Battery Strategy

[xomby]

Now, all you smart people, except for Jungle Bob, self proclaimed "Not Smart" and I will add, "sometimes liar" in reply...

Remember that my situation is "learning mode" where hovering successfully results in dirty pants. So with that in mind, what do you think of THIS Battery (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12823) for our bird?

Here is a thread on HeliFreak where some folks are talking about it...http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=75708

What about THIS Battery (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5607)?

I just got a $150 budget approval for a new pair of batteries since I puffed my first set. (still working and after 3 light hovers and recharges, the bad cell is coming back!!! No more puff, and voltage is only .05V apart now on the weak cell!!) I was looking at some Kong Power for roughly $75 each. HOLY CRAP, I could get 3 sets for the same price!!!

Oh, I'm also running the bigger GAUI motor and 75A ESC, so is 20C too low? Again, I've hovered twice now and am getting ready to start Forward Flight anytime in the next 12 to 18 months!!! :fly

I am REALLY thinking the super cheap way would get me lots more flying time now while I am learning. Would love your feedback on this one...

[Mikej]

I think that you are pushig your luck a bit by going down to 20C for a 2250 - better to stick to 25C especially since many of the manufacturers exaggerate the power of their batteries. Personally I see nothing wrong with cheap batteries (although I tend to use "no puff" KP and Air Thunders on the 550) I use cheapos on lots of other helis with very good results - if they are cheap enough they become disposable consumable items.

Cheers,
MIke.

[Jungle Bob]

Hi Xomby, the market seems to be flooded with cheapo 20c batteries at the moment. This is because the 'future is 25c or even 30c.I can't recommend any particular battery (we got a selection of 18 batteries through a devious source) but I do notice the 20c's discharge at a quicker rate (less flight time).
Some 'smart' person here will be along shortly to help you, good luck

[vicrc]

Xomby, Those set of batteries are just not enough juice! The spout of 20c is fine if that was the 'true' rating, but getting juice from 1 orange is just not enough, LOL. Get something in the 3300 size and you will definitely have to throw the pants away as it will have longer flight.

If budget is a concern, get a pair of 3s 3300 zippy pack. It is 'true' I can pull 20C and battery and will not get hot. At 45+ cycles on average the 3 sets that I have was worth every penny. I would suggest on ordering for 2 sets as it does cost money to get here over water.

[kahn10]

bro keep in mind that the c rating is specific to the particular batteries output rating......2000 20c = mr spongy while 3300 20c = sweet as.....

[mysticmead]

those batteries are fine.... for a 450 sized heli.. but not for the 550. you have the 1100kv Gaui motor which is harder on batteries. get a couple 3300 25c zippy's from hobby city. they'll give you longer flight time and be a LOT cooler after the flight compared to a 2200... now if you could only get approved for a set of 3300's (or 2) and a Z20a-980... then you'd be set

[Drew816]

Yeah, skip those Mystery batteries; even for a T-Rex. I have one, forget about it.

I use G-Force batteries on my T-Rex's, $34 a piece, rated at 20c but I think they're a bit stronger then this, 2250 mah. I've yet to fly them in my Gaui (since I'm still building it) and I do intend on getting bigger batteries in the future but for the time being I think these will hold up quite well. These are rumored to be 'rebadged' Loong Max batteries which have had quite a few threads over on RC Groups discussing them.

http://www.valuehobby.com/product_details.php?category_id=3&item_id=29

I'm no expert, but I've tried four different brands and by far these have been the better batteries; at least thus far. Other's report that they've got 75+ cycles and they're still doing great, mine are only at 20 and MAN are they strong! My Flight Power EVO started to loose strength in under 30 cycles, the ABF I had went down hill even quicker than that; both still work but the ABF is on it's way out with only about 40 cycles total (kind of a bust).

Happy Flying!

[xomby]

Hey Mystic, are THESE (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6354&Product_Name=ZIPPY-H_3300mAh_3S1P_20-30C_Lipoly_Pack) the ones you're talking about? They still say "20C", don't they?

These are a bit heavier and more expensive, what about THESE (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6420&Product_Name=ZIPPY-H_3500mAh_3S1P_30-40C_Lipoly_Pack)?

Thanks for all the good info...

[kkwait]

They still say "20C", don't they?

Yes but for 3300mAh... so 3.3 * 20 = 66A !

... and only 45A for the 2250 ;)

[JaggedEdge]

KP 25c 6s 3200
25 * 3.2 = 80amps continuous (max).

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?pictureid=5853&albumid=830&dl=1213913417&thumb=1 (http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=830&pictureid=5853)

KP 25c 6s 2600
25 * 2.6 = 65amps continuous (max).

So a 20c battery of the same capacity would get you:
20 * 2.6 = 52amps continuous (max).

18c:
18 * 2.6 = 46.8amps continuous (max).

KP 25c 6s 5000:
25 * 5 = 125amps continuous (max).

[michael88997]

i use the zippy-h 3300 batteries and they are awesome... i run a z30 motor which is the 1110kv at 2500 headspeed and they dont get that warm after each flight... and i push them pretty hard... i recommend them, and remember a 20c 3300 does more than a 20c 2200... the 1100kv motors will eat up anything that small

[xomby]

Ok, I understand the "C" thing much better now. Really appreciate the info.

Mysticmead, you say to go for the 3300mah Zippy-H, correct? Look at my link in the above post, as it says 20 ~ 30C. Is the the "25C" battery you are referring to? I just want to be sure before I hit the "purchase" button!!

Thanks,

[mysticmead]

Ok, I understand the "C" thing much better now. Really appreciate the info.

Mysticmead, you say to go for the 3300mah Zippy-H, correct? Look at my link in the above post, as it says 20 ~ 30C. Is the the "25C" battery you are referring to? I just want to be sure before I hit the "purchase" button!!

Thanks,

yep.. that's the one... 20-30C I split the difference :D

[mjdee14]

yep.. that's the one... 20-30C I split the difference :D


I think what they mean is it's a 20c battery capable of 30c....becuase on the main menu they also have 25c batteries that go to 35c....

I've always considered mine as 20c... read some of the others they say 20c constant...30c burst....

But i tell you....they perform as good if not better than my 25c and 30c poly's.

Can;t beat them....if they hold up.

[mysticmead]

yeah.. all feedback I've read about them has been great.. if they do as well as my hextronic 2200 20-30c they should be VERY good packs..

[mjdee14]

yeah.. all feedback I've read about them has been great.. if they do as well as my hextronic 2200 20-30c they should be VERY good packs..

I have a set of those also....and I really believe from the Eagletree those two sets are the best I have....and if they are not....as long as they hold up for a while....I'll get my moneys worth from them.....at least they didn't cost me $125 each like some others...

Electrics are great but the lipos are a rip off....

[bugdozer]

I'm done flying 2200's as I just puffed another Kong Power 2200, only 10 flights, or so, on it. ReadyHeli had the Kong 3200's for $99 so I bit the bullet and bought four. I'm just wasting money puffing my 2200's.

[JaggedEdge]

I'm done flying 2200's as I just puffed another Kong Power 2200, only 10 flights, or so, on it. ReadyHeli had the Kong 3200's for $99 so I bit the bullet and bought four. I'm just wasting money puffing my 2200's.

Good news! I'm glad to hear your freshening up your pack supply. I'll be looking forward to seeing your heli fly for a bit longer....

Hope to see you at the am.. same place.. Shawn will be there too.

[xomby]

Bah, Hobby City is out of stock, says -54!! There is a note that says "In Customs, 2-3 days max" but when I added to my cart, says could be 21 days. Sucks, I want them NOW!! hehe

Also, looking at an Eagle Tree setup as well. Everyone seems to be out of stock on that item as well. Think I might just order it and some temp sensors directly from Eagle Tree. GPS would be cool to have, I think. Not that "necessary" but would be awesome to see the graph of the flight path with speed, altitude, etc...

Ok, if I've got more money than sense, what would be your SECOND choice of a GOOD 3300mah battery for the money assuming the Zippy-H is out of stock for a long time?

[mysticmead]

I'm done flying 2200's as I just puffed another Kong Power 2200, only 10 flights, or so, on it. ReadyHeli had the Kong 3200's for $99 so I bit the bullet and bought four. I'm just wasting money puffing my 2200's.


thought kongs were puff proof... how hard were you using them?? more than 80% taken out?

[bugdozer]

thought kongs were puff proof... how hard were you using them?? more than 80% taken out?

Running a Z20 and they are crying at 4 min. I don't think I was flying they that hard but they ain't happy.

[bugdozer]

Good news! I'm glad to hear your freshening up your pack supply. I'll be looking forward to seeing your heli fly for a bit longer....

Hope to see you at the am.. same place.. Shawn will be there too.

I'm planning on being they. See ya in the AM.

[michael88997]

ive been watching the zippys because im ordering 4 more and they just changed that 2-3 days yesterday and they have been out of stock since may so they should be in by monday... but you can always cancell your order if they dont come in for a week or so... but 2 me its worth the wait :)

[xodarap1]

I think it would be better to say that the kongs are puff "resistant", instead of "puff proof" lol. My 2200's have taken a beating for many flights but they are slowly fading out..don't have the same snap at all and they are getting bigger each time i fly them lol.. and i don't have any viagra under the canopy with them. :lol: I'm at the point where I have 4 of them left that are still pretty good and the others that were flown harder are going to become new additions to my 450's lipo supply. The nice thing is that they fit and fly in the 450's perfectly and still give me 5 hard minutes of flight or 7 minutes just cruisin' around with the 450's.

[MarkM1]

I've been flying the Outrage 2200mAh - 30C's @ $69.95 each. They give me 7 min & 30 seconds of flight with a 14t pinion, Z20-980 motor and a HS of 1830+ rpms (no hard 3D, just extreme sport). These pack barely get warm, and they're supposed to be non-puff. They are an ounce heavier than my Extreme TP-2200 - 25C's, but yield 1:30 minutes more flight time. Outrage batteries are also replaced at 50% of the price if crashed and damaged within the specified warranty period. Been using them since April and so far so good.