Are water cooled lipos necessary?

[stangguy73]

My buddy and I are getting 2 Impulse 31s that we are going to modify with bigger motors and escs. Is there an absolute need to use water cooled lipos,? A local hobby shop told us they are a must.

[tlandauer]

Welcome!
No, it is not a must, I have been seeing this for a while, but more powerful set ups have lived w/o these.
It really will not get you anywhere, consider this: assuming the maker has perfected the product, you need to have extra cooling lines to supply the water, from where? Your existing water pick up? It is already supplying the water to the motor and ESC, add more extra items will only make the loop longer and more complicated not to say an increased chance for leaks. To have an extra pick up just for the batteries doesn't make sense. I will not use them if I were you.
KISS.
Buy the best lipo you can afford, 50 and above constant C rating a must. Stay away from MaxAmps.
Revolectrix , Dinogy, Hyperion, Thunderpower, etc..... ( no particular order)

[NativePaul]

No, There is no point for them at all (bar making money for the manufacturer and seller) unless you are draining your LiPos completely (which you shouldn't be), and even then it is a controversial if they are of benefit or a hinderance, and certainly not a must have.

[kevinpratt823]

FWIW, and I have a feeling others would agree, if your LHS guy told you that I would be very wary of any other advice he may try to sell you. He either knows nothing about boats, or he's just trying to sell you something. IMO, water cooled lipos is a complete gimmick. There are countless guys with a ton of experience here, along with some of the fastest boats on the planet, and I don't think you will see a single one with water cooled lipos.

[tlandauer]

FWIW, and I have a feeling others would agree, if your LHS guy told you that I would be very wary of any other advice he may try to sell you. He either knows nothing about boats, or he's just trying to sell you something. IMO, water cooled lipos is a complete gimmick. There are countless guys with a ton of experience here, along with some of the fastest boats on the planet, and I don't think you will see a single one with water cooled lipos.

I couldn't agree more!! FE boats are strangers to most LHS, I go to a really good LHS, there are car guys, heli guys , plane guys, you name them, they've got them. But as soon as I open my mouth about boats, they all shook their heads and look at each other, lol...
And that is from a honest place with honest people!

[Maximus]

Don't use them prop correct and nothing gets hot

[tlandauer]

Don't use them prop correct and nothing gets hot

I learned which prop to use by trial and error....... heat is an issue everyone has to learn to deal with, and eventually tune the boat to the best threshold. It takes time for people to get there, meanwhile, water cooled batteries are unnecessary and won't save the day even if one had the wrong prop.