Complete Newbie battery and charger stuff...

[Everest10Dad]

Hello and thank you to all that have put A LOT of work into the info available on this forum. I am 100% new to RC Crawling and we just purchased a Everest 10 for our 8yr old son as a Christmas gift. It came with the standard 2000 mAh NiMh battery pack. I really want him to be able to use his new truck for longer periods while we're camping and such. So I'm looking for a smart charger and battery packs to keep him (and maybe me too if he likes it) running longer. I've been reading article after article and many posts and feel like I understand at least most of the pros and cons of LiPo and NiMh systems but I just don't understand a few things still. The end result is I want to purchase a charger and corresponding packs, that'll charge fast, keep them healthy and keep him (and I too maybe) running. Very basic, backyard bashing kinda driving, nothing too hardcore, so more power or speed isn't really important. Longer run times and fast charging is important. I am willing to go LiPo but only if there is a real significantly good reason to do so with all the Dos and Don't on LiPo life and the fact that the Everest 10 doesn't have a LVC system for the ESC (As far as I know). I'm sorry to bug everyone as I am sure that this topic has been covered ad nauseam elsewhere but to be honest I just can't find it and my brain hurts. Thank you to all and I look forward to growing in the crawling hobby with my son.

 

[StomperCrawler]

Lipo is the way to go IMHO. You can get a Hobbywing wp-1060 ESC with LVD for about $15 on eBay, a charger for $27 https://goo.gl/guiEeJ, a power supply for $14 https://goo.gl/g18qR2 (or build one from an old computer power supply), and 2,200mah 3s lipos for $10 a piece https://goo.gl/BUJREu. Those batteries run my Scx10 for about 90 minutes, but you could look for a bigger battery as long as it will fit, however it will raise the center of gravity. If you haven't already seen it, this forum section should prove helpful: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/redcat-rs10/. Also, there is more info for n00bz available in my signature from the links below.

 

[Everest10Dad]

Lipo is the way to go IMHO. You can get a Hobbywing wp-1060 ESC with LVD for about $15 on eBay, a charger for $27 https://goo.gl/guiEeJ, a power supply for $14 https://goo.gl/g18qR2 (or build one from an old computer power supply), and 2,200mah 3s lipos for $10 a piece https://goo.gl/BUJREu. Those batteries run my Scx10 for about 90 minutes, but you could look for a bigger battery as long as it will fit, however it will raise the center of gravity. If you haven't already seen it, this forum section should prove helpful: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/redcat-rs10/. Also, there is more info for n00bz available in my signature from the links below.

Any idea about how long the recharge time would be with this or a similar setup?

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[magic_yeti]

Any idea about how long the recharge time would be with this or a similar setup?

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you can calculate the charge time very easy. Capacity mAh / ( 1000 * A used for charging ) gives you the charging time.
For example capacity 2200mAh charged by 2.2A aprox 1 hour means 1C charging rate
charged by 4.4A aprox 30 min charging rate 2C.
the discharge gives you the max A the lipo can deliver.
( 2200 mAh / 1000 ) * discharge rate = max A. For example 30 C = max 66A some has burst rating.
your charger should have a storage mode to set the lipos up if you don't use them for longer.
You can get also ac/dc charger which can be powered via normal socket AC and by 12V DC (car battery if you don't have AC available).
I just purchased a skyrc d100 v2: can charge 2 different types of batteries (LiPo, LiFe, LiIon, NiMH / NiCd) by up to 10A at the same time 2*100W and has build in bluetooth and it talks to you :mrgreen: looks very similar to some hitec charger round 100$.
as drive time my heavy yeti mmx cc1410 3800kv consumes a 5800mAh 3s 65 C in 1 to 2 h depends how i tread the trigger8)
my trex stock brushed 21t traxxas consumes a 1800mAh 3s 25C in aprox 1.5 hours (trail driving) so a 3600mAh should be around 3hours, same as my ax10 with rc4wd brushed motor and hw1080 esc (crawling). best brushed crawler ESC today round 35$

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[Everest10Dad]

Awesome. Shoulda figured it was something as simple as that. Thank you so much. Still trying to figure out if it's worth it to change over to LiPo from NiMh at this point in the game for me. If our son shows consistent interest and thus I join him with my own rig and then start down the road of modification and upgrading then I think LiPo is a no brainer. For now I'm still on the fence. I'm certainly willing to go LiPo now if there is truly a good reason(s) why it's the best choice given our whole method of usage at this point.
Thanks Guys

 

[Dave_In_Florida]

I'd say keep what you have. You should be able to get a DC charger that will charge your NiMH packs in about 15 minutes. That and a spare battery should keep him happy.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Awesome. Shoulda figured it was something as simple as that. Thank you so much. Still trying to figure out if it's worth it to change over to LiPo from NiMh at this point in the game for me. If our son shows consistent interest and thus I join him with my own rig and then start down the road of modification and upgrading then I think LiPo is a no brainer. For now I'm still on the fence. I'm certainly willing to go LiPo now if there is truly a good reason(s) why it's the best choice given our whole method of usage at this point.
Thanks Guys

Lipos are most definitely better than NIMH. The biggest benefit is that they're more consistent through the discharge...Performance does not drop nearly as noticeably as NIMH will. Crawlers do not draw a whole lot of current so you do not need the high dollar packs.

At this point, I probably would not invest a whole lot in batteries and chargers unless he enjoys it. In that case, I highly recommend buying a dual or quad port charger. They save a ton of time when charging batteries. The SKYRC charger mentioned earlier is very similar (possibly the same?) as the Hitec chargers. I think the Hitec is the same price. It will run on AC or DC, but AC will not give as high of charging rates.

If the Everest does not have lipo cutoff, you can get an alarm that will plug into the balance port and when the batteries get low it will beep. Or you could upgrade your ESC. The Hobbywing 1080 is excellent for the money.

 

[Inspector86]

I'd say keep what you have. You should be able to get a DC charger that will charge your NiMH packs in about 15 minutes. That and a spare battery should keep him happy.

Agreed! This is what I would do until you know more what the future holds.

 

[Everest10Dad]

Thank yo so much guys. I think I'll stick to NiMh for now; at least until he shows decent interest (Boy I hope so). Thinking I'll grab a 5000mAh pack. I already ordered a Hitec X2 Plus Black Edition (rebadged SkyRC D100 v2 right?) dual charger so when/if I wish to go to LiPo and/or join him in the future I've got a charger that'll do what we need. I'm so psyched about this whole new hobby that I've been pouring over the reviews and videos etc about the Everest Gen7 Pro and added it to my own Christmas wishlist my wife asks me for every year. Doubt it's in the budget but can't blame a boy for dreaming and scheming right? I would really love a SCX10 II but that's way outta my price point at this point and the Gen7 Pro seems really nice for the $$$. Thanks for everything guys. Hopefully, if all goes well, in the future I can return the favor for some newbie and help them with their questions on the hobby.

 

[StomperCrawler]

Here are some cheap 5000mah packs starting at $15, but they're mostly lipo:

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&erp_category=&order=price&q=5000mah

How does the price compare to nimh?

 

[Everest10Dad]

Here are some cheap 5000mah packs starting at $15, but they're mostly lipo:

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&erp_category=&order=price&q=5000mah

How does the price compare to nimh?

I see that they have a 5000mAh Turnigy NiMh for $16.70 with a Tamiya connector. Good price for sure. I was looking at a RedCat brand one with the correct style connector for my son's Everest 10 (Banana style?) for $40.78 on Amazon. Is there a quality difference in NiMh packs really or do they all use the same cells etc? From this website it seems that LiPo are only negligibly more than NiMh; certainly not enough to sway my choice either way.

 

[durok]

I wouldn't bother getting Redcat-branded batteries - they aren't a battery company, but Turnigy is. Turnigy is well known, no worries buying theirs.

 

[Everest10Dad]

I wouldn't bother getting Redcat-branded batteries - they aren't a battery company, but Turnigy is. Turnigy is well known, no worries buying theirs.

Nice. I like saving money.....

So it looks like I will be needing to switch away from the stock Banana style (HXT-4.0?) connectors to something else. What would be my best choice to go to Tamiya, XT-60, Deans, Traxxas, EC3...?

 

[jlwatchman]

Nice. I like saving money.....

So it looks like I will be needing to switch away from the stock Banana style (HXT-4.0?) connectors to something else. What would be my best choice to go to Tamiya, XT-60, Deans, Traxxas, EC3...?

Either Deans or XT60. Personally, I like XT60 first with deans coming in second--many lipos already come with XT60 and it is easier to plug and unplug because they're not as small as the deans. Also, easier to solder with strong joints because they have cups to receive the solder/wire instead of just flat blades on the deans.

I think Traxxas plugs are too large personally and I've bought off-brand versions that are very poor quality.

Tamiya contacts have low surface area, have that annoying clip that breaks off, and the connectors sometimes wiggle around inside the housing when you're trying to plug the battery in.

 

[StomperCrawler]

Xt60 FTW (For The Win)! There's also a separator tool available on Hobbyking: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-easyoff-plug-disconnect-system-w-tool-xt60-20-pcs.html

 

[magic_yeti]

I would go Xt60.

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[Natedog]

I'd say keep what you have. You should be able to get a DC charger that will charge your NiMH packs in about 15 minutes. That and a spare battery should keep him happy.

If you're unsure how he will like it and watching the budget, this is probably best for now. "thumbsup"

Lipos are most definitely better than NIMH...

At this point, I probably would not invest a whole lot in batteries and chargers unless he enjoys it. In that case, I highly recommend buying a dual or quad port charger. They save a ton of time when charging batteries. The SKYRC charger mentioned earlier is very similar (possibly the same?) as the Hitec chargers. I think the Hitec is the same price. It will run on AC or DC, but AC will not give as high of charging rates.

If the Everest does not have lipo cutoff, you can get an alarm that will plug into the balance port and when the batteries get low it will beep. Or you could upgrade your ESC. The Hobbywing 1080 is excellent for the money.

X2 and stay away from large heavy high mah batteries as they raise the center of gravity unncessarily. There are small light weight packs available and just use a couple packs. "thumbsup"

Oh yes, xt60 plugs.

 

[Everest10Dad]

I see that they have a 5000mAh Turnigy NiMh for $16.70 with a Tamiya connector. Good price for sure. I was looking at a RedCat brand one with the correct style connector for my son's Everest 10 (Banana style?) for $40.78 on Amazon. Is there a quality difference in NiMh packs really or do they all use the same cells etc? From this website it seems that LiPo are only negligibly more than NiMh; certainly not enough to sway my choice either way.

Just tried to order the Turnigy from HobbyKing and it was coming form Hong Kong and apparently could not ship to my address in here in upstate NY. Oh well. So Amazon has Tenergy, Racer's Edge, Fuzadel, Venom, Duratrax, RedCat and Melasta ranging from about $25-$48 ea. I've heard of some of these brands. Any ones I should stay away from or gravitate to?

 

[StomperCrawler]

Shipped from USA:

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-2200mah-3s-25c-lipo-pack.html

... and here's their lipo finder tool where you can select where it's located:

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/lipo.html?config=53&capacity=2121-2426&

 

[jlwatchman]

Yes, you can select it to ship from the US. If they could ship to me here in Alaska, they would be able to ship to you in NY. Turnigy batteries are really good...it makes many other brands seem like a ripoff.