New Guy Sounding Off

[steveo]

i think if u bought a 2s pack and ran it with the 3s in series u will be happy it will be way faster and not pushing the esc to hard, ur runtime will not like the 3s in parallel but if u got 2x 2s batterys then u have 2 sets of 5s1p, check the youtube spartan videos to see what the boat is capable of and its limits

where in florida are u?

[Flooznie]

I'm located in Yulee, about 20 miles north of Jacksonville. I've been looking at other boats and the Aquacraft Revolt Mono seems to be pretty solid, fiberglass hull and cheaper than Aquacraft. If I were to get that as a second boat, would I be able to use my 11.1 V 3S Lipos in it? Just wondering so I wouldn't have to go buy another set of batteries. Just out of curiousity, what kind of wiring harness would I need to run the packs in series? The existing one that plugs into the boat is made for parallel only. (Y-type connector that only plugs in one way).

[ozzie-crawl]

i think if u bought a 2s pack and ran it with the 3s in series u will be happy it will be way faster and not pushing the esc to hard, ur runtime will not like the 3s in parallel but if u got 2x 2s batterys then u have 2 sets of 5s1p, check the youtube spartan videos to see what the boat is capable of and its limits

where in florida are u?

Was thinking the same thing,if they have some trouble with 6s try 5s.
Traxxas dont make any top of the line race vehicles,they make them for the average joe and do it very well. Some people hate them but from what i have seen they have a great warranty service. If they state 6s i would give it a shot as they should cover it. speed difference should be rather good but thats just what i would try. 5s would give a decent speed increase with out pushing the motor/esc so hard.

[Flooznie]

I assumed with the RTR line and plastic, its supposed to make for a beginner, where a true enthusiast would deter for a kit or something more advanced. I've seen several vids of Spartans catching fire. Not something I want to see in person, so I'll stay away from 6S.

Paul

[electric]

I'm located in Yulee, about 20 miles north of Jacksonville. I've been looking at other boats and the Aquacraft Revolt Mono seems to be pretty solid, fiberglass hull and cheaper than Aquacraft. If I were to get that as a second boat, would I be able to use my 11.1 V 3S Lipos in it? Just wondering so I wouldn't have to go buy another set of batteries. Just out of curiousity, what kind of wiring harness would I need to run the packs in series? The existing one that plugs into the boat is made for parallel only. (Y-type connector that only plugs in one way).

If you are looking to standardize on batteries the best bet is two 2s 5000mah 40c plus batteries. Why, because most of the RTR boats run on this voltage (supervee,revolt,motley crew,proboat's fleet etc...) Also, this is the standard voltage for a LOT of racing classes p-hydro, p-mono, p-limited-sport-hydro, etc.. Pretty standard.

Parallel is two batteries, black to black from each battery, red to red from each battery and then into the esc for each.

Serial is wierd looking at first, red wire from battery one to esc, black wire from battery two to esc. Here comes the part that gets you.. plug the red wire of battery one into the black wire of battery two. Now you have twice the voltage. 7.4 x 2 = 14.8volts. Look hard at your deans or traxxes connectors and you will see it.

I use bullet connectors so I can us either a 4s pack or two 2s packs and make it work either way.
1. I can plug a 4s pack directly into the esc red/black 14.8 volts
2. I can plug two 2s packs in and make a serial connection as described above and also get 14.8 volts
3. Or if you want to go crazy with this, you take two 4s packs and connect them parallel as describe above. 14.8volts ( you will need to make an adapter to plug two black wires(each battery in, and one out to the esc) Repeat for the red side.


The trick is item number three doubles the "gas" available. Assuming 5000mah per pack you have 10,000 mah available to burn. Longer run time, but more weight. Again,most rtr's work fine with 5000mah to burn.


This is the other thing that is kinda "unique" about the Spartan. They elected to have their voltage to be at the 6s(although it will run at 4s) level which is more than most all of the other RTR's so it is a bit odd, but not anything crazy. The logic is more volts means you need less amps to get a desired speeed. Amps equals heat which is the main thing that kills your esc and motor. So, higher voltage can mean longer run times and cooler operating. Nothing is hard and fast, because as you prop up, the amps do go up and the heat will eventually get you. You will see all types of voltage combinations, but just look a the main RTR's you might buy and most will be 14.8volts. Hopes this helps, tried to keep it non-technical.

One other huge tip. Find someone to meet and run with who has been doing this awhile. This will cut your "learning curve" tremendously. I learned most of it on my own and this forum and made a lot of costly mistakes. I have since gotten involved in club racing ( a few times anyway) and you will learn much faster this way with less costly errors.

[Flooznie]

Thank you for all the advice. Unfortunately, I'm on the only person around Yulee that likes boats. There's an R/C club about a mile from my house, but those guys are heli and airplane enthusiasts (which I am as well), but I wanted to try something a little bit different and fun. Thanks for the advice on how to change voltages in the boat.

[steveo]

also esc's dont like to run at partial throttle so while u are running at full throttle on 3s i am sure if u went to 6s and the speed is a little more than u can handle right off u might tend to run alittle slower and the esc does not like this. of course this depends on the duration of the partial throttle i dont recommend running a full battery like this, prop down if its to fast that.