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SpiderJets -> Revolutionary Li-Po cells of 5 Amps @ 2.11 ounce only !!! (3/22/2005 10:20 AM)
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Dear Friends,
I just happened to return from Seoul, Korea, where I had dinner with some RC friends affiliated to Kokam, the leading manufacturer of Li-Po cells (and other stuff).
Mr. B.J. Park, who is their factory pilot and the current Korean F3A champ, told me Kokam has just developed a new type of Li-Po cell with the following astonishing characteristics :
Cell : 3.7 V
Capacity : 5 Amps (!!!)
Weight : 60 grams (!!!!) (2,11 ounces)
Discharge : max 20C (but 40 C is now in developement and will be soon tested in R/C)
Charge rate : 1,5 C max
Life span : 500 cycles
He states to fly his new electric F3A plane with an 8S cell pack, can make 3 (three !!!) full pattern F3A flights without recharging, and the batteries do not really get warm.
Someone in Japan experimented with these cells too, and used them in a Byron F-16 with a brushless motor with modified D/F. Take-off weight with batteries etc was 6 kgrs (13.22 lbs)... and he had a static thrust of an unbelievable 6,5 kgrs (14,33 lbs) !!!!!!! during a full throttle time span of 4 minutes. Plane was said to be very fast and sounded like a real turbine jet (large fan revving at 23000 RPM).
I am sure, with this kind of figures, electric flight with these new Li-Po cells might become a real substitute for combustion engines, if not even for gas turbines.
The researchers of Kokam said they are not even by far at the limits of technology in this new field of LiPo yet, and expect to be able to make much better performing cells in the next coming years.
The cells used by Mr. Park should be available in the trade somewhere in 2006, as they are now testing with his help the stability etc of these, but all results so far look excellent.
Unfortunately, I had to return home the very next early morning, otherwise they would have shown me these cells and allowed me to witness some flights at the field.
I really hope they will allow me to take home some next time, for me to try in some of my fun electric indoor models !
Best Regards,
Nicolas GODDEERIS,
SpiderJets.
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