ScaleCrazy

I set p my gasser with a switch and 2 fromeco 2600 batterys. Each flight uses around 100 milli amps from each pack. Way overkill but I needed the weight.

drac1

My Feedback: (4)

I used Duralite Li Ions a lot before going to LiFe's. I still have them in my large scale planes.

Li Ions are heavier than LiFe's and this set up here would be heavier again.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

I appreciate your thoughts.

But load testing A123's isn't useful.

I'm glad to hear you're having success using that method though, so, whatever works

drac1

My Feedback: (4)

Yeah, different things work for different people.

I'm no expert when it comes to batteries, just work it out as I go along. I'm interested to know why load testing isn't useful for checking Life's. Appreciate your info.

StevL

The general thought is a life battery will hold it's voltage to the bitter end, when that end is reached the voltage drops like pouring water from a pitcher. This makes checking voltage even under load useless, unless you happen to check it when at the end of it's capacity then you can watch it drop quickly.

Steve

drac1

My Feedback: (4)

OK, thanks. The way I'm checking has worked 100% successful for over 3 years now, so don't see the need to change.
Good info to know though.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

The point I'm making is you really don't know if you have 40% remaining or 5%

drac1

My Feedback: (4)

As it turns out, I do. Hundreds of flights doing it my way and every charge gives very similar mah input.

ScaleCrazy

I'm not to say on proper voltage. I go by mah. I have 2 2600 mah batterys. Each battery uses 100 mah per flight. If I fly 10 flights in 1 day I should have roughly 1600 mah left in each pack. I never fly that much in a day and top off batterys the night before.

tp777fo

My Feedback: (28)

A123, dual batteries.

Jeti USA

This is one area I just do not care anymore, fully charge dual Rx batteries, reset telemetry and set up alarms (When setting up model). Once done, all you have to do is flip switch that resets telemetry after changing to fresh packs. I used to verify used capacity on the charger but the packs were always only 20-30mAh off the capacity measured by my Jeti radio, simply no more problems.

With Central Box 200/400 I also get shorted servos alarm, if servo fails radio prompts me instantly.

Zb/Jeti USA

M3Baker

I use A123 in my jets. Two of them have Electrodynamics batteries and I'm running the new Horizon Hobby 4000mAh in my new jet. I always use a power safe receiver and plug the batteries in for each flight. Just my opinion, but I think we tend to overthink batteries. Most of us also use way more mAh than needed too. I'll fly 3 or 4 flights and only put like 600mAh back in when I recharge.
Giant scale? Whole different story. I only use lipos and run voltage regulators for my planes that don't have HV servos. Don't know why, but I just do it that way on big gassers.

M3Baker

i can't argue with the Jeti stuff. It's good equipment, and everyone I know who uses their systems is impressed with all of the capabilities. I'm just too deep in another direction to make all of the changes.

FenderBean

same here too deep into futaba

VF84sluggo

My Feedback: (55)

Exactly...nothing else needed or required.

CraigG

My Feedback: (40)

I'm not sure I agree that load testing A123's is not useful. Someone else mentioned this tester from Electrodynamics which measures down to one hundredth of a volt. I've used it for several years now.



http://www.electrodynam.com/store/EDR-207.html

One the other hand, I leave myself a large margin for error and usually recharge after 3 or 4 flights. Easy to do since A123's charge so quickly.

Craig

lxfly

+1
Just discharging to 40-50% of capacity, always check if capacity charged stays about the same for 3-4 flight on turbine battery, even 10 flights+ for RC (dual bat A123 or other Life to 2300mAh each). In addition batterie voltage (CB200:+capacity and current) surveyed by telemetry.
Worsed case when telemetry is alarming if RC under heavy load and you have peaks that fall under the alarm level (to avoid) but not necessarily critical.

HarryC

My Feedback: (1)

You would be surprised how little these weigh. Jeti 2S 5200mAh with mounting is 230g. Typical 2S lipo 5000 mAh is 275g. A123 2S 5000mAh about 300g. So Jeti Power Ions are the lightest option! They do need a regulator though for non-HV servos so that would add to the weight when comparing with A123.
Strangely for Li-Ions, the Jeti Power ions are charged to same 4.2V per cell as lipo using the charger's lipo setting, not the Li-Ion setting.

Jeti USA

Here is an other great option for smaller models, just plug 2x Rx batteries to the Jeti DSM 10 and bingo Power Redundancy is done, the Magnetic Switch is just icing on the top of it.

http://www.espritmodel.com/jeti-elec...ey-dsm-10.aspx

Zb/Jeti USA

marc s

I would avoid Lipo unless you can remove and charge outside the airframe, it's a ticking time bomb and IMO no point risking it in expensive jets/planes when other chemistry is stable and capable of delivering the goods without the volatile tendencies.

marcs

Walo

I'm using two 1600 LiFe with my CB200 with two additional Schottky Diodes. That gives my less than 6 Volts for Receiver and Servos. Last week I checked the Capacity of one Battery. I took out 1600mAh and measured Voltage constantly while moving all my Servos. At 20% Capacity the Voltage started to drop slightly. Servos and Receivers were always working until the end so I would assume, with an Alarm set at 6,0 Volt Accu or 5,6 Volt Receiver I have plenty of time to come back for landing. Normal Voltage fully charged is 6,3V Accu and 5,8V Receiver.



Regards, Walter

BlueBus320

My Feedback: (57)

Thanks for posting, I'm in need of a switch. I just removed a twin 2500mah A123 setup in a bobcat & plan on replacing with twin Hobbico 1800mah life packs. Saves me 4oz in batt weight.