Got my SPC Batteries!

[AudioStylz]

Well I'm still waiting on my battery charger and still need a male banana plug with a TRX connector and a lipo sack but out side of that I'm almost ready to race.

I am going to the track tonight to practice with a friend who's letting me borrow the stuff I currently do not have yet. Getting anxious! 5pm is gonna take forever to get here!

My SPC 2s 20c 5000mah 7.4 batteries:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...g?t=1267129261

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...g?t=1267129302

The reason why I went with the 2s batteries is because the track does not allow anything else. I will eventually upgrade batteries to a 30c only because I didn't realize there was any benefit, now I know better!

[1468racechevy]

What was the price on those if you don't mind me asking. Looking to get a couple of lipos

[AudioStylz]

What was the price on those if you don't mind me asking. Looking to get a couple of lipos

I don't mind at all!

The current one's in the photo ran me $118 shipped USPS. The same batteries but 3s would have been $151 shipped. I originally ordered 3s 20c 5000mah 11.1's but found out the track does not allow 3s for racing and I was able to change my order before shipping. Thomas and Janice are very cool people to deal with.

BTW, those price's are for 2 batteries.

[1468racechevy]

Thanks for the info

[hoovdog]

Thomas and Janice are very cool people to deal with.

I will second this notion. Tom is a good guy and former local.

I wouldn't be too concerned that you bought the 20C version batteries as they will work well in a Slash.

[AudioStylz]

You are most welcome.

[AudioStylz]

I will second this notion. Tom is a good guy and former local.

I wouldn't be too concerned that you bought the 20C version batteries as they will work well in a Slash.

Yeah but for the few extra buck's I think it was $10 more for 25c you get a little better constant amp discharge rate. 20c is 100a, the 25c is 150a, and the 30c is 200a. Wouldn't that mean a faster overall truck?

I guess I shouldn't really worry about it unless I'm trying for some kind of land speed record which I'm not. On the track it really come's down to who's the most consistant and smoothest. Not the fastest vehicle in general. I feel good about the batteries I have with no complaint's yet, havn't used them yet.

[hoovdog]

Yeah but for the few extra buck's I think it was $10 more for 25c you get a little better constant amp discharge rate. 20c is 100a, the 25c is 150a, and the 30c is 200a. Wouldn't that mean a faster overall truck?

All of which is true but if the system/setup isn't pulling over 100A then you will see insignificant benefit in a higher rated pack. I can see your point for a minor $10 increase in cost. I would have suggested you spent the extra if you were to run them in a higher draw system such as a Castle MMM 2200kv combo. Just running them in the Slash will not strain those batteries. Enjoy.

[AudioStylz]

All of which is true but if the system/setup isn't pulling over 100A then you will see insignificant benefit in a higher rated pack. I can see your point for a minor $10 increase in cost. I would have suggested you spent the extra if you were to run them in a higher draw system such as a Castle MMM 2200kv combo. Just running them in the Slash will not strain those batteries. Enjoy.

This is the only reason why I am not regretting what I have. It's a stock Slash 4x4 that's still awaiting it's maiden voyage! That will change in roughly 1.5 hour's as I am going to the LHS to get in a few hour's of track practice. Kind of nervous and hoping I keep the thing in 1 peice tonight and tomorrow.

[DrFizz2k1]

Dude.. you have nothing to worry about... those packs are just dandy in this truck.. you wont be pulling over 100a constant anyway... more like spikes near there, and an average of 7-8 amps.. oh heck.. its 4x4.. lets double the constant.. LOL.. still only about 15a constant probably.. those packs will perform just the same as a higher rated pack.

I run them in ALL my trucks... I only use SPC packs.. and none of my trucks have the stock motors and ESCs in them...

[CucumberMaxx]

I'm already running that hard case and the same in soft case, along with the 3s pack also. All work great. Ruined one soft pack when I was running it in my E-MAXX and forgot to put the battery hold down on it. Finally noticed I was dragging something. Whoops.

[brushlessbandit]

Dude.. you have nothing to worry about... those packs are just dandy in this truck.. you wont be pulling over 100a constant anyway... more like spikes near there, and an average of 7-8 amps.. oh heck.. its 4x4.. lets double the constant.. LOL.. still only about 15a constant probably.. those packs will perform just the same as a higher rated pack.

I run them in ALL my trucks... I only use SPC packs.. and none of my trucks have the stock motors and ESCs in them...

how many packs is that?!

[DrFizz2k1]

how many packs is that?!

That's 7, but there is another in my truck. 1 is OLD.. 300 cycles... 5000 2s 15c... one is the old 12c 8000 3s... the rest are the new (current) ones.. so it's 7 in the pic, but 8 total.. also have an SMC 5000 28c 2s I bought from SPC.. so now that i think about it.. its actually 9 total... plus, if you count the NiMH i bought from them.. LOL.. 12-13.. HAHAHA

I like SPC.. what can I say.. I'm a fan of quality products, good prices and top notch service...

I like them so much, I got my LHS to setup as a dealer... so I can get them whenever I want, without waiting that dreadful 3 days for shipping.. LOL.. (that is sarcasm btw.. i LOVE the shipping speed.. all part of that top shelf service!)

[Mc-Roux]

Those SPC pack are incredible. Even if they are only rated 20C you know it's a true rate and I've seen other 20C pack that can pull out as much amp as these in theory but when you try them they don't have as much punch.

[AudioStylz]

Well I finally used them tonight, 1 cycle on both. Ran 1 down to cut off by accident, I had no warning at all, just died. Did a voltage check on the battery to see where my ESC LVC is at and I had 6.1v. I was able to get about 30-40 minute run time with these on stock gearing. I was also able to pull wheelies from a dead stop with these batteries and stock gearing....pretty impressive to me!

I do need to find some RORH? approved batteries if I want to race some of the bigger series race's that are coming up this summer.

[dkaiser]

Ya, they're called ROAR approved batteries, normally hardcase like you have. Only difference is they have a sticker that say "ROAR approved". lol. I don't see why the SPC batteries you have aren't ROAR approved. SPC should send them to get approved!

[AudioStylz]

Ya, they're called ROAR approved batteries, normally hardcase like you have. Only difference is they have a sticker that say "ROAR approved". lol. I don't see why the SPC batteries you have aren't ROAR approved. SPC should send them to get approved!

Maybe I'll email them and ask them if these are or aren't. The track owner had to look and check out my batteries before I could even enter the pit area today. He want's to make sure NOONE is running a 3s or higher battery. He asked me where I got these and told him SPC.com, he say's they are rejected IP batteries. Nothing wrong with them for the most part and I will be allowed to use them at the track but I might experience hesitation and no warning to LVC which I have noticed both of. Either way, I'm not disappointed with my purchase. I will eventually get better quality batteries that are ROAR Approved later this summer.

[ksb51rl]

Maybe I'll email them and ask them if these are or aren't. The track owner had to look and check out my batteries before I could even enter the pit area today. He want's to make sure NOONE is running a 3s or higher battery. He asked me where I got these and told him SPC.com, he say's they are rejected IP batteries. Nothing wrong with them for the most part and I will be allowed to use them at the track but I might experience hesitation and no warning to LVC which I have noticed both of. Either way, I'm not disappointed with my purchase. I will eventually get better quality batteries that are ROAR Approved later this summer.

I think you track owner is flirting with a girl named "Miss Information."

[Dadx2mj]

Maybe I'll email them and ask them if these are or aren't. The track owner had to look and check out my batteries before I could even enter the pit area today. He want's to make sure NOONE is running a 3s or higher battery. He asked me where I got these and told him SPC.com, he say's they are rejected IP batteries. Nothing wrong with them for the most part and I will be allowed to use them at the track but I might experience hesitation and no warning to LVC which I have noticed both of. Either way, I'm not disappointed with my purchase. I will eventually get better quality batteries that are ROAR Approved later this summer.

Does this track owner have X-Ray vision to see through the shrink wrap to identify the cells? Or did he tear open your packs to see the cells? I am thinking more like he is just running his mouth and has no clue.

[dkaiser]

What are "IP" batteries? Haven't heard of this term before. What does he expect everyone to have... Maxamps (even though I don't think they are even ROAR approved)? lol. Wow, it seems like they are very very strict at your course. I'm not used to this, you can run whatever you got at our track, lol.

I would like to know what ROAR approved 2s batteries are out there? Or what everyone is using? Thunder Power maybe?

EDIT: I say that they aren't very strict at our course because the owners there don't care what you bring because they worry about driving skill, not power. And they do very well even when other people have way more power than they do.

[ksb51rl]

What are "IP" batteries? Haven't heard of this term before. What does he expect everyone to have... Maxamps (even though I don't think they are even ROAR approved)? lol. Wow, it seems like they are very very strict at your course. I'm not used to this, you can run whatever you got at our track, lol.

I would like to know what ROAR approved 2s batteries are out there? Or what everyone is using? Thunder Power maybe?

ROAR has a list for the upcoming season. Or they should soon.

[DrFizz2k1]

I might experience hesitation and no warning to LVC which I have noticed both of.

If you experience hesitation, its not the batteries, and no warning before LVC.. thats a good thing... a good pack should run very consistant all the way to cut off.. then dump, all at once... a pack that gets noticeably slower and slower as you run then dumps is weak to begin with.

You track owner sounds like he wants you to buy batteries from him.

As for them being rejected IP cells.. ROFL...

[slash_48]

Most higher c rated batteries will have less voltage drop and make the motor perform better. It's all about how many amps and volts the battery can supply some are better than others.

[AudioStylz]

I figured you guy's would get a laugh. I thought the LVC cutoff with the battery was good cause I did notice a slight power drain just before the jump, by the time the truck landed there was no power at all. He asked where I got these from and said "it was a reccomendation from the guy's on the traxxas forum". All he said, "well then you don't need me". Sarcastic dry humor. He would prefer people to buy batteries from him but I'm not gonna buy the same spec battery I already have for over double the cost of what I paid. He's got some kind of no namer in his display case for $139.95 before taxes.....no thank you!

I do want to race at this track so I'm not going to question what he say's as he has been known to throw out people without warning for questioning him.

As far as being strict, the most strict place I've ever been to. Pit rule's are as follow's:

Food and drink are okay, but please clean up after yourself. If I clean up for you YOU will clean every pit stall afterward's the next time you come in to practice or race.

Lipo Sack's are mandatory!! If caught with no lipo sack's while charging/discharging, you pack up and leave with a 1 month suspension. 2nd offense is 1 year.

Must have pit mat or towel under your truck at your area. If caught without one, you will be supplied 1 with a non-refundable rental fee of $5.00.

Must have 2s batteries at most. Caught using 3s or higher, 1 month ban. 2nd offense 1 year.

Please use the air compressor at your own risk, I just ask you don't use it between race's while I am trying to call people to the driver stand for their race.

That's all there is. All in all it's not too horribly bad. I can get used to him and his rule's.

[ksb51rl]

Most higher c rated batteries will have less voltage drop and make the motor perform better. It's all about how many amps and volts the battery can supply some are better than others.

No, it's all about how much current the motor draws. So long as the battery can supply the instantaneous demand, more is just gravy.
Batteries do not "push" current, motor systems "pull" it.

[milkman]

sounds like the track owner is an idiot...

we have no restrictions on our batteries at our track other than it has to be
2S......

nothing, Nada... ....real laid back...afterall we are only racing R/C trucks...LOL

[noll1]

I would like to know what ROAR approved 2s batteries are out there? Or what everyone is using? Thunder Power maybe?

I bought the SMC 2s 28c 6000 mah fro 92 shipped from SPC. It has a ROAR approved label on it.

[wvchevy]

Someone had posted this in another thread. It is the updated ROAR approved battery list.

>>> ROAR Approved Lipo Battery List

[peeweedogue]

sounds like the track owner is an idiot...

we have no restrictions on our batteries at our track other than it has to be
2S......

nothing, Nada... ....real laid back...afterall we are only racing R/C trucks...LOL

why is he an idiot ?
- 1 - food/drink - would you want to clean up after everyone if they just left all their garbage in their pit area ?
- 2 - lipo sacks - insurance reasons, if there's a fire he's in trouble, not the racer
- 3 - pit mat/towel - no oil, etc on pit tables or ground
- 4 - 2s batteries - equal playing field for all
- 5 - air comp. - makes sense, he doesn't want to call racers 5 times and you wouldn't want to miss being called to your race

[ONTHEMOVE]

We have a few SMC/SPC, excellent so far......

[AudioStylz]

why is he an idiot ?
- 1 - food/drink - would you want to clean up after everyone if they just left all their garbage in their pit area ?
- 2 - lipo sacks - insurance reasons, if there's a fire he's in trouble, not the racer
- 3 - pit mat/towel - no oil, etc on pit tables or ground
- 4 - 2s batteries - equal playing field for all
- 5 - air comp. - makes sense, he doesn't want to call racers 5 times and you wouldn't want to miss being called to your race

Exactly! I don't doubt this guy's reasoning on the rule's. I am sort of weary about his information about battery pack's for the time being. Maybe I'm missing his point but I don't think I am. All I can do is become as knowledgable as I can be about batteries and all level's of the RC world. Then I wouldn't have to ask him any question's. For now if I have any question's I'll just come here and ask them.

wvchevy; Thank you for that link, very appreciated. That link is in my Radio Control favorite's file.

[ksb51rl]

Exactly! I don't doubt this guy's reasoning on the rule's. I am sort of weary about his information about battery pack's for the time being. Maybe I'm missing his point but I don't think I am. All I can do is become as knowledgable as I can be about batteries and all level's of the RC world. Then I wouldn't have to ask him any question's. For now if I have any question's I'll just come here and ask them.

wvchevy; Thank you for that link, very appreciated. That link is in my Radio Control favorite's file.

I'd be as leery of his assessment of the makeup of SPC packs as I am about the assessment of my LHS owner regarding LiPos in general. He says "They're not worth the money for the small benefit." Okay. Good guy though, and he happens to have 2 Slash 4x4 PE's on the shelf here in north Jersey.

I just can't leave the battery thing alone.
How does the track owner know the pack QC history anyhow? Has he purchased poor quality packs for resale? Maybe that is what he is in fact selling. I assure you, selling a pack that did not pass QC is wrong, unethical and extremely dangerous. As anybody who has more than a passing familiarity with Tom Himes knows, SPC would not be part of that in any way.

But, as I said, I could not leave it alone, so I contacted Tom. Here's what he had to say, "If the packs were truly 'rejects', they would not be fit for resale. A QC rejected LiPo is a dangerous LiPo and we would not sell them."

I still don't know WHO makes the SPC cells. Nor do I know who makes the Maxamps, *********, BlueRC, trueRC, or most other LiPo pack cells. But I'm pretty sure the rejects from all of them go into the refuse heap and are not resold to small businesses in the States.

[dkaiser]

I'd be as leery of his assessment of the makeup of SPC packs as I am about the assessment of my LHS owner regarding LiPos in general. He says "They're not worth the money for the small benefit." Okay. Good guy though, and he happens to have 2 Slash 4x4 PE's on the shelf here in north Jersey.

I just can't leave the battery thing alone.
How does the track owner know the pack QC history anyhow? Has he purchased poor quality packs for resale? Maybe that is what he is in fact selling. I assure you, selling a pack that did not pass QC is wrong, unethical and extremely dangerous. As anybody who has more than a passing familiarity with Tom Himes knows, SPC would not be part of that in any way.

But, as I said, I could not leave it alone, so I contacted Tom. Here's what he had to say, "If the packs were truly 'rejects', they would not be fit for resale. A QC rejected LiPo is a dangerous LiPo and we would not sell them."

I still don't know WHO makes the SPC cells. Nor do I know who makes the Maxamps, *********, BlueRC, trueRC, or most other LiPo pack cells. But I'm pretty sure the rejects from all of them go into the refuse heap and are not resold to small businesses in the States.

+1 to this! If packs were rejected they definitely aren't going to be safe, and it is probably borderline illegal to sell them (I don't really know if it is or isn't legal, but I would say it should be illegal!). Anyways, SPC packs are definitely not rejects, I know a lot of people that have them, and they have never had any problems.

[AudioStylz]

Tom PMed me with the same exact statement's. I completely trust Tom and SPC/SMC product's. I just won't deal with the LHS operator about batteries again.

He sold a venom 2s 40c 5000mah 7.4v battery tonight for $100 to a guy who I bowl with on wednesday night leauge. He told this guy that this battery is one of the best out on the market..... I didn't tell this guy that he could have bought 2 of the same batteries just 20c instead of 40c for only $20 more! Oh well, live and learn.

[pvalenti]

What are "IP" batteries? Haven't heard of this term before. ...

IP= Intellectual Property and put simply...is a FANCY way of saying "manufacturer".

[DrFizz2k1]

IP= Intellectual Property and put simply...is a FANCY way of saying "manufacturer".

Or, it could actually be a brand....

[pvalenti]

I see...didn't know there was a 'brand' called IP! lol

[J.A.T.O.3.3]

I believe IP means irregular part ? I too have had LHS owners jump on me because I said I like internet brand "X" and they start saying their Chinese junk or the brand that they stock is "The best on the market."

Good customer service is important too me and I will drive 10-20 miles extra too get it .

[AudioStylz]

LOL never knew there was an actual brand name using IP. Either way, I will continue to buy my stuff with saving money in my mind. I have an issue with 1 of my pack's right now but I won't disclose that at this time. If the LHS owner found out about this he would probably rub it in my face about how inferior internet stuff is these day's that it would have been *sarcastic alert* sooooo much better to buy over priced batteries off him.....