Here's a question that's never been asked before...

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Here's a question that's never been asked before... - 1/17/2008 4:40:36 PM

styrenejunkie

Posts: 24
Joined: 2/3/2005
From: abilene, TX, USA
Status: offline

NOT!

What charger should I buy?

Okay, okay, I'm sorry for the subject line, but here's my situtation:

I am relatively new into electric aircraft. My desire is to go electric with all of my aircraft, including conversions of planes that would require .40s-90s glow engines. Obviously I need big power, and that's what brings me here today. I have a few LiPos (2-4S) that I use, but the plan is to use A123s for my bigger aircraft. For example, I'm working on a conversion for the Sig Mid-Star and am thinking that it will be powered by a 5S A123 pack, or two 5S A123 in parallel. My questions are:

1--What chargers do you recommend that have the capability of simultaneously charging and/or balancing two 5S A123 packs?

2--How long will it take the recommended chargers to completely charge 2 5S A123 battery packs? (How long will I have to wait between flights?)

3--Of the chargers that you recommend, which will also continue to be able to charge/balance my existing 2-4S LiPos?

I am familiar with the FMA CellPro 4S, and I've heard lots of good things about them. What about the CellPro 10S that is about to be released? Will it give me the best bang for my buck in my particular situation?

Thanks for the help!

Brian

Post #: 1

RE: Here's a question that's never been asked before... - 1/17/2008 6:34:14 PM

everydayflyer

Posts: 852
Joined: 8/21/2005
From: Buchanan, GA, USA
Status: offline

I

quote:

am familiar with the FMA CellPro 4S, and I've heard lots of good things about them. What about the CellPro 10S that is about to be released? Will it give me the best bang for my buck in my particular situation?

I have many ,many LiPoly chargers including a TP-1010C,modified AF -109(A123 mod),CellPro4, Balance Pro HD, Ni chargers and Dapters as well as my home made 3SA123 $10 Zip Charger and I have a CellPro 10 on order.

How long will it take to charge a completely disvcharged 5S A123 pack with the CellPro 10?
My guess is using a 12V Deep Clyle (a big one) at nonimal 12V under load about 15 minutes perhaps 17-18 min. It has two outputs so should do two 5S1P in the same length of time. Charing a 5S2P on a single output would double the charge time.

One thing to giver very serious consideration to is that this will be a very heavy load on the source battery. I run two 125Ah deep Cylces in parallel(250 Ah total) and when charging 4S and 5S A123 packs I often have 25-30 amp. load on my deep cycles and at times close to 40 amps.

Cell Pro 10 rated at approx. 300 watts output(150 per output ). My guess is with 12 volts source output will be closer to 130 watts. (Just a guess).

Based on my experience charging many A123 2300 packs each cell requires approx. 0.66Ah per charge. A 5S2P (10 cells) equals approx. 6.6Ah from the source(deep cycle(s). Remember deep cycles batteries are rated capacity wise discharged down to 10.5V and such deep discharging will shorten their life severely.

Charles

< Message edited by everydayflyer -- 1/17/2008 6:44:30 PM >

(in reply to styrenejunkie)

Post #: 2

RE: Here's a question that's never been asked before... - 1/17/2008 7:12:39 PM

styrenejunkie

Posts: 24
Joined: 2/3/2005
From: abilene, TX, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: everydayflyer

I
quote:

am familiar with the FMA CellPro 4S, and I've heard lots of good things about them. What about the CellPro 10S that is about to be released? Will it give me the best bang for my buck in my particular situation?

I have many ,many LiPoly chargers including a TP-1010C,modified AF -109(A123 mod),CellPro4, Balance Pro HD, Ni chargers and Dapters as well as my home made 3SA123 $10 Zip Charger and I have a CellPro 10 on order.

How long will it take to charge a completely disvcharged 5S A123 pack with the CellPro 10?
My guess is using a 12V Deep Clyle (a big one) at nonimal 12V under load about 15 minutes perhaps 17-18 min. It has two outputs so should do two 5S1P in the same length of time. Charing a 5S2P on a single output would double the charge time.

One thing to giver very serious consideration to is that this will be a very heavy load on the source battery. I run two 125Ah deep Cylces in parallel(250 Ah total) and when charging 4S and 5S A123 packs I often have 25-30 amp. load on my deep cycles and at times close to 40 amps.

Cell Pro 10 rated at approx. 300 watts output(150 per output ). My guess is with 12 volts source output will be closer to 130 watts. (Just a guess).

Based on my experience charging many A123 2300 packs each cell requires approx. 0.66Ah per charge. A 5S2P (10 cells) equals approx. 6.6Ah from the source(deep cycle(s). Remember deep cycles batteries are rated capacity wise discharged down to 10.5V and such deep discharging will shorten their life severely.

Charles

Based on all of the chargers and experiences that you have had, what would be your pick if you were in my situation?

Also, if I don't use a car battery to recharge my A123s because it might discharge the battery too excessively, then what is left at the field to use for quick charging?

(in reply to everydayflyer)

Post #: 3

RE: Here's a question that's never been asked before... - 1/17/2008 7:34:22 PM

everydayflyer

Posts: 852
Joined: 8/21/2005
From: Buchanan, GA, USA
Status: offline

From my first responce:

quote:

I have many ,many LiPoly chargers including a TP-1010C,modified AF -109(A123 mod),CellPro4, Balance Pro HD, Ni chargers and Dapters as well as my home made 3SA123 $10 Zip Charger and I have a CellPro 10 on order.

I would not have a Cell Pro 10 on order if I did not think it was the most bang for the bucks.

In your case

quote:

1--What chargers do you recommend that have the capability of simultaneously charging and/or balancing two 5S A123 packs?

The CellPro 10 is near perfect.

If you have AC power at the field a very power supply with a min. of 30 amps. at 13.8 volts , or at least one high capacity deep cycle battery again I use two of 125Ah ea (250 Ah total).

Charles

< Message edited by everydayflyer -- 1/17/2008 8:43:54 PM >

(in reply to styrenejunkie)

Post #: 4

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