Rustler VXL on A123 cells?

[satttheman]

hey bro check this guy out for a123 batteries he's also on ebay: http://www.thedunemaster.com/

[Superbasher]

Originally Posted by satttheman

hey bro check this guy out for a123 batteries he's also on ebay: http://www.thedunemaster.com/

Thanks for that. It seems I have plenty of options for where to buy so i've been doing a bit of simple Math, and you can run a 4 cell A123 pack without going over the motor RPM limit, but I don't know if the ESC can take it. I would imagine so as it can take 200A continuous and 320A peak. Oh and i've got the truck now and I really like it so i'm now going to get the batteries sorted.

[tino_ale]

Superbasher thanks for replying to my PM, I understand you could not finish your A123 rustler project.

Maybe someone else can help me?

Ideally, I would like to power a rustler VXL with a 3S2P pack. I can afford getting the aluminium extended FLM chassis if it's needed to fit the batteries.

Can anyone tell me how to fit 3S2P cells on the rustler?
Is it possible to fit two 3S1P packs on the rustler and wire them in parallel with an Y adaptor?
If yes, how the 3S1P packs should be? just a stick pack? a hump pack?

Finally, if it is impossible to fit 3S2P A123 on the rustler, what can I do? 2S2P? I would appreciate to get a decent runtime, so I would avoid an xx1P configuration.

Thanks for any input on this matter. A123 batteries are just too good to be overlooked and I would REALLY like to power my rustler with them.

[snellemin]

There are several ways of fitting them in. I run 6 A123 cells on mine at times. I did it both with the regular and extended FLM chassis.

[Mister-T]

I did manage to put 2S2P pack inside my T4, obviuosly that rise CG, but it worth, A123 are easy to work with and almost care free

[tino_ale]

Wow that's really good info, thanks!!

1/ I guess there is no way to fit them on the stock chassis. Do you advise me to go for the regular or extended FLM chassis? I intend to keep the rest of the car stock for now.
2/ Of all 3 pics you have provided, which arrangement do you think is the best?
3/ Is it possible to keep the stock ESC support or do you have to get creative on how to attach it to the chassis?

Sorry for the many ???? but I'm delighted to know the rustler can be run on A123

[snellemin]

I managed to fit 4s1p A123 in the stock chassis before, but it was just a mess.

Both FLM chassis are great, but it's easier to fit 3s2p A123 on the extended chassis. Now how you installed them is up to you. I just installed them towards the front right now to eliminate wheelies.

[tino_ale]

Many thanks for sharing your experience. I'm going to get an extended aluminium chassis and run two 3S1P packs in parallel

it looks like Maxamps have the packs, but they don't tell which formation they are using, bummer! Anyone knows if they are in a flat formation like in snellemin's pictures?

http://www.maxamps.com/A123-99-Pack.htm

[Arct1k]

I think they are normally in a triangle formation...

[snellemin]

I got my packs from Bigerc.com. He welded extra battery bars on my packs to keep the heat down. I use to melt the thin heatshrink off the battery pack from the current draw.

[tc3_racer_001]

wow. thats some pretty intense current draw snellemin, it would have to be 150-200* C as it only shrinks @ 125*C

[thorbinator]

Originally Posted by satttheman

hey bro check this guy out for a123 batteries he's also on ebay: http://www.thedunemaster.com/

Ive got 2 3cells and 2 2cells from him. throw in my parallel and my series connectors and i can run whatever i want.

[tino_ale]

Originally Posted by tino_ale

Anyone knows if they are in a flat formation like in snellemin's pictures?

http://www.maxamps.com/A123-99-Pack.htm

After all these are too expensive anyway. I just scored a Dewalt 36V pack (year 2008) for 120$. Now I just need to make the packs

[Arct1k]

Just be careful some of the newer packs are NOT A123 cells apparently

[tino_ale]

Originally Posted by Arct1k

Just be careful some of the newer packs are NOT A123 cells apparently

Thanks for the tip, I got it covered and they are A123 so it's perfect!