[Gary Maker]

I just purchased a 1/10 scale Slash 4X4 and it came with a 7 cell 8.4v 3000mAh battery pack.

The manual says that 8 and perhaps even 9 cell Ni-MH packs could be used. Also I have the option to upgrade to a 3S Lipo for even greater speeds. So at this year's Toledo RC Expo I purchased a 3S 8000mAh Lipo pack for the Slash. I haven't tried it out yet but will once I get to a good open area where I can let her loose.

My question is this: Have any of you much more experienced car guys ever used an 8 or 9 cell Ni-MH pack in their electric vehicles??

In my way of thinking, an 8 cell pack would be 9.6 volts which is within the voltage limit. 9 cells would theoritically be 10.8 volts but a fully charged pack could exceed the 11.1 volt limit, could it not? Or is it safe to use?

I have several 7 cell 8.4v packs and would like to tear down one pack to use the individual cells to make 8 cell 9.6v packs of the others. I could even make up a couple of 9 cell packs but am concerned with the high end voltage of a fully charged pack.

Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone has tried doing this, that is, making up 8 and perhaps even 9 cell packs and having them run successfully?

I would very much appreciate your expertise in this matter. Thank you in advance for your help, comments, input, suggestions.

Cheers.

You will be fine with a 3cell lipo..12.6 fully charged.
Tire shredding fun

[Gary Maker]

Thanks Mike. Holy cow, I took the Slash out this morning for its first run in the back yard and wow!!! Does this thing really move....well, at least to me is seems very fast.

And that's with a 8.4v NiMH which is said to only do 35mph. I can't imagine loading the 3S 11.1v Lipo in her and cutting her loose which claims to blast off at up to 65mph. I best get out to the local track or somewhere there is a large field to test run her with the Lipo for fear of driving it through the garage door or into the big Maple tree in the back yard.

I really think this is going to be great fun and exciting especially if I get up the nerve to race against others at the off road dirt track. I have flown all sizes and shapes of planes over the years which is still a great thrill to me. I never imagined that driving RC Cars/trucks could be so exciting and a real rush to do. But it is!!! And I love it!

I just know that it's going to be a great Spring and Summer this year and can't wait to get out there cut the Slash loose on the track!

[Hobbes69]

I've had mine for overa year now, great car. I've upgraded to a castle creations short course w/2650 kv and a 4s. Half throttle is fast enough at the track, and I'm eating tires like crazy. I'm a little faster than my son's with a 3s, but the faster you go the more you break! have fun.

[Gary Maker]

Thanks for the input guys!

So, has anyone tried an 8 cell or even a 9 cell NiMH pack??

IF so please let me know how it worked out for you. Would appreciate someone chiming in here. Thanks again!