Need help with Li-Po pack.....

[Nitrobuzzard]

Can someone tell me what the "C" rating is for on the packs? From what i've read the higher the "C" rating, the higher discharge rate you have? This would mean the pack would dump out quicker right, but would have more "punch"?

Example, a 11.1V 3-cell 2100mAh 20C would dump quicker than an 11.1V 3-cell 2100mAh 15C right?? So having said that, would I get longer flight times by using a 15C instead of a 20C? Or have I totally missed it?

I'm running a BL setup in my MX400 heli.....I'm getting 5 mins. tops out of the 1320 3-cell I'm running now. I'm going to be getting a couple new packs but want to make sure I get what will give me the most flight time. I don't fly 3D, just buzz it around.......maybe a loop or a roll but that's about it.

Thanks in advance guys.......

-Nitro

 

[Candyman]

C rating is the total amp rate that can safely be pulled from the batteries. So, for example, if you have a 1000 mAh LiPo rated at 20C, you can safely use that battery in a system that pulls up to 20 amps. This is important to know especially in high-wattage systems. If you consistently pull higher currents than your battery is rated for, you'll toast it. And we all know what will happen when you toast a LiPo.
Longer runtimes are still dictated by mAh rating, just like NiCd and NiMH. If you want longer flights, get a bigger battery.

 

[Nitrobuzzard]

Thank you soooo much for clearing that up for me CM. Guess I better quit flying with the pack I'm using as I don't believe the C rating is high enough for the heli. Thanks again bud, you may very well have saved me from exploding it......LOL..........

-Nitro

 

[Candyman]

Dead giveaway is if the battery is warm when you're done flying.
The tricky part sometimes is trying to get an idea of how many amps your system is pulling. I typically use the max amp rating of my ESC as a guide, but if you're trying to get the best battery while saving weight, you gotta know exactly what your peak amps are under load. Damn, I guess I'm going to have to buy a WattMeter....

 

[Nitrobuzzard]

the pack is a little warm but not what I would think overly warm. The motor is a little warm as well, not bad, but a little. They, Heli-max, recommend an 18C pack. I ran across some other li-po's and they were about 1/2 the price of the recommended pack. But after reading what you told me, not to sure I can use the 15C that the other packs are. My ESC is rated at 25amps, it's the ESC that comes with the heli.

Here's the motor;

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXLBS1&P=V

Here's the ESC;

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXLBR5&P=V

Any thoughts on if I could run the 15C pack?

I guess this is why I stick with nitro.....LOL........tune and go.....yea I'm a gearhead from way back..........

thanks

-Nitro