Converting Stick to SxS

[wubby]

Well, I have this GP3300 pack laying around which still works great. On averages, it peaks out at 3100 mAh when I charge it. My TRF415 accepts SxS packs at best. It's also a pain in the butt to keep the stick pack mounted onto the chassis. So finally, I have come down to make a decision: I want to convert these GP3300 cells to a SxS configuration. I have everything necessary but battery bars and a jig. I've 14ga wiring, deans, 40w soldering iron, 60/40 solder, and the soldering skill.

So the ultimate question is: is it worth it? I know I should discharge the back before I start converting. Is there something I should take caution for?

Thanks!

[Eli the rc guy]

I sopose by SxS u mean side by side configuration? It is more efficant that way.. U should super glue the cells aswell.

[wubby]

Yes, side by side configuration. I'm going to use Shoe Goo to attach the cells together.

[evst 360]

yes it is worth it. BE CAREFUL to not short the cells. I did this by laying a bar on the wrong place. The bar will heat up QUICK. If you do not want to buy a jig, you can use two sturdy pieces of wood or metal on either side of the cell, with rubber bands around each end, as close to the cells as you can. :cool:

[wubby]

yes it is worth it. BE CAREFUL to not short the cells. I did this by laying a bar on the wrong place. The bar will heat up QUICK. If you do not want to buy a jig, you can use two sturdy pieces of wood or metal on either side of the cell, with rubber bands around each end, as close to the cells as you can. :cool:

Yeah, I'll be careful. I'll get that jig anyways while I'm at it. For 15 bucks, a Deans jig, why not =P?

[ElectricThunder]

I'd say it's worth it. I did the same thing as you....albeit my story didn't have a happy ending.:( Turns out I had a dead cell and after a few runs, the battery got messed up (the dead cell reached 200F!). Moral of the story, don't keep your soldering iron on the cell longer than you have to (make sure it's a nice, HOT iron), and maybe check your cells before you assemble them. It really sucks to put all that effort into something only to have it meltdown on you (almost literally...). :eek:

[wubby]

I'd say it's worth it. I did the same thing as you....albeit my story didn't have a happy ending.:( Turns out I had a dead cell and after a few runs, the battery got messed up (the dead cell reached 200F!). Moral of the story, don't keep your soldering iron on the cell longer than you have to (make sure it's a nice, HOT iron), and maybe check your cells before you assemble them. It really sucks to put all that effort into something only to have it meltdown on you (almost literally...). :eek:

Haha, yeah.. Even if the battery fails after finishing it, I wont have any regret at all. I'll just fish out some cash and get loose cells and build another =D.

I'm converting it as I type. I applied the shoe goo first because the hobby shop didn't have a jig. I'm waiting for the goo to dry - how long does it take?

[ElectricThunder]

Haha, yeah.. Even if the battery fails after finishing it, I wont have any regret at all. I'll just fish out some cash and get loose cells and build another =D.

I'm converting it as I type. I applied the shoe goo first because the hobby shop didn't have a jig. I'm waiting for the goo to dry - how long does it take?
Shoe goo? I have no idea. Shouldn't be more than 20 minutes I would guess though. When I assembled my SxS pack, I used some sort of petroleum based stuff used on boats and dive masks. Took about 15 minutes to cure to the point where I couldn't pull the cells apart. Shoe goo is probably different though.

(I'm just going to buy an SxS pack from SMC or PMR...I hate making packs...lol!)

[wubby]

Shoe goo? I have no idea. Shouldn't be more than 20 minutes I would guess though. When I assembled my SxS pack, I used some sort of petroleum based stuff used on boats and dive masks. Took about 15 minutes to cure to the point where I couldn't pull the cells apart. Shoe goo is probably different though.

(I'm just going to buy an SxS pack from SMC or PMR...I hate making packs...lol!)

Haha, shoe goo is petroleum based too, I believe. It's gelly and smells like instant cement glue. I finished the pack, no shorts =D! I'm charging it right now at 3.2A. Had to make my own strap out of Velcro (had to sew). I'll get a crappy quality picture with the webcam later.

[wubby]

Alright, so here's my car with the converted pack, and the new wheels =).

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/1234/picture14kt6.jpg
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2186/picture15ra3.jpg
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/2392/picture16td8.jpg

Comments welcome!

[Demon-TC3]

Congrats on the conversion, looks good!

And yes i always try to get my Cells SXS as it allows me to monitor each cell and allows me to equalise the cells...that and i cant fit any other cells into my TC4 FT :P

oh it also helps the cells keep cooler...always good.

[wubby]

Congrats on the conversion, looks good!

And yes i always try to get my Cells SXS as it allows me to monitor each cell and allows me to equalise the cells...that and i cant fit any other cells into my TC4 FT :P

oh it also helps the cells keep cooler...always good.

Yeah, for sure! I'll never go back to stick packs again. I wish loose cells were a little cheaper, though. Might as well buy IB4200 stick and convert those to SxS before their first charge.

[Demon-TC3]

yea u ever noticed how packs are actually cheaper than loose? strange huh?

Still yea i do the same, not really one to complain if they are good cells...20 bucks more for loose?..ill stick with the 2 mins of extra work to convert...

[chestnut007]

i found a forum that tells you how to convert them the "proper" way, i hope this helps out anybody. link (http://www.ultimaterc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37810)

[wubby]

yea u ever noticed how packs are actually cheaper than loose? strange huh?

Still yea i do the same, not really one to complain if they are good cells...20 bucks more for loose?..ill stick with the 2 mins of extra work to convert...

Yeah, true that. I'm buying IB4200 stick pack from SMC tomorrow and I am going to convert those =D.