Are ZIPPY Flightmax packs the way to go?

[ZOMGVTEK]

Im finally getting around to getting new batts for my e-bike... And two of my friends have essentially exactly the same setup, and need new batts as well.

What it looks like were going with is 2S4P of the 5000mAh 6S ZIPPY Flightmax LiPO. I would like to run at least 60A into my rear hub, so cheap eBay LiFePo4 packs cant really do that. Plus, from what I see theyre not all that reliable. I have never used these types of batteries before, but I believe we can simply run a board like this to charge each 1S4P packs with 2 chargers?

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14856

And would we want something like this for a low voltage alarm?

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7227

Out of the 20Ah, we can expect to safely get 15 out of them? The setup, with chargers looks like about $540 shipped, for 888Wh.

 

[chroot]

Go for it, Just get LVC boards from Geoff or Gary and screw low voltage alarm. You would probably distracted and didnt hear the alarm while the traffic lot noise. OOPS you killed LiPo batteries rather get LVC boards from Gary or Geoff. Peace your mind WORRY FREE!

You wanted 20Ah, be prepare buy 2 chargers and you will need 16 of the LiPo to make 20Ah (24s4p). I assume you never have experience handle the LiPo battery and I am afraid you would cause fire house because these LiPo CANNOT leave unattend while the charging. EVER!

Maybe you might want wait for HVC boards from Geoff, HVC stand for High voltage control and it will automatically stop letting charger's current when it hit 4.17v each cells. It's helluva safer and can do unattend while HVC boards do their job stop the charging current automatically.

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

Right, I would use 2 chargers, and run 8 of the 6S 5AH batteries, for a total of 20AH at 12S4P.

How much are the LVC boards? Id like this to be done cheaply, of course. Its not really me im worried about, my two other friends scare me a bit... Im not sure they would even be able to assemble the premade packs in a 2S4P config without burning something.

 

[rebelpilot]

Parallel charging Board for 6 packs 2~6S
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14856

I built my own charging setup, but this is what several people on ES have used. I think the board will need the power connectors replaced, or adapters.

Very handy to have on hand to build balance harnesses
JST-XH Wire Extension 6S 20cm (10pcs/bag)
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9739

Better than just a buzzer that watches pack voltages, these monitor every cell. I use one for each parallel group of battery packs.
BM-6 Cell Voltage Monitor 2-6S Lipo (New Version)
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8927

These are the materials required to build the harnesses to parallel the packs.
Turnigy Pure-Silicone Wire 10AWG (1mtr) BLACK
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9672

Turnigy Pure-Silicone Wire 10AWG (1mtr) RED
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9671

HXT 4mm Gold Connector w/ Protector (10pcs/set)
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9283

I see chroot beat me to it. He has a good suggestion

 

[torker]

Parallel charging Board for 6 packs 2~6S
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14856

I built my own charging setup, but this is what several people on ES have used. I think the board will need the power connectors replaced, or adapters.

Very handy to have on hand to build balance harnesses
JST-XH Wire Extension 6S 20cm (10pcs/bag)
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9739

Better than just a buzzer that watches pack voltages, these monitor every cell. I use one for each parallel group of battery packs.
BM-6 Cell Voltage Monitor 2-6S Lipo (New Version)
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8927

On the bm-6 cell monitor they show on backorder. You know of another option? I am doing 5s

These are the materials required to build the harnesses to parallel the packs.
Turnigy Pure-Silicone Wire 10AWG (1mtr) BLACK
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9672

Turnigy Pure-Silicone Wire 10AWG (1mtr) RED
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9671

HXT 4mm Gold Connector w/ Protector (10pcs/set)
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9283

I see chroot beat me to it. He has a good suggestion

 

[MadRhino]

I use 12 Flightmax 6s 5800mah 30C bricks, for 24s 3p. They are with 8ga wires, so I built the battery harness with EC5 5mm Connectors http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=9194
I also used 8ga wiring. Those Lipo's are very low impedance, only the Turnigy nanotech are better in that matter, might as well keep the lowest wiring and connectors resistance, to obtain max performance and consistance.

They arrived perfectly balanced, only one brick had a bad (intermittent) ballancing connector that required 5 min repair. Since I bought them, they were in use for about 100 cycles, and they are still ballancing perfect in a very short time. They are a good choice that I'd recommend to everyone.

I don't like LVC, HVC, ballancing boards, or anything hooked on my batt, appart of 4 bm-6 cell monitors, and a fuse. A Cycle Analyst well set and calibrated is all that's needed to ride, carefull monitoring to charge. Verify ballance every day while charging fast with Meanwells, perfect ballance charging and complete test with a good RC charger once a week. Never charge more than 4.15v per cell, never discharge lower than 3.1, and you'll have a long lasting healthy Lipo battery.

I am building the next with nanotech, for their performance is even better, I only hope that they are as good buy as the Flightmax.

 

[torker]

My last reply got buried in the quote somehow. Is there another option for the bm-6 ? HK shows them on backorder :x I am doing 5s

 

[neptronix]

If you live in the USA, turnigy batteries from the USA warehouse are going to be cheaper for you as you won't have to pay EMS shipping which adds 25%-50% to the cost of the batteries !!

Zippy and Turnigy batteries are pretty equivalent. I've heard of balance connector soldering being iffy on the Zippy, but sometimes with those batteries you can get a little bit more AH out of them.

So pick your poison.

And yeah, probably half the people on here are using these hobbyking/hobbycity batteries.
My LVC is a turnigy watt meter. I stop discharging when my cells are 3.5v, because that's when the rapid descent into overdischarge begins; at 3.5v you are about 250-750mah away from a cell going down below 3.0v, which is bad.

And these batteries will dump amps like crazy. I run my 14a 36v kit on one 5ah pack when i'm feeling like traveling light. I get 2v of voltage dive ( that's a 0.2v sag per cell ) at full throttle, which is pretty small. This is on the 20c zippy packs.

As for the capacity, out of 20ah you will probably see more than 15ah ( maybe 17? ) if you charge conservatively to 4.15v and discharge to 35v like i do.

 

[MadRhino]

My last reply got buried in the quote somehow. Is there another option for the bm-6 ? HK shows them on backorder :x I am doing 5s

They are on backorder most of the time, they come and leave the same day at their warehouse. Order them anyway, you won't have to wait very long, I did and they delayed shipping my order by 4 days only.

 

[MadRhino]

You can also use the cellog 8m, or some like to use the battery-medic.

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

Sounds good guys...

Im not running any LVC or HVC. I plan on using the 8GA wire I have to wire the pack up, and rewire up to the controller. I will charge the bike in the shed, or outside, probably unmonitored most times. The shed going up in flames isnt that big of a deal to me, id be more worried about my ebike.

I thought I used to see the Turnigy packs in the US warehouse, but I cant find them anymore...
And when you spend more, the prices drop? How much so?

 

[torker]

Awesome! Thanks for the replies. I kept seeing whole pages of items marked backorder .. I am going to try and stick to the USA warehouse also. Now to gather a few more dollars in Paypal

 

[dogman dan]

zippy's or turnigy will work fine. I find I get a bit more ah out of my 30c turnigy than the 20c zippy's I have. So LFP is totally correct in saying if you want max capacity, get the highest c rate you can afford.

But true as that is, the cheapest price per usable ah is likely to be the 20c economy packs. Buying from the USA warehouse is great, if they have what you want in stock. Much more likely to get to you undamaged from the usa shipping point.

 

[AussieJester]

Guyz, please, for the charging have a look at the Hyperion EOS 1420i NET3 14s Balance Charger... these are the shot for charging your LiPo setups, checkout GGoodrums review Bulk charging WITH same time balancing all in one charger... http://tppacks.com is the place to order them or PM GGoodrum directly ...Dont fart around with reconfiguring packs for charge and discharge theres absolutely no need...

KiM

 

[MadRhino]

...have a look at the Hyperion EOS 1420i NET3 14s Balance Charger

I'm waiting for the 24s version, that would be the dream charger for me.

 

[wineboyrider]

AJ tppacks.com lists this charger as out of stock. Should I go ahead and email Gary or what?
I use built up his lvc boards for my 12s 20ah pack and it works great! If I had this charger I would definitely deep six the lifepo4 once I kill the pack of course. 8)

 

[AussieJester]

AJ tppacks.com lists this charger as out of stock. Should I go ahead and email Gary or what?
I use built up his lvc boards for my 12s 20ah pack and it works great! If I had this charger I would definitely deep six the lifepo4 once I kill the pack of course. 8)

Yes you should he posted elsewhere there is plenty in stock pay no attention to what it says on website, he can have it dropped shipped too you in a couple of days if you is in USofA... I have the boards to and think same, very easy to make a pack with the components Gary offers...Complete pack solution and charging, very cheap to considering what you get IMO anywayz

EDiT:cheap suppler of 24v Meanwels to power the Hyperion lemme

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170557090729


KiM

 

[torker]

I wish the US warehouse would get more stock.

 

[Ykick]

I wish the US warehouse would get more stock.

Maybe it's me but I find very little, if any, difference in final cost between China/USA. Obviously, shipping is more from China but product prices are lower. Sometimes much lower - for example Turnigy, 5Ah 6S1P, 20C = $41.82 China. Same brick from USA = 49.77. I did the shopping cart and math for 2qty bricks and found less $3-$5 difference in total cost.

I guess there's the return issue but that even seems to be getting better if you're willing to massage their customer service system.

 

[torker]

It probably doesn't help that I am looking for 5s. 6s is a lot more plentiful.

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

I wish the US warehouse would get more stock.

Maybe it's me but I find very little, if any, difference in final cost between China/USA. Obviously, shipping is more from China but product prices are lower. Sometimes much lower - for example Turnigy, 5Ah 6S1P, 20C = $41.82 China. Same brick from USA = 49.77. I did the shopping cart and math for 2qty bricks and found less $3-$5 difference in total cost.

I guess there's the return issue but that even seems to be getting better if you're willing to massage their customer service system.

The 5000mah 6S Turnigy packs from the US are $49.77 for you? I never ordered, and it shows them as $56.88. Over the 24 packs I need, thats $170 difference...
Anyone want to order for me?

 

[torker]

I wish the US warehouse would get more stock.

Maybe it's me but I find very little, if any, difference in final cost between China/USA. Obviously, shipping is more from China but product prices are lower. Sometimes much lower - for example Turnigy, 5Ah 6S1P, 20C = $41.82 China. Same brick from USA = 49.77. I did the shopping cart and math for 2qty bricks and found less $3-$5 difference in total cost.

I guess there's the return issue but that even seems to be getting better if you're willing to massage their customer service system.

The 5000mah 6S Turnigy packs from the US are $49.77 for you? I never ordered, and it shows them as $56.88. Over the 24 packs I need, thats $170 difference...
Anyone want to order for me?

Keep looking at the US warehouse. They have 7 pages of product now. I found my best price for 5s on the last page