New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics  
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics
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New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/19/2003 9:48:41 AM   
carbon wingnut



Posts: 81
Joined: 5/25/2003
From: Sandy, OR,
Status: offline 		Hi All,

We at Fromeco Scale Avionics are currently working on a new charging system. We are currently in the initial testing Phases of our design with alpha and beta tests to follow very soon. We are hoping to release this new charger by the end of summer.

Our chargers basic specs are:

- 3 Port standard, (expandable to 4 and maybe 5 ports, for additional cost).
- Lithium Ion, NiCad, NiMH capable on all ports.
- Capable of charging different chemistries at the same time. (i.e. Lithium on port 1, NiCad on port 2, NiMH on port 3).
- 1.7 amp charge rate on all three ports, (Power supply dependent)
- Peak detect for NiCad and NiMH, with soft start for highly discharged packs, and post-peak cycle trickle charge.
- Lithium Ion charging will also have soft start for those who go below the VDC
Red line, and new packs. LI charging will rely on the standard methods to
monitor charge duration, (i.e. current/VDC/*timer (*timer in as safety precaution)).
- AC/DC input power capable.

-Will be made in America and serviced here as well.


We currently do not have plans for a discharge function to be built into the box. However, we may come out with a secondary unit that will have the discharge features. This way, every channel will not need the support electronics for discharging.

We have tried to streamline the charger as much as possible so that it will be affordable to the ordinary modeler. Besides being highly functional, cost is our driving factor.

When we release this unit, our target price is going to be $160.00 and it looks like this will happen for the 3 channel unit. The power supply will be sold separately. We will sell the power supply for $50.00, this however is not firm as we are still looking for cheaper power supply and/or cheaper wholesale distributor of the power supply that we need.

My partner and I have looked into including a discharger, liquid crystal displays, programmability over and above what we have already. It just adds too much to the price and ends up stinging the modeler in the end.

We just wanted to post this to all of you out here in cyberland and ask your opinions.

We will probably have a “name that new charger” contest, where the winner gets a new free charger.

Once we get out of the Alpha and Beta testing mode we will be posting pictures of the final unit. We will also want to take about 20 to 25 preorders before we start producing it.

Thank you for your time

Kurt Cook
Fromeco Scale Avionics LLC
[url]www.fromeco.org[/url]
[url]www.wingut@sandynet.org[/url]
       Post #: 1

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/19/2003 4:33:41 PM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		I think this should go in the product announcement section!

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http://www.rcaircraft.net/
Information on the building and flying of Radio Control Aircraft.
Site for hobbyist in the R.C. Aircraft modeling world.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 2

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/19/2003 5:21:47 PM   
howardm4


 

Posts: 119
Joined: 12/31/2001
Status: offline 		for the cost of a connector on the
motherboard, why not make the
discharge function an 'add-in' card
or only put discharge on 1 of the ports?

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 3

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/19/2003 8:00:03 PM   
carbon wingnut



Posts: 81
Joined: 5/25/2003
From: Sandy, OR,
Status: offline 		Geistware, we figured that we would post the product announcement when we officially announce the product to all modelers. We were hoping to get a little feed back from the experts in this forum.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 4

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/19/2003 8:18:58 PM   
carbon wingnut



Posts: 81
Joined: 5/25/2003
From: Sandy, OR,
Status: offline 		Hi howardm4,

To include a discharger on one channel would take a daughter board arrangement. This is very simple to do. The problem lies in that we are going to be using a "cookie cutter" arrangement for each channel or each channel will be the same as far as the mother board is concerned. So if we put down extra traces, to allow for a discharge daughter board, this will take up extra realestate intern costing more money. This wouldn't only effect one channel but all, due to the "cookie cutter" design. We could design 2 different motherboards but right now that is not cost effective. The mother board production costs are some of the highest costs associated with building something like this.

If these chargers become a viable option for folks, (some one wants to buy one). We will probably release a single channel at a later date with the discharge circuit. We would also allow folks to send in their charger for an upgrade or addition of the discharge circuit.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 5

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/19/2003 10:40:04 PM   
starzak



Posts: 1677
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Chacotoma, NM, USA
Status: offline 		Anything less then 4 ports Standard, just ain't gonna cut it for the guys who fly Big Birds, or have more then 1 bird in their van.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 6

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/20/2003 3:12:04 AM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Actually, I think 3 ports would work for most large planes. Two receiver packs and one ignition pack. The 4th port would be for the transmitter and I would not think that you would have to charge the transmitter each trip to the field!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GeeBeeJim
Anything less then 4 ports Standard, just ain't gonna cut it for the guys who fly Big Birds, or have more then 1 bird in their van. [/QUOTE]

_____________________________

Aircraft Proving Grounds
http://www.rcaircraft.net/
Information on the building and flying of Radio Control Aircraft.
Site for hobbyist in the R.C. Aircraft modeling world.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 7

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/20/2003 4:31:49 AM   
starzak



Posts: 1677
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Chacotoma, NM, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Geistware
The 4th port would be for the transmitter and I would not think that you would have to charge the transmitter each trip to the field! [/QUOTE]

Oh really ...... Well I hope that you won't mind too much if I continue to charge my Tx before I fly.
I'd feel so much better.
Thank you.

I stand by my original statement.

< Message edited by GeeBeeJim-RCU -- Jul 19 2003 11:41PM >

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 8

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/20/2003 5:00:01 AM   
Forgues Research



Posts: 3411
Joined: 12/15/2001
From: Glen Robertson, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I think it depends a lot on the type of aircraft one flies.

I have a Litco Alpha at this time and the reason I am going to the "Other " unit is because of the 5 output.

A lot of airplanes today have multiple batteries. I have two receiver batteries, one servo battery and one ignition battery, and then , yes I also like to charge my Tx. That is 5. I beleive I am not alone.

A lot of giant scale flyers use a single airborne pack and an ignition pack plus Tx. Then 3 outputs is fine.

Just my opinion

_____________________________

Evo Engines
http://forgues-research.com

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 9

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/20/2003 7:52:33 AM   
starzak



Posts: 1677
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Chacotoma, NM, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by aerografixs
I think it depends a lot on the type of aircraft one flies.
I have a Litco Alpha at this time and the reason I am going to the "Other " unit is because of the 5 output. [/QUOTE]

I whole heartedly agree. I would not purchase another unit with less then 4 ports, and 5 or 6 would even be better.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 10

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/20/2003 8:10:35 AM   
carbon wingnut



Posts: 81
Joined: 5/25/2003
From: Sandy, OR,
Status: offline 		Wow! Thank you for the great feed back - keep it coming

We will include an option to purchase a fourth channel for sure now. This option will of course add to the price, however we will still be more affordable per channel than any other 4 channel NiCad-NiMH out there, and will charge Lithium Ion. This is our goal, making a good end product that is not over priced.

Looking into the fifth channel right now. If we allow this as an option it would again drive the price up, but only for some one who wanted all 5 channels. As our 3 port would still be the standard unit. The only problem we see with 5 channels is power supply issues. At a 1.7 amp charge current, 4 ports are no problem. At 5 ports we are starting to run up to the 100watt power supply red line. Power supplies over the 100watt rating that are wall mount are hard to find, if they even exist, not to mention they are considerably more expensive.

Testing will shake out the fifth channel as a viable option. If it is a viable option then we will buy boxes big enough to hold from 3 to 5 channels.

Fromeco Scale Avionics
[url]www.fromeco.org[/url]

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 11

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/20/2003 9:32:11 AM   
starzak



Posts: 1677
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Chacotoma, NM, USA
Status: offline 		carbon wingnut: If you want to put yourself in the same class, and/or, even exceed the demand for the Alpha 4, then you've got to make at least 4 ports available !

I carry two giant scale planes to the events that I attend. Each has two parallel battery packs, ignition pack, and then of course, each plane has it's own TX. You've got a huge Giant Scale / Big-Bird market out here waiting to be tapped. Those of us who travel in vans, or pull a trailer load of planes, need more outputs !

< Message edited by GeeBeeJim-RCU -- Jul 20 2003 4:42AM >

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 12

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/20/2003 10:52:31 PM   
carbon wingnut



Posts: 81
Joined: 5/25/2003
From: Sandy, OR,
Status: offline 		Hi GeeBeeJim,

Thank you for the feedback

We will make 4 ports available. We are also looking into 5 ports too.

Adding another port only effects the price.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 13

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/21/2003 12:15:47 AM   
ragbag


 

Posts: 66
Joined: 6/26/2003
From: gainesville, FL, USA
Status: offline 		If I had two large scale aiplanes in a trailer and was going to a giant scale meet I would have two chargers. I wouldn't be caught with one defective charger in my trailer and try to find one to borrow. What ever my game I try to cover all base's, hence two chargers. You have onboard dual batteries? Why not two chargers, one for each plane.
George
RAGBAG

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 14

New Charger from Fromeco Scale Avionics - 7/21/2003 12:54:17 AM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Rag, I would agree. While I have seen a lot of giant scale planes with 2 or 3 packs, I wonder what percentage has more? Four ports will definately allow you to cover all the bases. I wonder what the cost increase would be between a 3 port and a 4 port charger?

_____________________________

Aircraft Proving Grounds
http://www.rcaircraft.net/
Information on the building and flying of Radio Control Aircraft.
Site for hobbyist in the R.C. Aircraft modeling world.

(in reply to carbon wingnut)
       Post #: 15