3s Lipo, a little lost gem in Fe Rc Boat

[Steven Vaccaro]

With the numerous 3s packs on the market for airplanes, the lower cost and simplicity of having only one pack it seems that we are missing the "boat" in rc racing. I ran a 3s boat last summer at 30-40mph speeds(depending on prop and needed runtime) and it was a blast at a lower budget.

After talking to Dr. George(10gauge on the forum) yesterday at the store I was totally convinced! I'm thinking all my future setups will be 3s and 6s. 6s boats will run in the 75-100 amp range, making a powerful setup at low enough amps that the system is not ever strained. I think this is far better than a 4s at 150amps. Same total watts, but far less system stress at 6s.

[ice329]

Look at the traxxas brushless system, like in the VXl. The thing is a monster. It has to push a SV type boat maybe even better then the stock system. If I had a extra Velion system it would be in there already.

[txboatpilot]

This is a great idea.. I went from running a 9XL and 4S2P in my Mean Machine, to 2x3S1P for 6S total and changed to a 12XL motor, run times and speed were comparable, but the heat was GONE! no more worry after 3-5 min runs, everything stays nice and cool with the same speeds or better than I got on 4S2P... Also the 2x3S1P packs were $150 cheaper than 2x 4S1P packs... I use this set-up in most of my "sport/play" boats under 33" length..

[Chilli]

After finishing my second build over the holidays, It's time to make the switch over to Lipos. I was going to go with a bunch of 4s packs since my sons Mean Machine is a high voltage set up that we run 24 sport cells on. And I just put a 1515 1y in my Titan 33. But to tell you the truth neither of us are ready to drive a boat with that much power. I can't find anyone to race here in Northern Virginia anyhow. So for the first set, I got a pair of 3S packs. I'm realy curious to see how 6S 25C will compare to 24 nimh cells in the Mean Machine. Does anyone see a problem making some runs with 3s2p in the Titan (33 Mono). I'm looking for upper 30's - low 40's untill I get some more stick time.

[Steven Vaccaro]

a 6s with the 1515 1y would be to much IMO. 4s is just right for that.

[Chilli]

Hey Steve. I'm actual going to do the 3S packs in series (6S) in my son's Mean Machine that has the Mega Motor.

For the Neu in my Titan I hear people are pusing 50 mph with 4s in that hull. I want to get it down to the low 40's and learn to drive it. I was thinking of running the Titan with the 3S in parallel for a while unless that well stress something or make the boat realy slow.

Or am I being a big wussy and should just get the 4S packs and let her rip.

[DISAR]

The 6s setups use less amps than the 4s for same prop. & hull & rpm.
just use a motor with KV for 6s.

The 3s setups have an advantage that you can use 2 batteries in parallel and have 3s2p instead of 4s1p. If the total amps are 80 with 3s you can use 2 with 40-50 amps discharge rate but with 4s you must use 2 with 80-100 amps disc.rate. This means cheaper if you use 3s.IMO.

[Jeff Wohlt]

This is the kind of info I am looking for! Seems 3 and 6 S can fit my needs and boats pretty well then.

[yurkanip]

Steve, and fellow boaters, I can't agree more. I have been using (2) 3s packs in series since I started in fe boats. my riggers, whiplash and shovelnose all use 3s packs in series as a 6s pack, matched with feigao motors. 10 and 11xl, they all run in the 60's which is plenty enough for me as a sport runner. I am completely sold in united hobbies line of lipos. the Zippy-H, and rhino lipos from them are top notch..and would use them over any "named" brand, hands down. The price and longevity is what I look for when shopping for a lipo. They definately fit the bill, so to speak.
I think in terms of power, for the least amount of money. You can't go wrong running 2 3s packs in series. Setups run cool, and with loads of power you will be smiling the whole time knowing you did not have to take out a second mortgage to pay to play..

[tth]

Great suggeston Steve, I just wish it had been earlier last year. Two months ago I switched my power setups to 3s and 6s power. I still run 2s in my small boats with high kv rating although I would like to run 3s.

[10gauge]

Steve's right. 95% of all the boats we're building here (under 34") can be run on just (2) 3S packs in the following configurations: 3S1P, 3S2P and 6S1P. That's not a bad investment considering that 4S and above are more costly and heavier. The multiples of 3S is far more versatile than the multiples of 4S. In other words, 3S and 6S1P is a more practical setup than 4S and 8S1P. One can also save a bundle on motors by limiting selection to just 3S or 6S operation. My entire fleet from 22-34" can be run on just (2) 3S packs. 3S for smaller and lighter boats up to 27", and 6S for larger boats up to 34."

M1 SuperCat: Neu 1521/1Y or Lehner 1950/10, 6S1P
Mean Machine: Feigao 12XL or Lehner 1950/10, 6S1P
DF Vortex Hydro: Feigao 8L, 3S1P
Titan 29(in progress): Feigao 12XL, 6S1P
Titan 33(in progress): Lehner 1950/10, 6S1P
1/16 Llumar Hydro (future): Feigao 8L, 3S1P

I agree with Nautiboyz and Txboatpilot that compared to 4S2P, 6S1P is also stellar on cats - lighter, less amps, less heat, comparable speed.