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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> Litco Systems Alpha 4
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Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 2/10/2003 10:23:41 PM   
buc-le bill


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 7/31/2002
From: Harleysville, PA, USA
Status: offline 		I sent my e mail order for an Alpha 4 at 9:00:15 EST
Atomic Clock Time.
Order was not accepted.What did I do wrong?
Bill M

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 101

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 2/10/2003 11:53:06 PM   
OldRookie


 

Posts: 579
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Prior Lake, MN, USA
Status: offline 		Not everyne that sends in an order is going to get on the list. If he only has 100 units available in the next run and gets 400 orders, 300 will be turned down.

Greg

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 102

Re: ALPH 4 - 2/11/2003 1:23:46 AM   
sfaust



Posts: 1788
Joined: 9/6/2002
From: Boston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Yes, I got your e-mail. I haven't replied yet. I apologize.

I use a mix of battery types. However, I have been thinking of settling on a couple standard batteries, and using only those. What I currently have now is a mix of NiCd and NiMh. Most of my smaller planes have standard NiCd packs in the 700 to 1700mah range. My larger planes are all NiMh with 2700mah dual packs for the receiver/servos, and 2150mah for the ignition. Most of my charging is all on the Alpha 4, and in overnight mode.

Typically, I use the I and C devices for both NiCd's and NiMh packs. Since I don't need the batteries charged till the morning, I use those devices because its easy on the batteries. If I am in more of a rush, I use the A device for the NiCd's. I've never needed to fast charge the NiMH packs yet, but if I did, i'd use the Super Nova I have at a 2 or 4 hour rate, which would have them fully charged in about 1 to 3 hours (assumed a 30% or so charge remaining in the packs when put on charge.)

Again, I rarely if ever fast charge anything with the exception of some of my smaller glow airplanes with single NiCd packs, my Ni-Starters, or my on-board batteries for night flying. Its not because I have anything against it, its just because I size my packs such that I can fly uninterrupted without having to fast charge at the field. I just don't what to have to stop flying, because I need to charge something. Lazy I guess

Two airplanes at the field, fully charged, will outlast me! Then, at C/10 overnight rates, they are ready to go again, uninterrupted, by about 4am. In essence, I can't keep up with them even if I flew hard all day long

_____________________________

Stephen
www.StephenFaust.com/giantscalerc

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 103

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 2/11/2003 1:29:28 AM   
sfaust



Posts: 1788
Joined: 9/6/2002
From: Boston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by buc-le bill
I sent my e mail order for an Alpha 4 at 9:00:15 EST
Atomic Clock Time.
Order was not accepted.What did I do wrong?
Bill M [/QUOTE]

You might not have done anything wrong at all. I don't know if they pick the e-mails to accept at random, or pick those in order. It could just be the luck of the draw. Your e-mail could have hit a clogged up server along the way and delayed. Or maybe they didn't like the way you signed your name. Who really knows.

If you send it right around 9:00am, put Alpha4 in the subject header, and included your full name, address, and phone number, you did everything right. After that, if I can steal a line from the movie Shakespeare in Love, "Its a mystery".

_____________________________

Stephen
www.StephenFaust.com/giantscalerc

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 104

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 2/11/2003 1:49:40 AM   
SPB2POPS



Posts: 13
Joined: 11/14/2002
From: WILMINGTON, DE, USA
Status: offline 		Stephen

NO hurry on the Email..I just wanted to make sure that it got to you.


Since you have 2 Alpha's you can do 2 planes and be fine.

My main question is regarding NIMH batts, and it sounds like you are charging large packs, ok.

I'm starting to think about how to 'put' together the charging leads for the UCII.

Can't get to the DR's website today either..

Thanks

Stephen B.

AMA 22299

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 105

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 2/11/2003 3:32:31 AM   
sfaust



Posts: 1788
Joined: 9/6/2002
From: Boston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Yes, I can do both planes, my transmitter, and a smaller glow airplane for night flying, etc, with the two Alphas. But as mentioned before, I ordered a UCII to evaluate it as a replacement for one of the Alphas. It would give me another 4 extra ports, and I would still have one Alpha for the more advanced functions over the UCII when needed. The cost difference isn't much at all based on what a used Alpha 4 goes for on e-bay.

I should have the UCII in a couple weeks, and within a month or two, I should know if I want to keep the UCII or the extra Alpha.

I'll get to your e-mail later tonight

_____________________________

Stephen
www.StephenFaust.com/giantscalerc

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 106

Charger Roulette - 2/11/2003 7:25:31 AM   
bralex


 

Posts: 158
Joined: 2/1/2002
From: Furlong, PA,
Status: offline 		Stephen,

Thanks ever so much for all your help and time on answering my many questions. I have decided to buy a Orbit charger which with my Super Nova and a timed slow charger should take care of business in a safe and fairly efficient way. If I'm crazy about the Orbit, maybe I'll get another. If you'll be at the WRAM show Saturday, I'd enjoy meeting you. Thanks again and Best Regards!

Bruce


_____________________________

bralex

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 107

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 2/11/2003 9:12:25 AM   
sfaust



Posts: 1788
Joined: 9/6/2002
From: Boston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		No problem, and glad I could help some. You found something that works for you, and your needs, and thats what you were after. If the orbit doesn't work, there is e-bay, and more units to try later

I won't be at the WRAM show. I'll be flying turbines in sunny Florida. Being a born and bred California boy, I've had enough of these New England 20deg days for a while! I chipped the motor home out of the ice, and warmed up the inside. Time for a quick break.

_____________________________

Stephen
www.StephenFaust.com/giantscalerc

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 108

ultimate charger - 3/30/2003 6:37:56 PM   
R/C Foolish



Posts: 1042
Joined: 2/1/2003
From: BILLERICA, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Steve,

Did you ever get the UCII? What do you think of it? I have an Alpha that I got from Ray, mine won't ship until August and I have an Accucycle Plus. I am trying to decide what to put in the trailer for charging. I don't know if I should get another Alpha or the UCII.

John

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 109

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 3/31/2003 3:09:21 AM   
sfaust



Posts: 1788
Joined: 9/6/2002
From: Boston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Yes, I got the charger, and it works great. Perfect for the trailer, while using the Alpha for management functions. However, when I ordered mine, the owner stated that he wasn't going to make any new ones. But I also heard that he did make one more batch because of demand. I don't know if he has any left from that batch or not.

I'll would write up a quick review on it, but it seems pointless if they are no longer available.

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_____________________________

Stephen
www.StephenFaust.com/giantscalerc

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 110

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 3/31/2003 10:16:10 AM   
sideshow



Posts: 2458
Joined: 11/29/2001
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Is the UC 2 a peak detection charger?


Bob


_____________________________

Bob Convery

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 111

Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 3/31/2003 11:33:40 AM   
sfaust



Posts: 1788
Joined: 9/6/2002
From: Boston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		No. And thats its biggest downfall. If it was a peak detect charger, it would blow the doors off the Alpha in many ways. its basically a timed charger. However, since NiCd's are fine if you feed it a 16 hour charge at C/10 even if full, the UCII is a plug and forget for 8 ports. However, it is an overnight charge. Using it in this mode, means you can just pre-program the charger for the batteries you use, then just plug in the airplane when you put it in the trailer and forget about it till dawn. It will then be ready to go the next day. Nothing to program, setup, or mess with. Very convenient.

Or, you can estimate the amount of charge that the battery would need, and program the charger to deliver that by adjusting the current it provides from C/10, C/7.5, or C/5 rates, and/or adjusting the mah settings. So if you don't mind programming each time you hook something up, you can give the batteries only the charge they need at rates above C/10.

I just use C/10 since I want to just plug in the charger lead, and forget about it. Worse case, the batteries get overcharged for a few hours, but at C/10 its a non-issue. And the turnaround time needed is always from the end of the flying day, to the beginning of the next. Plenty of time for C/10 to fully charge the batteries since they are never drawn down more than 75%.

It also does some checking when you plug in the battery, as well as when you unplug it. You will get a series of beeps to let you know all is good, or you need to check the pack. You can also just look at the display for the same info.

_____________________________

Stephen
www.StephenFaust.com/giantscalerc

(in reply to AnthonyI)
       Post #: 112

RE: Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 1/4/2008 2:41:59 PM   
b.bixel


 

Posts: 261
Joined: 1/1/2002
From: Marysville, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Just curious... Anybody buying an Alpha 4, or did anyone buy one in 2007?

(in reply to sfaust)
       Post #: 113

RE: Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 1/4/2008 5:24:59 PM   
rlmcnii


 

Posts: 399
Joined: 7/3/2005
From: Pocomoke City, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Litco has apparently gone the way of the Wooly Mammoth

(in reply to b.bixel)
       Post #: 114

RE: Litco Systems Alpha 4 - 1/4/2008 10:18:45 PM