LiPos

[NorthernBoater]

Has anyone heard any news for what we can expect for LiPo technology in the next year? Now that more power tools are using Lithium are prices going to start to drop?

[JimClark]

I doubt prices will drop much in fact I think they just took a jump in prices.

jim

[Mich. Maniac]

I think there is still a diff. in those batterys. I dont know details but they are just lithium Ion. not lithium polymer. I cant tell you what the difference is exactly but I see some dry cell batterys are even changing to lithium Ion.

[sidv13]

nevermind I was wrong

[whiplash]

lithium Ion have a much longer shelf life, thats why its used in electronic like watches, and timers, and PC Boards. from what I hear thier out put is not as high as Polymer. You half charge your Poly's when storing for long periods because of self discharge, Ion's have a much slower rate. Thats all I know about that :D

[NorthernBoater]

So do Lithium Ion also have a different voltage than Lithium Polymer?

[Flying Scotsman]

So do Lithium Ion also have a different voltage than Lithium Polymer?

Northern Boater I suggest you Google for your answer

[FRED]

Lipos

Stuck my nose in again, promise i'll read posting ONLY.

[Flying Scotsman]

Northernboater asked in a polite way about lipos. This is forum to help each other and if you don't know, just say so, no harm in that. Lipos is a new ballgame for fe boaters but for airplane people, it's old hat. Now if people know all the answers, no sense getting into or getting envolved in any forum, correct.

Fred, this seems to be directed at myself. Here is my response.

Fred, if you posed some questions or gave some knowledgeable answers, that would make a forum interesting. Forums are for a judicial point of view.

I also got my knuckles rapped for this response. No offense was intended. PM's are better and one was sent prior to this post

Doug

[FRED]

Lipos

He asked several questions which were good solid questions.

[NorthernBoater]

I was just posting the question to try to get some discussion on peoples opinions on where LiPos are going to go in the next year. I try to keep up with the tech news but I do miss some things. I have seen the term LiPo and Lithium-Ion used interchangeably so I did not realize there was a difference. I will be keeping an eye on A123 cells since the Chevy Volt will be using them. Once that car goes into production I would expect the prices on their cells to drop. It was the power tool market that made the price of NiMh drop.

[Steven Vaccaro]

Has anyone heard any news for what we can expect for LiPo technology in the next year? Now that more power tools are using Lithium are prices going to start to drop?

Lets get back on track. I see prices dropping and batteries getting better. I get emails from battery manufacturers daily pushing a new/better lipo battery. The trick is being able to weed through the junk to find the golden nugget.

[Flying Scotsman]

So do Lithium Ion also have a different voltage than Lithium Polymer?

NorternBoater Woops double post

[Flying Scotsman]

So do Lithium Ion also have a different voltage than Lithium Polymer?

NorternBoater my response to your question was taken out of context by another member. Lithium Ion is a different chemical formula and that is why, I suggested you Google... Lithium.
Please, pose as many, on topic questions as you wish.

Douggie

[Darin Jordan]

I will be keeping an eye on A123 cells since the Chevy Volt will be using them. Once that car goes into production I would expect the prices on their cells to drop. It was the power tool market that made the price of NiMh drop.

A123 cells have not proven to have the same performance as a more "conventional" lipo cell... They are also heavier... They ARE easier/safer to work with in some respects... but again, at a big cost in performance...

I've seen some applications for sport boating that made sense, but I'm skeptical as to whether they will ever have much of a lasting impact in serious racing...

That said... who really knows what's around the corner...

... I DO know that I'll be taking my current lipos into next season and will likely have to replace the contacts on the leads because they are wearing out... How many times in the past have we had to deal with THAT problem!!! (meaning... these cells are so damn good that they outlast the contacts! Try THAT with your NiMH paper weights!!)...