Lipo noob here....

[CosmosGoat]

I got a MERV on order right now and might pick up some couple used lipos and charger from a guy who is selling his MERV. Is buying used batteries advisable? If so what do i need to know about Lipos and Lipo Chargers? I remember reading something about stopping running once you notice the truck slowing but dont brushless systems cut off if the voltage gets to low? Any help in this matter is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[revo_rob_1984]

yeah there is a cut off on the brushless version but it only works with 3s if i am not mistaken

 

[CosmosGoat]

So what if i am running 2S? what do i have to do to not ruin the batteries?

 

[lidebt2]

If you are going to buy used batteries most of the time they're good for practice. When racing I buy new ones.

I would VERY STRONGLY suggest buying a lipo sack the first time you charge these batteries, also charge them in the garage , not in the house. If they are defective, the sack will save you from a major fire.

Make sure that you charge them in lipo mode. There are a few battery manufacturers that have good info online. Google a search on lipo safety.

 

[CosmosGoat]

These will just be fore bashing and playing. I dont have a garage to charge them in.....

 

[syphon68]

yeah there is a cut off on the brushless version but it only works with 3s if i am not mistaken

Actually it cuts off for both 2s and 3s, as far as care and feeding of lipo's just follow the instructions carefully/pay attention and you will be fine. Buying used batteries is all about trust. you need to know how many times that person honestly used them, they have a limited number of cycles before they are garbage so just know you are taking a chance. hope that helps...

 

[CosmosGoat]

I am looking to pick up a charger that sells for $60 and 2 2000mAh 2S lipos for $60 shipped....so even if the batteries dont last too long i think I'm ok. The guy says he only used them 2 times in the MERV and the MERV looked to be in very good condition.

 

[lidebt2]

I am looking to pick up a charger that sells for $60 and 2 2000mAh 2S lipos for $60 shipped....so even if the batteries dont last too long i think I'm ok. The guy says he only used them 2 times in the MERV and the MERV looked to be in very good condition.

See if one of your friends has a GFX charger and have them cycled. That will give you a idea how the batteries are.

Take a good look at this thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209187

 

[CosmosGoat]

Noone i know has a lipo charger. I have done some reading on safety and it seems to me that as long as you have the correct charger and dont overcharge the pack its pretty straight forward. I know they can be dangerous but i feel that with some caution and sense they are pretty safe.

 

[syphon68]

+1 never had a problem

 

[adeezy9183]

i have a venom pro charger and i've never had any mishaps with my lipo batteries. the charger is bit pricey but u get what you pay for...and t orun the MERV in lipo mode you have to plug a lipo battery in and turn the esc on. then hold it for around 10 seconds until you hear a high pitched noise from the motor. when you let off their should be a green light on the esc. this is letting you know it's in LVD (low voltage detection) mode. if you decide to go back to Ni/Mh batteries, do the same thing. hold the esc button for around 10 seconds till you hear another high pitched noise. the esc should then be solid red. all of this is in your manual...also, you can run the MERV with 2 2 cell lipos in series, but you would have to run them in Ni/Mh mode. if you do that, i would stop as soon as you notice the car not running as fast. However, i wouldn't advise running the MERV on 4s because I, personally have burned up an esc from doing so...2 and 3s is more than enough power. check the vids on youtube

 

[CosmosGoat]

Planning to run 2 batteries in parallel regardless of what kind. I am looking for run time with this thing more than top speed. I have Nitro if i want to go real fast.

Thanks for the heads up on esc setup!

 

[Scrogg]

Grab one of the B6 chargers off E-bay. Works great and it's pretty much idiot proof.
It's the same charger as most of the hi-dollar chargers out there, just in a different case.

 

[darkslayor24]

every one of my lipo batteries i have bought used. and i havent had aproblem with them. just make sure you balance them when charging them. for a charger i would go with the turnigy accucell 6 (if you dont have one already) on hobbyking.com they are selling for ONLY$25! i love mine it will charge anything and also has a built in battery. you just need a power supply. i am using a DC wall converter on mine.