SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Front

Battery review: SLS NOC Race 4S 1800 mAh 2N

Publiziert von Nils Waldmann

am

We are proud to finally present you our review of the new SLS NOC Race FPV LiPo batteries. Stefans Lipo Shop has offered the cells for quite some time now. More than a good enough reason to put the pack in action on our test stand. This review looks at the SLS NOC Race 4S 1800 mAh 2N pack.

How to use charts:

 

Attention

This battery review contains some charts which can be interactively utilized. You are able to:

  1. Highlight any value just by clicking on the corresponding key below the chart.
  2. Hover over any value / line inside the chart to get precise readings.
  3. Right axis is always current.

Have fun! :)

Appearance

Stefans Lipo Shop ships its packs well packed in a labeled cardboard box. The battery itself is packed in bubble wrap and foam for extra protection. You also get a small paper sheet, with all important security notes on how to handle the lithium battery properly. Unfortunately specs like max charge rate or cut-off recommendations are not directly printed on the battery.

SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Box
SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Packaging

The SLS NOC Race FPV battery line up is the first FPV battery we tested that did not state a C-rating. This is on purpose, of course, as C-rating values of FPV batteries have been going trough the roof in the last year. No question, the elaborate pilot understands that this merely is for marketing reasons, as high numbers always tend to sell better. The SLS NOC Race series burns all bridges with the good old C-rating. Instead SLS uses a proprietary scale to rate the battery performance, which is called „N“ as in „No C“.

  • 1N = „hardcore hobby pilot / competition pilots“
  • 2N = „wacky competition pilots“
  • 3N = „Aliens… testing continues“ (There is no 3N cell, yet.)

Of course, we still will try to put a number on the SLS NOC Race series, using our „true C-rating“ for better comparison. The test pack is labeled to be „2N“ capable.

The overall built-quality is very good – nothing to worry about. The complete 4S line up only differs in width regarding the total dimensions as you can see in the picture below.

SLS NOC FPV Battery Series - Width Comparison with Plant
1300 mAh, 1550 mAh and 1800 mAh version of SLS NOC Race.

Technical Design

The SLS NOC Race 1800 mAh 2N battery is a standard 4S1P config flight pack for high power use. It utilises the newest generation of SLS NOC cell chemistry. Charge rates up to 10C enable you to fill the pack up really quick, if you ever have the need to. We still favour to stick with 1C charging for our tests.

Build Quality: Very good. The pack feels very well made on the outside. Connection terminal looks solid. The white shrink wrap is really tight. There should be no puffing. It looks like there is a spacer between cell 2 and 3 to allow better ventilation.

Plugs: The SLS pack comes with standard XT60 connectors* equipped.

Cables: Stefans Lipo Shop uses 12 AWG wires* on this packs. The high flexible silicon layer is rated up to 200°C. Cable length is about 7 centimetres.

Balancing plugs: Standard XT-system. Balance wires are short (4.5 cm), which is a benefit in terms of getting them out of the prop-range on the aircraft. Main power wires and the balancer cable both connect to the top of the pack.

SLS LiPos bei Amazon ansehen*

Technical Details

ManufacturerStefans Lipo Shop / SLS
TypeSLS NOC 2N
Cell chemistryLithium Polymere (LiPo)
Cell typeSLS NOC chemistry
Cell count4
Pack configuration4S1P
Capacity1800 mAh
Max. charge current18 A
Discharge current continuous2N / ?
Max. discharge current-
Weight (incl. plugs)ca. 201 grams
Measurements listed
75 x 35 x 40 mm
Measurements measured
77 x 35 x 40.3 mm
Retail Price35,99 €
DealerStefans Lipo Shop
NoteThis battery has been directly donated by the manufacturer / distributor for review purposes.
Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Front
SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Back
SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Top
SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Bottom
SLS NOC 4S 1800 mAh 2N - Terminal

Hands-On Video

We decided to provide you some more impressions by filming a short hands-on video of the SLS NOC Race FPV battery series. It’s in German, still you should be able to get a good impression of the battery’s nice build quality.

YouTube

Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von YouTube.
Mehr erfahren

Video laden

SLS NOC Race battery hands-on (German).

Break-in documentation

The battery followed the standard break-in-process: The pack is charged at a rate of 1C until CV-phase ends with current of 1/10C. The break-in phase consists of four charging cycles at 1C and four corresponding discharges at 1 C / 4C / 10C and 20 C.

Anomalies: No anomalies during break-in.

Charging process

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden


CV-Phase is short on this cell type. Balancing in normal mode took 1:01 min. Cell drift during charge was unobtrusive. This is for 1C charge (1.8 A).

Load Testing

The main part of this battery test will consists of different load test settings showing the battery performance. Constant load testing is used to judge the advertised C-ratings as well as look at cell drift under high loads. We also check on internal resistance once more. Next up is the dynamic current test, which simulates a „real“ flight with changing (=dynamic) loads. For test methodology please check the dedicated methodology page!

Constant Load Testing

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Constant load testing follows a certain load pattern of different constant currents. Base load is 10 C. Current pulses at 50 C, 35 C, 20 C and 30 C are maintained for time intervals between 10 and 20 seconds. For more details please refer to the test methodology page.

Capacity Usage

During this test the pack delivered 1415 mAh. This is 78.6 % of nominal capacity. A very good result.

Average cell voltages

The following table lists the average voltages per cell, of the total pack, as well as the averaged value per cell as fraction of total voltage during phase of active load.

Cell 1Cell 2Cell 3Cell 4TotalAverage per cell
Avg. Voltages3.760 V3.762 V3.762 V3.758 V15.042 V3.761 V

Just looking at average values the SLC pack performs very well. All cells stayed far above 3,7 V on average. An average value above 3,74 V / cell can be considered very good. The SLS NOC Race 1800 mAh managed stay above an average of 3.76 V / cell!

Focus Voltages

Exceptionally interesting when testing a battery under a constant load for a longer period of time: the lowest voltage per cell just before load impulse is disabled. On top, you should have look at voltage recovery rate, that is: how fast do cell voltages rise again once load impulse is cut.

PhaseCell 1Cell 2Cell 3Cell 4Total
End of 50 C3.629 V3.636 V3.638 V3.641 V14.544 V
End of 35 C3.591 V3.593 V3.605 V3.618 V14.407 V
End of 20 C3.541 V3.549 V3.548 V3,545 V14.181 V
End of 30 C-----

Voltage sag is extremely low on the SLS NOC Race 1800 mAh pack. It becomes visible that even the 50C phase almost bores the pack. No cell went below 3.62 V on this high load phase.

Average voltage recovery per second

Those values are specific to the test setting and not valid for the pack in general! Still they allow an estimated guess about how fast voltages rise again after current spikes.

Cell 1Cell 2Cell 3Cell 4Total
Avg. Recovery0.0314 V / s0.0306 V / s0.0296 / s0.0275 V / s0.119 V /s

As voltage sag in overall is very load (even on amp spikes), voltage recovers very quick accordingly. Nothing to complain here.

IR-Measurement

IR measurement is conducted using the four current pulses. Resistance for each cell is calculated in all four discharge phases. Shown values are averaged to cancel out different temperature points due to different discharge states during measurements.

Cell1234Total
Resistance [mΩ]1.891.881.671.346.77

Interpretation: The internal resistance of 1.69 mΩ average per cell indicates a „true“ C-rating of around  44 C (79.9 A). This is on the conservative side and represents a current draw that will make the pack last for a long time. This estimation falls in line with the very good voltage stability of the pack. This value is an extremely good result.

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Cell drift under load

Discharge Phase50 C35 C20 C30 C
Max Cell drift (V)0.012 V0.027 V0.019 V-

Cell drift is very low on the new SLS NOC Race 2N packs during main discharge phase. Cells are matched decent on our test packs. SLS really knows how to build good quality batteries.

Key Temperature Facts

Temperature Development - SLS NOC Race 4S 1800 mAh 2N
Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Temperature Development

Max. temp during discharge was around 54.2 °C on top of pack. This is a good value. The pack stays surprisingly cool, which underlines the low IR-values we have measured. Note that heating of stressed LiPo packs will continue for some more time even when load is cut.

Market Comparison

The following chart shows all reviewed LiPos in the same product segment for direct comparison of performance. Higher values under load are better.

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Constant 25 C Discharge

Pretty much a standard benchmark in the LiPo industry.

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Cut-Off /warning value for this battery should be chosen 3.5 V minimum. After this point voltage drops quick.

Capacity Usage

The battery provided 1419 mAh (78.9 %) during the 25 C discharge. Really good!

Market Overview

Comparison of different reviewed 1800 mAh batteries under 25 C load.

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Dynamic Load Testing

The dynamic load testing setting consists of two separate discharge scenarios that have been developed of two different real-life FPV flights. Pattern one represents a high speed low proximity flight around the open field with some hovering to the end. Average load is around 22 A. Second pattern is a free-style flight around trees in the park with some current spikes near 70 A. Average load on this flight is around 13 A due to longer floating periods.

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Capacity Usage

During the test of pattern 1 the pack delivered 1421 mAh. This is 78.9 % of nominal capacity. Perfect. In patter 2 testing 1425 mAh (79.2 %) could be used until first cell reached cut-off voltage.

Market Comparison

The following charts give an overview of all tested packs in the 1800 mAh class so far.

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

The last chart of this review sums up the usable capacity during all four load scenarios. Please note that this is only the capacity consumed by the electronic load! There are losses due to heating of the pack, which could be approximated (see testing methodology page). All four tests are cut when any cell goes below cut-off voltage of 3,3 V (or pack goes above 58 °C on any of the three probes). If you would push further and go down to 3,0 V/cell you will be able to squeeze out some mAh more, but at the cost of excessive heat generation and shortening of pack life-span. This value will most likely differ from what you get when flying on a quad as most people don’t monitor voltage on a per cell basis and therefore don’t even notice if voltage drops below 3,3 V/cell during punsh-outs (what’s not necessarily a good thing, though). For comparison, used capacity until 3,3 V/cell is reached is the base line in all battery reviews on Drone-Zone.de.

Google Docs

Mit dem Laden des Diagramms akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
Mehr erfahren

Diagramm laden

SLS LiPos bei Amazon ansehen*

Conclusion

The new SLS NOC Race 4S 1800 mAh 2N battery is a small sized pack with a capacity to decent weight ratio of 8.95 mAh/g. Build quality of this battery is excellent.

The pack is rectangular shaped and keeps it shape under every load situation – no puffing what so ever! Voltage stability best we have seen yet. Cut-off should be chosen at 3,5 V / cell minimum.

Usable battery capacity is great. Cell matching is very good as well, absolutely nothing to complain about here.

The rating of 2N rating will be a mystery to the educated FPV pilot at first. We would rate this pack at astonishing 44 C continuous. This allows you to pull around 79.9 A without having to worry about the packs health too much.

More than enough head room for even the most demanding drone racers. As you can see in the dynamic load test, higher current spikes are handled very well. The battery almost seems bored even at highest loads. This makes the SLS NOC Race 4S 1800 mAh 2N battery the best performing FPV battery in the 1800 mAh class we have tested so far.

Very positive we have found the low operating temperatures, even under constant loads. The low IR translates in very low temperatures – and that’s with pre-heating as we do on all the tests.

For 35,99 € (retail price) this pack is certainly well worth the money.  It outperforms all other 1800-mAh-packs we have reviewed so far. Be aware that you will need a high end FPV racer setup to use the potential of this battery.

In the end 35,99 € are well spent, if you are looking for a 1800 mAh FPV battery that has the potential to blow your socks off. The ultra-low IR will most likely make a difference in serious FPV competition settings.

For every pilot looking for the next „amp supply monster“: Trying out the SLC NOC Race 4S 1800 mAh 2N is well worth a shot. We still can’t wait for the day, SLS discovers a cell chemistry worthy of being labeled „3N“.

SLS NOC Race 4S 1800 mAh 2N DZ Choice Award Web

Pro

  • Extreme low IR (= high „true C rating“)
  • „NO C“ is a noble approach to escape the C-rating marketing hype
  • Very high build quality
  • Perfect voltage stability
  • Low operating temperatures (most likely to last you for a long time)
  • Still fair pricing

Contra

  • Having all important data printed on the battery itself would have been nice

Other packs of this line up tested:

SLS LiPos bei Amazon ansehen*

Bleibt in Kontakt!

Wenn ihr über die neuesten Drohnen-News, Drohnen-Leaks, Drohnen-Gerüchte, Drohnen-Guides und Drohnen-Testberichte auf dem Laufenden bleiben möchtet, dann folgt uns gerne auf unseren Social-Media-Kanälen!

Außerdem freuen wir uns natürlich über eure Nachrichten oder Fragen in den Kommentaren!


Hinweis: Mit Sternchen (*) markierte Links sind Affiliate-Links / Partnerlinks. Mit einem Kauf über diesen Link erhalten wir als Seitenbetreiber eine Verkaufsprovision. So kannst du Drone-Zone.de ganz einfach unterstützen. Bitte beachtet, dass es sich bei Drone-Zone um eine reine Website zur Information und keinen Online-Shop handelt. Ihr könnt über unsere Seite keine Kaufverträge über die dargestellten Artikel abschließen und auch keine persönliche Beratung hierzu in Anspruch nehmen. Mehr Informationen dazu findest du hier.

Avatar-Foto

Nils Waldmann

Hi, ich bin Nils! Ich bin leidenschaftlicher Modellbauer, Hobby-Fotograf, Akku-Liebhaber und RC-Pilot. Ich berichte hier über die neusten Entwicklungen in der Drohnen-Branche und kümmere mich um detaillierte Anleitungen, Guides und Testberichte.

Schon gesehen?

Akkuladegerät - Junsi iCharger Teaser

Akkuladegerät für Drohnen: Worauf Du achten solltest

Dein Akkuladegerät bestimmt nicht nur, wie lange du zum Laden eines Flugakkus benötigst, es sorgt auch dafür, dass deine Lithium-Akkus sicher aufgeladen werden. In diesem Artikel nennen wir dir, die ... jetzt lesen!

Teaser Lipo Wächter

Sicherheitsupgrade: Lipo-Wächter

Diese Woche steht bei mir irgendwie ganz unter dem Stern der Sicherheit im Modellflug. Nachdem ich nun bereits die Wichtigkeit der Fail-Safe-Funktion beim Fliegen hervorgehoben habe, möchte ich in diesem ... jetzt lesen!

SLS NOC FPV Battery Series

SLS präsentiert SLS-NOC FPV Race LiPo Akkus

Der deutsche LiPo-Akkuhersteller SLS (Stefans Lipo Shop) hat seine neue FPV-Racing Akkuserie vorgestellt. Bei SLS geht man damit einen neuen Weg und verabschiedet sich endgültig vom C-Rating als Leistungsangabe. Die ... jetzt lesen!

Lipo Sicherheitskoffer Teaser

Vorstellung: Stabilit Lipo Sicherheitskoffer

Das die im Modellbau verwendeten Lithium-Polymere Akkus (kurz LiPo) nicht ganz ungefährlich sind, ist wohl hinlänglich bekannt. Wer bereits einmal einen Lipo gekauft hat, dem wird sicher das entsprechende, nicht ... jetzt lesen!

Schreibe einen Kommentar