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A123 Field charger - 7/5/2008 4:37:55 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		What are you guys using to field charge your 2S packs on your planes? I want something that does not have to ballance whilst charging, does not have adaptors sticking out of it waiting to get lost in the grass (been there done that), plug in the 12v source one end and plug the Deans into the battery at the other, whilst refueling. I have a full ballancing all dancing charger, but just want something simple and cheap for field use.

Any ideas and links welcome.

Mike

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No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.
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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/6/2008 1:25:25 PM   
Capt Lou


 

Posts: 299
Joined: 1/3/2007
From: Manahawkin, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Look at the Cellpro 4S or 10S made by FMA. You can see it on www.sincityjets.com I bought the 4S and like it. I attach the battery connectors to a 12 volt source and in 5 minutes my batteries are charged.

(in reply to BaldEagel)
       Post #: 2

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/6/2008 11:46:16 PM   
aa2dd


 

Posts: 338
Joined: 5/25/2004
From: Frostproof, FL, USA
Status: offline

Has anyone out there tried the new Dura Trax Onyx 230 yet?

Bruce

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 5:05:24 AM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
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From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt Lou

Look at the Cellpro 4S or 10S made by FMA. You can see it on www.sincityjets.com I bought the 4S and like it. I attach the battery connectors to a 12 volt source and in 5 minutes my batteries are charged.


I already have a Bantam 902 which is superier to both the above, what I am looking for is a very basic A123 charger, one that does not have to have the ballance leads attached to charge, this is so I can top up on the field, not do a full charge or cycle or ballance, any one using such a device? or do you all use full singing and dancing chargers on the field?

Mike

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No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 12:44:58 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Found exactly what I wanted an inexpensive field charger for my A123 Rx pack: http://www.bestrc.com/flightpower/fpwc0111.html

Mike

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No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 1:55:26 PM   
Bob Pastorello



Posts: 5292
Joined: 2/23/2002
From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online 		Looks pretty good.... the reason you believe it will work properly for A123 cells is??
Is the "Fe" mode the one you plan to use?

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Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
Learn from others...you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself....

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 3:54:30 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Bob

Yes the "Fe" mode I have been told is a constant current designed for A123 batteries as on my Bantam 902, am I wrong in this assumption?

Mike

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No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

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       Post #: 7

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 4:03:01 PM   
Bob Pastorello



Posts: 5292
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From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: BaldEagel

Bob

Yes the "Fe" mode I have been told is a constant current designed for A123 batteries as on my Bantam 902, am I wrong in this assumption?

Mike


That's a good question. I think based on reading and watching my Cell Pro 4S, that it sure isn't putting out constant current, by any means. It seems to be modulating output current based on "reading" how the cells respond (hence the need for the balance lead full time, I believe). So the current is constantly decreasing literally from first connection as the cells respond.

I think I don't know enough about what the A123 chemistry needs, but the charger you show has the "Fe" mode, and there isn't any information about what it is doing (whether pulsing current, modulating voltage, etc.) Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the 902, but like you, I'm seeking a "toss in the car" charger to keep there for the occasional recharge needed when I go beyond 8 or 9 flights.

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Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
Learn from others...you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself....

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       Post #: 8

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 5:26:14 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Bob

As far as I understand it the main requirement of charging the A123's is a voltage of not over 3.6 volts, which the Fe programme I am told does, that's why you can't use a LiPo charger on them as they charge at up too 4.2 volts and modulate the current, the A123's I am also told don't worry to much about current or require ballancing as often, therefore my requirement for a non ballancing charger for on the field, I am charging through the Fromeco Kodiak switch as designed, I can ballance them when I get them back to my workshop.

Mike

_____________________________

No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

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RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 6:29:31 PM   
Bob Pastorello



Posts: 5292
Joined: 2/23/2002
From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online 		Thanks, Mike. That voltage issue makes sense.... and I appreciate the info.
I think I'll give the charger you show a go. Can't hurt. Sure can't beat the price/value.

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Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
Learn from others...you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself....

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       Post #: 10

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 6:47:34 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Bob

The added bonus is that I can charge my little LiPo's on the field as well for use in my SebArt Katana and Acromaster both of which always come with me to the field for some light relief and madness flying.

Have you had a look at the Kodiak switch, it has a digital read out of current consumed during the flight, it adds up on each flight until you reset the read out, stop you getting to near the cliff voltage drop that A123's have after approximatly 85% discharge, I still think they are better than LiPo's for the Rx supply as a two cell unregulated.

Mike

_____________________________

No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

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       Post #: 11

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 6:51:49 PM   
Bob Pastorello



Posts: 5292
Joined: 2/23/2002
From: El Reno, OK, USA
Status: online 		Yep. Those are nice gadgets... I think after the A123s have been "accepted" more, companies will start making discharger/monitors to assess a pack's capacity to learn it's individual characteristics.

Having said that - my 33% Ultimate still uses less than 275ma per 10 minute flight.... so assuming 75% capacity of a 2300 leaves me with more flying time than I can stand unless it is a "banner day". THEN, I'd be doing recharging just in principle.

I have been very pleased using them without regulators. Very nice.

_____________________________

Bob Pastorello www.rcaerobats.net
Learn from others...you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself....

(in reply to BaldEagel)
       Post #: 12

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/7/2008 7:00:57 PM   
BaldEagel



Posts: 4232
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Wychling, Kent, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Funny you should mention 275Mah per flight, some of the guys I fly with who fly F3A only use about 60Mah per flight doing the schedule, just shows how much power we use with our digital servo's and banging the sticks into the corners. LOL

Its 1900hrs in the Uk and I need some Alcahol to keep me going, so I am going off line, nice to speak to you.

Mike

_____________________________

No matter what anyone says 100% is the maximum you can get.

(in reply to Bob Pastorello)
       Post #: 13

RE: A123 Field charger - 7/8/2008 4:35:50 AM   
Panzlflyer



Posts: 1940
Joined: 2/28/2002
From: Goldsboro, NC, USA
Status: offline 		The Bantams LIFE settings are correct for A123s...use it all the time cutoff as per A123s instructions.
Orbit Pocketlader also works real well, upgradeable via internet. Incredible small unit.

(in reply to BaldEagel)
       Post #: 14