Elite Lipos

[SweetAccord]

So what is the final verdict on the Elite Lipos from Cheapbatterypacks.com?

Which are the better ones? I recall reading that the 4800mah 25c had issues?

Elite 4800mah 2S 25c $65
Burst C Rate
35C - (168 amps)
under 10 seconds

or

Elite 3300mah 30C 2S $60
Burst C Rate
50C - (165 amps)
under 10 seconds

or what else is equivalent for the same price?

Thank you for any reply in advance.

[JimClark]

Get the 4500 elites

[SweetAccord]

Ugh, those are $80.00!

[Ub Hauled]

I have the 4800 ones and they are solid.
I run them on my 8th scale and they never let me down.
Brian Buaas used the 5300 Elites to break the P SAW record.
I think they are good for general use, hehehehe.

[SweetAccord]

I have the 4800 ones and they are solid.


I don't deny that they are not great and all, but I really was enjoying the $60-65$ price range. Sigh*

[Ub Hauled]

I am talking about the 25C ones "mon amie"...
the 65 dolla ones.
:D

[SweetAccord]

Ah! Merci!!

What else would I need on this setup with a Hydra 120? I'm thinking a Lipo-cutoff? What do you all use with out any issues? What ESC's are you using and if you are using the Hydra 120 what are the program settings on it? I'm guessing since will be using 2 2s Lipo's will need a 4s Lipo LVC?

Thank you kindly.

[sdartt]

What set up are you running and are you wired series or parallel? Thanks for the tread, good timing.

[Ub Hauled]

The Hydra series already has a few cutoff presets and it has a custom one that you can set as you prefer. I usually set my cutoff on ANY setup to 3.4v per cell but I recently I learned that it may be too high... I am still looking into it.

If 2s1p = 6.8v
If 4s1p = 13.6v

I know of people that use an external cutoff on top of the built in one... I think is overkill, specially if you know your setup... but then again, it's always good to be extra cautious.




Ah! Merci!!

What else would I need on this setup with a Hydra 120? I'm thinking a Lipo-cutoff? What do you all use with out any issues? What ESC's are you using and if you are using the Hydra 120 what are the program settings on it? I'm guessing since will be using 2 2s Lipo's will need a 4s Lipo LVC?

Thank you kindly.

[SweetAccord]

I'm thinking of getting two Elite 4800mah 2S which is 7.2v on each pack, and will be wired in series just like the original SV setup is to give 14v.

As for the cutoff on the Hydra, that's interesting as the Hydra manual says that it only supports up to 3s and anything beyond that voids warranty and would need a separate battery. Wouldn't two 2s in series be 4s? Maybe I'm confused.

[Ub Hauled]

You are right... they did that cause there were too many people abusing the ESC due to lack of knowledge... the ESCs can and do take that kinda juice. I have 2 boats that run on 4cells, one has a Hydra 120 and one has a 240... NEVER have I had any problems with them... you have to make sure that you don't over prop the boat so you don't suffer from heat.
Not by any means am I telling you have to go this route, if you are not comfortable with running 4s then don't. All I am saying is that 4s is held very well by the Hydras.
Besides, the fact they don't WARRANTY BEYOND 3S doesn't mean they don't have a custom setting for the cutoff... the controllers can handle up to 6s if propped right (not that you would go that far).
YOU'LL NEED AN RX PACK IF USING 4S OR MORE AND ALSO REMOVE THE RED WIRE OUT OF THE EQUATION. I usually get an extension and cut the red wire on that instead of messing
with the data cable of the controller.

[SweetAccord]

But wait, the online manual now calims that it can do 4s?! and go up to 6s. They are confusing me. So I can do 4s, and need to then set to value 5 which is the 12v cutoff right for using two 2s which is 4s right?

When you say then it may not be safe to run 4s, then what should be run? If two NIMHS 7.2v are giving 14.2v what is then the right setup with Lipos? There is nothing less than 7.2v Lipo packs that can be run that I find.

[Ub Hauled]

Ok...
It is safe to run 4s, the ESC can go up to 6s.

The WARRANTY ONLY GOES UP TO 3s

you need to setup the cutoff to custom (via USB Link) to something like 13.2v if you are planning in using 4s1p. if you are planning on 2s1p the cutoff should be 6.6v
In case you don't have the USB Link then you should use the 12v preset as you mentioned above (value 5) if using 4s1p and to value 3 if you are running 2s1p

makes more sense?

use 3.3v per cell as your safety base.

[SweetAccord]

So if I'm planning on running 2s series which will be 4s then what should the voltage cutoff be set to? 12v right?

[Ub Hauled]

yes, at least 12v

[SweetAccord]

We changed the warranty on these a few months back. Now they are covered under warranty up to 6s lipo, but the repair price for non-warranty controllers has gone up. If you're running two 2s lipos then yes, 12v cutoff. If A123 (li-ion), then you would use the Castle Link to program the ESC for a custom 8v cutoff.

Joe Ford
Product Specialist
Castle Creations

[SweetAccord]

Ok so the cutoff is done with. Now, what else is needed? Does this mean I need to run a seperate battery or do I need to get a battery BEC like the Novak?

[Ub Hauled]

You could do either...
if you have the room and the batteries, no need to spend the money on more equipment.
I'd buy a short extension for the data cable and cut the red wire on that instead of the
cable on the ESC... either way,be sure to take the red cable out of the equation.

[SweetAccord]

Got it, thanks!!