Transmitter LIPOS

[lordnikon]

After my batteries going flat yesterday and the annoying low voltage beep driving me up the wall, I'm considering lipos in the transmitter. At the moment i have a tray for 8xAA which i will rip out to make room for the lipos.

I'm assuming 11.1V 3S is the way forward but does anyone run these or have any experience ?? I would have to solder a new plug onto the transmitter either way so connections aren't an issue, just not sure if its worth the effort ??

[fidspeed]

i have converted 3 of my KO helios to lipo 3s now no apparent issues

there are some thoughts that it may overload the regulator and burn it out .I think this could be an isue with prolonged use but for 5 min racing i dont have any problems

long rallycross or bashing users may have problems in the old days i remember some people stuffing an extra cell up an ko mars for 9 cells which when fully charged gave easily the same voltage as a lipo

worse problems are when messing about witx Tx and forgetting to extend aerial and overheating RF module:thumbdown:

regards dave

[bodgit]

I use these in my tx
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TX-Pack-9-6v-NEW-Technology-Nimh-Flat-Futaba-VAPEXTECH-/220779407938?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item33677a6a42
They are very slow self discharging so can be left fully charge for ages and not drop too much
6 months About 80% of charge is held
12 months About 70% of charge is held (normal nimh would be empty

[Big G]

I use a 2300mah lipo in my tranny and no problems. a single charge lasts 16hrs. It tends to drop very quickly when you get to 10v though so avoid letting it get close to that as the alarm that previously went off at 9v doesn't anymore.

I'll usually recharge it when it drops into the 10.x volts

£20 delivered on ebay I think (It was sometime ago)

[super__dan]

I'm assuming 11.1V 3S is the way forward but does anyone run these or have any experience ?? I would have to solder a new plug onto the transmitter either way so connections aren't an issue, just not sure if its worth the effort ??

YES!!!!!

It's so much better, mine lasts months without a charge (3VCS) and the lighter weight helps with tranny hold. I couldn't recomend it enough.

I don't know this but they all seem to come with a fairly standard 2 plug which if you have a removable 8 cell slot pack will likely plug straight in. Note 8 * 1.5v Duracells start at 12V and a charged lipos is 12.6v but falls away a little almost straight away, personally this very small voltage increase has never been a problem on my handset.

For me, anyone that's not converted is missing out on much less hassle. when I do charge mine I do it through the tranny port at 1A.

[dmsykes]

I agree with what Dan said, Lipo is the way to go. I have converted my KO universe and put in a 2300mah Lipo from Demon products. The tray inners came out on problems & the lipo pack fits straight in. Charge lasts & lasts. I do however remove the pack for charging, which is done at 1 amp. One of the best things i've done.:thumbsup:

[lordnikon]

Cheers for the info chaps, I am pretty sure the battery tray is moulded into my tx but I'll hack it out and get it wired up ready.

Thanks again :thumbsup:

[mark christopher]

what make tx s it? some sanwa only run on 6 "aa" cells so a 3 s is too much

[Big G]

3s clock up 12.6v when fully charged which as alarming as it is the 1st time you see it the tranny never complains :)

[lordnikon]

what make tx s it? some sanwa only run on 6 "aa" cells so a 3 s is too much

It takes 8xAA so a 3S lipo is definately the right one. 2s would be too low as it beeps/complains about <9v

[Cardnim]

I use the Etronix 3CH TX, and just got the Lipo batt from the lovely lads at rclazy.com - it fits without modding your TX at all.

Absolutely 1st class; was as cheap as the eBay ones but RCLazy will stand over it.
Also, it came with all the necessary plugs already on it - so it was literally plug and play.

I was wondering whether it was worth it or not - but now I heartily recommend it.

ONE THING - worth considering the weight. The lipo is significantly lighter than 8xAA; which means my TC feels a little bit too light in my hand now. But a little bit of cunning weights put inside the TX case should sort that out too! :)

[Mouton]

If it is a Futaba 3PK, KO Propo EX-1/10 or a Sanwa M8/M11 it may feel top heavy and unbalanced if you get LiPos. A stick type transmitter is less affected by the lower weight.

I was about to change to LiPos in mine but went for GP ReCyco NiMhs instead and I do not regret it for a second. The balance stays the same, there is no self discharge - equal to LiPos, which should be storage charge if you will not use the for a while and given their capacity they last far longer than any other high quality NiMh cell. They even last longer than the more expensive Sanyo Eneloop cells I got for another transmitter. I cannot remember when I last carged them. However, in all fairness, since most of us still need to charge the LiPos in the car the day before a race it really is not that much of a problem if the transmitter needs a recharge every now and then, is it?

Charging LiPos via the transmitter charge port? That means you never balance the cells? I would advice against that as all LiPo packs could do with a balance charge every now and then, not only the drive cells in the car.

[mark christopher]

3s clock up 12.6v when fully charged which as alarming as it is the 1st time you see it the tranny never complains :)
soon drops off the nominal voltage, nicads/nimh will be high until they drop off, just they dont retain 11.4v

[mark christopher]

If it is a Futaba 3PK, KO Propo EX-1/10 or a Sanwa M8/M11 it may feel top heavy and unbalanced if you get LiPos. A stick type transmitter is less affected by the lower weight.

I was about to change to LiPos in mine but went for GP ReCyco NiMhs instead and I do not regret it for a second. The balance stays the same, there is no self discharge - equal to LiPos, which should be storage charge if you will not use the for a while and given their capacity they last far longer than any other high quality NiMh cell. They even last longer than the more expensive Sanyo Eneloop cells I got for another transmitter. I cannot remember when I last carged them. However, in all fairness, since most of us still need to charge the LiPos in the car the day before a race it really is not that much of a problem if the transmitter needs a recharge every now and then, is it?

Charging LiPos via the transmitter charge port? That means you never balance the cells? I would advice against that as all LiPo packs could do with a balance charge every now and then, not only the drive cells in the car.
my ko helios does not feel top heavy but its far easier to hold for a period of them (30min finals are a breeze) you soon get used to the weight difference

[ray carey]

I have a Etronix tranny, fitted with lipo. Brilliant and last for ages. Like big G says, once below a certain voltage it will drop quickly.I got mine from eBay and was less than £10 from HK. Good luck.

[lordnikon]

Cheers guys, i have added an RCLazy one onto my list, should fit in just fine :)

[Cardnim]

Good choice mate, Im sure you wont be disappointed! :)