New Rotax Lithium Battery

Curtis Cowan · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject:

Actually better specs! For $200+ less.

Russ Kemple · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:00 am Post subject:

I received my new Litium Battery yesterday. I thought the box was empty. It weighs nothing....1-2 ounces. I don't understand how the battery that is so light has so much power. It's weird. I hooked it up and the kart fired right up with out any charge. I do not know how it will hold up in racing conditions but right now if you are heavy I would recommend this. It will save you 4 pounds and it charges really fast.

joey marshall · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 59

I vote that we beat any rotax racer that buys this new battery with a frozen garden hose. Rotax will not listen to their customers if we keep buying what they are selling at a 200%+ mark up.

Russ Kemple · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:11 pm Post subject:

I bought the $138.00 dollar version. Arrived in about 5 days. Russ

Chuck Parker · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:47 pm Post subject:

Its light because it doesnt have lead in it. I use lipo's in all my radio controlled stuff. They take a special charger and the also use a device to disconnect the battery once it's voltage reaches 3.7 volts per cell. In a RC plane or car the speed control turns off its output to the motor once it reaches that discharge voltage. If they are over charged or discharged the can swell up and catch fire.

I said all that to say I'm pretty sure they have the charge controller and disconnecter built right into the battery.

Chuck Parker · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 12:47 pm Post subject:

Its light because it doesnt have lead in it. I use lipo's in all my radio controlled stuff. They take a special charger and the also use a device to disconnect the battery once it's voltage reaches 3.7 volts per cell. In a RC plane or car the speed control turns off its output to the motor once it reaches that discharge voltage. If they are over charged or discharged the can swell up and catch fire.

I said all that to say I'm pretty sure they have the charge controller and disconnecter built right into the battery.

Chad Stapleton · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 4403

As Any RC hobbyist can tell you, even at $139 you are being royally screwed !.
For under $50 you can get a 12-13 v, 4 cell LifePo4 battery that weighs 1 lb , and have double the capacity of that Rotax thing ! .. and fit in your pocket !
There is nothing special about this technology, its been in use for years.
Just look in the Hobby stores..
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__14067__ZIPPY_Flightmax_4200mAh_4S2P_30C_LiFePo4_Pack.html

Actually, if i were really wanting to go this way, i could find a 200gm ( <0.5 lb), LiPo battery with better performance than the Rotax offering, for $15 !!!
_________________
Chad
"Those of you who think you know everything are annoying to those of us who do !!"

Chuck Parker · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

Any, the old hobby king. Waiting on some batteries and speed control at the moment for a rc boat im going to use to haul my fishing bait out off the beach for strippers.

Justin Martin · Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Posts: 328

good ol lipo batteries! RC flying is my OTHER addiction..... Sadly I spend about as much on those as karts!

Anyways its a real bummer that they Tech batteries.... As long as they done produce over 12-14 volts I dont see a problem with using whatever battery you want.... you will still have to make it up with ballast weights anyways!

Justin Martin · Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Posts: 328

Hey guys, jsut curious why we HAVE to use the Rotax Battery. I mean truthfully a simple pin style voltag checker, or even multimeter/voltmete at tech would suffice and prove its in "limits" for voltage. Otherwise its simply a weight and capacity thing. I can't really see anyone gaining performance through a battery, other than weight. But for a light guy like me that need weights anyways, why not use a larger Mah battery and run all weekend on one charge? Even if someone tried to cheat with a higher voltage, it would undoubtedly either mess up a plug or something of the matter..... So why not? Why not just regulate voltage?

I am guessing it is mostly politics and keeping the monopolized market in their hands?

Tracy Simmons · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:07 am Post subject:

Justin Martin · Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Posts: 328

Tracy, I do agree with you about complaining about the costs, I actually in a way appreciate the rotax class because they seem to do the best job with keeping spec racing, spec racing. However there are a few things I do disagree with. Such as a $300 battery which is old technology. I believe in mandated proprietary parts that could add a performance gain, however if its as miniscule as a battery the. I don't believe that is fair.