oldshovelhead
08-12-2008, 04:14 PM
I'm turning to the pros for some advice.
After digging out my old RPM SeaMaster II EP from years and years ago I decided to get back into boating with a RTR. The Proboat Formula FASTech was my choice.
Started out running whatever NiMH packs I have that I use with my crawlers....advanced (and I use that term loosely) to a set of DTX 4200mAh packs. My mad scientist neighbor has been experimenting with the a123 cells and made a couple of packs for me.
These packs are 4600mAh four cell 6.6v packs of which I have two. I have a third pack which is a two cell 3.3v 2300mAh pack. Why I wound up with a two cell pack instead of a third four cell pack is probably a beer thing- but that's another story.
I've made adjustments to the running gear WHILE I've been experimenting with NiMH and a123. I have my drive set at it's highest negative camber (think I got that right), my trim tabs are "up" so to say, about an 1/8" from the hull bottom at the end of the tab. I've also put another battery pack lead in series so can run three separate battery packs. The Proboat esc has a 21v limit on it.
Here are a few videos, there is one of the boat on the three packs of a123 and the others are on two six cell packs of NiMH - http://www.youtube.com/oldshovelhead
So if you're still here thank You for reading my "prologue" and on to the question;
Should I pursue the a123 cells? They run much much cooler than the NiMH packs and I just need to either increase cell count or add another 4cell pack to get my voltage up to where I want it or should I go with lipo? I've steered clear from lipo for the reasons of cost and safety.
All suggestions welcomed! Even if it's "stay on the dock until you get a real boat" :laugh:
After digging out my old RPM SeaMaster II EP from years and years ago I decided to get back into boating with a RTR. The Proboat Formula FASTech was my choice.
Started out running whatever NiMH packs I have that I use with my crawlers....advanced (and I use that term loosely) to a set of DTX 4200mAh packs. My mad scientist neighbor has been experimenting with the a123 cells and made a couple of packs for me.
These packs are 4600mAh four cell 6.6v packs of which I have two. I have a third pack which is a two cell 3.3v 2300mAh pack. Why I wound up with a two cell pack instead of a third four cell pack is probably a beer thing- but that's another story.
I've made adjustments to the running gear WHILE I've been experimenting with NiMH and a123. I have my drive set at it's highest negative camber (think I got that right), my trim tabs are "up" so to say, about an 1/8" from the hull bottom at the end of the tab. I've also put another battery pack lead in series so can run three separate battery packs. The Proboat esc has a 21v limit on it.
Here are a few videos, there is one of the boat on the three packs of a123 and the others are on two six cell packs of NiMH - http://www.youtube.com/oldshovelhead
So if you're still here thank You for reading my "prologue" and on to the question;
Should I pursue the a123 cells? They run much much cooler than the NiMH packs and I just need to either increase cell count or add another 4cell pack to get my voltage up to where I want it or should I go with lipo? I've steered clear from lipo for the reasons of cost and safety.
All suggestions welcomed! Even if it's "stay on the dock until you get a real boat" :laugh: