Choosing a battery for my board

N

nunchaku101

10 mW
Joined
Sep 3, 2015
Messages
25
Hello, so I am getting everything together on my board. I have; Turnigy 6364 213kv motorsX2, Scramboard mounts+belt drive and MBS Atom board but no battery or esc.
I am unsure of whoch battery/batteries to use, so far I have looked at these.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15521__Turnigy_5000mAh_4S1P_14_8v_20C_Hardcase_Pack.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__56840__Multistar_High_Capacity_4S_5200mAh_Multi_Rotor_Lipo_Pack.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8588__ZIPPY_Flightmax_5000mAh_4S1P_30C.html.
I am thinking of going for 3 of whichever battery I choose, but am still unsure if they are suitable for a 6364 213kv turnigy motor.
Is 3 overkill?
I don't really get Amps vs volts etc so any help is appreciated on choosing, thanks.
 
i would get the multistar, i know theres a build on here right now using that series and they like them so far. plus the multistar is the thinnest of the bunch.
 
Welcome to ES nunchaku101.

Couple things, and possibly a reverse process from what you are thinking. Instead of what batteries, how about - which ESC?

This will be the limiting factor typically and you usually buy batteries that are within the ESC's voltage handling range. Most RC car/hobby ESC's will max out at 6s capacity. Some will go 8s (mamba monster xl2 for example) but be $$$.

Favorite option if you aren't afraid of some linux and copy/paste steps - Vedder's VESC. AWESOME.

What's your budget for ESC? Budget for batteries?

Have a lipo charger already? Also can show a limit on #s batteries you get. If your charger only goes to 4s, getting 6s packs likely wouldn't make sense. Most will do 6s, but again 8s/10/12s becomes a challenge or you need a new charger.

Any range or weight targets or limits? (usually lighter or smaller = more $)

My super simple Amps vs Volts - your ESC will have a # "s" allowed. THis equals series or the number of cells in series. they have nominal (*3.7v) or fully charged voltages (full = 4.2 for lipo). So a 3s lipo nominal is 11.1v (usually on the label), but fully charged is actually 12.6v. Again your ESC and charger might have a maximum # cells in series limit (max voltage).

Amps - is going to determine your wire gauge (how thick/heavy wire you use). An advantage of higher voltage setups is less amps, so thinner/lighter wire is needed.

It's all trade-offs. Let us know your goals/budget and we can help steer you to something that will work well.

HTH - GL!
 
Hi thanks for the reply.
I was thinking about either of these; http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__77144__HobbyKing_174_8482_X_Car_Beast_Series_ESC_1_8_Scale_120A.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__84382__TrackStar_Waterproof_Brushless_1_8th_120A_ESC.html
These are similar to what I have seen people use but over 100A seems strong.
I looked at the VESC but am not sure, is it something you can buy? Also not sure what you meant by about using linux.
Ideally I don't want to spend more than £300 for ESCs + battery.
Again this is where my knowledge ends, I have an RC heli with lipos but I think they are smaller lipos and the charger is probably different.
I am planning to use an old sandwich/lunchbox with foam padding liner to keep them safe, so I want to keep the battery pack small but if it costs too much nevermind will get a slightly bigger battery and it still be a nimble board.
If this is feasible I would like around 15 mile range, carry up to 90kg with ease, I have seen a good speed to be able to attain is 30mph and I live in the countryside so I want to be able to cruise at 30 and be able to tear up forest paths.
Is it possible to tell me whether my motors automatically have regenerative braking? I was also wondering how do the motors figure out which way to push if I ride right foot forward? Is that the ESCs job to do and will it have a reverse function.? Most peoples builds use left foot forward
Sorry for all the questions and thanks for the help.
 
Hi
Look at the ESC voltages One only goes up to 4S while the other does 6S max.
How do you want to connect your batteries, ie. what voltage do you want to use.
6S would be about the minimum most use.
If you want a 15 mile range you are going to have to use pretty high capacity batteries - so weight/size goes up.
Off road riding is going to eat away your range significantly.
30mph is bloody fast on a board. Better go higher voltage to keep speed up as well as gearing ratio - speed/torque.
Really, if you are going higher than 6S then get the VESC - can only make sense.
Good luck with the build, have fun.
 
We make and sell the VESC and I will be the first one to tell you you can go 6s on an RC car esc and have plenty of power. You will start to heat up the motor at 30mph but it will work fine depending on it's rating. The brakes are the major draw back on car ESC's but again, they work!

Here is a video with a custom pack, 28v fully charged and an ez run pro esc. Top speed is about 30-32 mph in this video.

[youtube]goaVJ9WLs8o[/youtube]
 
I quite agree with Chaka, it is possible.
On an off-road build though any single motor 6S configuration with enough torque to handle the off-road capability would, I believe (and yes I may be wrong), not reach 30mph.
 
Hello, would this battery be suitable? Hobbyking recommended this one which I believe is 37v
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19159__Turnigy_nano_tech_5000mah_10S_65_130C_Lipo_Pack.html
Will 1 battery be enough or should I use 2?
Chaka, I saw the page on the vesc and there was something about using linux and programming, that seems a bit too complicated as I'm not the best with computers. That's a nice video,
I should add my board is a 2 motor build.
Is it always necesarry to program an esc as even one that doesn't need a pc seems a bit tricky to program. Is it possible to plug and play? When you say the brakes are a draw back what do you mean?
 
Hi
That is a very good battery, no question about that. You would not necessarily need that sort of discharge rate but it can't hurt and if you can afford it then by all means get it.
It is though a 10S battery so the ESC you use must be capable of that.
The VESC is indeed capable and if you go with 10S then I would recommend you get the VESC as any other 10S capable ESC would be just as expensive - if not more.
The VESC can be set up with the Windows version of the BLDC program. No need for Linux. Whoever you get the VESC from will probably be willing to help you here - it is not as daunting as it first seems.
All ESCs would need at least basic programming to set the timing, brakes, voltage levels etc. This can be done over your PC with the appropriate software or with the programming cards usually offered together with the ESCs. (Usually pretty cheap and are easy to use)
Whether you need one or two of the mentioned batteries only depends on what range you want. If you stay with your 15 mile requirement you would need two.
I think what Chaka was getting at concerning the breaks is that the RC ESCs are really meant for smaller RC cars that do not have the inertia that our boards do with 90kgs of lard on top of them, the brakes are therefore maybe not quite what we would require. I myself only have experience with a 6S FVT ESC where the brakes were pretty good, a series of Flier ESCs (Alienpowersystem uses these) which I found are totally crap and the VESCs which are just what I want from a ESC. There are many other ESCs out there and I cannot comment on those.
 
I only chose thatone as HK recommended it, I would take a cheaper one if that option is available, though it does weigh 1.5kg so getting 2 might be a bit silly.
Is the BLDC program something that comes with the VESC? Like a disc tto install on the pc? Could I program the VESC using a card instead of pc as it looks easier.
What I don't unsterstand is where are the brakes on the motor? Are they magnetic brakes or something and if they are braking with human weight do they fail after time?
I will look into the ESC things a little bit more and decide on how I want to go, either way this is a slow project while I get all the parts needed.
 
Hi

Personally I use two of these in series for a total of 8S 8Ah.
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__16226__ZIPPY_Flightmax_8000mAh_4S1P_30C.html

The BLDC program can be downloaded from this site:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bym9XrdeViekfkRETmRndENkcVpySW5sWjIzOWdrLThCY01HY3BPOXpqYVRHUlQxS0R5ZlU&usp=sharing#list
You would have to use this program to program your VESC. Don't worry though is not as complicated as it first sounds.

Brakes are not a physical addition to the motors.
All motors, when driven by an external force (i.e. your wheels when you are going downhill), become generators.
The ESCs are clever devices and can use this generated energy to charge your battery as well as send a signal to your motor to slow it down.
Think of it as putting the motor into "partial" reverse. Motors are just spinning magnets, adjust the current to these magnets and you can slow them down just as you can speed them up.

Good that you want to take it slowly. Think about it a lot and read a bit more and you will save yourself a lot of money and have a great board built to your wants and needs.
These forums are full of guys who are quite prepared to help if you have questions - as long as those questions have not been answered many times in other threads so worth reading a bit. :D
 
I can't like the comment so I will just say thanks like this, anyhow I still haven't got the battery but when I get some updates will post a build.
 
Just an update on this I have gone for these speed controllers.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=45162

I chose them as they seem easier to program than the VESC and appear to have good power.

I am just looking at this battery and wondered if it seemed like the right one for my ESC as the ESC max V is 34V and the battery is 29V..
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__55805__Multistar_High_Capacity_Lightweight_8S_12000mAh_2C_Multi_Rotor_Lipo_Pack.html

Seem good? I am open to changing the battery, I could go for two smaller batteries, what do you guys think?

Thanks
 
Do not use that battery!
It has a max discharge of 2C = 24A at best.
You will stress this battery and it will not last. (Could even be dangerous)
Get a battery with a 20C, preferably even higher, discharge rate.
 
Seriously thanks, almost bought it but saw this post. I just thought the 2C would mean more battery balance.
What about this one?
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=63081
How many miles shoudl I be able to get on this battery?
When it comes to UBECS I am not sure what power rating I need, could you advise on that?
Thanks

Update on the board, got the bearings I needed for my rear truck (Trampa).
 
Good thing you did not buy that 2C battery.
The one you listed now is undoubtedly good but 7S is a bit strange, why not go 8S as you have a 8S ESC.
Mileage depends on so many things. I do not have a MTB so cannot say but my two 8S 8000mah boards do 8-10 miles.
UBEC only needs to power your receiver so any cheap, low power, one will do.
 
I know it is 1s under but HK don't have any higher that I can find, plus wouldn't it just help reduce chances of overpowering the system?
I think I might get one battery and if it works ok get another.
I am looking at this one and will probably get it.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__22494__Turnigy_3A_UBEC_with_Low_Voltage_Buzzer.html
Am I right in saying that this will be all I need: Motorsx2, Batteryx1, ESCx2, UBECx1, RX+transmitterx1?
Really looking foward to getting it going and trying it out.
Can I ask how your board handles rain? Are they exposed outrunner motors?
 
Dude, look at the voltages. That UBEC is only up to 5S
Also, what charger you got? Can it charge 7S?
Easier to use 2 x 4S batteries in series for 8S while running and charging as 2 x 4S (parallel charging) with a cheaper 6S charger.
Motors handle a bit of wet, bearings don't like it though.
 
I wondered about that but does the S matter if it is not powered by the main battery? This I think would suitable.
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__40274__Hobbyking_YEP_20A_HV_2_12S_SBEC_w_Selectable_Voltage_Output.html

At the moment no charger, I was going to just order one from HK at the same time as getting the battery. I will bear in mind what you said about keeping charger price down.
I thought that was about right, I wasn't going to use in in the rain but jsut wanted to be sure.
Is there a warehouse that does bullet connctors? I have looked but can't find the ones I need. I need an adaptor to change 4mm male to 8mm to connect my ESC to the motors.

Again I am sorry for seeming stupid and asking so many questions, I can put stuff together but electronics throw me off.
 
Ah, I see you are in UK, whereabouts?
I have a couple of UBEC's lying around, could send you one if you wish.
The input to the UBEC would come directly from the battery so must be battery voltage capable.
The one you chose would work fine but it is shooting sparrows with cannons.

You could get 8mm bullet connectors from EBay but they are quite expensive. Personally I would desolder the ones on there and solder on 12 gauge cable for the 4mm bullets connectors. Depends a bit on your soldering skills.
 
I live in the countryside outside Oxford.
How much and what specs?
You mean the input comes from the main battery that powers my motors? I read it needed a smaller les powerful battery.
I wondered if it was a bit strong but surely good strong one coupled with a good battery would mean I would only need to use one and it would be simpler.

I think after thinking I will solder on some 8mm connectors onto the preexisting 4mm and that should work if I splay the 4mm wire and use a large amount of solder, at least I assume.
 
I am down in Bournemouth.
Once you have your board if you are ever down south by the sea give me a shout. :)

If you are already ordering something from Hobbyking then this is as cheap as sending something to you anyway.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10313__Turnigy_5A_8_40v_SBEC_for_Lipo.html
IS small and can do up to 10S input voltage. Input comes from the same supply that your ESC is on. It will only draw what it needs and that with only your receiver attached is very little.
You only need one to power your receiver. If you are going to use a VESC though then you do not need it at all The receiver port on the VESC has a 5V supply for the receiver.

Soldering 4mm cable onto the 8mm connectors could not be easier. Fill receptacle with solder and insert cable.
 
Sounds cool, will do, at the moment I am the only one who is doing an electric bike/board but at least I have countryside to use it and I'm not stuck in the city.
Ok I get where to put the Ubec now but will it interfere only having it on one side?

Right now I am looking at this battery and thinking of getting two and using a y cable to split it and run them in series, does that sound good? It's 30V and over 10,000mah and totals 8s.
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__10287__Turnigy_5800mAh_4S_25C_Lipo_Pack.html

Do you have experience soldering? Just wondering whether I need solder flux as I am going to order a soldering iron+solder.
 
That battery(s) would do. Though two in series will give you +-30V but the capacity stays the same - so still 5800mah
I personally use two of these in series:
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__32215__ZIPPY_Flightmax_8000mAh_4S1P_30C_UK_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=8000mah%204S
They are slightly "flatter" (nicer enclosure on a longboard) and the extra capacity takes you a long way.

You are making a E-MTB - they suck a lot more juice. You should be looking, in my opinion, at a minimum of 10000mah @ 8S
All depends on how far you want to go.
 
Ok well I'm liking the one you linked for the higher mah, what about this oneX4?

http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=21000
I could run them in srries using y cables.
I thought they would with the tires, just need it for country roads to get from a to b.
If you think this battery is suitable I will get some.
I have already ordered the 8mm connectors and the y splitter I will order for the receiver to the ESC when HK has them back in stock. After this long I am just looking forward to having a working board.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

hunterc
electric long board setup
Replies
1
Views
1,100
dannydoyle2
D
F
motor choice
Replies
7
Views
2,022
Hummina Shadeeba
H
dozentrio
Mid-Drive Folding Ebike Build
Replies
3
Views
1,754
Chambers
Chambers
S
Wheels and Hub
Replies
5
Views
1,100
WeeChumlee
W
Alistair138
Longboard project done
Replies
14
Views
3,509
Alistair138
Alistair138
Back
Top