What lipo brand should I buy?
 

Yes, you read it correctly, the rc lipo repair man himself (back in the day, check yourself before you wreck yourself, aaiight..) needs some info from those in the know.

I need to replace some of my smaller lipos, due to them not being used for 6yrs or so...

Looking for a hardcase 3000 mah or larger 2s pack that will fit in the saddle location of my tamiya M03, so it needs to be shaped like a good ole stick pack, oval in cross section.

And I am sure I will need another 3s 5000mah pack.

Brands, where to get them, prices, all will be greatly appreciated!

Hobbyking is still good for me. You know where to get them. Hyperion is still elite for me$$$. Get those at allerc.

Apperantly graphene substrate is a thing now and some packs have higher than normal voltage. Like 4.35v. I havent tested either of these.

I hear great things about maxamps.

From Maxamps, I am sure...

I made the original order that allowed my LHS to be a distributor and get "better" prices from Maxamps. I puffed every pack I bought within the first 6 weeks of ownership.

Prices on the hyperion packs seem to have dropped quite a bit, IIRC. I may have to skip the cheapos.

Yeah they have. They are the best. Also amazon carries gensace people used to love them. They were good quality and cheap. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...h04n7zDLqMB2MQ no idea if it will fit.

Pack puffing I thought was just break in when the pack expands to add extra capacity.

Its a feature. It actually is a helium release so that the vehicle becomes lighter.

My favorite Maxamps experience was using their 10,000mah 3s lipo. I ran it in a 2wd pede geared for about 45 mph. Runtime was lower than expected and the pack was so out of balance it took about 40hrs to balance. I tried to send it back, no dice.

Yup, plus it helps the shrink hold the cells together better than the cheap brands.

If I recall correct that was also act as a cushen to protect the cells in jumps etc?

And helps custom fit the pack to the battery tray. You don't just get a lipo when you buy maxamps, you get peace of mind in knowing you made the best decision.

I should be on their PR team...

Not sure they have the size you want but check out SMC. They're quality has seemed to go up and they are well trusted in the crawler market.

I run Turnigy still but did pick up a Gensace 3s 2200 recently. Haven't run it yet but it looks good from afar.

You don't get just LiPo or You just don't get a LiPo?
You get everyting else, just not a good LiPo :)

I have good expierence with Gens Ace as well, the customer service in Germany is very good as well.

I picked up 2 gens ace hardcase 2s 5k from ebay. seem to be doing well.

I also found a stick pack shaped 5100 2s lipo that fits in my Tamiya M03. Says it can do 35c, Kinesis is the band IIRC. We shall see how it does...

What are you running those 2s packs in? 2s seems low for you...

Yes, it is...

I recently found that Kershaw designs is having a motor sale, 25 bucks for the 4600kv and 2300kv 1406 size 4 pole Chinese motors. As a sucker for a good deal (yes, hippie always kept his prices low to keep my interest high) I bought one of each.

I put the 4600kv in my 2wd pede with an og sidewinder sct. 2s keeps the weight low, and is plenty fast with normal gearing. I had thought about running the 2300 in the pede on 3s, but the 4600kv on 2s matched the motor speed of the 1406 2y aveox that I removed from the truck (ran that on 3s, but the truck was a bit heavy for my liking)

Not sure what to do with the 2300, I have another pede with a wide arm conversion, might use it in that. I have been eying the traxxas rally (the slash 4x4 based 10th scale), and the 2300 on 4s with a mamba X or the sidewinder 8th would be cool.

I will likely run both of the 2s packs in series for 4s in the 6x6 maxx (I am working on it right now) with the axi outrunner and a mamba max (if it still works after 10yrs...)

And the 2s hardcase does fit my latest tamiya build, they finally made a rectangular slot in the chassis.

The stick pack shaped 2s is actually a Kinexsis EC3 4100mAh 2S 7.4V 35C LiPo Battery Hard Case, mode number KXSB2050EC if anyone is interested. It does fit the oval chassis holes in the various tamiya kits, and has an end wire exit, just like a traditional stick pack. I need to swap a deans on it, so results will be in once I get to run it.

Ah yes, 2s on 4600kv should do fine.

Take a gander at the new Castle sensored motors while you're at it...

Just got a 3800kv 1410 in the mail with a sidewinder sc. That motor will go in the 4x4 pede, just not sure with what esc. I may splurge and get a Mamba x. But I will try the mamba max first!

That sidewinder SC would do the job as well. Fairly robust ESC for the money. But that Mamba X is sexy...

I would think Losi makes something better than the Traxxas Rally that would be similar. Would be cool to see modified mm work after the years.

Hopefully the modded MM still works. I am running an original Sidewinder SC that sat for at least 4 yrs, maybe 5. It gets a bit hot with the 4600 motor on 2s, but it is not fan cooled. I also have an original sidewinder that I plan to put into use on a crawler with an outrunner.

I bought the sidewinder sc combo with the sensored 1410 motor. For 100 bucks I could not pass it up, buying either separately just did not make sense to me. The esc is replacing the old sc in my 2wd pede, and the motor will go in the 4wd pede. I plan to run on 3s in the 4wd, so draw will be higher. Figure the MM will do the job. I do also have a sidewinder 8th that I have never used, so it may get tasked the MM gives it up. I wonder how the capacitors have aged? My old sidewinder sc does cog a bit on startup, so it may have lost some cap strength. I will add a glitch buster cap to it when I re purpose it, perhaps that will help? I have a 2300kv 1406 chinese 4 polo motor that may get used with that sidewinder on 3s with the bec disabled. See what it can do.

Extra caps never hurt.

I have an original SW SC in my rustler still. It does have a fan tho so maybe not original. I know it sat for couple years before I used it again. I did notice some cog on startup as well but stayed half to full throttle haha!

Man I tell you the programming on these newer Castles is far better than what's on that old MM for sure.

For sure, the new stuff is better, but it always is!

I just got an email that Amain hobbies is now carrying Gensace lipos.

I also want to add that RCDUDEHOBBIES sells Hyperion.