "turns" are the amount of copper windings within the motor.

9T brushless combo with 2s lipo in the lightweight grasshopper will be insane.

[super gripper]

The Mtroniks Sniper RV12 is lipo compatable and around half the price of the one above - Also available from Modelsport .

these 'snipers' are made for modelsport by mtroniks and are not lipo compatable - just looked at the spec on modelsport

http://www.modelspor...-products/31550

look at the specs, it says battery type nimh's.

thats why I said storm tio. made for lipo's.

[alfagta]

Hehe, thanks a lot

Well I 'need' a battery, charger and ESC. Someone gave me an old battered GH2 for spares. He had replaced the standard 380 motor with an AYK Racing MAGNUM 300B but I can't see anything about this motor anywhere. He said it was fast so I might install that if it's better than the standard 540 motor in mine.

So I've probably got about £70 to spend after selling a few things on eBay. What do you guys suggest, bearing in mind the essentials are battery, charger and ESC at the moment?

You're all being really helpful and I appreciate it.

hi, if you are happy to stay with a brushed set up then you could worse than the Etronix probe wp ( the wp has li-po cut off !) , for a cheap charger this should be fine http://www.modelspor...products/371014 , choose your battery according to what fit you need , so, if you need a rounded stick pack there are a few to choose from , if you can use a hard case square pack then head over to hobbyking uk warehouse site http://www.hobbyking...tSortOrder=desc , this will all take you slightly over budget but will give you a good long lasting set up .

[bromvw]

these 'snipers' are made for modelsport by mtroniks and are not lipo compatable - just looked at the spec on modelsport

http://www.modelspor...-products/31550

look at the specs, it says battery type nimh's.

thats why I said storm tio. made for lipo's.

I'am not looking for a arguement but the RV12 sniper ASSAULT is lipo compatable . Think we got our wires crossed ( no pun intended lol ). very similar name but not the same ESC. Model sport part number is MSRV12AS . Can't copy the link as my laptop is playing up .

[super gripper]

No worries. I get the Storm Tio X, it is well priced, lipo compatable and doesn't have a motor limit. Any esc with a motor limit is a waste of money.

[GregM]

Do the Mtronics speed controllers behave the same when braking and going into reverse as Tamiya's electronic speed controllers? And how about power regulations/limits when going into reverse (like e.g. 50% reverse power)?

[Theibault]

I use lipos in all my cars wether they have a cutoff or not. I just carry my programming box for my Viper ESC and it has a lipo checker and by know, I've become pretty good at knowing when I need to stop running them. Easy to do if you aren't prone to losing track of time while driving.