New to lipos

[Claytonrduvall]

Hello, I am awaiting the arrival of my new fastect! I do not have any batteries yet for it, am have never used lipos. They seem to be the new thing going! I know I am going to need to get the programming card, but after that I am lost. I have looked at pictures of different lipos and they have the positive and negative post for the leads, then a small connection that looks like it goes into the receiver? Not sure

Does anyone have any pictures of there boat with lipos in it , so I can see how and what all the wires are for. Also what lipos would you recommend? What other things are going to be needed?

Sorry for all the questions, I have always used the old Nimh batteries,

thanks again Clayton

[BHChieftain]

To convert to lipos I'd recommend changing the connectors, not only from the ESC-to-Batteries, but also put in larger bullets from ESC-to-Motor. The stock connectors will likely get too hot and melt the solder.

Most folks use 5.5mm bullets everywhere, I used 6mm since I had a bunch in stock.

If you go to my sale thread (below), there are some pics of the connector setup I use, and also a pic of a handy harness I made to quickly switch back to Nimhs (on deans)-- I run my both both ways.

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/showthread.php?t=19161

If you switch back and forth, don't forget to reset the LVC settings from NIMNs to LIPOS

Chief

[Claytonrduvall]

So there is not much special that I have to do to run lipos? Just change the connections out ? What would be a good set of batteries to run, some good ones but not killer in price. Just new to the lip setups.

[BHChieftain]

So there is not much special that I have to do to run lipos? Just change the connections out ? What would be a good set of batteries to run, some good ones but not killer in price. Just new to the lip setups.

You should check out the "battery" subforum-- there is a lot of good info on lipos there.

I have 2 types of lipos-- cheap ones and nice ones.

The cheap ones are Turnigy 35C 2S 5000Mah packs-- I run two of them in serial (so a 4S1P config). They fit pretty nicely in the stock battery trays, but are a bit wide, so they will lean up agaist the sides a bit. I installed some velcro straps to hold them in place.

I personally have had too many issues with getting bad Turnigy packs shipped to me, so I gave up on them and just buy Hyperion. But the 35C 5000Mah hyperions are longer than the turnigy, so you'll need to modify the battery trays to make them fit. Lots of people like Turnigy, so bottom line is you need to do your own research (could be I just ordered from a bad lot...)

You should get a proboat ESC programming card so you can set the ESC to run on LIPOs. Stock setting is NIMHs, and if you forgot to change it, you can run the lipos too far and kill them.

You should get rid of the stock prop and run an Octura X642

If you have not seen Darin's threads on modifying the turn fins, pls check that out-- this will make the boat much more stable, and you'll want that before increasing your speed. The one downside with this boat is there is no way to waterproof it if it capsizes, so make sure she is running stable (good news she runs *really* stable when set up right).

Chief

[Claytonrduvall]

Thanks for the advice.!! I have read most of the threads on here about the fastect, wonder why the reprograming pad did not come with the boat if it's needed as much as everyone says? I thank you for the information about the boat and experience you have had. Thanks clay

[Diesel6401]

So there is not much special that I have to do to run lipos? Just change the connections out ? What would be a good set of batteries to run, some good ones but not killer in price. Just new to the lip setups.

:welcome:

Their is a lot more to lipo's then just changing over the plugs. If not properly handled they (like any other battery) can be very very dangerous. The small wire that comes off the battery does not and should not go to the receiver, that is the balancing plug. You need to get yourself a lipo capable battery charger/balancer. It is very important to balance charge your lipo's. DO NOT USE A NIMH/NICAD ONLY CHARGER, MUST BE A LIPO CAPABLE CHARGER

First thing I would suggest is to read:
http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/showthread.php?t=12020
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1287041

Second grab a decent charger:
http://www.rclipos.com/HP-EOS0606i.htm ( I have this charger and think it is great)
I also suggest get a lipo sack http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=%3Cb%3Elipo%3C/b%3E+safety+%3Cb%3Ebag%3C/b%3E

Third pick your batts: (Unlike BHChieftian, I have had good luck with Turnigy batts)
http://hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=10305 ( I have had good luck with these packs)

If you want to grab some great packs you can get some Hyperions, Thunderpowers or polyrcs http://www.rclipos.com/index.htm

[Claytonrduvall]

Thanks for that great reply!! It was very helpful. I just wanted to make sure I was doing every thing right when I comes to using lipos to charging them. Have read many stories where they explode and catch fire etc , did not want that to happen to me or my boat. There is not much different between regular battery packs and lipos now, just some extra caution to how far to discharge them and how you charge them. Thanks again for all the help guys. Sure to have several more questions when I start using the boat!! Thanks again

[Diesel6401]

Thanks for that great reply!! It was very helpful. I just wanted to make sure I was doing every thing right when I comes to using lipos to charging them. Have read many stories where they explode and catch fire etc , did not want that to happen to me or my boat. There is not much different between regular battery packs and lipos now, just some extra caution to how far to discharge them and how you charge them. Thanks again for all the help guys. Sure to have several more questions when I start using the boat!! Thanks again

Be careful and most importantly have fun.