20 replies to this topic

[Knis2me2]

Hey guys, Just wandering if any of you have ordered any trustfire Unprotected Batteries from outside of the United States since the new USPS Ban on international shipping of batteries? I can not find a supplier in the US to buy from and not sure if its worth risking trying to get it into the states? Any Input would be great!

All so to Moderates, If this is in the wrong place, I apologize. Wasn't sure where to put it.

Thanks

[WILLISFIT]

I myself and pondering the same question.
I have always purchased them from ebay for my rayvens and barricades.
I recently acquired a nitron that needs a little more kick.

if anyone knows please respond
Thanks

[Draconis]

Sooo... Why not choose another shipping method? I am sure that the Chinese retailers will shift to FedEx soon, I'm sure. I was getting ready to order some of these myself, so this is certainly relevant to my interests.

[Knis2me2]

Sooo... Why not choose another shipping method? I am sure that the Chinese retailers will shift to FedEx soon, I'm sure. I was getting ready to order some of these myself, so this is certainly relevant to my interests.

Actually they just have ether slandered or expedited options at DealExtreme so not sure how they ship there items.

[lasagna678]

Just wandering if any of you have ordered any trustfire Unprotected Batteries from outside of the United States since the new USPS Ban on international shipping of batteries? I can not find a supplier in the US to buy from and not sure if its worth risking trying to get it into the states?

I know these aren't Trust Fires, I don't know if they are unprotected. But I use them and they work awesome in everything that I put em it. Barricades, Nitron, Rayven, Stampede, and Vulcan.

Link to eBay Seller with a high volume of small electronics based in NJ.
He asks $3.39 for a pair of pateries with free shipping. I guess if you order in a large volume you can haggle with the best offer button.

Link to eBay page.

Edited by lasagna678, 25 July 2012 - 12:05 AM.

[owmyquach]

I was browsing the web for the actual USPS statement on this and couldn't really find consistency in what people said. Some said it was just lithium-ion batteries period. Others said lithium-ion battery powered DEVICES. I see on the USPS website that just ALL batteries are supposed to be banned from the mail (even domestic) https://www.usps.com...you-ship-it.htm (under HAZMAT). I actually still even have shipments being delivered internationally, once I get them I'll be sure to let you know.

Edited by owmyquach, 25 July 2012 - 02:36 AM.

[Langley]

All so to Moderates, If this is in the wrong place, I apologize. Wasn't sure where to put it.

Lucky for you I'm more of a liberal.

I think when people start building homemade electric blasters, they'll probably find a better power source than trustfires, so you're good.

[roboman]

I think when people start building homemade electric blasters, they'll probably find a better power source than trustfires, so you're good.

This, for example, gives you a huge voltage increase, will last a really long time, and is pretty cheap. Shipping from HobbyPartz is pretty quick, in my experience, though not particularly inexpensive (~$8-10). They're located in Southern CA, so you don't have to worry about international shipping of batteries. They are NOT protected, so I suggest you figure out a way of adding some form of current drain protection. That should not be too difficult. You'll also need a special charger for it. Still, in the long run, it's much cheaper than a set of Trustfires. Smaller and less expensive batteries are also available from HobbyPartz. I suggest you stick with the "Blue LiPo" line, though, as they are the least expensive, and the ability to source a whole lot of current at once reliably is not really important for this application.

Just a warning, though, if you use the wrong charger or draw too much from the battery, they can catch on fire or explode. I've seen it happen to R/C airplanes; it's quite spectacular when it's not your model.

[Knis2me2]

This, for example, gives you a huge voltage increase, will last a really long time, and is pretty cheap. Shipping from HobbyPartz is pretty quick, in my experience, though not particularly inexpensive (~$8-10). They're located in Southern CA, so you don't have to worry about international shipping of batteries. They are NOT protected, so I suggest you figure out a way of adding some form of current drain protection. That should not be too difficult. You'll also need a special charger for it. Still, in the long run, it's much cheaper than a set of Trustfires. Smaller and less expensive batteries are also available from HobbyPartz. I suggest you stick with the "Blue LiPo" line, though, as they are the least expensive, and the ability to source a whole lot of current at once reliably is not really important for this application.

Just a warning, though, if you use the wrong charger or draw too much from the battery, they can catch on fire or explode. I've seen it happen to R/C airplanes; it's quite spectacular when it's not your model.

Haha ok the thing I am running into is I have Absolutely no experience in any kind of electric circuitry and most of the stuff people would normally buy at a store (resisters, switches exc.) I have to order online do to not having any kind of shop the sells them.

I did have one sub question. Do the Unprotected Trustfires have to only be discharged a certain amount or is that not apply to them? And if so, what kind of a difference am I going to see in power between the protected and unprotected when using them in a Rayven?

Plan on using them in rayvens and possible barricades.

[Knis2me2]

This, for example, gives you a huge voltage increase, will last a really long time, and is pretty cheap. Shipping from HobbyPartz is pretty quick, in my experience, though not particularly inexpensive (~$8-10). They're located in Southern CA, so you don't have to worry about international shipping of batteries. They are NOT protected, so I suggest you figure out a way of adding some form of current drain protection. That should not be too difficult. You'll also need a special charger for it. Still, in the long run, it's much cheaper than a set of Trustfires. Smaller and less expensive batteries are also available from HobbyPartz. I suggest you stick with the "Blue LiPo" line, though, as they are the least expensive, and the ability to source a whole lot of current at once reliably is not really important for this application.

Just a warning, though, if you use the wrong charger or draw too much from the battery, they can catch on fire or explode. I've seen it happen to R/C airplanes; it's quite spectacular when it's not your model.

Haha ok the thing I am running into is I have Absolutely no experience in any kind of electric circuitry and most of the stuff people would normally buy at a store (resisters, switches exc.) I have to order online do to not having any kind of shop the sells them.

I did have one sub question. Do the Unprotected Trustfires have to only be discharged a certain amount or is that not apply to them? And if so, what kind of a difference am I going to see in power between the protected and unprotected when using them in a Rayven?

Plan on using them in rayvens and possible barricades.

[roboman]

Haha ok the thing I am running into is I have Absolutely no experience in any kind of electric circuitry and most of the stuff people would normally buy at a store (resisters, switches exc.) I have to order online do to not having any kind of shop the sells them.

I did have one sub question. Do the Unprotected Trustfires have to only be discharged a certain amount or is that not apply to them? And if so, what kind of a difference am I going to see in power between the protected and unprotected when using them in a Rayven?

Plan on using them in rayvens and possible barricades.

That does apply to them, as far as I know, but since they're of a slightly different chemistry, I don't know that they run the same risk of fire or explosion. You'll know when they're dying; your Rayven will just be acting kind of sluggish. I don't know about power differences between protected and unprotected batteries.

[Knis2me2]

That does apply to them, as far as I know, but since they're of a slightly different chemistry, I don't know that they run the same risk of fire or explosion. You'll know when they're dying; your Rayven will just be acting kind of sluggish. I don't know about power differences between protected and unprotected batteries.

Ok and it will hinder my ranges then as well? What would be the best option to use in a rayven thats not unprotected?

[roboman]

Ok and it will hinder my ranges then as well? What would be the best option to use in a rayven thats not unprotected?

Well, once the batteries start to die, you obviously want to replace them. Unprotected batteries should be fine, as long as you replace them when they get low. As for protected batteries, I have absolutely no idea. I use the LiPos for R/C airplanes, and the protection is built into the speed controller, in that case.

[Knis2me2]

Well, once the batteries start to die, you obviously want to replace them. Unprotected batteries should be fine, as long as you replace them when they get low. As for protected batteries, I have absolutely no idea. I use the LiPos for R/C airplanes, and the protection is built into the speed controller, in that case.

Ok and is it like any other battery when it goes dead? I know I am probably asking really newbish questions but these things arnt cheap and still not sure if I can get them into the US. So far one of there customer service people have said yes and another said no so sounds like its really iffy.

[roboman]

Ok and is it like any other battery when it goes dead? I know I am probably asking really newbish questions but these things arnt cheap and still not sure if I can get them into the US. So far one of there customer service people have said yes and another said no so sounds like its really iffy.

Yeah, basically. You can get them from US suppliers, but you may spend a couple extra bucks going about it that way. I'd say that's worth it, but that's just my opinion.

[Knis2me2]

Yeah, basically. You can get them from US suppliers, but you may spend a couple extra bucks going about it that way. I'd say that's worth it, but that's just my opinion.

Would U happen to have a link to a US supplier? I cant for the life off me find unprotected in the US.

[Briguy52]

Edit: @roboman My charger actually does have a "balance" feature which I normally used. The other features (honestly too many in my opinion) allow you to "cycle" the batteries by charging then discharging a couple times which enhances performance in some way (I believe that they can last a little longer before running out, but don't quote me on that)

We have a ton of unprotected Li-Po battery packs around the house as my father used to make/fly RC airplanes. They have a ton of potential, but you need to follow a couple of precautions in order to safely reap the rewards.

First off, I highly recommend purchasing a VOLTMETER. It's really easy to connect to your battery pack and you can make a small slot in the side of your blaster for it just like you would an ammo counter or something. I believe your average unprotected Li-Po cell has 3.7 volts (which is really good). Unfortunately, this can only vary by 0.5 volts (so 3.2v< good voltage level < 4.2v) or the batteries will be unusable or even become dangerous. This is an important reason for getting a special charger that has been made to charge a specific type of batteries to a certain level. For mine, you can change the current, type of battery, and process (ie balance, charge, charge-recharge cycles, etc.) My voltmeter was pretty cheap and gave me total voltage and individual voltage for all three cells in my Stampede. Also, don't be alarmed if the cells are off by 0.1 volts as that is normal (of course, you don't want to be using a battery pack where 1 cell is drastically more charged/drained than others).

If you're using a battery pack, you do not want to risk getting it punctured or anything, so I would recommend getting some good quality velcro strips (heck, duct tape works just as well) and fasten it down inside the shell somewhere (like the Stampede's battery box for example) or make an external battery box for it.

Another concern is heat, if these get too hot you could be putting yourself in danger. Of course, you don't need to take any extremes by adding in a fan or ventilation systems or anything, just 1. Don't leave it out in the sun 2. Don't leave it near a fire (duh), a heater, oven, soldering iron, etc. I mean, if you put your hot glue gun next to it, it's not going to spontaneously combust, but one of my dad's helicopters did a Hindenburg once because its engine overheated, but I doubt that even your most decked out Rayven/Stampede/etc. is going to be draining at the rate that it did.

Unlike Ni-Mh/Ni-Cd/Alkaline/etc. batteries, Li-Po batteries (at least the unprotected ones) have about a 2-3 year life. It may vary a bit by how much you use it.

As a final note, we got nearly all our stuff from a Hong Kong based retailer (Hobby King) or from Tower Hobbies (which is in the U.S.) and both are great. The Hong Kong place is dirt cheap and I got battery packs, voltmeters, etc. from there. But that was nearly a year ago so I don't know what the USPS or whatever is like now.

Chargers: http://www.hobbyking...y_Chargers.html
Note: Mine is a Turnigy brand one (forgot the model)
Batteries: http://www.hobbyking...ll_brands_.html
Note: I've been using the "Rhino" brand but Turnigy should work pretty well also.

Edited by Briguy52, 26 July 2012 - 04:29 PM.

[roboman]

-lots of text-

That's pretty sound advice. As for the voltmeter thing, I'd suggest you get a balancer for your batteries. Many chargers have them built in, now. The batteries will come with a second, smaller connecter with a bunch of wires connected to it. You plug the balancer into the smaller plug, and it should tell you the individual cell voltages, and then give you the option to "balance" them, or even them all out. This will vastly improve the lives of your batteries, and you'll be able to squeeze a little more power out of them.

HobbyKing is a good supplier, but their shipping can take a while. Tower Hobbies is incredibly overpriced, though they do sell nicer quality things for higher-end R/C models.

[Knis2me2]

That's pretty sound advice. As for the voltmeter thing, I'd suggest you get a balancer for your batteries. Many chargers have them built in, now. The batteries will come with a second, smaller connecter with a bunch of wires connected to it. You plug the balancer into the smaller plug, and it should tell you the individual cell voltages, and then give you the option to "balance" them, or even them all out. This will vastly improve the lives of your batteries, and you'll be able to squeeze a little more power out of them.

HobbyKing is a good supplier, but their shipping can take a while. Tower Hobbies is incredibly overpriced, though they do sell nicer quality things for higher-end R/C models.

Thanks for the responses guys but atm I am just trying to find trustfire unprotected in the US. Trustfire sells a charger that is made to handle the unprotected but I can't get the batteries them selfs, threw customs.

[BMSCmods]

Look on amazon. I've seen some there for a good price

[Knis2me2]

Look on amazon. I've seen some there for a good price

I have but again, none that are unprotected