RCCrawler.com Bulletin Board

TamiyaKyoshoVinnie · 08-01-2009, 05:53 AM

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

clockworks · 08-01-2009, 06:09 AM

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.

ctraut5 · 08-01-2009, 07:42 AM

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

clockworks · 08-01-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctraut5

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.

TamiyaKyoshoVinnie · 08-01-2009, 10:46 PM

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.

kalin96 · 08-01-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie

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

Rick Findley · 08-02-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie

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.

tom tom · 08-02-2009, 01:10 AM

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!

TamiyaKyoshoVinnie · 08-02-2009, 05:48 AM

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?

clockworks · 08-02-2009, 07:06 AM

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.

tom tom · 08-02-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie

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.

constantmotion · 08-03-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockworks

A 3s LiPo is rated at 10.1v nominal

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

willashcroft · 08-03-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalin96

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.

Narly1 · 08-03-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willashcroft

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

John82601 · 08-03-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamiyaKyoshoVinnie

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.

clockworks · 08-03-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by constantmotion

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

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

TamiyaKyoshoVinnie · 08-03-2009, 02:18 PM

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 · 08-03-2009, 02:19 PM

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

-Vince

dunerdude69 · 08-03-2009, 02:30 PM

hell yes just dont burnout the motor which are you using

TamiyaKyoshoVinnie · 08-05-2009, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunerdude69

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

08-01-2009, 05:53 AM	#1
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA Posts: 19	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 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-01-2009, 06:09 AM	#2
clockworks Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 826	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. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-01-2009, 07:42 AM	#3
ctraut5 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cordova Posts: 37	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 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-01-2009, 10:46 PM	#5
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA Posts: 19	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. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-02-2009, 01:10 AM	#8
tom tom Pebble Pounder Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 167	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! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-02-2009, 05:48 AM	#9
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA Posts: 19	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? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-02-2009, 07:06 AM	#10
clockworks Rock Crawler Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 826	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. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-03-2009, 02:18 PM	#17
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA Posts: 19	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? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-03-2009, 02:19 PM	#18
TamiyaKyoshoVinnie Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MEXICO, ARIZONA Posts: 19	Thanks again for all the replies too. They're really helping me out. -Vince Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

08-03-2009, 02:30 PM	#19
dunerdude69 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: peoria Posts: 208	hell yes just dont burnout the motor which are you using Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Facebook

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