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View Full Version : Which cells to buy!!


Kopite
17-04-2007, 12:51 PM
Ok guys,

I'm about to buy some new cells for the summer season (which has already started:o ), and was looking for people's opinions....

Initially, i was about to get some IB4200's, but i'm constantly hearing grumblings about cells dying etc..

I can't be doing with spending a fortune on these cells if that's going to happen, so what other options are available? i've heard that GP4600's are on their way, but does anyone know how long that's gonna be?

Any input would be great.....

Stan

losixxx
17-04-2007, 12:57 PM
stick to ib4200's awesome power, you just need to look after them a bit more than 3800's and NEVER leave them for any period discharged. 4600's are coming out but don't know if there legal or not until april 2008

_sleigh_
17-04-2007, 01:18 PM
Yeah the GP4600's are on the list for 1st April 2007 (approved 31/12/06)

Not sure if they come in any different heatshrink styles (don't think they do anymore) but just double check before you buy.

GRIFF55
17-04-2007, 01:19 PM
I use strormforce 4200 cells, find them very good and are very well priced. hope this helps

Kopite
17-04-2007, 01:26 PM
I've borrowed a pack of IB4200's, and they are boss, but i'm just put off by people, whom i know will be looking after their cells well, still having individual cells within a pack die on them.

Are the GP4300's and GP3700's being jibbed off now, cos the GP4600's are coming in? Or will they still be available?

Hog
17-04-2007, 03:00 PM
Ok guys,

I'm about to buy some new cells for the summer season (which has already started:o ), and was looking for people's opinions....

Initially, i was about to get some IB4200's, but i'm constantly hearing grumblings about cells dying etc..

I can't be doing with spending a fortune on these cells if that's going to happen, so what other options are available? i've heard that GP4600's are on their way, but does anyone know how long that's gonna be?

Any input would be great.....

Stan

I am in exactly the same boat as you Stan. New on the list this season was a KMC conversion, brushless system and new cells. So far I've just about managed the KMC conversion..............so I'll be somewhere near the back come the regionals.

I'm running slightly old but well looked after 3700's (Thanks Niggs). Was convinced 4200's were the way to go but then I had a bit of a falling out on here with Dr. Voodoo after doing some investigation of my own from various forums. I'm just concerned about paying good money for 4200's only to have them die on me after only a (relatively compared to GP cells) few cycles.

A couple of guys at FORCC have been trying BATT 4000 cells which for unmatched packs seem okay. Longevity is something that only time can show.

paulc
17-04-2007, 03:42 PM
i am in that boat too:D

Kopite
17-04-2007, 04:38 PM
Ok, another question about the IB4200's...

When it's mentioned that you need to look after them more than the Gp's (for example), does this include only being able to run them once a day? Or once a week even?

Nick Goodall
17-04-2007, 04:51 PM
I've got 4 packs of SMC 3800's, hardly used and one cell has died on me also so i'm not sure if there's a pattern developing but nothing odd happened, just went to run and the car had noooo punch - then we realised one cell was completely cold and won't charge.

Wraggy
17-04-2007, 04:57 PM
Ok, another question about the IB4200's...

When it's mentioned that you need to look after them more than the Gp's (for example), does this include only being able to run them once a day? Or once a week even?

i run mine twice a day sometimes but i think as long as you leave them to cool down to normal temp b4 recharging then your fine?
i normally use the set ive run in the 1st round if i have to use a pack again , then you know they have had time to go cold again .
someone please correct me if im wrong ???

PaulRotheram
17-04-2007, 05:41 PM
East power baby

Doomanic
17-04-2007, 05:54 PM
If you want power, get IB's, if you want long cell life get GP37's (if you can find any)
You can't have both it would seem.:(

tyreman
17-04-2007, 06:02 PM
Stan I use GP3700 in my 2wd and they are more than quick enough, but if you go down the IB4200 route ( I use these in my 4wd) you will need to look after them more, where as the GP cells you can discharge them and forget about them.

With the IB4200 cells they lose around 300-350mah a week while sat in your box, so you need to discharge them at home after a meeting and put 9 minutes charge back in them, this will ensure your cells don't dead short and will be ok for 2 weeks.

You also shouldn't put these cells on a discharge board like the LRP/Nosram ones, where the voltage cutoff is lower than 0.9v per cell, The Novak smart tray or the new Trinity DPD dicharger are both ideal as you can set the cutoff voltage, and both are around the £80-90 bracket.

Also you shouldn't repeak the cells before you race so time your charge right, and as long as you let them cool down you can use them twice a day.

HTH
Brian

ashleyb4
17-04-2007, 06:03 PM
www.stormforceracing.co.uk (http://www.stormforceracing.co.uk)

Ace cells ace price. Neils cells are really good i run them and there ace get some of his 4200 there ace.

A

Southwell
17-04-2007, 07:01 PM
I treat my cells like crap and they are on their second year lol. Still get 4700+mah in them and have loads of punch.
Although i do discharge and equalise before i charge them, i quite often go a month without using them.

The only thing i treated my cells to was a hammering round the touring car track at tivvy with a 6x1 :D

Kopite
18-04-2007, 08:23 AM
cheers all, appreciate the help and advice.

bring back 1700 SCE's!!

andy05
18-04-2007, 09:41 AM
Stan i think tony has placed a order of 5 packs of smc ib 42000s for you with our order of bits. If you dont want them let him know quick they are getting shiped in the next day or two.

RLGfx
18-04-2007, 09:41 AM
no no no...

1400 SCR were the best... and they'd match my B4, being red and all....

I vote for GP cells every time, I had 5 packs of IB4200s made up for the 1/12th, and I think I've got 2 packs left after the cells jsut keep dying... Running GP4300 in there now with no problems, and I'm using GP3700 in the 2wd and its all good. Plenty of go, and no need to worry about duration (especially with brushless)

Kopite
18-04-2007, 10:25 AM
Yeah, he let me know last night Andy, but i didn't realise they were 42000's!!! they'll take about a week to charge :D

emzy
18-04-2007, 10:31 AM
Yeah, he let me know last night Andy, but i didn't realise they were 42000's!!! they'll take about a week to charge :D

But one pack would last you all day... infact... all year!

Oscar
18-04-2007, 11:28 AM
In summary, what I've heard/experienced:

Batt 4000 - Junk stay away

IB4200- Superfast, but unreliable

Gp4300- Fast and reliable, but performance begins to drop off after a few charges

Gp3700- Fairly fast, super reliable, but very hard to find for sale.

Ep4200- (Firecracker) Not many around, but supposedly fast and reliable.

b4rs
19-04-2007, 10:10 AM
gp 3700's are easy to find for sale. e.g ebay, storm racing, i can get you some if you so wish......;) .
























for a fee;)

Kopite
19-04-2007, 10:21 AM
what????

no freebies???

omen1975
25-04-2007, 06:44 AM
Hey guys,

I been using 4 saddle packs of Non matched IB4200SHV's for the last 8 month's, they are still as good as the day I purchased them but this is mainly due to good maintenance.

I have had to bring back some cells from the dead but since using this procedure I have not had any trouble. First I discharge my cells individally using my CDC v6.0 after a meeting, then allow to equalise and cool for about 20 minutes, then I put 30% charge in the pack for 2 weeks storage until next meeting. The night before a meeting I discharge each cell again and charge pack with 4000mah's of charge (This keeps heat to a minimum and stops pack from venting). I then boost the pack on race day an hour before im ready to use (takes about 7-8 minutes to fully charge). Boost function basically discharges the pack for 40 seconds at 6 amps (personal setting) this is the same amp setting as the charge rate, as this gives me a rough idea of how many mah im getting into a charged pack. (My personal settings are) charge at 6 amps, Boost discharge/charge at 6amps and single cell discharge at 20 amps.

I remember the good old days with the 1400SCR's they were a great pack, though I have been looking at trying a Nicad Sanyo 2400SCR pack as they will easierly last the distance with my 4.5 novak, they need less maintence and are lighter than the 4200 nimh.

Does anyone have any experience with the sanyo nicad 2400SCR?

omen1975

Hope this helps.