Why side by side

[mmdooley]

Hi all, why is it better to have batteries side by side and not end to end?:)

[MetalMan]

For car guys it is a lot easier to work with. Generally the cheap end to end "shotgun" packs for RC cars are connected together by thin nickel strips that can't handle a high amp load, and so get really hot when they are pushed. Airplane guys solder their cells end to end, which will create a much lower resistance than side by side, but once they get the cells together like this, there is no getting them apart. And that is why we tend to use side by side.

[mmdooley]

Thanks metalman, does side by side give longer run times? Do they charge and discharge better? Last longer? Do I need to break my 7 cell end to end apart and make them side by side?

That's up to you. The last several packs I've bought were cheap stick packs with good cells (Epic Monster Metal GP3300's and Sanyo 3600's) that I tore down and made side by sides out of. Look for stores to put stick packs on price reduction for the holidays, and jump on them, I got my Sanyo 3600's for $20 each and got 4.

[Serum]

I had a few top to end soldered packs, i won't get them anymore, because once a cell gets poor, it is hard to get it replaced. you need a thin piece of steelwire to cut them loose. some say that saddlepacks stay cooler as well. i use saddle packs now.

[mmdooley]

Thanks Serum, I will be cutting my best packs(GP3700) apart. Appers that the best way to go is build your own. Or buy LiPo's lol.:cool:

[crazyjr]

I just cut up my battery packs and resoldered them side-by-side and it really woke them up.

[mmdooley]

I am going to do mine in just a min.

[crazyjr]

Take your time and have patience