Benefits of a hardcase lipo vs. softcase lipo?

[Grand National]

I am purchasing batteries for my basher, and I can't decide between the two because I have never owned a hardcase lipo and I don't really know what the advantages of it are. I am torn between these two lipos:

http://spcracing.com/index.php?productID=84
http://spcracing.com/index.php?productID=103

I have heard the hard case lipos are safer, can the hardcase lipos swell? Is there any other differences between the two? If you were to buy one or the other what would be your choice? I am looking for good run times, long life, and a good punch (these batteries both have enough punch). The softcase is 8000 mAh and the hard case is 6000 mAh and the soft case lipos are $3 cheaper. I would like the 8000 mAh, but would a hard case lipo be better vs. a soft case? Is it worth getting that +2000 mAh over the hard case?

[Grand National]

Found my answer, thanks. :cool:

[monrob2424]

Found my answer, thanks. :cool: Would love to hear what answer you got! When I had my Rustler VXL I ran SPC soft case lipos and with my Maxx 3905 I switched over to ******* Hard Case. Overall all I like the hardcase Lipos but it is more on the aesthetic side of things. I found with soft case the outer lining would at times begin wearing after bashing sessions where the hard case cant rip. I also feel that they are safer as the cells are more protected.

When I received my hard case batteries I said I probably would not use soft case again. Whether I got SMC or ******* or some other brand.

[Jay 313]

A guy at my hobby shop said that hard-case LiPo's don't swell - the case cracks instead. Is this correct?

[Popoxx]

Hardcase lipo packs may swell because of poor quality cells.
Hardcase lipo packs may crack because of a really really bad crash.

I don't know if the opposite is possible :mellow:

[Grand National]

A guy at my hobby shop said that hard-case LiPo's don't swell - the case cracks instead. Is this correct?
It will if it swells a whole lot. The downside to hardcase lipos are if you have a minor swell in a cell, you won't be able to see it and you will keep on running and possibly ruining your system. I have read that protection is better with the hardcase lipo obviously because it has a hard outer case. Also, thinking back, only some tracks will allow you to use hardcase lipos, and nothing else. Some people have said that the case can be pretty weak, and may break with hard landings and if rocks hit it ect. I think I will go with the softcase, I get 2000 more mAh, and I save $3 :D!

[ONTHEMOVE]

You'll be sorry(softcase)...EMBE battery trays are exposed way to much for soft packs.

I have one 3sSPC softpack I run in either the 4x4 Slash or Rusty.

I would never run a softpack in my EMBE unless they where someone else's :o)
Unless someone has found a MOD to protect the LIPOS packs?????

[Hughes500Bob]

ROAR approved hard case lipos have some sort of fire retardant built into the pack. This is why they are approved for airline transport.

Any lipo will puff if abused and the hard case will split open.

Just be wise on the wire exit design of the pack you choose.

[Rusty+Jump=Fun!]

ROAR approved hard case lipos have some sort of fire retardant built into the pack. This is why they are approved for airline transport.

That's good to know :)

[crs racing]

i had some soft case ones and they were fine but the outer wrap was coming off so i'v started wraping mine in duct tape and haven't had a problem since. evan saw one that was wraped with duct tape fly out and get draged on the road a little then just get put back in and work fine. so i would co for more mah

[Jakey]

ROAR approved hard case lipos have some sort of fire retardant built into the pack. This is why they are approved for airline transport.
It is the UN approval and soft-case packs can meet that also.

[Grand National]

Hey Jakey, I still have to contact you about my SPC lipo. It's like leaking battery acid?

[Tony Sud]

Hey Jakey, I still have to contact you about my SPC lipo. It's like leaking battery acid?


Why bother taking trhe risk with softcase lipos?? It is just stupid.

Just get the hard case and thenm you can forget about worrying about expansion.

[RobWilJas]

Hard case LiPos can swell just like a softcase. It's just that if it's minor you don't see it because of the hard case. I run soft case LiPos right now, but next time I buy some I will get hard cased ones.

[hexitnow]

Why bother taking trhe risk with softcase lipos?? It is just stupid.

Just get the hard case and thenm you can forget about worrying about expansion.

I fail to see where the risk comes into play. Saying that using softcase lipo's is stupid is also extremely harsh. I like softcase lipo's so I can see when the cell goes bad and it start's expanding.

[danielc79]

i had an smc hard case, and their cases are pretty thick(i know i took one apart, yes stupid, but still i did) but then i had another one swell. the entire case popped open it was pushed apart, its just two pieces of a shell with a ton of glue holding it closed. if you secure your lipos how are they going to get damaged in a maxx? i put electrical tape around it cuz the soft case lipos plastic is pretty thin. i have dragged it i have dropped it i have tumbled on it when it fell out of the truck because i didn't secure it well i'm pretty sure i've done everythging to this battery your not supposed to do short of throwing it in a fire and its never swelled or even gotten hot. it is a ******* 20c 5000mah pack soft case. of course you should still take all the precautions with any lipo battery just because its hard shell doesn't mean it won't explode if it wants to, but wether its hard shell or soft won't matter if it does explode. i'm getting hard case lipos and i'm still going to put electrical tape on the outside, i think this will make it more water resistant also.

to each his own though, get the extra mah and use the 3 bucks to buy some cheap electrical tape and tape that sucker up.