Going brushless & Lipo, battery and charger suggestions?

[davetfft]

I'm looking to move to brushless & lipo and want to get started with decent equipment. I don't want the best race level stuff, just really decent stuff that will survive a while.

What Lipo batteries have you had good luck with?

What charging system do you prefer?

I'm running an eRevo VXL and a Savage Flux HP, I believe these are both Lipo capable right out of the box correct?

Thanks in advance....

Davetfft

 

[CptAwesome]

While I am not familiar enough with those models to tell you whether you would need a 2 cell or 3 cell LiPo, I can tell you that they should be LiPo capable out of the box, and I do have a suggestion as to where to get your parts - http://www.hobbypartz.com/

I prefer gensacearespammers and/or Sky LiPo batteries. Despite the fact that they are not one of the "big brands" out there, they offer TONS of power for a dirt cheap price. I just got some 5000 mAh batteries for just over 20 bucks each, with free shipping.


As for chargers, I've bought expensive ones and really cheap ones, and I have to say that I don't think it's worth it buying the really expensive ones. Something like: http://www.hobbypartz.com/75p-t606-charger.html or http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dyc-1004.html is usually good enough. Also, If you can wait for shipping from China, you can literally find them on ebay for 10 - 20 bucks with an integrated balancer, and an AC power supply (if you even want one) is only about $5 more.

 

[robmob]

What Lipo batteries have you had good luck with?

MaxAmps, Thunder Power and ProTek

I have not tried any others so I can't comment on them.

What charging system do you prefer?

Hyperion line of chargers.

I personally use a pair of Hyperion EOS0720i chargers which require a separate power supply.

 

[davetfft]

Any opinions on these? My LHS recommended them given what I run and how often etc. I plan to have them for a while so I'm hoping they're decent.

http://www.hobbytown.com/Shop/LiPO-7-4V-5000-mAh-25C-Hardcase-Uni-Plug-System/

http://www.hobbytown.com/Shop/X4-Four-Channel-Multicharger/

 

[CptAwesome]

I like that charger, am considering getting one of those myself. However (as I am cheap) the price seems a little steep to me. If you don't mind waiting a few days for shipping, you can find them quite a bit cheaper - a la http://www.hobbypartz.com/75p-t6-multi-charger.html . I believe that they use the same OEM to make that multi charger.

And I've head good things about venom batteries. But I find them a little pricey.
That's not to say that they aren't worth it, I can't make that call. But if you want a cheap bastard alternative, any of these should do (in order of my favorite to least favorite)

http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-30c-5300-2s1p-hardcase.html

http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-40c-5000-2s1p-hardcase.html

http://www.hobbypartz.com/77p-sl5000-2s1p-30c-2222-hardcase.html

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=16206


At $54 each, those venoms are less powerful (half the discharge, in some cases) than the gensacearespammers ones, and nearly double the price. All of the ones I posted are available in hard case or soft case. And if you look at the last one (the Turnigy) for long enough, they actually drop the price to $17. How can you beat that. It's literally 3 for the price of 1 venom. (or 2 for 1 if you go for the gensacearespammers)

 

[MR4X4KING]

for a charger
i use a cell pro revelution 4s charger
very easy to use

for lipos
i use venom in all my traxxas vxl's
losi in my speed t's
spc in my summit

check you local hobby shop and see what they sell and compare
some places want to sell the most expensive stuff
if you have a track near by see what other races are using

 

[davetfft]

It seems like there are a lot of brands out there and nobody has mentioned any standouts. Are there any to stay away from? Bad brands etc?

I think I'll give my business to my LHS and try to support them a bit even if they are a bit high and go with these unless somebody has had a bad run with them;

http://www.hobbytown.com/Shop/35C-5000mAh-11-1v-3S-LiPo-UNI-Plug/

http://www.hobbytown.com/Shop/X4-Four-Channel-Multicharger/