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ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 1/26/2003 2:59:01 AM   
jstyme4



Posts: 34
Joined: 4/26/2002
From: Mt.Vernon, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Red , You have any suggestions for my previous question?
Looks like I can,t get a responce from the rep.

(in reply to Heads_Up)
       Post #: 26

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 1/26/2003 3:24:06 AM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4980
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by jstyme4
Hey Red , You have any suggestions for my previous question?
Looks like I can,t get a responce from the rep. [/QUOTE]

I think they may be using both technolgies.

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Red S.
AMA 951 Leader Member

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       Post #: 27

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 1/29/2003 12:59:00 AM   
Heads_Up



Posts: 288
Joined: 5/8/2002
From: Mesquite, TX, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by jstyme4
What setup would you recommend for a speed 300 motor on a Jeti 15 amp ESC? I am new to electrics and am very interested in anything that would boost my flying time above the normal 5-8 minutes. What kind of increase should I expect on these batteries, and what would a complete package(batt, leads,charger) cost? [/QUOTE]

Thank you for your interest in Lithium batteries and PowerfLite Products. Sorry for the delayed response. I have had some medical issues that have now been resolved ... hopefully

With regards to your electric motor application, current Lithium Ion and Lithium Poly technology is hampered when it comes to some of the amp demands from electric motors. A 15 amp draw would far exceed the desired discharge rating of a Lithium battery for practical purposes. We in the industry see that as the technology grows for the entire rechargeable battery field, we will see Lithium batteries in the near future that will handle these demands.

If the amp rating for your electric motor is in the maximum of ... say ... 8 to 9 amps, then we can handle something like that. You are sort of "right on the fringe" with a Speed 300 sized motor. Please feel free to give us a call or post here again and we will be happy to discuss this in more detail.

Rick Head
Marketing and Public Relations
Skyborn Electronics / PowerfLite
R/C Power Solutions
[email]Info@bktsi.com[/email]
http://www.rcpowerflite.com
972-267-5099


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Heads_Up

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       Post #: 28

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 1/29/2003 1:06:12 AM   
Heads_Up



Posts: 288
Joined: 5/8/2002
From: Mesquite, TX, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by ml3456
Am I correct that Duralite's are only Lithium ion, not Lithium Poly like some other packs are?

ML [/QUOTE]

Hope all is well. To our knowledge, DuralitePLUS only offers Lithium Ion battery packs. There latest ads "say" they carry Li-Poly, but at this time we at PowerfLite have yet to see them.

I would suggest that you contact the folks at Duralite. I am sure Emory would be more than happy to discuss this issue with you.

Just so you know ... we at PowerfLite carry Lithium packs in Cylindrical, Prismatic, AND Polymer designs to BEST meet the needs of ALL our customers.

Best Regards

Rick Head
Marketing and Public Relations
Skyborn Electronics / PowerfLite
R/C Power Solutions
[email]Info@bktsi.com[/email]
http://www.rcpowerflite.com
972-267-5099

< Message edited by Heads_Up -- Jan 31 2003 3:11AM >


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Heads_Up

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       Post #: 29

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 1/29/2003 2:35:56 AM   
Heads_Up



Posts: 288
Joined: 5/8/2002
From: Mesquite, TX, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by HSchlange
I have a question about the long term care of lithium-ion batteries. With batteries that I currently use, nicads, I use a trickle charger that is always charging my batteries. At this time of year they can be on the charger for months at a time with out use. I ocassionaly use a cycler to discharge the batteries to make sure they are in good condition. I have complete confidence that my airplanes are ready to go at a moments notice if the weather cooperates. I have batteries that are several years old that still hold their capacity and work quite well. What are the performance characteristics of lithium-ion in comparision to the old fasioned nicad in this area.

Thanks [/QUOTE]

Thank you for your interest in PowerfLite products. You pretty much answered your own question. You stated "I occasionally use a cycler to discharge the batteries to make sure they are in good condition". With PowerfLite Lithium Batteries, it is never necessary to cycle your packs. They never develop a memory, therefore never need the deep discharge a Ni-Cd requires. This holds true for non-down-time usage as well. You can charge a Lithium pack at any time, regardless of its percentage of max capacity you have used and not have to worry about damaging the cell's life cycle.

Hope I could help.

Rick Head
Marketing and Public Relations
Skyborn Electronics / PowerfLite
R/C Power Solutions
[email]Info@bktsi.com[/email]
http://www.rcpowerflite.com
972-267-5099


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Heads_Up

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       Post #: 30

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/4/2003 1:52:49 AM   
jltray


 

Posts: 61
Joined: 1/22/2003
From: Winston, GA, USA
Status: offline 		I'm glad to see this area on the forums.

I have 2 (Panasonic CGP-34506) 875mAh batteries that I'm going to run in series to get my 7.2V. I think I will put these in my Pico-Stick and see how they run. The testing that I have performed on the Pico-Stick shows it pulls 1.8-2A in full throttle. Acoording to your statement above these batteries show be used at 1.7A, so I will be on the outer edge of these batteries.

I will also check the run time using my Triton to see what flight times we get at this draw. I would also like to test some of your batteries if possible.

My questions: When do you use a voltage regulator?

As far as the Triton charger. I received mine about a week ago. I have charged, Ni-CD, NiMH, Li-Ion and it works great. Just remember to use the right settings . I use the temperature probe which does work and is a must when charging any lithium battery. But using the right settings keeps the batteries from heating up in the fist place. The updated user manual on the website [URL=http://www.electrifly.com/manuals/gpmm3150-manual-v1_1.pdf]Triton User Manual v1.1[/URL] also helps a lot as it has a chart of what settings to use on most batteries.

I like the Lithium batteries and I will keep you posted on my results.

Jimmy

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Jimmy T.

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       Post #: 31

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/4/2003 2:59:11 AM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4980
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Heads_Up


With PowerfLite Lithium Batteries, it is never necessary to cycle your packs. They never develop a memory, therefore never need the deep discharge a Ni-Cd requires. This holds true for non-down-time usage as well.

Rick Head
Marketing and Public Relations
Skyborn Electronics / PowerfLite
R/C Power Solutions
[email]Info@bktsi.com[/email]
http://www.rcpowerflite.com
972-267-5099 [/QUOTE]

Ni-Cd and Ni-MH packs should be cycled occasionally to check on their capacity so you know when they should be replaced. I assume lithium packs have a finite life span also. If you don't cycle them once in a while to check their capacity what protocol do you use to determine when they should be replaced.

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Red S.
AMA 951 Leader Member

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       Post #: 32

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/4/2003 4:21:12 AM   
ml3456-RCU


 

Posts: 558
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: Darien, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Red,

I agree with you. Lithium's don't have a memory and don't need to be treated like Nimh or Nicd, but how do you tell when they start to degrade or check their capacity. Lots of good cheap chargers for lithiums. FMA direct has them for $30. But the only charger I saw that could tell me how much capacity the battery had or had left was one from MAHA for $99.

I think the use of Lithium will greatly increase in a very short time!

ML

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       Post #: 33

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/10/2003 6:55:15 AM   
Foxtrot_019



Posts: 100
Joined: 8/30/2002
From: Bellevue, WA, USA
Status: offline 		I went to an expo in Puyallup WA, and bought some Lithium Ion Batteries from a dealer there. However, the batteries either don't charge or something because they don't work. I charge them for about 2 hours, and nothing. On the charger, there is a little light which is supposed turn green when the batteries are done. But i've never seen it turn green. All i know is that my two 7.2v 1200 mah batteries and charger were assembled by the Poweron Corporation in Las Vegas Nevada. No phone number for help or any type of return policy.

Please help me out here. I don't know what to do with this stuff.

-Foxtrot

(in reply to Heads_Up)
       Post #: 34

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/10/2003 5:00:33 PM   
jltray


 

Posts: 61
Joined: 1/22/2003
From: Winston, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Have you used a meter and checked the batteries. There should be no less that 3.0v per cell. If these are 2 cell packs then it should be 6.0v no less.

The other thing to check, if it came with a manual, see how long it should take to charge. Li-ion cells are normally charged at a slow rate and could take up to 24hrs. to complete.

I use a Triton charger and I'm just starting to test some 875mAh cells. I have attached the chart from the user manual, maybe it will help.

Jimmy

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Jimmy T.

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       Post #: 35

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/11/2003 12:32:47 AM   
Foxtrot_019



Posts: 100
Joined: 8/30/2002
From: Bellevue, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Does the 6.0 v include load or not?

-Foxtrot

(in reply to Heads_Up)
       Post #: 36

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/11/2003 12:36:58 AM   
Foxtrot_019



Posts: 100
Joined: 8/30/2002
From: Bellevue, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Another thing I forgot to mention is that i am using a 15A speed controller. Could the ESC be sucking too much juice and doing something there.
When i check the batteries for the 6v, and if i find that they are below, what then do i do?

-foxtrot

(in reply to Heads_Up)
       Post #: 37

ALL Lithium Ion Questions are welcome here - 2/11/2003 2:22:52 AM   
jltray


 

Posts: 61
Joined: 1/22/2003
From: Winston, GA, USA
Status: offline 		From what I have read, if the voltage drops below 3v per cell it can damage the batter as far as storage capacity and this is without a load. But I would get a time of how much you can run at full throttle and cut the flight short by 2 minutes.

I read earlier in this tread that you should try to keep the current draw to 2*C (1200mAh would be 2400mAh or 2.4A). I have a Pico Stick what I'm going to outfit with my 875mAh batteries. I put a meter in line with the battery and tested the plane at full throttle. It pulls 1.8A or 1800mA. This is just over the suggested rating I read earlier.

The one thing we don't know about these batteries and how much abuse they can handle. Charging is a no brainer, do not charge them faster that specified and make sure they do not get hot (WARNING: THEY CAN LEAK OR EXPLODE). I have a temperature probe with my Triton charger and it works good. I have not tripped the charger by over charging a batter to where it gets hot, but I use it just in case I do something stupid like charge them at way over the ratings.

If you do not know how much current your plane will use I would suggest using a multi-meter that can give you amperage readings. Then you will know what ratings the batteries, fuse, ESC should be.

As I build my planes I will try to post some information on a web site to help us newbies, yes I to am a newbie.

Later
Jimmy

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Jimmy T.

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