Battery Run Time

[Racer 1966]

Ok so I'm a newbie with electric vehicles but I've got Slash on the way. I'm thinking I'm going to want a better battery for longer run times. I know the higher the mAh, the longer the run time but is there any basic rule of thumb on how much time you get from a certain mAh battery?
I know it will vary some by where/how you drive but just need an idea of where to draw the line on cost vs. increase in run time.

 

[RusTLeRx350]

For nimH batteries, I've never really messed with them much, however I do own a 8.4V 7 Cell 5000 maH battery. I get around 25 minutes out of it. I highly recommend you just go straight to Lipo though. It's worth it completely. As compared to that nimH battery above, I have a 2S 40C 5000 maH Lipo and I get around 45 minutes out of it, plus more power and it was only around 5 dollars more.

 

[TAC]

You will get longer run times out of a lipo and brushless setup. So really it comes down to what motor are you running/planning to run, brushed or brushless. Also what type of batteries? NiMh or Lipo? Once those two questions are answered well be able to give you a better idea of what youll get outa time.

 

[Racer 1966]

For now I'm going to have to stay with the brushed/NiMH stuff. I don't have the coin to step up to brushless/LiPo.

 

[Boogie]

I've got two 4600mah and one 5000mah nimh batts and I get pretty decent runtime, usually 10-15 minutes of mostly WOT running. I really want to get some lipos but I keep spending money on other crap.

 

[Racer 1966]

I've got two 4600mah and one 5000mah nimh batts and I get pretty decent runtime, usually 10-15 minutes of mostly WOT running. I really want to get some lipos but I keep spending money on other crap.

Well judging from that my 1500's won't last long. I did find out I had a 2000 too.But then again,my son will be running it and right now I have programmed it for 50% for him to get used to driving it.

I think I'm going to try out the 6800's I found. They're cheap,but maybe they'll work ok.

 

[bigdaddee]

never saw a 6800. highest I have seen is 6500's. huh?
where did you find those ?

 

[Racer 1966]

never saw a 6800. highest I have seen is 6500's. huh?
where did you find those ?

eBay, of course they're no-namers

 

[slowngreen]

when yo uget the chance buy a new esc and go lipo. I get like 45 min outta 5000 3s packs.

 

[Racer 1966]

when yo uget the chance buy a new esc and go lipo. I get like 45 min outta 5000 3s packs.

Yeah but I gotta buy a good charger too. What's the ballpark $$$ for going Lipo?

 

[slowngreen]

Completely depends on brand. You can take it up the hoo hoo and buy a 5000 mah 3s Maxamps for like $5500 lol, or you can get some Turnigy 3s 5000mah packs for $30 each! And I've had super great luck with them, most have.

 

[Racer 1966]

ESC and battery all I need? (in my case a charger too)

 

[TAC]

Make sure you get a audible lipo cutoff, or cutoff of some sort, if your esc doesn't have one. Very important.

 

[ProfsrKos2012]

Since lipos have all the warnings and all, is it recommended to get the hard case lipo or does that even matter? I don't race or have any plans to race anytime soon. I don't want to have to worry about my trucks going up in smoke.

THX

 

[brettweir78]

Novak makes a low voltage cutoff that you can wire in. If your esc does not have a cutoff built in. You have to choose a 2s or 3s model as they are not adjustable. only cost like 20 bucks or so.