LiPo battery brand(s)?

[Amoeba]

Question for you more experienced electric folks running LiPo: What are some of the more reputable/quality battery brands for LiPo?

I'm in the market for a 2nd 2S LiPo hardcase in either saddle or stick, minimum 3600 MaH, 20-25C or so (don't want/need a sustained higher C). I've seen identical rated LiPos from different vendors that vary wildly in price. I'm willing to pay for quality, but I have no idea which brands are the most consistent good investments.

 

[slowngreen]

I've had nothing but bad luck with Maxamps but have had nothing but good luck with cheap no name lipo's off ebay from hong kong... I've also had very very good luck with EC Power lipo's.

 

[Lessen]

I am a search master

Maxamps makes a good value pack, but in my testing I have found that they don't live up to their C ratings. I would consider them to be a budget brand, which may not be a bad thing depending on the application.

Flightpower or any manufacturer that uses Kokam cells are proven performers. I also run Hyperion packs if the application calls for a lightweight pack.

 

[Amoeba]

I am a search master

Thanks Lessen. I did see this while searching but was looking for any new info and additional input from others. Not that I don't trust SD, I just wanted some more opinions

 

[Lessen]

Anybody have any experience with Thunder Power?

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Anybody have any experience with Thunder Power?

I run thunder power's through my crawler (2s) and through my rc18 (3s) have had no problems at all.

I also have had good luck with a venom 5000 3s for my BL slash.

 

[slowngreen]

I've had 2 thunder powers, one 2s 1350 mah and one 3s 1250 mah and they did pretty good for a while but the 2s swelled in about 3 months and i sold the 3s.

these, although cheap, are what I'm running in my buggy, 2 of them and they have worked very well so far in extremly cold weather and run as hard as i could run them till they are cut off....

http://cgi.ebay.com/25C-7-4V-4500mA...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

i'll prolly buy some of these next...

http://www.ultralinehobbies.com/index.php?p=product&id=707&parent=72

 

[Amoeba]

Has anyone used Common Sense RC packs and how's the quality?

I'm eyeballing their 5200mAh 25C hardpack. 130amp continuous and burst 260amp sits perfectly at the top end rated range of my motor & ESC.

As long as I monitor battery temps I should be good to go right?

 

[slowngreen]

i havent used Common sense packs, i couldnt find any reviews of them either so it might be a gamble but for the price of that one you're looking at they better be reliable and stand up to their c rating... i might be wrong but i think ALOT of places buy the really cheap packs off ebay, then just put their sticker on em and crank the price way up.

 

[Amoeba]

i havent used Common sense packs, i couldnt find any reviews of them either so it might be a gamble but for the price of that one you're looking at they better be reliable and stand up to their c rating... i might be wrong but i think ALOT of places buy the really cheap packs off ebay, then just put their sticker on em and crank the price way up.

I poked around on this too. The owner of my LHS suggested them and he runs them for his air/heli's. So far the LHS hasn't steered me wrong and I've spent enough money there the past few months that even if something goes sour on it they'll take care of me.

I'll give the Common Sense RC's a try and see how they hold up. I'll let you guys know if they're worth it.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Which vehicle are you putting this in with which motor and esc? That will help determine the appropriate pack for your application.


What can get confusing when choosing between battery pack brands are which manufacturer their cells originated from. Enerland and Kokam are two of the leading cell manufacturers. I'd shoot an email to Common Sense RC and find out who supplies their cells.

 

[Amoeba]

Which vehicle are you putting this in with which motor and esc? That will help determine the appropriate pack for your application.


What can get confusing when choosing between battery pack brands are which manufacturer their cells originated from. Enerland and Kokam are two of the leading cell manufacturers. I'd shoot an email to Common Sense RC and find out who supplies their cells.

A 1/10 Sprint w/Novak SLYDR Brushless drift system. I checked the specs Novak support on this pack and got a green light. I'll ping them again to see what manufacturer they use.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Your current draw will be less than 60 amps max, the pack you chose is overkill but will allow for long run times. I would watch the motor temps more than the pack temps.

If less weight allows greater performance in your drifter I would run a 3200mah pack.

I run this pack in my Slash and it is comparable to my Orion packs which use Kokam cells.

http://www.ultralinehobbies.com/index.php?p=product&id=559&parent=72

 

[Amoeba]

Your current draw will be less than 60 amps max, the pack you chose is overkill but will allow for long run times. I would watch the motor temps more than the pack temps.

If less weight allows greater performance in your drifter I would run a 3200mah pack.

I run this pack in my Slash and it is comparable to my Orion packs which use Kokam cells.

http://www.ultralinehobbies.com/index.php?p=product&id=559&parent=72

Thanks for the info SD. As I mentioned, this will be my 2nd LiPo pack, I have a 3600mAh already.

I'm actually looking for long run times and the increase in weight will allow for an easier switch to touring driving when I swap wheels out if I'm not in the mood for drifting that day. Plus, it should provide enough oomph to power a RC8 converted or higher draw chassis at some point down the road. I prefer to put the money in for higher-end than necessary where it would give better return on investment and allow for more flexibility in what it can be used for in the future.

All that aside, the main point was which brands tend to be worth it. So far I'm hearing Team Orion & Flightpower.. or any brands which source Enerland/Kokam.

 

[sweetdiesel]

A few other brands that have hard case lipos worth considering are SMC, Peak Racing and Trakpower.