Battery set-up Help

[bowdeadly]

I just built my first AX-10. I need some help deciding what battery and location to run. I like the clean look of lipo's on the factory tray but am looking at mounting 6 cells to front axle or 4 cell. What ever you think is the best and if it looks clean I want to see it. What size cells are used to mount 3+3 on each side of servo. I am open to all and any ideas or pics.
Thanks and nice to meet you all,
Mark

[mysharona]

I run a 6 and 7 cell split pack on my front axle. TCS Crawlers, $20 bucks for the 6 cell, ~$23 for the 7. looks good and way cheaper than lipo, but you cannot beat the punch a lipo delivers.

[bowdeadly]

What size cells are in your split packs? Are you using receiver packs or are you building them? I have found that the standard 7.2V stick pack cells are too big for the axle but the smaller cells like thoughs found in 7.2V Airplain packs or hump packs for servo power on nitro's fit better. I have been in RC forever but new to crawling. feel free to send pics. I have the airplane packs on the axles for know 'till I find a better way. I may go lypo but I like the extra weight of the NIMH cells. and yes they are cheaper

Thanks,
Mark

[massRCdude]

The cells that are in the split packs are 2/3A cells. Hope this helps Mark.

[JAM MaxAmps.com]

Here's our List of crawler packs both 2/3rd cell saddle packs and Li-po's. I've been working directly with Axial to develope as many different packs as we can that will work with the Axial Scorpion and other crawlers. If you have questions feel free to ask.


http://www.maxamps.com/products.php?cat=82


Jason

[area51caraudio]

JAM - jason, I've been out of r/c for a couple of years now and am getting back into it with a crawler build, my question is: is there any standardization to the size of lipo cells, i'm so used to sub-c's in nicads and nimh and Its making it really hard for me to figure out which lipo to go with, ideally I'm thinking of a front servo mount plate that extends back and up at a slight angle and so farr it looks like your 1100mah 3s pack 66mm x 34mm x 19mm seems to be my best option, but if i was to ever buy from someone else it seems like there packs are all different sizes, also, that pack is priced at $34.99 on your site, why are lipo's so much cheaper than say a 4600 nimh matched pack?

Thanks,

[bowdeadly]

Thanks Jason those pacs look great. I will order some next chance I get.

Thnaks
Mark

[JAM MaxAmps.com]

Originally Posted by area51caraudio

JAM - jason, I've been out of r/c for a couple of years now and am getting back into it with a crawler build, my question is: is there any standardization to the size of lipo cells, i'm so used to sub-c's in nicads and nimh and Its making it really hard for me to figure out which lipo to go with, ideally I'm thinking of a front servo mount plate that extends back and up at a slight angle and so farr it looks like your 1100mah 3s pack 66mm x 34mm x 19mm seems to be my best option, but if i was to ever buy from someone else it seems like there packs are all different sizes, also, that pack is priced at $34.99 on your site, why are lipo's so much cheaper than say a 4600 nimh matched pack?

Thanks,

There is no standardization to li-po cell sizes at all. The only thing that stays consistant is the rectangle shape. But cell thickness varies a lot also. As for pricing between a li-po and a matched NimH pack well your paying to have the NimH cells matched and zapped. It's not a real good comparison. With Li-Po you get good even power all the way thru the discharge but with NimH that power drops from the start. You battery mount is exactly what I am running on my new Delrin GC-2 and yes the 1100 3S is a perfect fit. I can also put on a 2200 3S and a 1550 3S will fit but it's about 1/4" from the spur gear. (I run a VF dig so the tranny is flipped). I will continue to work with Axial and if someone comes up with a new tray location or tray I will do my best to get something to work with it. But remember with Li-Po's the more capacity means a bigger cell size.

Jason

[jedsled]

Originally Posted by JAM MaxAmps.com

There is no standardization to li-po cell sizes at all. The only thing that stays consistant is the rectangle shape. But cell thickness varies a lot also. As for pricing between a li-po and a matched NimH pack well your paying to have the NimH cells matched and zapped. It's not a real good comparison. With Li-Po you get good even power all the way thru the discharge but with NimH that power drops from the start. You battery mount is exactly what I am running on my new Delrin GC-2 and yes the 1100 3S is a perfect fit. I can also put on a 2200 3S and a 1550 3S will fit but it's about 1/4" from the spur gear. (I run a VF dig so the tranny is flipped). I will continue to work with Axial and if someone comes up with a new tray location or tray I will do my best to get something to work with it. But remember with Li-Po's the more capacity means a bigger cell size.

Jason

what battery mount are you guys talking about? jason, i buy maxamps for my stadium trucks and want to stick w/ lipo on my crawler... whats ur suggestion for mounting a lipo that will gimme the longest possible runtime (and mounts other than the stock axial "way up high" location) for my axial? can u send me pics and info?

[area51caraudio]

Originally Posted by jedsled

what battery mount are you guys talking about? jason, i buy maxamps for my stadium trucks and want to stick w/ lipo on my crawler... whats ur suggestion for mounting a lipo that will gimme the longest possible runtime (and mounts other than the stock axial "way up high" location) for my axial? can u send me pics and info?

jedsled: I am making a custom mount my plan is a continuation of the front servo mount heading back towards the trans, bent upwards after the servo at a slight angle, thus keeping the weight centered and "cantalievered" off the front axle which although wont give me the most weight over the axle itself, it will keep all the weight forward , low and unsprung. I have a cad drawing that I could e-mail to you that I drew in emachineshop.com's software if you'd like.

Thanks,
Mike

[Knoc]

Originally Posted by mysharona

I run a 6 and 7 cell split pack on my front axle. TCS Crawlers, $20 bucks for the 6 cell, ~$23 for the 7. looks good and way cheaper than lipo, but you cannot beat the punch a lipo delivers.

Ive ordered 2 different sets of the saddle packs from TCS and both sets would charge fine (at. 9 amps) then will hold a charge for about 3-4 mintues, then die. I thought maybe my 1st set was just bad, but my other pack did it too.

Right now I run a stick pack mounted on my front axle over the servo until I can find a decent set of saddle packs.
Dont get me wrong, I LOVE TCS. Fast shipping great prices, great communications, just Ive had horrible luck with them packs.

[bowdeadly]

(Ive ordered 2 different sets of the saddle packs from TCS and both sets would charge fine (at. 9 amps) then will hold a charge for about 3-4 mintues, then die. I thought maybe my 1st set was just bad, but my other pack did it too.)







I think you should only charge at about 1.5 amps not 9. I am using some old 6 cell airplain pacs and man they last for 50 minutes or so if I charge 'em at 1.5 amps. I think you killed 'em at 9 amps their knock.

[scott1981]

Originally Posted by bowdeadly

I think you should only charge at about 1.5 amps not 9. I am using some old 6 cell airplain pacs and man they last for 50 minutes or so if I charge 'em at 1.5 amps. I think you killed 'em at 9 amps their knock.

x2, the most you should try on a cheap pack would be 4 Amps. FAster charge = more power, slower charge = longer run times. 2.5 is what I use with great results

[jedsled]

Originally Posted by area51caraudio

jedsled: I am making a custom mount my plan is a continuation of the front servo mount heading back towards the trans, bent upwards after the servo at a slight angle, thus keeping the weight centered and "cantalievered" off the front axle which although wont give me the most weight over the axle itself, it will keep all the weight forward , low and unsprung. I have a cad drawing that I could e-mail to you that I drew in emachineshop.com's software if you'd like.

Thanks,
Mike

that'd be awesome mike, thanks! my email is jedjmartin@yahoo.com . what battery are you going to use with your set-up?

[Venomos]

Originally Posted by area51caraudio

jedsled: I am making a custom mount my plan is a continuation of the front servo mount heading back towards the trans, bent upwards after the servo at a slight angle, thus keeping the weight centered and "cantalievered" off the front axle which although wont give me the most weight over the axle itself, it will keep all the weight forward , low and unsprung. I have a cad drawing that I could e-mail to you that I drew in emachineshop.com's software if you'd like.

Thanks,
Mike

Could I bother ya to see what your doing? I was just getting ready to order...well PM maxamps about the proper battery packs, but then seen your post about center, low but still forward. I would be curious to see your drawing if you dont mind sharing! Teegandangie@yahoo.com

[area51caraudio]

Originally Posted by jedsled

that'd be awesome mike, thanks! my email is jedjmartin@yahoo.com . what battery are you going to use with your set-up?

Originally Posted by Venomos

Could I bother ya to see what your doing? I was just getting ready to order...well PM maxamps about the proper battery packs, but then seen your post about center, low but still forward. I would be curious to see your drawing if you dont mind sharing! Teegandangie@yahoo.com

E-mails sent - hope it helps

[jedsled]

Originally Posted by area51caraudio

E-mails sent - hope it helps

thanks mike, i'll go check it out!