Blue Lipo 2s 5000mah 30c / CKRC mg995

[reno911]

So I picked up another Slash 4x4, from a trade on RCTech. It came with everything, but it needed some minor TLC so I got some goodies for it.

1st review is the Blue Lipo 2 cell 30c 5000mah hardcase lipo from HobbyPartz.com. http://www.hobbypartz.com/83p-5000ma...4-30c-car.html Price came to 34.70 plus 4.95 for shipping. Grand total 39.65. I ordered from Hobbypartz on 8/16 and took delivery on 8/18. Upon inspection it was packaged very sturdy, wrapped in bubble wrap, as well as one being inside one of those electronics bags. Only difference was that the picture on their site shows a blue hardcase, this came like their other packs in that faux carbon fiber plastic. It came with one of those red bullet plugs, which I replaced with my xt60 plug. The hardcase is shrink wrapped in clear to add to the protection I guess. All cells were at norm and balanced quickly on my charger. Took full charge from 3.6 per cell in 10 minutes at 8 amps. These are supposedly capable of 2c charge rates. Discharge on the Slash 4x4 with stock VXL was nothing but ordinary of a 2s pack. I could not tell any difference between this and the two Zippy packs I ran along with it. Great punch and never got over heated or puffy. Ran like a champ until the VXL cut out. After waiting I checked voltages and they regulated back to 3.4ish per cell. Charged it after it temped back at room temp and it took roughly 5100mah. Not bad. Definitely recommend. Long term test pending. So far I have 4 cycles on it. Nothing bad to report.


Next up is the CKRC Special MG995 hi torque/speed metal geared servo. http://www.ckrccrawlers.com/ckrc-spe...vo-p-1669.html These guys are my favorite LHS. I actually worked for them at one time as well. The carry a broad spectrum of RC goods, and have Tower gold pricing or something in that concern. They can get anything. Including that Bus body from the UK I got on my drifter. Anyway, they have had these for some time at a great price and I have always wanted to try one. Figuring the specs play a good weight to my decision I made the plunge. This guy has 208oz/in in torque with a transit at .13sec at 6 volts. Just about right for a Short Coarse truck. At 17.99 you can't go wrong. Now I know these sell for cheap elsewhere and so does CKRC. They match or beat prices, so I got it for cheap to say the least. Send them an e-mail of a competitors site with price and see where it goes. It has an all plastic case, standard 3mm nut for the horn, and it has takes futaba thread horns. After install, with an aluminum Futaba horn, also a CKRC special http://www.ckrccrawlers.com/heavydut...ba-p-2688.html, I took it out for it's maiden run. Turns effortlessly in the Slash 4x4. Lots of steering over the stock 2075. Smooth as butter. Would compete well with higher end manufactures. The only test incomplete would be that of length of use. I can vouch from the guys at CKRC that use them, that they last long and take the abuse well. That and they insure you, when it does fail, your not out a lot of $ anyway. So far I have about 3 hours on it, so time will tell.

[JERRY2KONE]

Nice review Reno. Good info for anyone considering a purchase of these items. Too bad it is so difficult to find any of the good Lipos in stock.

[reno911]

To add to this. So, I just got this guy in the mail today and I thought I would share my initial thoughts. The pack is very well built, reminds me of the Zippy's tremendously. All cells where at 3.8, and nothing visually wrong with the battery. The shrink wrap is a cool clear blue, and looks stellar. The butt end is exposed, the front is covered by a layer of fiber tape. The only peeve I have thus far, unless it fails upon charge/running, is that it only has 12 gauge wire. For a 40c 14.8 volt battery you would think a high gauge perhaps.
http://www.hobbypartz.com/83p-5000mah-4s1p-148-40c.html


As for an update on the 2s hardcase, I have devoted this pack to racing. It is the main pack I use on my Slash 4x4. I start the night with a smaller 25c 4000 mah pack for practice since it is just practice. Than I run the Blue Lipo for the 2 heats and the main, charging @ 8-10 amps in between. The pack gets slightly warm as does all lipos, but after my turn at marshaling it is usually cool enough to start a charge. No poofing yet and no signs of wear. Holds up great to the needs of the VXL. However I may need a heatsink for that motor shortly, boy it gets hot.