getting ready to buy lipo's

[homeboyjames]

So im getting ready to order some lipo battery packs along with a charger. I'm not looking to spend a ton but i'm looking to spend enough to were there decent battery and charger and going to be safe. Any suggestions on 2s and 3s and what battery is water proof like the original stampede battery and also fitment. And last but not least will lipo's just plug right into the connector already on the car?

Also feel free to leave me some tips about balancing and what i need to know about using them such as temps and what not.

thanks guys

[pavmentsurfer]

SPC has a killer deal on their 5000mah 3S packs right now... they come with a genuine traxxas plug installed and can be charged up to 10 amps... top notch battery for only $51. Thats what id buy.

There are lots of 2S options out there. Again, if you want to keep it all in the family, SPC has a 6000mah 2S hardcase pack thats 30C rated and will fit directly into your truck with no modifications (the 3S will fit also). These are the packs id be buying if I were buying new packs.

For a charger, go with the best you can afford. I prefer the Dynamite Passport Ultra. But many like the Hyperion chargers. Venom makes a quality charger and all three of these companies have excellent warranty and customer support.

The only lipo LISTED as waterproof is the Maxxamps... but your going to pay HUGE bucks for them. If you just put your battery in a zip lock bag and seal it up good it will be fine and even just on its own can handle running in wet or muddy conditions. If you want to completely submerge it... id be cautious, otherwise you should be fine.

[yippy y]

Hi.... can a battery size of 24 x 45 x 137mm fits into the stampede 4x4 battery compartment?

[ryan93civic]

You could drop $100+ on a charger or get the thunder ac6 charger. It is only $42 shipped and does the same thing the Venom,Hyperion and other name brand chargers will do. If you find a battery you like but it has different connectors on it you can solder a traxxas plug on it.

[rockdzl]

SPC has a killer deal on their 5000mah 3S packs right now... they come with a genuine traxxas plug installed and can be charged up to 10 amps... top notch battery for only $51. Thats what id buy.

Pavement: The 3s is only 20C. Is that enough output current? I have heard others on the site recommend nothing less than 25C. I am looing for my first lipo, so I have no experience with them at all. I just don't want to sell myself short. This pack is also not a hardcase. I don't plan to launch my pede off a cliff or anything too drastic. Are we ok if we buy a soft pack? SPC also says its lipos need to be balanced during every charge. What's your take on that? $51 is a great price. Gonna think about it. Thanks!

[pablokillla18]

nice 2s packs i own 2http://www.hobbypartz.com/83p-5000ma...4-20c-car.html and this charger http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html setback on the lipo is that they come with banana plugs so you have to solder your own plugs they have some cheap 3s lipos too

[evanhuntrc]

Before you move to lipo, you need to make sure you're charger is up to the task. What kind of charger do you have now? I'm hardcore when it comes to lipo safety, so before you even move to a lipo, let's talk about your charger...

[homeboyjames]

Im ordering all new chargers along with these packs i just have a peak charger now which is no good for lipo and i was leaning tords the ac6 charger everyone seems to like that one thanks guys

[DrFizz2k1]

You could drop $100+ on a charger or get the thunder ac6 charger. It is only $42 shipped and does the same thing the Venom,Hyperion and other name brand chargers will do. If you find a battery you like but it has different connectors on it you can solder a traxxas plug on it.

That is totally false. Sorry, but a little 50w 5amp charger isnt even close to the equal of my Hyperion. It cant even charge a 5000mah 3s pack at 1c. IT's just not a very good charger at all.

To the OP: you need to buy the best charger within your budget... there are places to scrimp in this hobby.. Charger is NOT one of them... its not an investment in just these lipo packs you're buying now.. its an investment in all the packs you'll buy in the futures.. not only for this truck but for any other models you might buy or already own...

[ryan93civic]

Not a good charger? Why because it was cheap? My local hobby store recommends them and every review I have seen online for it has been good. When I go to my local track 4 out of 5 guys have them. You can spend $150 all you want but the thunder ac6 IS A GOOD CHARGER for the money.

[ryan93civic]

Not a good charger? Why because it was cheap? My local hobby store recommends them and every review I have seen online for it has been good. When I go to my local track 4 out of 5 guys have them. You can spend $150 all you want but the thunder ac6 IS A GOOD CHARGER for the money.

[DrFizz2k1]

im not trying to offend you.. but the truth is its simply inadequate. and to claim that it is on par with Hyperion is a flat out lie. I've no need to justify my charger purchase.. I have no reason to say "its good for the money" I'll admit that of the cheap chargers, its got the best reputation, but still reports of bad ones are there... Don't take it personally. I simply gave sound advice on buying a charger. If you bought the best you could afford, you made the right choice... nothing wrong with it being less expensive.. just dont blow smoke and say that it is as good or can do the same thngs as my Hyperion.. its not, and it cant...

[P'noRcer]

Im ordering all new chargers along with these packs i just have a peak charger now which is no good for lipo and i was leaning tords the ac6 charger everyone seems to like that one thanks guys

If i were you and well i don't know if money is an issue but if it is like alot of us then i'd go with the Ac6, i have a passport and it can't do alot of the stuff the Ac6 can do and i paid 65 for it! i wish i knew about the ac6 when i was looking for a charger, but on the other hand If i had the money i would of gotten the hyperion no dought!! its all on how much you have to spend! Oh and one more thing i think they have a deal With the Maxamp Lipo and the charger!!

[Dadx2mj]

I have to agree with DrFizz2k1. I spent a lot of money trying to save money on chargers. I have more cheap chargers sitting the closet or occupying the local dump now than I care to admit to. They all seemed good at the time but either failed soon or started false peaking packs or having some issues. Once I bite the bullet and bought a quality charger (Hyperion) I realized there is a difference. My Hyperion is almost 3 years old now and has charged countless packs and never missed a beat. Money wise I would have been much better off had I bought it right off the bat instead of the inexpensive chargers that I bought before it. My packs last longer and I feel I get better performance out of them. If you are limited to buying a charger in the price range of the AC6 that is fine it is a decent choice but dont fool yourself or others into thinking it is the same thing as the true higher quality chargers.

[Grand National]

x3 on what the others said.

I've never owned a "cheap" type charger, but I have had an Onyx 230 charger, and once I stepped up to my Hyperion Duo 3 it was like night and day. I can see this charger be an awesome addition to my collection.

[pedemon954]

My dynamite passport seems to be working well with my racers edge lipo

[Hughes500Bob]

I highly reccomend the iCharger lineup > http://www.progressiverc.com
Simple math: 2S 5000 mAh pack = 2S @ 5 amps = 2 x 4.2v @ 5 amps = 42 watts
3S 5000 is 3 x 4.2v @ 5 amps = 63 watts

Sure the Thunder AC6 is a fine charger at 5 amps MAX and/or 50 watts MAX ..... both conditions apply.
Once you go 5000 mAh packs or larger you really need a better charger.

Now you read you can charge those packs at 2C rates for a 30 minute charge ..... well THAT requires double the AMPS of a 1C charge.
See ..... now we need a 10 amp charger.

Next you want to charge two packs at the same time (parallel or series) ..... well double the watts are required at twice the amps for parallel or twice the volts for series ..... again we need a big charger.

PERSONALLY I would never consider less than 20 amps and 300 watts for 5000mAh or higher packs! You have to monitor lipos when they are charging (SAFETY of yourself and family!!!!) so why not get a charger that can get your packs charged safely in the least amount of time??????

Bob

[brentm3]

Simple math: 2S 5000 mAh pack = 2S @ 5 amps = 2 x 4.2v @ 5 amps = 42 watts
3S 5000 is 3 x 4.2v @ 5 amps = 63 watts

Sure the Thunder AC6 is a fine charger at 5 amps MAX and/or 50 watts MAX ..... both conditions apply.
Once you go 5000 mAh packs or larger you really need a better charger.

I have a Thunder AC6 and really like it...but as Bob's math shows, you're never going to break any records when it comes to charge times. If you're heading to a track and you need to keep topping cells off between heats, the AC6 won't keep up.

Personally, I charge at 1/2C (2 hour charges)...probably entirely unnecessary, but that's how I've rolled since getting my first Tamiya Super Champ, so 5A/50W is sufficient for my needs.

The voltages from my AC6 are spot on when cross checking it against a Passport Ultra and some cheapy lipo voltage checkers. I can't say if the AC6 will last or not, but right now I am very pleased and consider it $42 well spent for my needs.

I think this is a personal preference situation. I could have purchased a $300 charger, but just as I don't see the point in providing a 250A battery for a 100A motor, I also don't see the point in buying a 300W charger for my < 50W application.

[homeboyjames]

I dont do racing with it or ever think i will im always just beating it up around the house so im thinking the ac6 is the best bang for its buck

[Hughes500Bob]

MANY are perfectly happy with the AC6 at 5 amps and 50 watts and AC/DC operation. If it fits your packs math (volts x amps = watts) and your budget it is a good charger with mostly great reviews.

[Geodude85]

If you're a basher on a budget, there's nothing wrong with the Thunder Charger.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html

I actually wish these had been around when I first started the hobby.

When I bought my first truck, people on here were recommending that I buy the Hyperion Duo Charger o.o which was like $300 at the time. Scared the crap out of me, because my XL-5 that I bought was only $125 lol.

[homeboyjames]

one more ? i am getting my lipo's from somewhere that puts traxxas connectors on it when i get my charger do i just use the banna clips and clip one to positive and one to negative or do i have to buy traxxas adapters for the charger?

will something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/Duratrax-Battery...QQcmdZViewItem work


also how good will this battery do for me http://cgi.ebay.com/Blue-LiPo-3s-500...item4aa8028446

[brentm3]

I would positively buy/make a Traxxas adapter for your charger. You do -not- want to short a Lipo by accidently bumping those banana clips together...

[Geodude85]

one more ? i am getting my lipo's from somewhere that puts traxxas connectors on it when i get my charger do i just use the banna clips and clip one to positive and one to negative or do i have to buy traxxas adapters for the charger?

will something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/Duratrax-Battery...QQcmdZViewItem work


also how good will this battery do for me http://cgi.ebay.com/Blue-LiPo-3s-500...item4aa8028446

Actually you'll want something like this

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXVPF2&P=M

And you can get that same battery from Hobby Partz for $20 less

http://www.hobbypartz.com/83p-5000mah-3s1p-111-25c.html

You will have to solder a Traxxas connector on it though.

Do yourself a favor and spend that extra $20 on a soldering iron and teach yourself how to solder connectors. You'll appreciate it in the future.

[homeboyjames]

sweet i know how to solder just figured id buy it with the connectors but heck for 20 bucks im soldering that stuff my self lol. thanks for the help guys i really appreciate it

[homeboyjames]

Just ordered a ac6 charger a safe bag and a Blue Lipo 3-Cell 5000mAh 3S1P 11.1v 25C lipo and going to go to my local shop tomorrow to get the connectors to solder on any good tips and will this battery fit right in? http://www.hobbypartz.com/83p-5000mah-3s1p-111-25c.html

[pavmentsurfer]

Its sad that misinformation is so prevalent here on the forums. Peoples "experience" outweighs the facts time and time again... thats a shame. Its also too bad that big bore shocks, aluminum arms and other fancy parts get saved up for, while batteries and chargers often times get put in the "cheapest I can get" category. Your charger should be considered an investment, not an unfortunate necessity. Same goes for your batteries. A lower end 25C or 30C pack is often times not as capable as a higher end 20C pack... its not an opinion, its a fact.

[homeboyjames]

so that battery is junk?

I have to be on a budget build otherwise the wife will kill me lol

[brentm3]

I'm in a bit of a hurry right now and can't double check, but I think that Blue you linked to is too long...it says 148mm on the spec sheet, if I remember right the Pede tray is around 145mm max? (can someone confirm this?) Also keep in mind if the wires come out of the end, you need to make sure they have a little room too, or at least make sure they'll come out in a way that clears the end of the tray...

[pavmentsurfer]

No no, it's not junk. It will work just fine. But the information that's presented often times paints an incorrect comparison picture of what's out there. There IS a reason some batteries and chargers are cheaper. If that's your budget you shouldn't feel bad about it at all. You'll love your lipo setup. But when someone tries to say an ac6 is just as good as a Hyperion it's simply incorrect but because do many people say it, others begin to accept it as truth. The thunder ac6 will be an excellent entry level charger and will do a great job of getting you into lipos. It should also make a great back up charger when you inevitably move up someday. I never thought I'd need anything more than my first charger, then all of a sudden I needed more amps and more power.
Make sure you let us know how you like the performance of your truck with that lipo. Your going to be impressed with how much better it is than the NIMH.

[DrFizz2k1]

Battery comparison link

Charger comparison link

These tests and comparisons are less than scientific but they give you a good baseline opinion... Cheaper is simply not better.. it is in fact cheaper because its.. well.. cheaper..

Here is a LINK to hobbypartz own discharge graphs... they compare their packs to Thunder Power... you didnt even buy the best pack they offer... which is only slightly more money and TONS better.. (see battery comparison) Pave is dead on.. the things people THINK are these huge upgrades are saved for.. new shocks were a great example.. but then people ask what they SHOULD buy... and get answers like mine, Hughes500Bob or Pave.. they dismiss the idea of buying the BETTER item and go for the cheaper one...

I still have the first lipo i ever bought... i dont have the fancy red aluminum turnbuckles, the big bores.. the FLM EVERYTHING... but i still have that high priced lipo (from June, 2008).

Did you buy WRONG stuff? no... but you will buy MORE stuff.. eventually you'll bite the bullet and buy a top shelf charger.. we don't tell you to buy expensive stuff just to make you spend more... and seldom will you get a response from one of us saying something like "buy a xxxxx charger.. I have one and it rocks" but that same reply from others will make people believe that xxxxx is just as good as ZZZZZ.. even though its not.

you MIGHT have fit issues with that pack.. both width and length not to mention where the wiring exits the pack... where as the Ace packs, or SPC packs suggested to you will fit without issue even though they cost a bit more. I hope it all works out for you, and i know you'll be happy because even low end lipo is going to blow you away compared to the stuff that came with the truck...

[brentm3]

...I think that Blue you linked to is too long...it says 148mm on the spec sheet, if I remember right the Pede tray is around 145mm max? (can someone confirm this?)

Sure thing, Brentm3! :P I just measured my spare Pede 4x4 chassis battery tray at 143.5mm long. A 148mm pack ain't gonna fit well...

[homeboyjames]

So i guess im glad i waited for responses before actually ordering. What battery is good and will fit into the traxxas pede 4x4 with no mods?

[asheck]

142mm x 48.5mm x 23mm, 25mm here's the battery tray dimensions. The above listed SPC's are a great choice. But there are also alot of other ones out there that might fit into what your intentions are. Being new to lipo, I would suggest getting from somewhere you can talk to a person about your purchase.

[pavmentsurfer]

Great point Asheck. You cant ask for battery care advice or support on the forums. You have to call the manufacture for that. So, if your new to lipo, being able to call someone and ask how to charge and care for the battery is actually worth paying a bit extra for. If your looking for a 2S lipo Venom makes some good ones, as does SPC... Those are 2 that I trust and I know their customer support is very good. SPC Being the best. One phone call to Jakey at SPC and youll know more abotu lipos than you ever wanted to or ever thought you would. And its very useful information, stuff that will save you time and money in the long run.

[Geodude85]

So im getting ready to order some lipo battery packs along with a charger. I'm not looking to spend a ton but i'm looking to spend enough to were there decent battery and charger and going to be safe. Any suggestions on 2s and 3s and what battery is water proof like the original stampede battery and also fitment.

Like mentioned above, SPC makes good 3S lipos that are an okay price, but also, they'll fit with no modifications to your battery tray.

For 2S lipos though, there's a huge selection out there that'll fit, and that are dirt cheap, some as low as $20 per pack.

The Thunder AC6 charger that everybody's been bashing/praising is a great charger for getting you into the hobby. It charges all the batteries you can think of, it has a built in balancer, and it only costs $43. No one's claiming it's as good as the Hyperion, but it does a great job at charging nonetheless, and it's cheap.

On a side note, it's a shame Traxxas makes such small battery trays for their trucks. It really limits the batteries you can get, unless you're willing to chop up your chassis.

[rhood66]

i want to buy a long lasting run time lipo pack for my pede and some good sand tires so i can ride threw the snow where do i buy these??

[homeboyjames]

Okay went to my local hobby shop and picked up a venom 7.4v 5400mah battery 2s lipo for 50 bucks and i dont have to change anything out now i just have to wait for my ac6 charger also picked up the plug i needed to charge the battery and everything my local hobby shop is sometimes cheaper than online stores on these little parts..

They guy kept pointing me into the venom he said his venom rep is awesome and is always helpful one call away he helps no matter what so i said id take it i checked for them online but there all around 54.99 plus shipping so i think i got a good deal overall

I just want to thank everyone for helping a newb out like me im just learning and starting to get into this hobby and now that the girl went with me she wants a 2 wheel drive stampede

[Dknuckles]

I love my Dynamite Passport Ultra. I've gone through a couple of other chargers trying to keep up with the family's battery needs. Glad I spent the extra coin it. I am now able to charge other batteries such as heli's and plane lipo's now.

[pedemon954]

I love my Dynamite Passport Ultra. I've gone through a couple of other chargers trying to keep up with the family's battery needs. Glad I spent the extra coin it. I am now able to charge other batteries such as heli's and plane lipo's now.

I love my Passport as well! Works great, and my racers edge 3500 3s is still holding the cells great after a nice amount of charges!