RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no word here!  
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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no wo... - 12/17/2007 1:06:12 PM   
plasticman


 

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I found one of the tabs to fall off rather easy; this was out of three packs that I was building. I think what I will do is cover the tabs with electrical grade silicon. That should hopefully secure the tab and provide a little protection from vibration as my appliation is for a gas plane. I am using twin receiver packs with a Smart-Fly battshare for redundancy.

David


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Plasticman

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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/21/2007 11:17:00 PM   
AmateurE


 

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I have to concur with others regarding the tabs falling off. Out of the 4 VPX packs, 3 cells had the tabs fall off in my hand. The other cell was firmly welded.

Bob

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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/22/2007 1:15:06 AM   
thaus


 

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With tab failure this frequent, how can anyone chose these cells to power their receivers?

(in reply to AmateurE)
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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/22/2007 1:24:48 AM   
coro_sk


 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: AmateurE

I have to concur with others regarding the tabs falling off. Out of the 4 VPX packs, 3 cells had the tabs fall off in my hand. The other cell was firmly welded.

Bob

When using BEC, it seems to be a problem. I plan using the cells in miniEllipse which I love, the risk of crash is strongly not welcome..
I will backup receiver power, probably, even if I have no tabs to fall off my M1A cells.

Anyway, You can solder to those cells, there is no problem EXCEPT A RISK OF DAMAGE to cell..
You have to be really as quick as possible, I mean half of a second. Then cool the cell terminal by wet sponge, immediately.
If not succesfull, let it cool down and try again later, never try to repeat immediately..

(in reply to AmateurE)
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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/22/2007 2:42:42 PM   
everydayflyer



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quote:

ORIGINAL: thaus

With tab failure this frequent, how can anyone chose these cells to power their receivers?



I have read post of $4000 plus aerial video Helies being crashed due to poor welds on LiPoly tabs so what else is new?

My record:

A123 Racing /DeWalt 2300 mAh cells.
4 cell from A123 Racing and one had one dab weld. All of the Dewalt cells ahve been fine.
I have built
5-- 4S packs
4- 4S packs
1 -6S pack
2-3S packs
Total of 48 DeWalt cells in packs plus I have on hand a 10 cell brick , a 4S group and a 2S group , all welds checked for a grand total 64 Dewalt / A123 Racing cells. I also have one DeWalt that is unopended so welds unknown.

Each cell has 4 welds one each end so 8X64=512 welds with one bad one.

I have built 4- 4S packs from the B&D VPX packs and all welds have been fine.

Charles




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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/23/2007 11:23:27 AM   
coro_sk


 

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Right now I am curious whether the single post appeared yet, about A123 M1A cell failing with open circuit, was the function of internal fuse going to open circuit, or perhaps failed tab, hopefully? I would be glad if it would be just the tab falling off..

Anyway, I will backup receiver power in my full mould electric powered glider. But I will let it be in small foamies.

And in addition, few small diodes hooked to balance port, may help bridging the open cell. Motor must cutoff immediately, but receiver and servo power may run thru balance port, bypassing open circuited cell thru diode, and use power of remaining cells. Diodes will be added to Cellshield-like DIY device. It just have to be avoided to reverse connection (it would burn diodes immediately).
And I dont expect troubles with powering just the receiver by 2s pack, as the currents are small compared to what electric motor consumes - but with tabs secured, or wires soldered to cells.

(in reply to everydayflyer)
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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/23/2007 3:10:25 PM   
dick Hanson



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For the truly faint of heart and naysayers
(oddly enough ,those who never use anything till it's obsolete )
We offer the attached help

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< Message edited by dick Hanson -- 12/23/2007 3:11:50 PM >


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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/23/2007 3:47:50 PM   
Lormuhl


 

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Amen to that Dick. After following these 123 threads I had to build one pack and test them for myself. After much testing, to see it for myself I decided to convert. I have already converted my H9 Ultimate biplane, GP Ultimate, Aerowrks 90-120 Yak and soon will be converting my Aeroworks 100cc Yak to A123's. I have done away with my regs. Theses cells are fantastic. With all of the cells I have built so far, VPX packs and 2300's I have not experienced any bad welds to date.

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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/23/2007 5:03:31 PM   
dick Hanson



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Yeh - I beat the shi- out of my 2300s and the 1100 by using the 1100's in a big foamie -and ran em flat time after time after time and watched the voltage shifts balancing as recharge occurred on EACH cell (using CellPro 4 charger).
Funny thing --according to the charger and then the othe NON balancing charger - I did absolutely zero harm to the cells .
When I see comments about "excssive tab failure" - I can bet money - the writer has no experience whatsoever with these -or likely-- any cells.
Some hints for the totally uninitiated :
1. If you are going to build a pack - enlist the assistance of someone who has some experience in soldering wires to cells - these are all very easy to do but there are basics in doing ANY cell soldering
2 get a charger which does balance and displays each cell during charge and balance.
Tho this is not mandatory - it is awfully helpful in seeing what the heck actually occurs.
3. At the very least, get a inexpensive VOM (That's a Volt Ohm Meter) and read cell voltages
4. make a simple discharge device -from tail light bulbbs of'n an old Chev is fine (#1157) and wath voltage during discharge
good info - compare it with ANY/ALL other cells you use .
The A123 cells have a very flat discharge -read charts (If you understand what they represent ) and then see how your own setup compares . After all this is accomplished and absorbed --- Then publish comments about how well other cells compare to these, used for power and servo power.



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< Message edited by dick Hanson -- 12/23/2007 5:12:39 PM >


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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/23/2007 5:51:13 PM   
Mr.Pibb


 

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My tab failure was NOT due to anything I did. It was broken straight out of the package. I've not had any fail after the fact.
I've soldered directly to the cells a few times with no problems (including the one that the tab had fallen off of).

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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/23/2007 5:56:39 PM   
dick Hanson



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good show!
I bet the cell also works as well as the others
Y/N?
These are tough little buggers .

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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/24/2007 12:03:41 AM   
cyclops2


 

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I switched from NIMH to DEWALT & B&D PVX. I never felt like I was risking anything just to fly. LIFE is good. Hey. Lithium Iron does mean LIFE.

I sold the 4 fire extingushers.

Rich


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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/24/2007 4:06:09 AM   
AmateurE


 

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Just wanted to say I think these cells are excellent in my planes. I have been making 3S2P packs out of old laptop batteries for a long time so a 4S A123 1100 is a lot lighter and offers huge power benefits. What's not to like. The tabs falling off is just something you're going to have to check when you build your packs. While in their original VPX holder, I doubt one would see any failures when used in its intended tool as there is no opportunity for the tabs to move. The 3 out of 4 VPX packs that lost the tab came off with barely a touch of a finger. If the weld is going to fail, I'm sure you'll see it when you repace the original wiring. No big deal as soldering is quite easy.

Bob

(in reply to cyclops2)
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RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no w... - 12/24/2007 7:38:01 PM   
dirtybird