Question: Series vs Parallel

[lohring]

I race at the NAMBA National Championships. I, and many others run 8 mm connectors on our batteries these days. The new Castle ESCs have 6.5 mm motor connectors, and they may be fine for P limited. I ran 8 mm connectors on my 1/8 scale and on the full size electric hydro mentioned above. That hydro was built in 2008.The current draw from the 1/8 scale two lap record run is below. That boat won the 2012 NAMBA Electric Nationals with 4 4S packs connected in series and parallel.

Lohring Miller

[Panther6834]

I race at the NAMBA National Championships. I, and many others run 8 mm connectors on our batteries these days.

Again, please stop with ANY responses having to do with connector size...that had NOTHING to do work the question originally asked. I am trying to keep this thread on-point to the question asked, and not have it going in other 'directions'. The only reason I even mentioned connectors was because someone else asked if the batteries used in the Jet Boat would be used in any other vehicles/vessels. And, as for me mentioning 1/8, that, as with 1/10, was in reference to off-road vehicles, not boats. The question is, specifically, about parallel vs series connection in boats (or land vehicles, as it could also apply to them) of this size/power.


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[Bande1]

8mm connectors

[lohring]

I'm just trying to answer both questions. I have a lot of experience with series and parallel connections. The expected current draw has a lot to do with the connector size. If you are using connectors sized for the expected current, you can connect the batteries any way you need. It won't matter. Below is a 6S setup with batteries in both series and parallel. That was what would fit.

After all single cells are assembled into packs using internal connectors. These connectors are surprisingly thin. I have burned through them at too high current draws.

Lohring Miller

P1010002.jpg

[Bande1]

its excruciatingly easy to pull mega currents in a boat.

[Panther6834]

its excruciatingly easy to pull mega currents in a boat.

True, true...especially in larger/faster boats with high kv motors and/or high voltage setups. My first SonicWake was originally set for series (the second, which I'm just starting to build, started life as just a hull)...but, the person who built the hydro I bought set it up for parallel. I can only assume that, in regards to the previous he & his wife preferred, the 5000mAh 4S packs must have been shorter than the 10,000mAh 2S packs (and, before anyone says he didn't know what he was doing, understand that he was one of the top racers in the country, as well as a former IMPBA Officer).

Anyway...getting things back on track (yes, even I can get myself off-track at times)...I'm thinking, the best 'solution' (at least, for the Jet Boat) is to compare the heights & weights of the 2S & 4S packs I'd consider using, to see which is shorter and/or lighter, so as to 'assist' in obtaining the lowest COG.

Case closed?


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[Bande1]

I mean 10mm is even better.