So I talked to a Flightpower Rep Today...

[lincpimp]

Happened to be in the LHS asking a few questions when two flightpower reps came in. After some discussion they broke out a couple of the new trakpower lipos. The new 5400 2s is exactly the same size as the old 2s 4900pack. The 3s 540 is a decent sized pack, but quite light and has a std balance tap and a pair of fixed leads with the trx plug on the end.

I also had a look at the v balancer (the gold one for the trakpower packs), identical to the std v balancer that I have.

He also showed me their replacement packs for the blade cx2 and 400 helis. Good price on both packs.

I had a decent discussion with him about cell matching and pack construction. They did not give me an indepth description of the matching process, but it sounded like they had the knowledge and equipment to do it right. They use enerland cells, as we all know, but they do all of the matching and construction themselves.

Back to the trakpowers, and possibly all other flightpower lipos. He mentioned that they have a 90 day, no questions asked, replacement policy, and they will give 50% off the new price if the pack fails inside of the first year, again, no questions asked. This sounds pretty good to me, 3 times longer than some other lipo suppliers.

Both guys seemed very knowledgeable, and I mentioned this forum and our use of the flightpower packs in large vehicles. Both guys seemed very interested in this, and they seemed to think that they will offer more hard cased lipos in the future.

I also got a hat and tee-shirt out of the deal, and got the LHS owner to sign up as a Flightpower dealer. This is great news for me, as she will usually hook me up with a good price on certain things, just to help me out! I do go over to the lhs often, and am allowed behind the counter. I have also sold stuff to other customers and fixed cars so I am kind of like free labor!

It was good to meet these guys, they seemed like real rc enthusiasts (both had quite a few electric helis) and very down to earth. Plus they were very happy with the products they represented and were happy to hear of the success we are having with electric conversions.

[captain harlock]

Was one of them Jon Badley by any chance?

That guy was a major help for me when I ordered my first two packs from them two years ago.

A very decent guy, VERY. I used to send him three e-mails a day and he would reply to me in an instant.

Did you see the new hard cased saddle lipo? Also, do you know what the prices will be on the 2s and 3s 5400 packs?

[gixxer]

sounds like a good deal for both of you. you get a good deal and they get some free help around the shop.

my lhs is pretty much the same way. I have been going there for about 5 yrs and he gives me a discount. I also watch the counter and take calls if he is busy or has to run out for a few.

[skellyo]

Originally Posted by BJE

Also, do you know what the prices will be on the 2s and 3s 5400 packs?

The Trakpower site itself quotes $119 for the 2S 5400 pack and $169 for the 3S 5400 pack. I'd imagine that's what they'll be listed for on Tower.

[lincpimp]

They did not have a saddle pack, and the prices were 170 for the 3 cell 5400 and 120 for the 2cell 5400.

[MTBikerTim]

Originally Posted by gixxer

sounds like a good deal for both of you. you get a good deal and they get some free help around the shop.

my lhs is pretty much the same way. I have been going there for about 5 yrs and he gives me a discount. I also watch the counter and take calls if he is busy or has to run out for a few.

I can't wait until we actually get a local hobby shop. The guys that are opening it know us and hopefully they will stock the gear we use.

[starscream]

Resurecting an old thread as
I'd be intersted in the process flightpower uses for cell matching.

I have been running Apogee 2200's for months now and have never balanced them. I've used these packs probably 20-30 times and have always charged them with the HYPERION EOS0610I DUO but without the balancer. So I checked them the other day, and as advertised, the voltage of each cell is identical.

Here's a quote from the Apogee website http://www.pfmdistribution.com:

"For years we have sat quietly aside watching the proponents of "pack balancing" spew forth misinformation. The truth is that a properly matched pack will not require balancing. Yes, we're sure this is a shock to many of you who have fallen for the balancing gimmick. Yes, Apogee was the first to put commercial grade plugs on all packs due to customer demand. We've had and seen enough.

Pack balancing is a gimmick perpetuated by companies who make balancers, and by other companies who do not match battery cells within the pack. A properly matched pack will not require balancing, and in fact will mask a failing cell. Balancing is a band aid for companies who lack the proper equipment to do cell matching. All Apogee packs have been cell matched since the day we started.

Due to misinformation, more packs have been damaged during balancing than have been helped. If you insist on balancing a pack (If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, and you sleep better at night, have at it), please, please, only balance fully charged packs.


Why only balance fully charged packs? All properly matched cells are mated together so that the high and low voltages will coincide. There may be mid-point voltage variances. Balancing a partially charged pack can cause the high and low voltages to become unbalanced. Again, please, if you insist on the balancing gimmick, please only balance fully charged packs."


Anyway, I found Apogee's perspective interesting so I thought I'd share

[lincpimp]

Makes sense, I have quite a few different mfg packs, and the high end packs rarely go out of balance. I use a charge thru balancer more for the fact it will interrupt the charge should anything bad happen, to the pack or charger.

All of my maxamps packs went out of balance, the neuenergy rarely do, and the fp seem to be always in balance.

[starscream]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

Makes sense, I have quite a few different mfg packs, and the high end packs rarely go out of balance. I use a charge thru balancer more for the fact it will interrupt the charge should anything bad happen, to the pack or charger.

All of my maxamps packs went out of balance, the neuenergy rarely do, and the fp seem to be always in balance.

What charge thru balancer are you using?

Flightpower has one and I use the hyperion 0610i chargers builtin balancer

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by starscream

What charge thru balancer are you using?

I use a v balancer, and a lba10. I also use a selection of lba6 and equinoxs (basically the same thing) that I converted to high amp charge thru. All are good balancers, but i prefer the hyperion interface.

[rootar]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

This is great news for me, as she will usually hook me up with a good price on certain things , and am allowed behind her counter.

your a bad dude james, but now we know how you got that huge collection of cars

Originally Posted by lincpimp

I use a v balancer, and a lba10. I also use a selection of lba6 and equinoxs (basically the same thing) that I converted to high amp charge thru. All are good balancers, but i prefer the hyperion interface.

agree with that...I dont use my FP balancer anymore.....I just use the FP adapter for my 0610i

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by rootar

your a bad dude james, but now we know how you got that huge collection of cars

Yep, it is not WHAT you know, it is WHO you know...