Kong Power 11.1v LiPo Batteries review by Booligan
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Introduction
Ordering/Company Info
Basic Information
First impressions/Packaging
Specifications
Construction
Proper Use
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction
LiPo batteries have started to take the market by storm, with several companies releasing new models every month it seems. I’ve been using these Kong Power battery packs for the last 6 months or so, and I’m happy to report on them in this review! I’ve been quite pleased with them over other packs that I’ve used, and I’ll cover the good and the bad aspects of them in the next sections!
Ordering/Company Info:
These batteries were sent to Airsoft Retreat directly from Kong Power in order to have them reviewed. Kong Power is a Taiwan based company that specializes in LiPo batteries and accessories, and I have previously reviewed their KP50W charger, and their LiPo balancer. I’ve been VERY happy with my Kong Power products thus far, and these batteries are no exception! The small battery is currently available at Airsplat, priced at $39.95
Basic Information:
I am reviewing two separate batteries today, the 11.1v 15C 1100 mAh “small†pack, and the 11.1v 22C 1900 mAh “big†pack. These batteries are small compared to large cell battery packs, but are on the larger end of LiPo packs. They are still compact enough to fit in damn near any gun you’ll come across, however, so you shouldn’t really worry if they’ll fit, just pick the right size for your needs. The smaller pack works quite well for stick battery applications (but does not fit in all stick battery guns) or nunchuck packs, and the large is a good substitute for 9.6v mini batteries.
First impressions/Packaging:
The batteries came packaged in plastic baggies with cardboard tops. The tops have the KP logo as well as a hole for hanging them on retail hooks. My first thought with the blue multiple cell design was that it looked like I was sent some Laffy Taffy with wires installed, but a quick burst firing out of my nearest gun showed me that these are serious batteries!
Specifications:
“Small†pack (not counting wires)
Cell Length: 125 mm
Cell Width: 20 mm
Height: 20 mm (all 3 cells together)
Power Output: 16.5A Continuous/19.8A Burst
“Large†pack (not counting wires)
Cell Length: 105 mm
Cell Width: 35 mm
Height: 20 mm (all 3 cells together)
Power Output: 41.8A Continuous/83.6A Burst (!)
Construction:
I’ll go over each individual pack’s construction details in this section, starting with the small pack.
The small pack’s shape lends it well as a substitute for stick and Nunchuck packs. It is shorter than 8.4v stick packs, and can fit in most guns that require dual battery pieces, such as in MOST crane stocks. I have fit this in Dboys Crane stocks, as well as JG ones. There are a lot of wires popping out of this thing, but overall, they can be managed with some clever arranging in most guns. The 3 cell design means that it is very flexible for placement in a wide variety of guns. I’ve installed this in the buffer tube of an M4, albeit with the wiring hanging out with the stock fully retracted.
From this point, click all pictures to enlarge
“Small†Battery
Kong Power label
Power output label
Wiring (comes equipped with mini Tamiya plug stock)
The “large†pack is closer in size to a mini 9.6v than anything else, so it can fit in MOST guns. I call it my Monster pack, due to the HUGE amperage this thing is capable of. Bursting at over 80 A, it can pretty much handle any gun it is installed in. It came equipped with a mini Tamiya plug, which I replaced with a Deans plug for maximum power transmittance. This pack has been in everything from a UTG M4 to my Dboys 30 RPS “PDW“, and it’s taken everything I’ve thrown at it with ease.
“Big†Battery
Label
Output label
Wiring (note, mine is changed to Deans)
Size comparison with a variety of batteries
Thickness when compressed is about the same as a mini cell
Proper Use:
LiPo batteries require a few things to function properly. First off, you will need to use a LiPo specific charger on these, or you will risk damaging your packs and or causing property damage/personal injury.
Secondly, you need to make sure your gun is up to the strain that a LiPo battery can dish out. Basically, these have more output than a traditional 12v battery, so you need to make sure your gears are strong, shimming is on point, and that your piston is in good shape. That being said, I run EVERY gun I get to review through a 1000 round torture test with the smaller of these two packs before I write anything about them, and I have yet to have a gun break. In fact, I’ve only broken ONE gun using a LiPo battery, and that was after 2000 rounds of constant firing on a bone stock Army AK47. LiPo batteries are not as damaging to guns as people will lead you to believe, provided you pay attention to how your gun is shooting.
There are a few risks with LiPo use in guns, and one of the major ones is battery overdraw. Basically, if you suck the voltage TOO low, the battery can combust. LiPo batteries drain in a different way than normal NiMH/NiCD ones, so you can tell when the voltage drops too low. When firing a LiPo battery equipped gun, the ROF will stay relatively the same throughout the charge. When the battery gets too low, the ROF will suddenly drop. Listen/feel for the drop, then stop firing. DO NOT FIRE THE GUN AFTER THE ROF DROPS UNTIL YOU RECHARGE THE PACK.
If you pay attention, and use the right charger, your LiPo packs will give you a long and effective lifespan!
As for performance gains, I put together a quick test using my DBoys based M4 "PDW", which is, internally, bone stock, aside from a Guarder high speed motor. The gun uses the standard wiring, but it has been shortened and wired for deans plugs.
Performance info is as follows:
Generic ACM 8.4v 1500 mAh large w/ deans: 17 RPS
Intellect 9.6v 1600 mAh small nunchuck w/ deans adapter: 19 RPS
Kong Power 11.1v 1100 mAh 15C lipo w/ deans adapter: 25 RPS
Kong Power 11.1v 1900 mAh 22C lipo w/ deans: 30 RPS
The Guarder motor REALLY likes the lipo packs, showing very impressive gains over the standard packs. One thing to note, the small lipo and 9.6v batteries needed deans adapter wiring put in place, so the resistance is higher in those setups. This testing was also done with all packs receiving a full charge, then firing 200 rounds out of each to normalize the voltage.
Pros:
Compact designs
VERY high performance - 30 RPS on my Dboys “PDWâ€
Reliable, consistent output
Separate cells - flexibility for small battery spaces
Work great in cold environments
Cons:
More expensive than some other LiPo batteries
Loads of wires
Requires the normal LiPo accoutrements: special charger, balancer, etc
Overall:
These batteries are the primary reason that I’ve switched almost entirely over to LiPo batteries for my AEGs. They are compact, reliable, and work quite well in nearly all guns. The small pack is better for stock guns, as it has less power output, and the large pack will spin damn near any motor/gear/spring combo that I can think of, so it is great for your custom builds. It will be installed in my 600+ FPS Barrett M82 buildup, that’s for sure!
Many thanks again to Kong Power and of course, AirsoftRetreat!
Where to buy:
US: Airsplat http://www.airsplat.com
UK: FireSupport LTD http://www.fire-support.co.uk/category.php?cat=28
