ROAR approves LiPo

[bbq]

This is realy intresting how will EFRA do?

I hope EFRA will a approve lipo 2008 but its most realistic that they will approve it in 2009.
But what will happen to NiMh packs now when the biggest RC nation makes the switch
to LiPo

[Body Paint]

I'd imagine that NiMh cells will become really tempramental, unreliable and explode frequently.... Oh wait.... they already are :eh?: :rolleyes:

Bring on the LiPo revolution

[Northy]

lmfao :p

G

[Chris Doughty]

I really enjoyed racing LiPo at CML raceway, pretty simple.

I only had 2 battery packs, arrived with them charged from a week before.

I spent AGES on the track, having 15 minute runs on the track between heats.

I did 19 minutes straight on the track, AND I was running a very silly 5.5 sintered motor! with a proper motor I could have ran for over 50 minutes easy, this was with a 5000mAh pack.

LRP have a 8000mAh pack!

[mole2k]

I cant wait for lipo to become the usual, the shear convience of doing an entire meeting with only about 2 packs that barely need to be charged between runs will be awesome.

[c0sie]

Would I be right in presuming that if you all go to the AGM at the end of the year, propose it and vote it in, that it will be allowed at National level?

Long live LiPo...

[DCM]

more importantly, have they issued a construction rule for the LiPo in ROAR, as I know ROAR can be very 'lax' in heir rulings.

[MiCk B.]

This is realy intresting how will EFRA do?

I hope EFRA will a approve lipo 2008 but its most realistic that they will approve it in 2009.
But what will happen to NiMh packs now when the biggest RC nation makes the switch to LiPo

The earliest that LiPo could be allowed for EFRA events is for the 2009 season. The EFRA agm where the 2008 rules were discussed have been and gone.

But for LiPo to be legal for EFRA events in 2009 there needs to be a proposal at the AGM (1st week-end in November).
EFRA don't make the rules, it's the countries that are members of EFRA make the rules. So if you want LiPo legal for EFRA events, let the EFRA rep in your country know your opinion.

MiCk B. :-)

[Chris Doughty]

the size for the ROAR Lipo pack is HUGE too!

there is not much room for anything else with that in the S4 tub! :eh?:

[frogger]

I did a meeting at Newbury with my 5500mah Maxamps pack in my B44 and did 3 races from full charge with a 25min top up to complete the rest of the night. All cells were automatically balanced and the whole works. Lipo is the future.

Good riddence to battery trays, discharging and cycling packs. I know I'd rather be on the track driving than on the side charging! :D

[DCM]

I just read the rules, they are pretty dam good and with that, I would be happy to run LiPo, although the rules seem to rule out Saddle Pack LiPo cells.

[Chris Doughty]

I thought that initially Steve,

but it only specified max dimensions, it does not say how many of these 'packs' can be paralleled together?

[Chris Doughty]

its not as big as I first thought.

its quite wide though, surely it will fit 2WD battery trays?

Blue - ROAR LiPo max dimensions
Red - GP43000 Nimh

the overall length, the LiPo is about 1mm longer, but the NiMh cells are 'perfectly' butted up against each other, when we fit them for real I think they will be about the same

[Lee Martin]

i been running lipo at the mo abnd i think its ace!!!

i do 2 or 3 runs then just peak them off!!! its a 6600 mah pack!

WOOOOOO

[OldTimer]

The way i have read it, you can only use a stick lipo rather than saddles which is a bit of shame.

I hope the UK adopts the Belgium approach which allows both configurations as long as they are hard cased.

And i have been using lipos in my helicopter, they work a treat :-)

[bbq]

The earliest that LiPo could be allowed for EFRA events is for the 2009 season. The EFRA agm where the 2008 rules were discussed have been and gone.

But for LiPo to be legal for EFRA events in 2009 there needs to be a proposal at the AGM (1st week-end in November).
EFRA don't make the rules, it's the countries that are members of EFRA make the rules. So if you want LiPo legal for EFRA events, let the EFRA rep in your country know your opinion.

MiCk B. :-)

Done and cleard with the swedish federation early this morning =)

What i was thinking most of with this thread is what will the battery developmet
and sales of NiMh packs for 2008 for the EU racing scene.
Will the big american companies sell only race LiPo?

And what bateries will EFRA take in to the new list with cells blowing up now and then.
will they eraze all and put up 100% new list of packs?

[burgie]

i suppose the timing of this could have been better in respect of the european ni-mih needs, but I am sure there are still plenty of good ni-mih cells around to see us through the 2008 season.

[Chris Doughty]

there are still many places around the world that use 5 cell, LiPo can't really replace them.

[bbq]

I am realy intrested what cells EFRA will havfor us this year

[frogger]

With brushless motors - can't you can limit the kv rating of the motor as apposed to the overall voltage for the same effect?

[Cooper]

With brushless motors - can't you can limit the kv rating of the motor as apposed to the overall voltage for the same effect?



why?

[mobile chicane]

anyone got any links to hard case saddle pack lipos?

I only need stick formation atm but I suspect I may get a b44 for my birthday :D

[David Church]

I am realy intrested what cells EFRA will havfor us this year

So are we, and also what the BRCA will approve????:o

[JCJC]

anyone got any links to hard case saddle pack lipos?

I only need stick formation atm but I suspect I may get a b44 for my birthday :D

Think they are still at the development stage Giles, think some drivers are testing in the UK

[frogger]

why?

I'm not sure of all the reasons why some classes went down to 5 cell nimhs but one reason is that it limits the speed of the cars to keep things safe.

With brushless motors the kv rating refers to 1000RPM/Volt so where you have a 6800kv motor powered by a 7.4v lipo battery it works out to be 6800x7.4v=50320rpm.

Novak motors:
3.5 - 10,300 RPM/volt
4.5 - 8,200 RPM/volt
5.5 - 6,800 RPM/volt
6.5 - 5,900 RPM/volt
7.5 - 5,400 RPM/volt

So if you want to limit speed (as in the case of some 5 cell classes then all you have to do is limit the kv motor they can use (the exact same way that some classes limit the turns on brushed motors) but still allow them to use 7.4v lipo's.

[frogger]

anyone got any links to hard case saddle pack lipos?

I only need stick formation atm but I suspect I may get a b44 for my birthday :D

http://www.maxamps.com/products.php?cat=54

[OldTimer]

http://www.maxamps.com/products.php?cat=54

Don't seem to be hard cased :(

[mark christopher]

http://www.maxamps.com/products.php?cat=54

Don't seem to be hard cased :(
there not so wont ever be brca legal

[peetbee]

there not so wont ever be brca legal
There is a drop down that lets you select a hard plastic skin for $4.99 extra. That may be ok?

[sly]

there not so wont ever be brca legal

If you scoll down the page a bit more at the 4000/6000mah packs the come with a build in skin.
i have emailed them and the answer was quote "It is the same strength as the 3200 orion case but we offer it either shrunk into the pack or as a detachable “skin” that can be removed."
it adds 1or2 mm to the overall size.
sly

[mark christopher]

ok the hard case ones would be ok

[frogger]

Yep, the gents above are correct. Maxamps do a hard case that is shrunk onto the packs (with a removable version). Also, they are no bigger than 3 cells so should fit any saddle pack config. I've been using Maxamps packs for ages and they are absolutely superb batteries with phenominal service. Highly recommended.

I wish more info was available on the Trackpower hard cased saddle packs but I've seen nothing yet. :(

[BentM]

At last EFRA meeting, lipo was discussed at the electric meeting. If my information from that meeting is correct, someone will make a proposal to the next EFRA meeting. Remember; the federations has to forward the proposals to EFRA before the end of August. So, just start the work :-) Then it can be approved for use from 2009. As some said earlier, EFRA do not make the rules, the members does! And the member are the drivers, through their federations. ;)

[OldTimer]

There is a drop down that lets you select a hard plastic skin for $4.99 extra. That may be ok?

Yep your right ;) missed that lol.

[bbq]

So are we, and also what the BRCA will approve????:o

I just hope that the swedish federation dont make there own list.

[David Church]

I just hope that the swedish federation dont make there own list.

Why is that??? They may approve Lipo's straight away?!?!?!?!?!?!?
We are very lucky to have Paul Worsley, he does so much for the sport that people never even know about:D He is the guy that checks every detail........

[mark christopher]

Yep, the gents above are correct. Maxamps do a hard case that is shrunk onto the packs (with a removable version). Also, they are no bigger than 3 cells so should fit any saddle pack config. I've been using Maxamps packs for ages and they are absolutely superb batteries with phenominal service. Highly recommended.

I wish more info was available on the Trackpower hard cased saddle packs but I've seen nothing yet. :(
we are still testing them and case sizes

[c0sie]

http://www.redrc.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/smclipopacks.jpg

SMC have just released a LiPo too..

SMC have announced that they are releasing 2 new hardcase LiPo packs with a true 28C rate. Offering a 4000mAh and a 5000mAh pack, the 4000 pack will be thinner so it will fit in any car where a sub-c pack fits, while the 5000 pack will be thicker and will require some modifications to fit in some of the more popular sedan cars. The packs come with 12 gauge silicone wire and Deans plug to handle high current applications and have been submitted to ROAR for approval.

[Mutant]

Could the A123 li-Fe offer an alternative to 5 cell nimh?

Are there any thoughts to also alowing this battery technology for racing? (it is supposed to be even safer than hardcased lipo).

[ultima]

Could the A123 li-Fe offer an alternative to 5 cell nimh?

Are there any thoughts to also alowing this battery technology for racing? (it is supposed to be even safer than hardcased lipo).


They won't allow it unfortunately. I'm a bit shocked actually after re-entering the RC world after nearly 20 years. I thought this field would be awash with the latest technologies, but no.
Brushless - Yes!, but not those evil delta-wound castle creations motors!
Lipo - Yes!, but not those darned durable and safe a123s'!

[neiloliver]

A123 cells or the various high rate 18650 cells would be the best technical option but require cars designed to fit them in terms of fit and weight distribution. Lithium polymer is bring used because it is cheap for the Chinese and Korean manufacturers to tool new cell sizes and they can be made the size of 3+3 Cs or 6Cs with relative ease.

N