General Comment about Lipo batteries and tariffs

L Edge

Master member
Point about tariffs and Lipo batteries. May or may not come about.

To me, batteries start getting expensive when it's moving up to 4S to 6S, especially the 4000 to 6000 mah range. So if you are going to build or flying and are in need of large batteries and have a fixed budget, and the tariff say (jumps 25%), wow!!

Got my order in already.
 

Mr Man

Mr SPEED!
Point about tariffs and Lipo batteries. May or may not come about.

To me, batteries start getting expensive when it's moving up to 4S to 6S, especially the 4000 to 6000 mah range. So if you are going to build or flying and are in need of large batteries and have a fixed budget, and the tariff say (jumps 25%), wow!!

Got my order in already.
Yeah, I noticed that 6s batteries are PRICEY, especially 2000mah up. 4s seem to get pricey above 2500mah. That’s just what I’ve noticed over the year.
 

Piotrsko

Legendary member
Not a lot of power out difference using 3 ea 2 cell packs or 2 ea 3 cell packs against a 6 cell pack. The main issues are cell balance and interconnect wiring being appropriate. Sometimes you get a slightly weaker cell set because of use or age.
 

Foamforce

Elite member
There doesn’t appear to be a significant difference in the cost per cell between 3s and 6s.

E.g., on Amazon I looked at the Zeee 120c 2200mah batteries. All of these are sold as two packs, so I divided the cost by 2, then divided the cost by the number of cells.

3s: $6.90/cell
4s: $6.86/cell
6s: $7.08/cell

So that’s only a 2.6% increase in the cost per cell from 3s to 6s.

The cost per cell is the only way to compare between 3s and 6s since you’re getting exactly twice the battery material. I suppose you could say that the manufacturer saves a bit on not having a second lead or wrapper, but not a lot. On the other hand, there’s probably less demand for 6s batteries, so slightly higher cost. Seems fair.
 

Houndpup Rc

Legendary member
There doesn’t appear to be a significant difference in the cost per cell between 3s and 6s.

E.g., on Amazon I looked at the Zeee 120c 2200mah batteries. All of these are sold as two packs, so I divided the cost by 2, then divided the cost by the number of cells.

3s: $6.90/cell
4s: $6.86/cell
6s: $7.08/cell

So that’s only a 2.6% increase in the cost per cell from 3s to 6s.

The cost per cell is the only way to compare between 3s and 6s since you’re getting exactly twice the battery material. I suppose you could say that the manufacturer saves a bit on not having a second lead or wrapper, but not a lot. On the other hand, there’s probably less demand for 6s batteries, so slightly higher cost. Seems fair.
Never thought of it that way, but you are right!
 

Piotrsko

Legendary member
The wrapping is parts of a cent, the wire is more expensive, the joint either takes a worker or a machine to install. Can you say senior space manufacturing assembly planner? I can
 

Foamforce

Elite member
The wrapping is parts of a cent, the wire is more expensive, the joint either takes a worker or a machine to install. Can you say senior space manufacturing assembly planner? I can
I’m not sure what you’re getting at really. With all due respect to your work experience, I don’t think that an extra lead is the major expense compared to the cost of the cells. It seems like you’re comparing the cost of the leads to the wrap, which was never really in question. Maybe I didn’t understand what you were trying to say?
 

Houndpup Rc

Legendary member
I’m not sure what you’re getting at really. With all due respect to your work experience, I don’t think that an extra lead is the major expense compared to the cost of the cells. It seems like you’re comparing the cost of the leads to the wrap, which was never really in question. Maybe I didn’t understand what you were trying to say?
i got a 6500mah 4s at hobby king for $39 which seems like a very reasonable price! (It is 140c)
 

Houndpup Rc

Legendary member

Houndpup Rc

Legendary member
This is the battery:
Looks like it has a XT-90....You very well might see me pull a lot of amps out of it! (Spoiler Alert: I might be a making a giant heavy lift drone with 3548 motors sometime here!...Under 55lbs of course!)
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
IMG_20250701_081114407.jpg

You trying to lift a house??

These "little" puppies are scary strong with just 15x5.5 props
 

Houndpup Rc

Legendary member
View attachment 251915
You trying to lift a house??

These "little" puppies are scary strong with just 15x5.5 props
NO, I am trying to lift a watermelon up to 399ft ;) And then drop and see how big a crater it makes!!
Thanks I will take a look at those! (I want to make a video "How to make a drone that will lift 10lbs under $100...Though I am not sure if its possible....)
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
NO, I am trying to lift a watermelon up to 399ft ;) And then drop and see how big a crater it makes!!
Thanks I will take a look at those! (I want to make a video "How to make a drone that will lift 10lbs under $100...Though I am not sure if its possible....)
Those motors alone would break your budget, not to mention the props..... LOL