LiPo set-up

[Percymon]

Rather than continue the debate on the 8.4V vs 7.2V thread from yesterday, i thought i'd start again !

I'm ruling out 8.4V due to limited shape and space for two batteries on my chassis. So i'm left with good old NiMH which i understand and know, or Lipo which i'm more confused about as i look for information and read threads - too many pictures of electronics labs for charging stations hasn't helped

So to keep things simple i'm going to restrict this to 7.4V, 3 cell lipo information. I'll be running two packs, so 14.8V.

Ignoring the Traxxas connectors of my ESC for the time being , is the below kit correct for an introduction to Lipo...

Imax B6 or similar charger with integral balancer

Mains power supply to feed 220-240V AC to charger

3S Lipo hard case batteries, 3000mAh or better 25C discharge or better

Connection leads

Charging sack / case

I assume with the above i don;t need any external balancers or balancing boards - just hook up the banana leads from the charger to the battery pack and another lead from the battery pack to the charger unit to monitor charging conditions ?

If this is correct what is the best way to integrate Lipo packs with my traxxas esc - do i fit banana type male sockets to the esc leads or buy a ready made conversion lead (Traxxas female one end, banana type the other). I'm guessing swapping the battery plugs over to traxxas is pointless as there are virtually no traxxas type charging leads.?

Sorry to go over old ground, but ui really need a simple explanantion and guidance.

Cheers

[igbandy]

You need 2s lipo`s, 3s are 11.1 volt.

You can get lipo`s with traxxas plugs already fitted. Also go for a higher c rating, 40 is a good starting point.

[Percymon]

Yes sorry, 2s = 7.4V - don;t know why i put 3S but apologies once again and thanks for pointing it out

Lipos with traxxas connections are a bit pricey, and the choice isn;t that great (presumably marketted to Traxxas users). Far better to go for corelly type battery connections and a corelly to traxxas convertpr lead in the car i think ?

[tamiya monkey]

does your your esc have lipo low voltage cut-off, if not you will need either a lipo alarm or cut-off for each battery.

turnigy make really good, and fairly cheap lipo packs, i can highly recommend them.

[Percymon]

The ESC is the top Traxxas one, EVX2, and has built in LVC. Turnigy lipos look great value on eBay too, just need to sort charging options before I press the button.

[Percymon]

Checked the manual for my ansmann, it can cope with 5s lipo although no balacing function. Looks like an add on balancer might be ok afterall.

[tamiya monkey]

i always balance my lipo's.

[Percymon]

Having looked around at Balancer units, it wasn't much cheaper than buying another charger, so i've just bought..

Turnigy Accucel 6 charger

Power supply unit

Turnigy 3800mAh 25c/35c hard case 2S 7.4V LiPo batteries

Charging bag

Only reason buying the Accucel over the Imax b6 was the fact Turnigy sellers quoted the type of JST plug (so i knew it was compatible with the Turnigy batteries), and the Accucel has a cooling fan built in. At the end of the day there are to all intents and purposes the same thing.

Li-Po here i come - woohoo !!