I need to know what's a good battery for the 400X with a stock motor. I read that a 10 cell pack will work at the cost of shorter motor life. That's fine! What 10 cell battery config fits in the stock tray? or do I have to modify the tray? Currently I'm using the Zagi 1700 and the 1400 8 cell packs and would like something with the same duration.

Thanks,

Joe

Try the new 1700 NMH packs. The duration is great. They weigh the same as your original 400x battery and they can handle any motor up-grade you throw at them.
I run them with a Mega brushless 16/15/4t with a 6.5x4 prop pulling about 20 amps and I get 9-10 minutes wot.
Today I ran a pack on a friends aveox 3wind brushless and the motor really performed well and the duration was really good.
They are high $ packs but they're worth it.

Waxer,

I'm assuming this is a 10 cell pack? What size and config are the cells in? Do you have any more info on these batteries? I should have mentioned that I'd like to build a pack instead of buying a prebuilt one. That's why I need to know the config that fits in the 400x tray.

Thanks,

Joe

HR-4/5AUP

Size: 4/5A
Diameter: 17.2mm
Height: 43.2mm
Weight: 34g
Capacity: 1700mAh
Internal Resistance: 6.0 mOhms

Chemistry: NiMH

What fits and what doesn't fit with 10 cells can be debated.

I run 10 cells with my Aveox 27/13/4. I have both CP1300SCR packs and the 1700AUP NiMH cells mentioned before. The 1300s are in two sticks of 5, side by side, end to end soldered. The 1700s are in what is called a "hump" pack, 5 cells laid side by side, with 5 more on top in an offset position.

Both of these 10 cell configurations fit within the confines of the stock 400x canopy, but the bottom of the tray must be cut out so the battery bay is wider. I cut it right down the top of the rails of the battery tray, and remove all of it but the area about 2 inches in front of the motor mount all the way to the front. I have a flat piece of balsa on the floor that is epoxied in to attach the Velcro to.

If you want MAX umph, you can even fit in a hump pack of the CP1700SCR cells, but the floor of the tray must be lowered about a half inch for them to fit under the stock canopy.

And to top it all off, if you aren't running a brushless setup, why even bother? 10 cells is going to cook your stock 6V zagi motor in a short time, and you won't even get much out of it. If you swap to the 7.2V motor with 10 cells, your motor will last longer, but you still won't get much speed.

I understand that for little money, you can run the Magnetic Mayhem car motor and get a lot more speed without going brushless. May be worth a shot if you don't have $150 to plunk down for a brushless setup.

~~fred francis
Atlanta, GA

Fred,

I don't really care if the stock motor frys, I have a 480 ($10) on the way. When that's fried I plan to get the Astro 20 Brushless. Thanks for the tray mod tip, sounds easy enough. I must say I was a little disappointed with the performance of the stock 400X setup. I increased my throws, so it responds a little better but I just need a little more speed and it definitly needs more climbing ability.

Thanks,

Joe

Joe,
The 10 cell pack will make a big difference in your s400 performance, but you will go through them. Yogi is right about the Mag Mahem, MTAYL has run several Zagis with MM and they flat out move. They cost $20 at Tower and seem to last pretty well. You should check out his site at www.yourzagi.com
Brian

Waxer

Hey how is the Wedgie flying?

www.mmglidertech.com

I've just been running 8 cell packs of the 1700's so the pack really does look like the stock 400x pack. The performance is a whole lot better though!!!

The Wedgie is flying great. I swear it seems like the stock wedgie is faster than my Zagi 3C Electric that runs a brushless Mega motor.
I run 8 cell packs of 1100aau's with a s400 motor with the Zagi carbon spoon prop on the Wedgie and it really moves. I'm working on inverted flight...
By the way still no flap!

One of the guys I fly with keeps asking me why don't you put your brushless on the Wedgie? I say why bother!