Go Back   RCCrawler Forums > RCCrawler General Tech > Newbie General
Loading

Notices

Thread: Can I use Lipo's with any ESC?

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-01-2009, 04:53 AM   #1
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA
Posts: 19
Default 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
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 08-01-2009, 05:09 AM   #2
Rock Crawler
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 818
Default

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.
clockworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2009, 06:42 AM   #3
Newbie
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Germantown
Posts: 39
Default

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
ctraut5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2009, 07:50 AM   #4
Rock Crawler
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 818
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ctraut5 View Post
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.
clockworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2009, 09:46 PM   #5
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA
Posts: 19
Default

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.
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2009, 09:54 PM   #6
Quarry Creeper
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Zachary
Posts: 342
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie View Post
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
kalin96 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2009, 12:00 AM   #7
Newbie
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Payson
Posts: 33
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie View Post
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 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.
Rick Findley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2009, 12:10 AM   #8
Pebble Pounder
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 173
Default

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!
tom tom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2009, 04:48 AM   #9
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA
Posts: 19
Default

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?
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2009, 06:06 AM   #10
Rock Crawler
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 818
Default

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.
clockworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2009, 10:22 AM   #11
Pebble Pounder
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 173
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie View Post
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?
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.
tom tom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 06:22 AM   #12
On the lookout for Rocks
 
constantmotion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Monroe, Louisiana
Posts: 3,711
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by clockworks View Post
A 3s LiPo is rated at 10.1v nominal
Actually 3s Lipo is 11.1V.........
constantmotion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 06:40 AM   #13
Pebble Pounder
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: On the Rocks Dude....
Posts: 130
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kalin96 View Post
I would, safer
Not necessarily.
Lipos catch fire, and you can't put them out,
But ni-mh's and ni-cds explode.
pick your weapon.
willashcroft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 08:17 AM   #14
Quarry Creeper
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Erin, Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 471
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by willashcroft View Post
Not necessarily.
Lipos catch fire, and you can't put them out,
But ni-mh's and ni-cds explode.
pick your weapon.
I think kalin96 meant "safer" from the perspective of ruining LiPo's due to over discharge.

Narly1
Narly1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 09:06 AM   #15
Rock Crawler
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Casper, WY
Posts: 540
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie View Post
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
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.

Last edited by John82601; 08-03-2009 at 09:20 AM.
John82601 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 10:40 AM   #16
Rock Crawler
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 818
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by constantmotion View Post
Actually 3s Lipo is 11.1V.........
OOPS - must try and remember - 3x 3.7= 11.1
I put it down to old age!
clockworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 01:18 PM   #17
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA
Posts: 19
Default

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?
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 01:19 PM   #18
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA
Posts: 19
Default

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

-Vince
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2009, 01:30 PM   #19
Quarry Creeper
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: peoria
Posts: 207
Default

hell yes just dont burnout the motor which are you using
dunerdude69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2009, 02:18 AM   #20
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA
Posts: 19
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dunerdude69 View Post
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

TamiyaKyoshoVinnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright 2004-2014 RCCrawler.com