Lipo saddle pack setup

[chrisreese]

I just received my MaxAmps lipo saddlepack. I plan on getting it setup in the Pred this week and will post pics once I do. However, the lipo pack is considerably lighter than NiMH cells. Do you think I should add weight to compensate for the difference, or adjust the suspension for the lighter weight? I am also running the Novak 5.5 brushless setup.

Thanks!

[wailinonya]

I picked one of those MaxAmp packs up just two weeks ago. I have the 4400. Personally I think the car is much better with the Lipo vs. NiMh. It doesn't bottom out nearly as easy on jumps like it did with the IB 3800's/GP3700 packs I have. We weighed it with a 3800 in it and it came out to around 3lbs and 10 ounces, with the Lipo it weighed 3lbs 5 ounces, so about a 5oz. difference. My car also has the newer stiffer/lighter chassis on it as well. I don't own any brushless equipment yet, but from what I have been told they are heavier than the brushed equivelant. I think legal weight is 3lbs. 8oz. If you can weigh it, see how much it turns out to be, you may be real close to legal as it is. Not that you have too run it legal if your track isn't a stickler for ROAR rules. With the batts up front, I always had to be careful on throttle control over jumps or it would tend to nosedive, with the lipo it makes it easier. Also I used some 1/8" Losi shock spacers to raise the battery posts so the pack would fit, put longer screws in the posts as well. It feels a bit twitchier, being lighter in the front, more responsive. If rules aren't a prob, try it without added weight, if you like it, just run it like that, if not go ahead and add weight. The other advantage is that if you don't like it with less weight and opt to add weight, you can add the weight where you want, this is an advantage to you. I did pull some of the skock clips out to lower the ride height, after adding the Lipo. So far I really like this pack, just hope it holds up well!

[chris burgess]

where do you get the saddlepack lipo from...google and ebay didn't help

[alfonzo]

www.maxamps.com

Dunno what the shipping possibilities are from the US though. Mind you, with the strong £/$ they look good value. I'm well keen on a pack, maybe we should team up and save postage / customs?? Chris - let me know

[chrisreese]

Hey wailinonya, do you mind posting some picts of your installation of the lipo? I'm trying to figure out how to brace it and route the saddle wire so it doesn't rub the shaft. I figured I'm going to have to raise the posts.

Thanks.

[Northy]

Lipo will moe the CofG back towards the rear, which should give more rear traction, but thats not a problem just reduce rear toe-in.

Sounds like it could be good.

G

[wailinonya]

chrisreese: I don't know how to post pics on forums yet, computer illiterate! I can send you pics by Email if you like, if you want just IM me your Email and I will take some for you. I made a really simple solution to keep the batts in place by using some foam I got from someone at my local track. Basically, I made a rectangular foam encasement that the packs sit in to keep them from being able to slide from side to side, the hold down posts keep them from moving for or aft. The batterys just sit in the center of this surrounding foam. I know someone else that glued small pieces of rectangular lexan to the bottom of their pack, just a normal Orion pack, the pieces of lexan would sit in the battery slots to keep the pack in place. The jumper wire on my pack does come close to the shaft, but I have not had any rubbing issues with it.