Just ordered 1st RC in 15 years(help)

[Legacy]

Just ordered a Losi xxx-t rtr sport II from horizon (LHS didnt have it). I will be getting a nitro in the spring but too cold now... Anyway, I want to pick up a battery or two and a charger fast so I can run it ASAP. I read through a bunch of threads about batts and chargers but am looking for some general advice.

I don't want to spend a ton on these items. Maybe around $50 for the charger and around 20-30 for the batts (each). I know NiMh 3300 are great but are they that much better than 3000s? I really don't want to get a discharger etc.... Is it that important that I get matched cells if I'm not going to be racing anytime soon?

For the charger, I guess I want one that will charge NiCd and NiMh.. variable amps, peak detecting....

Hmmm, I'm rambling. I would just love it if people would post some general advice for me. Thanks! BTW, anyone live near St. Louis?

[SS Pede]

GP3300 batteries really are better than no-name 3000's. For the record, I have not used any 3000's, just cheap 2400's and now GP3300's. The 3300's are really worth it. Look at places like www.promatchracing.com to get GP3300's. They are generally matched cells (voltage/runtime is the same). Matched packs may be more than you need at the moment, but actually good packs can be had for $35 or so. Plus shipping. Also check out places like www.towerhobbies.com for less expensive GP3300 packs. In general, just remember that you tend to get what you pay for with batteries (that's what they tell me anyways). :)

For chargers...I have a MRC 959 Superbrain, but I've had issues with it false-peaking. Many recommend the duratrax/piranha peak chargers. Checkout Tower Hobbies for many chargers as well.

[streetracer]

I know of a website that will sell 3300's at 29.99 + shipping. It was like cheapbatts.com or something, maybe someone else around here knows it.
As for charging, it is a good idea to get a charger with at least a disscharger as this can spare the life of your cells. You dont need matched packs by the way.

if you want a good charger at around $70 look at the intellapeak series chargers by Duratrax is it? I think thats who makes them. But if you want something that will last you, no problems, and something to carry you through your whole racing days, look at a Tekin BC 112c. Has its own power supply, and will last forever. www.teamtekin.com

[always_opencarb]

the duratrax digital peak charger is great i have one its about 50 bucksit charges all types off batt packs even reciver packs for nitro cars it doesnt charge lipoy though but its very good

[Legacy]

hmmm. I see so many threads recommending DC only chargers. I'm so confused here. I get the feeling I don't need the DC only at my level. I'm leaning toward a DuraTrax IntelliPeak AC/DC Digital Pulse Charger. Is it worth $100? I just don't know if it is that much better than the regular pulse charger for $55. I will be primarily using AC for now, anyone know what the amp limit is for AC on these?

[thedarkness]

I think this is the site streetracer was talking about.
http://www.onlybatteries.com/index.asp
they seem to have decent prices

[Kmot]

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=271

[zakerid]

I will warn you...do not buy the 3000 Mah packs from batteryspace. They are absolutely horrible. I have some 3300 packs from pro-match that work great (14 cell packs for my boat). I would also avoid the MRC chargers.

[TRF Drive Hard]

hmmm. I see so many threads recommending DC only chargers. I'm so confused here. I get the feeling I don't need the DC only at my level. I'm leaning toward a DuraTrax IntelliPeak AC/DC Digital Pulse Charger. Is it worth $100? I just don't know if it is that much better than the regular pulse charger for $55. I will be primarily using AC for now, anyone know what the amp limit is for AC on these?

The intellipeak digital is great, i have 2... 2 of my race mates had the deluxe... so we set up all 4 chargers and start chargin like crazy... we had our batteries charged in no time lol...

[Legacy]

That settles it. I'm ordering the intellipeak digital from tower for $100 and 2 GP3300s from promatch for $35 a piece. Didn't want to spend this much in addition to the xxx-t sport II but hey, I may as well do this right! ;)

[TRF Drive Hard]

Goodluck with your purchases! ;) and have fun with em :D

[Legacy]

Ugggg. At the promatch website they have a few GP3300s to choose from and I'm not sure what to go with. If you click on "News" it says GP3300 stickl packs are on sale, you click there and it has them assembled for $30.99 with choice of tamiya or dean connector (which do I need for a losi stadium truck?). Then if you are at the "home" page they have GP3300 1.165+ AV VOLTAGE 400+ RUNTIME for $34.99. If you select those, you have to tell them what configuration to put them in, standard, stick etc... I have no idea what to get out of these and what configuration and connector. Help would as always be appreciated.

[TRF Drive Hard]

Typically a stick pack is already assembled for you... most racers in some cases like to build their own packs... looks like this, [][][][][][] aka side x side or saddle packs... i prefer those in stead over stick packs... now if youre really not racing the car then i suggest a simple stick pack you mentioned above... tamiya plugs are the standard issued... deans plugs are better... if i were to get promatch batts, i go with the side x side config w/deans ;)

[always_opencarb]

the one i said is AC/DC

[Legacy]

Typically a stick pack is already assembled for you... most racers in some cases like to build their own packs... looks like this, [][][][][][] aka side x side or saddle packs... i prefer those in stead over stick packs... now if youre really not racing the car then i suggest a simple stick pack you mentioned above... tamiya plugs are the standard issued... deans plugs are better... if i were to get promatch batts, i go with the side x side config w/deans ;)

Ok thanks. Which would you choose from the site? The ones for 30.99 or 34.99. Will Deans connectors fit my truck just like the tamiya will? It seems like the 34.99 ones come "assembled" but now Im wondering if that includes the connector....

[TRF Drive Hard]

Show me a link ya? but im pretty postive for 34.99 will be my choice...

[TRF Drive Hard]

Nevermind, i saw the link above... the ones for 34.99 are loose cells... which means you need to have them assembled...

[Legacy]

No they are assembled. I got confused there too. It just is telling you that you can get them even cheaper unassembled I think. If you check out with one it has you use the drop down box to tell what assembly style you want and you go from there. I am just confused if that includes the connector.... If not, I guess it cant be that hard to solder one on. I think if you choose stick pack, then it includes it, but not sure if you go with the standard side-by-side. Is there a big difference?

[TRF Drive Hard]

Ok, i think i see the ones you want which are assembled... then you need to make a choice on how you want them assembled...

[Legacy]

yeah...I'm definately going with standard or stick pack.... Stick pack seems to have the connector and standard may or may not.... but i hear standard side-by-side is preferred, why is that? If I'm asking too many annoying questions just ignore me...

[TRF Drive Hard]

Im looking in the misc. section and it seems like the special you mentioned for 30.99 comes with a choice of tamiya or dean plug... the other special i saw for 34.99 doenst offer that...

[Legacy]

yeah... the 30.99 special doesnt give any specifics as to matching etc.... the 34.99 is probably the best way to go.

Is there an advantage to standard side-by-side vs stick pack where they are in 2 rows end-to-end?

[TRF Drive Hard]

yeah...I'm definately going with standard or stick pack.... Stick pack seems to have the connector and standard may or may not.... but i hear standard side-by-side is preferred, why is that? If I'm asking too many annoying questions just ignore me...

Dont worry its coo... ya if youre not racing id take those stick packs... side x side can sometimes means the difference in weight distibution... but i wouldnt worry too much... i hardly use stick... all loose cells cause i prefer to build my own packs... ;)

[TRF Drive Hard]

yeah... the 30.99 special doesnt give any specifics as to matching etc.... the 34.99 is probably the best way to go.

Is there an advantage to standard side-by-side vs stick pack where they are in 2 rows end-to-end?

I really dont know what the diff is... the 30.99 say voltage enhanced, prolly a slight increase in voltage... ok, i see it now... the 34.99 you want are matched... meaning all the cells you get outta the 6 a close to or have the exact same voltage to some extant...

[Legacy]

ok thanks, you have been of great help! I will call them tomorrow...I'm going with the matched cells for $35. If they say the standard side-by-side comes with the connector then I will go with that, if not, I'll get it in the stick pack version. Thanks again.

[TRF Drive Hard]

Yup yup ;)

[Hachi_Roku]

The side by side packs are also good because if you ever get a equilizer tray in the future you can equilize side by side packs but not stick packs. An equilizer tray individually discharges the cells so that they will all be at the same voltage level.