Can I use Lipo's with any ESC?
 

I have like 20 Novaks. Mostly Dually's, Explorer's, 410-m5's, & Duster Sports.

Can I use Lipo's with any of these ESC's? Or do I have to buy a Lipo capable ESC?

Thanks,

-Vince

Any ESC that works with a 6-cell NiMH or NiCad pack will work with a 2s LiPo. The nominal voltage is very slightly higher, but not enough to cause damage. In fact, a top quality NiMH will generally give more voltage than a 2s LiPo.

The problem with using LiPos is that they really hate being run flat. By the time you notice the fall-off in power, it's often too late - the pack is damaged. this is especially true in a crawler, where you rarely pull a high current from the pack.

Modern ESCs have a LiPo cutoff so the pack never runs too low.

I use this from helidirect on my losi mrc. It works great and will keep you from runnning your lipo too low. Plus, it's really cheap. http://www.helidirect.com/iosc/produ...oducts_id=8158

That's cool - I've seen voltage alarms with LEDs before, but not seen one with a beeper.

So do you recommend just sticking with nimh batteries. Unless I upgrade to a modern ESC? Capable of cutting the lipo off at a certain point.

I would, safer

I will agree with ClockWorks and CTraut5, go ahead with the LiPo as long as you use a low voltage alarm. Make sure you get one that is correct for the battery that you run, i.e. 2s, 3s, 4s... http://teamnovak.com/products/lipo_c...ule/index.html that either interrupts or completely cuts off the electrical supply to the ESC. This is in addition to a visual or audible alarms. I have had no problems with them.

a $25 dollar volt cutoff is all you need. Works will all Novaks, well, its made by Novak. Don't know why it doesn't work with the XL-5....

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPGM8&P=7

It has both the visual blinker, and a throttle disruption so you can tell when you drive. Quite nifty! :)

Thanks for all the replies.

So you're telling me I can run my Novak Dually with a 3s Lipo & a $25 cutoff switch & i'll be safe?

The Novak Dually is only rated up to 7 cells, which is 8.4v nominal. A 3s LiPo is rated at 10.1v nominal, so it's likely to cause damage.

Stick with a 2s LiPo and you'll be fine.

With all those ESC's, I would only run 2 cell lipos. They are all designed to run off stick batteries which go to 8.4V, and a 3 cell at 10V is going to zap fry them. Its like plugging a 120V tv into a 240V outlet.

Actually 3s Lipo is 11.1V.........

Not necessarily.
Lipos catch fire, and you can't put them out,
But ni-mh's and ni-cds explode. :shock:
pick your weapon.:ror:

I think kalin96 meant "safer" from the perspective of ruining LiPo's due to over discharge.

Narly1

The 410-m5's are rated 4-10cell Nimh (4.8-12.0v), you could run 3s with them, just be sure to use the correct cut-off and/or alarm as the others have stated. And don't forget, you need a Lipo capable CHARGER to go with them. Don't use any charger unless it specifically says Lipo compatable.

OOPS - must try and remember - 3x 3.7= 11.1
I put it down to old age!

Oh wow! OK, so I can use my 410-m5's with a 3s. Cool perfect.

My next question is. Will that 11.1v 3s lipo make the truck considerably faster?

Thanks again for all the replies too. They're really helping me out.

-Vince

hell yes just dont burnout the motor which are you using

Team Orion 10x2

Its all going in this... I plan to widen the stance using the Tamiya Blazing Star Control Arms & Axles "thumbsup"

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...evys10dime.jpg