LiPo Battery Brace/Holder
 

Hello,

I need to buy two battery holders for my LiPos. I'm using them on an Electric Truggy so I've got some room. I just want something off the shelf to do this...what are you guys using to hold your battery packs? Pictures/links would be appreciated!

Thanks,

DM

I'm using some metal ones I made by bending tabs to held everything from moving around and then a velcro strap to keep them in the tray.

Pic without batts installed.

Pic with lipos in place.

I am using these. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LX2778&P=7 not as nice as brian's but you can get them off the shelf. Here is a link to my losi 8ight with the battery cups.http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/show...ighlight=8ight

gixxer - you forgot the link to your eight, lol. :005: I want to see it. :027:

VERY nice looking. Would you consider selling some?

DM

I bought some of those but they just don't seem wide enough for my batteries...They would work if they were wider - though a 1 piece is preferred.

Thanks for the link.

DM

I would if it didn't take me forever to make. :) I suppose everything has a price, but would probably be more than anyone would spend for simple battery trays.

I basically lay out the shape on a piece of flat Aluminum (6061-T6 works best IMO for good non-cracking bends), cut it out using a hacksaw, trim using a nibbling tool, dremel and file until the edges are perfectly straight, and then bend the tabs up using a vice and a hammer. As you can imagine, it's a little time-consuming.

A metal shop could make these easily and quickly using the "proper" tools... providing you can find one willing to do it. I had a local shop make me a set and was not happy at all with the results and ended up making my own despite the effort it took.

It kills me that with all the guys running LiPo and conversions that there isn't a company (or 10) who makes off the shelf holders...

Thanks for the reply...

DM

Yeah, you'd think they'd sell like crazy, especially for car/truck people who need to make sure they are solidly attached due to the bouncing around. (Mike: hint hint! :dft012: )

One roadblock is that each cell/pack are different sizes, so they'd have to carry different widths/lengths. I tried to come up with an adjustable version, but wasn't practical in my design.

Nice trays Brian. Looks like some sort of anodizing on them. What kind of finish is that?

hey whats going on rice man how is the lst?

Brian that hyper 8 is nice just like all of your projects!

@riceman: The finish is just "hammered" paint. It looks nice (IMO) and tends to hide surface imperfections. :)

@Mr.lst: Thanks!

Hey Welcome over Mr. LST. The LST2 is running great. I just dropped in a 28T pinion to see how it would take. Electronics (MM/Nue) held up but sorry to say it was too much for my TrueRC 4S 4400 pack.

To stay on topic - I'm still looking to get my battery mounting issues resolved. The FD mount is so thin that the end tab has bent to the point that my battery pack ejected:026: Not good - I think I will be making my own ala BrianG's design.

Funny - that's exactly what I thought it was but wasn't sure. Looks like I need to get busy.

Brian, what thickness of aluminum are you using for your battery holders? I may try your technique with some 1/8" thick polycarbonate, and then use heat (torch) to soften the plastic enough to be able to bend the tabs.

I'm using 1/16" thick 6061-T6. I was going to look at using plexi/ploycarb, but wasn't sure how it would stand up to track (read: crash) abuse. I was afraid it would crack with the sudden stresses.

It'll be interesting to see how that works. I'm just too chicken when it comes to protecting my lipos.

BTW: I was playing with some 1/16" polycarb/lexan/plexi and a heatgun works very well to soften it enough to bend. Gotta be careful though, because it seems to heat very quickly; one minute it's too stiff to bend, then a second later it's all but a puddle. Funny how that works...