LiPos in scale boats?

[pcf21]

Sorry guys - I know it's a fast electric forum, but is anybody using LiPos in a scale boat?

I finally took my PCF Swift out for it's "sea trials" and the boat is sitting too deep in the water; it's powered by a 12 Volt, 7AH lead-acid battery that weighs every bit of eight pounds - it's the size of a "standard" motorcycle battery. The boat handles and maneuvers very well, but I'm affraid of swamping it in it's own wake.

A friend of mine, (who races R/C cars), recommended that I switch over to two, 5000MaH, 3S1P LiPo packs, wired in parallel. The scale guys are leary of the LiPos because of the fire hazard and have recommended that I use 10 cell NiMH packs.

I want as much run time as I can get. Speed isn't an issue; the boat will plane as soon as it sheds some battery weight.

Any suggestions?

Thanks you guys.

Mike Burda

[ghostofpf1]

I wish the picture upload feature was working.I have a nice photo of a ammo box with exploded NIMH cells inside :eek:

Lipos are only as dangerous as the end user ;)

The newer chemistry cells are less prone to combustion when abused from what I've been reading so if you follow the manufacturers recommended charging regimen using lipos instead of lead acid should be a non event.

Good Luck
Steve

[pcf21]

Thanks, Steve. That's exactly what I thought - I just needed some reassurance. I appreciate it.


Mike

[Allan]

There is no fire hazard now but you can destroy cells by over discharge. The cheap way is to fit an alarm that triggers a high brightness LED. The best way is to fit a Lipo aware ESC OR a lipogurd lipoguard (http://www.astecmodels.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=764)

[Madmax]

I use NIMH and lipos in my scale Tugs and have had no problems with either of them If your buying new I would go with the lipos( make sure to get a good charger.) I like the lipos better but I have old NIMH left over from RC Car racing that still work so I use them too. Make sure you keep them dry.

[pcf21]

Thanks, Alan - I did know about the "smart stops and was planning on getting them at the same time I got the batteries.

MadMax, what size LiPos are you using, (in the tugs), and what kind of run time do you get out of them?

Also, what "C" discharge rate would you guys recommend for a scale application, keeping in mind that this Swift should have a decent cruising speed - nothing on the order of a fast electric, but I want to be able to "punch it" and have it get up on plane quickly, just like the real boat... like, 20C? More?

Thanks again you guys.:)