Please De-code Lipo jargon

[FlatTire]

I just picked up a stock LNC and need to get a lipo for it. I want to have it run as long as possible and have as much power as possible but obviously I dont want to burn up my new toy!

Can some one put the Lipo jargon into plain english for me so I can know what I looking for?

2s = 2 cells, 3s = 3 cells?
Volts?
MAH = milliamps?

What one equals longer run time?

What one equals more power for the crawler?

What one is going to turn my new rig into a molten mess if I have to much of it?

Also I dont want to spend a ton of money so if your going to suggest something please keep that in mind.

Thanks

[johnnyh66]

MAH = Run Time, you can go as high as you want (or can fit).
The higher the MAH, the larger dimensions of the lipo.

The number of cells (s) = power/speed.
Make sure your esc can handle 3s before you hook up a 3s lipo.

EDIT: C rating is how much "power" the cell's can provide.

[Postclanker]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

MAH = Run Time, you can go as high as you want (or can fit).
The higher the MAH, the larger dimensions of the lipo.

The number of cells (s) = power/speed.
Make sure your esc can handle 3s before you hook up a 3s lipo.

EDIT: C rating is how much "power" the cell's can provide.

you are very nice not to slam him into the Search locker...

[johnnyh66]

Originally Posted by Postclanker

you are very nice not to slam him into the Search locker...

I've got no work to do... just waiting for someone to post something!

[FlatTire]

LOL.. I tried the search locker and got more confused, also didnt want to spend all day trying to figure it out!

Can anyone tell me if this is a good battery? Nano-Tech 6000mAh 2S 50C 7.4v LIPO High Discharge Battery

Also what happens if you go higher in volts? Specs say to use a 7.4, but im seeing some 11.1's

[MotoMudder]

Thats a very large battery, would do great in a SCT or the like.

higher volts, more wheel speed, less life on motors. and must have an ESC that handle 3s.

But I do like nano-tech. for the price they pack quite a punch.

[johnnyh66]

Originally Posted by FlatTire

Specs say to use a 7.4, but im seeing some 11.1's

higher with your esc?
if the esc specs say 7.4, you'll likely have a melt down if you go 11.1

[FlatTire]

ok, thank you very much

[FlatTire]

Anybody know anything about the Thunder Power line of batteries?

[MotoMudder]

Only had one pack of them. I'd rather take a nano tech.

[johnnyh66]

I got tired of paying high prices to just to eventually have to replace them.
Now, I get all my lipo's from here: Value Hobby R/C Hobby Store (Bensenville, Illinois): 2S LiPO - 7.4V - Batteries - Power

[BC-Brian]

I like Thunder Power but have not tried the Nano.

Like others have said. As long as you stay within the voltage limits of your ESC you should be fine. You can't really destroy a motor or ESC with amperage, the battery only supplies as much as the motor asks for.

The C rate is how much amperage a battery is capable of delivering. You can figure out the available amps very easy. You take the MAH number, Multiply it times the C rate, and divide by 1000.

In the case of the Nano-Tech pack you suggested it would be 6000mah x 50C / 1000 = 300 amps. It is worth noting that these numbers are usually very overstated by the manufacturer. I typically take off a third to be safe.
Knowing this is important for choosing a battery that is large enough. If you were to say put a 500mah pack with 5C you would most likely find that you are overdrawing the battery which will cause them to puff up (which is bad).

If you are curious to know Peak power take the Amps you got fromt he C rating equation and multiply it times the voltage. This will give you Watts, divide by 750 to get to HP.

300 amps x 7.4 volts = 2200 watts / 750 = ~ 3 hp. This is a very ideal case but it at least gives you some idea.

Hope that helps.

[65BAJA]

I have 4 of the 2s 6600 NanoTechs hardcase packs. Had them for over a year now. Used them in my Pro4, my stadium truck and now my SCX-10 dingo. Out of the 4, one of them is getting hard to balance but still works. I will probably try the nano Tech A-Specs next time I need some 2S batts.

[Postclanker]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

I've got no work to do... just waiting for someone to post something!

lol...me too

[Ryan87zuk]

The s in 2(s) is not the cell count, it means (2) cells in series (s)

[Charlie-III]

Great replies thus far.

As to the "S" in the description, it means "series". a "3S" battery has 3 cells in series which means you add the volts but have the same capacity (mah).
There are times you may see a 2S2P which basically means you have 2 cells (2S) in series, but 2 packs wired in parallel (2P). Parallel adds the amps but leaves the voltage alone.

Example, say you have a bunch of 1S 500mah packs.
You wire 2 in series (2S), you doubled the pack voltage (what the ESC sees) but still only have 500mah.

OK, so you make a 2nd pack the same as the 1st & wire it in parallel to the 1st pack. You are using 4 cells.
You now have a 2S2P pack that has 2S volts (~7.2 volts) but 1000mah (parallel adds the capacity/mah).

Confused yet??

Say you took the same 2 packs and wired them in series. You would have a 4S 500mah pack (usually with nothing paralleled, they don't state "1P")

As to "C" rating, not much of an issue for large mah packs, BIG issue for small mah packs.

As mentioned "C" & rating and capacity/mah determine the "punch" you get under higher load.

I usually use Elite packs (from www.CheapBatteryPacks.com ....AKA "CBP") for larger packs. I use ThunderPower packs for smaller packs, also from CBP.

I have seen great results from Nano-Tech packs (sp?) and may get some next time I need to.

[MotoMudder]

Thanks for that Charlie. I knew it was something along those lines, but seeing the series and pack info broken down helps the understanding.

[Meatwad]

I can also recommend the nano-tech's, decent packs

[Olle P]

I'm pretty sure the stock LNC's ESC can't handle 3S, and the motor is also likely to overheat during long runs on 3S, so stick with 2S.
As for capacity, 5000+ mAh will provide long run times, but <2000 mAh batteries are smaller and lighter, which will give your crawler a better location of the center of gravity and thus better crawling ability if you position them right.