Raptor battery selection advice needed

[BenScoobert]

I have a raptor E550/E620 hybrid, basically it is an E550 with E620 boom and blades. Still the original E550 6S power system.

I bought it used, it came with 1 battery, a winforce 5000mah 30c which is 55x42mm, only weighs 671g too.
The battery gap in the raptor is 55x50mm, the winforce squeezes in and out but only just.

I'm looking to add to my batteries by 2, I was wondering if getting 2x 3S batteries would be better, that way I can charge them in parallel with my 450 size 32100mah 3S ones. Also the advantage of only losing 3S is one is faulty/damaged/crashed.

I don't need high C rated batteries as I'm still happy just hovering different orientations and a little forward flight. But I see no point going below 30c these days as price is negligible.

so my questions are
1. Do I stick with 5000mah or go higher/lower?
2. Do I get 1x 6S or 2 x 3S?
3. Zippy or turnigy, as I'l lbe ordering from HK germany
4. If I get 6S is it better to get a long lipo on a raptor?

[BenScoobert]

Right, I'm torn between these 6s packs
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : Turnigy 5000mAh 6S 40C Lipo Pack (DE Warehouse)
£56
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : Turnigy 5000mAh 6S 20C Lipo Pack (DE Warehouse)
£41
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : ZIPPY Flightmax 5000mAh 6S1P 20C (DE Warehouse)
£41

and these 3S packs
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : ZIPPY Flightmax 5000mAh 3S1P 45C (DE Warehouse)
£52 for 2
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : Turnigy 5800mAh 3S 25C Lipo Pack (DE Warehouse)
£62 for 2

If I go to 3c I can squeeze in 5800mah

[Jez N]

Personally i would go 6s.

Easier to get COG right to counterbalance the long tail boom. Not sure you would have room to run side by side. so you would need to run along battery tray length

Less fuss when charging and running series cables.

imo 4 batteries means more likely to have a fault in one than if you have 2 batteries. But i can see the opposite idea of less expense replacing a 3s than a whole 6s. But i wouldnt worry about that sort of thing too much

[BenScoobert]

Personally i would go 6s.

Easier to get COG right to counterbalance the long tail boom. Not sure you would have room to run side by side. so you would need to run along battery tray length

Less fuss when charging and running series cables.

imo 4 batteries means more likely to have a fault in one than if you have 2 batteries. But i can see the opposite idea of less expense replacing a 3s than a whole 6s. But i wouldnt worry about that sort of thing too much

yes they would have to go end to end, bottom shelf on raptor is about 32cm and some room hanging off front inside canopy, I like the 3s idea for charging as I have charge boards already, or if I go 6s I could series the 3s ones and charge all at 6s

on 3s I can go to 5800mah whereas 5000 is the limit on 6s
the current 6s sits pretty much central for perfect COG, so I'd guess 2x3S packs wouldn't be far off

25c 5800 2x 3s is 964g
20c 5000 6s is 754g or 793g
40c 5000 6s is 836g

this is the hardest decision I've had to make today and I even went to work for 6 hours

[BenScoobert]

I opted for 2 of these
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : Turnigy 5000mAh 6S 20C Lipo Pack (DE Warehouse)
49mm will be a close fit but should be OK I think