RE: Battery packs in reply to VaParkFlyer

RE: Battery packs in reply to VaParkFlyer
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RE: Battery packs in reply to VaParkFlyer - 1/1/2004 7:39:20 PM

JWR

Posts: 14
Joined: 11/6/2003
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Status: offline

Ditto what Mike said Chris.Its was much easier to balance the CG in my case. I have the 8000 mah packs. Just be 'VERY CAREFUL" to check that the 2 packs are balanced with a good voltmeter to with in .01 V of each other if you try charging in series per Jason at Thunder Power.

JWR

quote:

ORIGINAL: VaParkFlyer

Hey Guys,

What's the advantage to running 2S4P and a 3S 4P Thunder Power Li-Po's in series as opposed to just using a 5S4P pack? Also, what kind of flight times are you getting? What are you using -- 6,000mah size?

Thanks.

Chris E

(in reply to VaParkFlyer)

RE: Battery packs in reply to VaParkFlyer - 1/2/2004 2:40:08 AM

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Joined: 3/6/2003
From: Warrenton, VA, USA
Status: offline

Thanks, JWR and Atlantaeflyer. That makes complete, good sense to me. Thanks for the very good explanations. One more good reason to buy them individually that I was thinking of is that you can partner them individually in other combinations; such as the 2S4P with another 2S4P for an application that didn't need as many volts, and you'd end up perhaps with 45 minutes flying time. Such fun!
Chris E

< Message edited by VaParkFlyer -- 1/1/2004 9:41:00 PM >

(in reply to JWR)

RE: Battery packs in reply to VaParkFlyer - 1/2/2004 2:51:36 AM

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From: Warrenton, VA, USA
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Say, JWR, did you have a Lark X or just the power setup for it? If so, did you ever get it to fly right?
Chris E

(in reply to VaParkFlyer)

RE: Battery packs in reply to VaParkFlyer - 1/2/2004 4:35:16 AM

JWR

Posts: 14
Joined: 11/6/2003
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Status: offline

No Chris I had the Lark 3D not the X. I never assembled it as I sold the kit. I plan on putting that system into a Giles 202 from Esprit Model.

JWR

quote:

ORIGINAL: VaParkFlyer

Say, JWR, did you have a Lark X or just the power setup for it? If so, did you ever get it to fly right?

Chris E

z

(in reply to VaParkFlyer)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 2/9/2004 2:14:50 PM

Posts: 331
Joined: 1/18/2002
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Status: offline

I'm curious on how you guys are charging these series/parallel packs? Do you have to break out each series pack and charge them by themselves then reconnect them prior to installing them in the plane?

I have a Funtanna that I'm considering doing the conversion to.

Thanks.

_____________________________

Rich Thorne
Amarillo, TX
ARS: N5ZC
AMA: N5ZC

(in reply to JWR)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 2/9/2004 6:23:36 PM

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Joined: 5/24/2003
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
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If the pack is as a hole (ie. 5S4P hardwired together), I charge it as is (Series) at 1C (8000mah pack= 8 amps). If I am charging my packs that I am connecting together via a self made harness (ie. 3S4P 6ah pack using 2, 3S2P 3ah packs paralleled together via harness), I charge each pack seperate. It is becoming more common to seeing pilots use a combination of packs in P and make a harness to wire them is S. Or by seeing manufacturers include taps in their packs. This enables the user to monitor and maintain pack balance in the event one pack becomes too far off in voltage from the others. I still have my Funtana and am ordering another power package for it. I am using the power system in my Sukhoi at the moment, but need to get the Funtana back up before SEFF.

Mike

quote:

ORIGINAL: rthorne

I'm curious on how you guys are charging these series/parallel packs? Do you have to break out each series pack and charge them by themselves then reconnect them prior to installing them in the plane?

I have a Funtanna that I'm considering doing the conversion to.

Thanks.

(in reply to rthorne)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 2/10/2004 12:28:19 PM

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Joined: 1/18/2002
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the info Mike. In your example of a 5S4P battery, your charger thinks its seeing 5 large capacity cells in series, correct? What charger are you using to get the job done? The Astro 109 looks like a nice one.

< Message edited by rthorne -- 2/10/2004 3:07:59 PM >

(in reply to Mike Parsons)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 2/10/2004 9:06:29 PM

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From: Atlanta, GA, USA
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That is correct. It automatically senses the 5 cells. I use a Triton for my Nimh's and 3cell Lipoloys and the Astro 109 for 3 cells and up. The A109 is good to 9 cells.

Mike

< Message edited by Atlantaeflyer -- 2/10/2004 4:08:53 PM >

(in reply to rthorne)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 2/10/2004 11:55:28 PM

JWR

Posts: 14
Joined: 11/6/2003
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: rthorne

I'm curious on how you guys are charging these series/parallel packs? Do you have to break out each series pack and charge them by themselves then reconnect them prior to installing them in the plane?

I have a Funtanna that I'm considering doing the conversion to.

Thanks.

Hi rthorne,
I am charging my set up in series as per Jason at Thunder Powers strict recommendations. He can supply all the information you need to run and charge these packs in series. His number is 1-702-228-8883. My set up is one 2S4P and one 3S4P running in series. I use the Orbit charger V6.2 upgraded to the V6.3. When charging in series it sees 5 cells and will charge at up to 6 amps. As for the Astro Flight 109 I can't say. Mine has been on back order since 10/03!! Take a look at my thread posted on 11/18/03 and you can see how they fit and how I have the two packs hooked in series. I think you will like the conversion very much. Also Tru-turn has worked with me to come up with the necessary adapter and custom cut ultimate spinner for the bigger Hacker Acro Motor shaft and APC17-18" E props. Call Rick or Bob at Tru-turn if you want to run their spinner.
Good Flying,

JWR

(in reply to rthorne)

It automatically senses the 5 cells. - 2/11/2004 2:05:18 AM

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Joined: 1/27/2003
From: Deep in the Heart Of, TX,
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I have 39 flights (13 charge/discharge cycles at 3 flights/cycle) on one of my 5S4P pack which was made from one 2S4P and one 3S4P pack as has been described here. A second pack made the same way has 18 flights. Before connecting them in series, I first made sure each pack was fully charged. I then slowly discharged the newly made 5S4P packs at 1 amp, and then recharged at the same rate to assure they were balanced. Since then, I have charged at 5 amps (the limit of my chargers power supply) with no problems at all. The pack temperature will rise 12 to 15 degrees above room level while in the constant current cycle, then slowly decrease back to room temp during the constant voltage part of the cycle. During the summer, pack temps would rise to around 135 to 145 degrees during flight. This winter they have never gotten above 120 degrees. Discharge current is usually around 35 amps with bursts up to 55. I have no plans to charge the packs separately unless I see some indication that they have become unbalanced.

Later;

D.W.

(in reply to Mike Parsons)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 3/18/2004 5:13:56 AM

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From: carlsbad, CA, USA
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I am about to install the Hacker -Li Poly combo in a Funtana and appreciate all the comments.
Question: are there any other airframe changes recommended when going electric.

(in reply to d_wheel)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 3/18/2004 2:31:49 PM

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From: Atlanta, GA, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: sandiegoflyin

I am about to install the Hacker -Li Poly combo in a Funtana and appreciate all the comments.
Question: are there any other airframe changes recommended when going electric.

No changes needed. You can cut a hatch on the top of the fuse if you want to make battery changes easier (I did), but other than that, it should be built stock as far as the airframe goes.

-mike

(in reply to sandiegoflyin)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 3/19/2004 4:25:31 AM

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From: Amarillo, TX, USA
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What kind of flight time are you guy's getting?

(in reply to JWR)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 3/24/2004 7:33:51 PM

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From: Atlanta, GA, USA
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3-4 8 minute flights on the 8ah Thunderpower 4S4P. 3 Very comfortably with no question about go around room and 4 with "you might want to grease the landing just in case"

A couple of weeks ago, I got 2 10 minute flights with no throttle management and a ton of touch and goes and one 6 minute sport flying in with no fear of running out of juice. I cant remember exactly what I put back in, but I remembered it suprised me in how much AH I had left.

-mike

(in reply to rthorne)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 3/25/2004 12:43:59 AM

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From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Status: offline

Thanks Mike:

While it is pretty expensive to set these electrics up, one could have a lot of fun with two electrics. Fly one a couple of times charge it and fly the other. You could fly all day and not have a mess to clean up at the end of the day.

< Message edited by rthorne -- 3/25/2004 12:57:43 AM >

_____________________________

Rich Thorne
Amarillo, TX
ARS: N5ZC
AMA: N5ZC

(in reply to Mike Parsons)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 3/25/2004 1:35:23 AM

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Joined: 5/24/2003
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
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Yep. In cost equation, I spent $200 on my 4S4P (second hand purchase) and have over 50 flights on that pack. I am not sure what that would cost in fuel, but I am sure if I keep up this pace, it pay's for itself in a year over purchasing fuel. As long as you take care of the packs and dont stress them, there is no limit on how many charges they will take.

(in reply to rthorne)

RE: Hanger 9 Funtana 40S - 4/18/2004 9:26:53 PM

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From: Amarillo, TX, USA
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I took the plunge and am in the process of making my second Funtana electric. I've do