Lipo Wars: Admiral vs HRB/RTop/HS

[SanExup]

I’m a big fan of the power hobby packs. 10 of the 5200 and 12 of the 5000’s.

Evan, are those graphene and or HV packs that you're using? Or the 'standard' packs? 100c range packs? And have you used their 50c packs for anything?

I use HRBs but looking for alternatives. I jnow the HV pavks have produced interesting results but Im not clear on whether new chargers and ESC issues are part of the package when moving to HV? Is the additional money worth the additional minutes....

[Evan D]

They are standard voltage. The 5.2 are 50C and the 5.0 are 100C, not that that is believable.

Here is what I use each in, green means the preferred battery for that plane, not shaded is it's an option-

[SanExup]

Thanks Evan, do you have any of their 6000 range packs?

In terms of batteries of any brand, do you use any 6s or 8s at or higher mah's than 6000's or 6200's for 90mm EDFs or larger prop planes?

[Evan D]

Sorry, no. The larger batteries I have are either older Hobbystar 6200 or Socokin 7200. I had/ have/ have for sale Socokin 6200 that I really like and they just put out the 7200. My opinion is the 6.2 and 7.2!are the same cells with another label, exact same size and weight and I don’t think the 7.2 is really giving me 7.2 flight times, maybe a little better than the 6.2 but not 20% more. I have few planes that use the larger batteries regularly. 105mm L-39, B-2, Mig17. I have a number of planes I normally fly on 5.2 that can use the 6.2 or 7.2 like the Avanti for example.

[SanExup]

Thanks, I was debated getting some 7.2s, or 7000s, mostly for 1500/1600 sized warbirds. In a way I like having similar sized packs,,so if the 7200 isn't yielding a lot more time then I'll stick with the 6000's.

Another note on the Socokin, I bought some based on a previous post.I have found the Socokin 6s I have perform a little better than the HRBs. However, I have some 4s that I've ended up abusing when going by similar flight times as the 4s HRBs or even Youme brand. Maybe they were old stock as well. It seems like duration performance waivers a bit and brand makes a bit of difference but is not a sure thing across the board. There's nothing scientific in my testing, other than averaging experiences across numerous flights, but it's what I am seeing. I should buy a new round of Socokin 4s just to be sure but I'm hesitant to use them in an 8s configuration.

[Evan D]

They are 830g, same as the 6.2 and same price so it’s a wash…

[serpentracer]

I'll be honest, i've used a few of spektrum's batteries and the punch they produce in my electric boat is noticeably more than smc and other brands. I've been using SMC in my race buggies since 2013 and have never been let down. but these spektrum batteries do seem better.

[Mach9]

Hmmm. 5.3A x 250C = 1325A 60 minutes / 250C = .24 minutes .24 minutes x 60 seconds = 14.4 seconds 1325A for 14.4 seconds using 8 gauge wire. I would like to see a video of that.

[Evan D]

Do it! What are you going to use as a load?

Obviously that 250C you are quoting is unrealistic and you know it. Even a 30C battery could have a issue with the battery wires it could have. A 7Ah battery @ 30C is 210A and I have seen them with 12 gauge wire. Better use some good ol' Deans connectors.

[Mach9]

Yeah, they lie. 6S nominal voltage of 22.2V / 1325A = .017R rounded. So, 4.11 feet of 16 gauge copper wire at room temperature is .017R.

[Mach9]

I have a jump starter with a lead battery, I am guessing 7-10A, that is rated at 425 cranking Amps (1700 peak) for 6 seconds with a 6 minute cool down rest. It has 2 gauge welding cable and large battery clamps.

[Evan D]

I think you are over thinking it and stressing for nothing. Accept it, you know what the reality is.

[Mach9]

My personal testing. I don't fly all that much due to work, weather and health.
Charged at 5.0A, target resting discharge no lower than 3.70V per cell.
Freewing Avanti typical flight: Full power WOT take-off, fly at 5/8 throttle.
I figure it's fair if the cost works out to around $.50 a flight. Electric fuel.
The capacities aren't too far off, but the C rating is way off!

Power Hobby 5.2A 50C 10AWG EC5 about 23Oz new 06-22-2017 Take-off to land around 3 minutes.
Around 185 flights, becoming weak. I think about 15C, 80A max throttle.

Power hobby 5.2A 50C 10AWG EC5 about 23Oz new 12-20-2018 Take-off to land around 3 minutes.
Around 140 flights, weak. I think about 12C, 60A max throttle.
In fairness, I was very stupid and recently shorted this one a few seconds.

HRB 6.0A 50C 10AWG EC5 about 29Oz new 02-26-2020 Take-off to land around 3.5 minutes.
Around 70 flights, very weak, swelling bad, stopped using. I think about 8c, 45A max throttle.

HRB 6.0A 50C 10AWG EC5 COPY about 29Oz new 05-11-2021 Take-off to land around 3.5 minutes.
The connector fell off!!! It was barely tack soldered in!!!
Around 70 flights, weak, swelling some. I think about 10C, 60A max throttle.

I ground tested an old pack that I don't use for flight now with unknown cycles.
Turnigy 5.0A 30C 8AWG 5.5mm bullets about 29Oz 2014?
Weak, swelling some. I think about 12C, 60A max throttle.

They all run ok around half throttle.

I just bought a new pack that I have not tried yet.
Roaring Top 5.5A 45C 10AWG EC5 about 26Oz 05-20-2024
A bit longer than HRB. Lowest cell 3.83V, highest cell 3.85V.
Nice touch having a shell on the balance connector.
Time will tell if it can beat Power Hobby.

[Hugh Wiedman]

My personal testing. I don't fly all that much due to work, weather and health.
Charged at 5.0A, target resting discharge no lower than 3.70V per cell.
Freewing Avanti typical flight: Full power WOT take-off, fly at 5/8 throttle.
I figure it's fair if the cost works out to around $.50 a flight. Electric fuel.
The capacities aren't too far off, but the C rating is way off!

Power Hobby 5.2A 50C 10AWG EC5 about 23Oz new 06-22-2017 Take-off to land around 3 minutes.
Around 185 flights, becoming weak. I think about 15C, 80A max throttle.

Power hobby 5.2A 50C 10AWG EC5 about 23Oz new 12-20-2018 Take-off to land around 3 minutes.
Around 140 flights, weak. I think about 12C, 60A max throttle.
In fairness, I was very stupid and recently shorted this one a few seconds.

HRB 6.0A 50C 10AWG EC5 about 29Oz new 02-26-2020 Take-off to land around 3.5 minutes.
Around 70 flights, very weak, swelling bad, stopped using. I think about 8c, 45A max throttle.

HRB 6.0A 50C 10AWG EC5 COPY about 29Oz new 05-11-2021 Take-off to land around 3.5 minutes.
The connector fell off!!! It was barely tack soldered in!!!
Around 70 flights, weak, swelling some. I think about 10C, 60A max throttle.

I ground tested an old pack that I don't use for flight now with unknown cycles.
Turnigy 5.0A 30C 8AWG 5.5mm bullets about 29Oz 2014?
Weak, swelling some. I think about 12C, 60A max throttle.

They all run ok around half throttle.

I just bought a new pack that I have not tried yet.
Roaring Top 5.5A 45C 10AWG EC5 about 26Oz 05-20-2024
A bit longer than HRB. Lowest cell 3.83V, highest cell 3.85V.
Nice touch having a shell on the balance connector.
Time will tell if it can beat Power Hobby.

I put this thread together quite a while ago, while searching for good packs and after trying 15 different brands and wasting thousands of dollars (had over 150 packs at one time with 20 different brands). Today, the best packs out there are from SMC Racing. Danny has the best customer service, will do special packs and his packs have the highest actual C, as marked. Unlike anyone else that the actual C is 30-40% of marked. His prices are reasonable as well.

I'm now exclusively ONLY use SMC packs, the majority being High Volt packs, 8S HiV: 5900 & 4400 and his 6S HiV: 6200/5900/4400. The weight per pack is also lower than others, all around the perfect air packs. You can see his packs independent ratings done by MSCGUY on RC Groups or connect to the ratings off SMC's website. He is always at the top. Got rid of all my Roaring Tops/HRB's and 10 other brands that didn't measure up. Give them a shot, you won't be disappointed. He also makes great non HiV packs.

[Mach9]

Roaring Top 5.5A 45C 10AWG EC5 about 26Oz
First charge to 4.18V/cell. 2.50 minutes ground test/break-in run at about half throttle 55A to 3.85V/cell. 105F about 10C, no swelling.
Second charge to 4.18V/cell. 1.50 minutes ground test run at full throttle 100A to 3.85V/cell. 115F about 18C, no swelling.
Four flights, excellent power and run time! 3.75 minutes total, 3.83V/cell, mildly warm, no swelling. So far, VERY GOOD!!
I would say it can handle about half of the 45C rating with no problem. Only time will tell how long it will last.
I wish I had tested the Power Hobby packs when they were new, but I was a bit green to high power electric.
The HRB packs are junk! Someday I would like to try an SMC pack.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Roaring Top 5.5A 45C 10AWG EC5 about 26Oz

The HRB packs are junk! Someday I would like to try an SMC pack.

Agreed, the HRB are junk. Used Roaring Tops for over a year, they were OK but not great. Had over 20 from 4000's through to 6250's. At some point, after maybe 40 flights, they all had a cell go bad and the Internal Resistance of every cell increased with each use. Always storage charged them and never left them full for more than 6 hours. Got to the point they wouldn't balance charge.

No issue with SMC now after 3 years. HiV are great but even his standard green labels are outstanding and well priced. Don't mess with Spektrum packs, heavy, expensive and fairly low actual C, despite their label.