LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

[TheMeekon]

Hi

People will probably tell me to use the search function which I did and still not 100% on LIPO.

So I hear I can run a 7.4 LIPO straight into the VFC.

Anybody got a recommendation for a charger and 7.6 lipo that will fit in the stock tube and a charger to go with it?

Someone I know was insisting I need an alarm for these, is this true?

Cheers

[Coski]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

You don't need an alarm for a 7.4 lipo. I don't ever use one anyway and I've been using 7.4 lipos for a while. You DO need an alarm for an 11.1.

I use a turnigy accucell 6 charger and that's been working great for me. Simple to use, with a storage charge option as well.

[Boo-Sabum Ben]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

Out of interest, if you don't need one for a 7.4, why do you for an 11.1?

[Coski]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

Out of interest, if you don't need one for a 7.4, why do you for an 11.1?

Honestly bud I couldn't tell you the science of it. I'm just relaying info that I was told when I was looking into switching over to Lipos!

I know 11.1s are more volatile though, so I'm going to guess it's something to do with 11.1s being more likely to explode when empty or something? Purely stipulation though.

[HuntR]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

Honestly bud I couldn't tell you the science of it. I'm just relaying info that I was told when I was looking into switching over to Lipos!

I know 11.1s are more volatile though, so I'm going to guess it's something to do with 11.1s being more likely to explode when empty or something? Purely stipulation though.

If you don't have a good mosfet with auto-cutoff voltage for lipo's then an alarm is recommended regardless of the voltage. Or just swap the battery out regularly. I.E rule of thumb being two shots to one mah capacity. It's got nothing to do with them exploding. It's to keep them in working condition. If you let the voltage drop too low the battery could die and fail to charge. The only real way to explode a lipo in use, is to A) Short circuit it. B) Drain the battery at a faster discharge rate than it's (acceptable discharge rate) capable of.

[TheMeekon]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

So the alarm is only needed in case you kill the battery? The tech I spoke to yesterday didn't mention anything about an alarm to be honest. Also I have read that the ROF will noticeably drop before you would kill the battery. I'm still yet to drain a battery skirmishing.

Just wondering where I will stick this alarm as there didn't appear to be much room when I quickly stuck a LIPO in the tube while in the shop.

[Coski]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

If you don't have a good mosfet with auto-cutoff voltage for lipo's then an alarm is recommended regardless of the voltage. Or just swap the battery out regularly. I.E rule of thumb being two shots to one mah capacity. It's got nothing to do with them exploding. It's to keep them in working condition. If you let the voltage drop too low the battery could die and fail to charge. The only real way to explode a lipo in use, is to A) Short circuit it. B) Drain the battery at a faster discharge rate than it's (acceptable discharge rate) capable of.

Ah well this would explain why I've never needed an alarm! I always switch my lipos at lunch just to be safe

Cheers for the explanation there bud.

[TheMeekon]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

Ah well this would explain why I've never needed an alarm! I always switch my lipos at lunch just to be safe

Cheers for the explanation there bud.

I'll probably do this, switch lipo's at lunch time.

[HuntR]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

You will notice a difference in pitch first, then you'll see that it's not firing as fast. Some people though choose to ignore it. Thus rendering their batteries useless. The Accucell/iMax charger can revitalize dead batteries. But it depends on a few factors, how long they've been dead for? How many cycles have they had already? A battery that's had say 100 cycles is far less likely to be salvageable than a battery that's had only 5 cycles. Also it boils down to the quality of the battery. I like Vapex/VP/GiantPower ones myself, or Kong ones if i'm feeling flush.

[Coski]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

I personally have VP and GiantPower ones and they've never gone me wrong! Although the VP one surprisingly did arrive with reversed polarities! Or at least thats how my charger registeres it as anyway. But as long as I switch the wires over it still works the same.

One thing I would say is don't go buying lipo batteries from dedicated airsoft stores as you will pay more.

[HuntR]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

I personally have VP and GiantPower ones and they've never gone me wrong! Although the VP one surprisingly did arrive with reversed polarities! Or at least thats how my charger registeres it as anyway. But as long as I switch the wires over it still works the same.

One thing I would say is don't go buying lipo batteries from dedicated airsoft stores as you will pay more.

RC batteries are opposite polarity to airsoft ones. That will be why. If you buy from the shop in Bangor, use the airsoft section, and in the drop down menu for connector make sure if it gives you the option of choosing airsoft choose it.

[Fizzy]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

I'll probably do this, switch lipo's at lunch time.

Instead of an alarm, get a voltage checker if you want to be safe. It just plugs in to the balance lead and gives you a readout of the cell voltages

[TheMeekon]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

So I've ordered a turnigy accucell 6 charger and 2 x 7.4v Vapex 7.4v 1450mAh 20c.

Where is best to store these LIPO's, I guess an old biscuit tin would do?

Thanks for the help so far!

- - - Updated - - -

Just seen the lipo guard bags, will grab one of them.

[Caldymoose]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

You'll find the 1450 mah's are too long in the stock tube so you won't be able to fully retract your stock. Depending on wiring and how you stuff it in you might be able to get the stock the 1st position, or maybe the 2nd is the farthest you'll be able to go. My 1300's mean I cannot fully close the stock, have to leave it at the 1st position

[TheMeekon]

Re: LIPO and charger for a VFC 416D

You'll find the 1450 mah's are too long in the stock tube so you won't be able to fully retract your stock. Depending on wiring and how you stuff it in you might be able to get the stock the 1st position, or maybe the 2nd is the farthest you'll be able to go. My 1300's mean I cannot fully close the stock, have to leave it at the 1st position

Damn, I never thought. They looked the same on the image.

I guess I'd better change to the 1300 then?