parellel vs series question....

[TWCFI]

I apologize if this was covered somewhere in detail on the forum. If it was I failed to find it.

My question is: Given the option to wire two 4 cell batteries in parallel or series, which is better for longer runtimes and descent speed?

If someone could provide some info I would appreciate it.

The boats:
I have a MG and Mystic that are both bone stock for now. I plan on keeping the MG a 4 cell boat and goto a 6 cell on the Mystic. I am still shopping/researching the motor prop setup and I am finding massive amounts of information that has resulted in knowledge overload and I am therefor none the wiser.

Thanks in advance for the help,

Bob.

[JimClark]

Par no increase in voltage but double the mah
Series double voltage no increase in MAH

[JimClark]

Moved to battery forum

[TWCFI]

Thanks for the response Jim. But I hoped to go beyond the basics of voltage is constant in parallel and current is constant in series type stuff.

What does this mean as far as running larger or smaller Kv motors? Is the boat going to be faster with a series setup vs a parallel one? Is there a point where it would be advantageous to run one vs the other?

I hope this post doesn't come off as rude. I am not trying to be and I should of been more clear in my original post.

Bob

[dana]

Running parallel means, more weight. You'll lose 1or2mph but have more run time. Bigger motors require more juice, so it's better running parallel. On most stock rtr setups, running series is fine. Also, better quality packs will give better results and extend runtimes by small increments.

[dana]

Not sure what you mean by "Wire two 4s batteries series or parallel"
That would give you different voltages...

[TWCFI]

dana,

Thanks for the reply. I guess the harness for the parallel setup contributes to the weight gain if I am running 2 4cell packs. The rest of your answer is exactly what I was looking for. Jim assumed I was smarter than I looked.

So that leads me to a new question. If I wanted to upgrade the Mystic, would it be wiser to use the stock motor and get a much better esc that can handle more amps and run 2 6s in parallel?

Bob


The packs are 2s 5000mah 65C by MaxAmps.

[dana]

I think the stock is 1800kv? Little much for 6s. Plus it's a rather small can size, so pushing that hull thru the water with two 6s packs is gonna be tough. I would upgrade both motor and esc to run 6s2p. Either way, the stock esc is no good for 6s.

[dana]

The weight of the extra cells gives the Weight gain, not the harness. The plugs won't add any weight that's noticeable

[dana]

I'm a bit confused here. Youve said 4s parallel but you're running two 2s packs? Are you clear about what series and parallel are?

[TWCFI]

I'm sorry I mis typed. It will be 2 3s batteries. NOT 2 6 Cell batteries in parallel. LOL that thing would flashlight in a second.

Bob

[dana]

The most I would run on that motor is 5s. And that can be risky if you don't prop correctly. You could sell the stock stuff for a good price before you burn it up, and put that money towards a leopard motor and seaking esc.

[TWCFI]

Ok now I am confused. If I run 2 battery packs, each rated at 11.1 volts or 3 cells per battery, that would give me a total of 6 cells. If you wire them in parallel, am I not just connecting both positives together and both negatives together via a harness and running it to the esc???? maybe I types something wrong to throw you off or maybe my thought process is skewed. I am just learning the 4sp type lingo and could of messed it up royally.

Bob

[dana]

Bob, from what I gather, you are a bit skewed on the whole series parallel thing.
Two 3s packs wired series gives you 6s
Two 3s packs wired parallel gives you 3s still.
When running series, you plug negative of one battery to positive of the other.
When running parallel you plug the positives of both packs into positive of esc. Same for negative.

[dana]

Wait, yes I think you are correct. Yes, your typing is throwing me off. I think we're saying the same things in different ways lol