Ragz

Can we use a 3 cell A123 pack with ECU's? 9.9v versus 8.4v What are people doing?

thanks

SinCityJets

It depends what brand turbine.

Jet Cats - you can use a 3 cell, however you need an A123 upgrade in the ECU
Jet Central - You need to use a 2 cell for most of their motors. Their new ceramic elements do not work well with a 2 cell A123 and the 3 cell may be too much. I don't know anything about their kero start

evoJet - You can use a 4 cell A123 and the ECU is A123 ready

Turbotronic

Whats the latest on A123 cells, are there any other form factors on the way apart from the 2300 cells?
I dont understand why A123's are not more widely used yet, its the best thing since sliced bread IMO
Andre

Xwingnut

My Feedback: (24)

A123's are also available in an 18650 sized can that provides 1100mAh capacity. A 2S 1100mAh pack weighs around 87g compared to 176g for a 2S 2300mAh pack. The A123's are just too heavy to replace Lipos in the EP applications. Otherwise they would currently be more popular. Iuse the smaller 1100mAh 2S packs (always in pairs) on the receivers for my sub 15Lb jets and they work great.

There is new tecnology that will replace A123's as we know them. The cells will be lighter, provide more current and capacity while being just as robust (safe). Albeit, it will be a while before we see them available for our use. Battery advancement is now being driven by the Smart Car industry which is pouring research dollars into the program. We will eventually reap the benefits. Till then we are stuck.

Regards,
Xwing

fast jets

My Feedback: (2)

I used A123 in my P-70 all last summer with no up grades, all I did was change the voltage to closely match the three cell A123 pack.

John

MAP

quist

My Feedback: (198)

The problem with doing this is the ECU has to regulate the voltage down to about 5 volts. The higher the input voltage the more heat is produced. When Jetcat is upgrading ECU's they are installing a heat sink on the internal regulator. Even with the upgraded parts in the ecu Jetcat doesn't recommend running the higher voltage batteries.

Gary Jefferson

My Feedback: (167)

John, that may work for now, but there is a chance of damaging the ECU on the Jetcats if you do not send the ECU in for the A123 modification.

If you want to run the A123 packs it is only $25.00 for the modification. It will likely cost more than $25.00 if you don't do the mod and damage the ECU.


Gary

Bob Toilet

Gary Jefferson

My Feedback: (167)

Christian,

I guess that sometimes demand drives change so maybe the factory will make a change at some point.

New motors and install kits purchased in the U.S. can be ordered with the A123 mod when purchased. Just specify the A123 mod when you place the order.

fast jets

My Feedback: (2)

Now I am a little confused, on page 13 in the manual it states that you can choise between 6 and 10 cells. Know when I frist set mine up I read some were in the manual that although you could pick 6 to 10 cells they did not recommend 10 cells. Now that still leaves you with 9 cells and 9 cells at nomnol voltage is the same as a fully charged 3 cell A123. I am trying to find it in there manual were they say not use 10 cell but not having much luck right now, John

MAP

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

The batt setting on the ecu has nothing to do with the voltage spike that the A123 packs deliver. The batt setting on the ecu is only for the low batt warning. I have never even looked at the setting on any of my ecu`s.....ever, it means NOTHING. Any pack will work with any selection.
V..

GSR

My Feedback: (145)

Ditto Vinney- You may get away with a no mod ECU on a p70 forever-but then again it may fry the MOSFET one of these days. On the bigger motors that require more amps to spin you increase the chance of frying the ECU. THere is really no way you can tell what will trigger it. One day when the starter motor poles line up just right and the bearings are a bit sticky and the fuel pump draws a bit more than usuall the smoke will come out-Or it may never happen.Bob puts in a higher rated MOSFET with a heatsink to solve the problem-well worth the $25.00. You will also get the latest software. I have been running 123s for a year now. No problems so far. Scotty

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Hi Scotty,
You are correct.I ran a P-80 for over 100 starts and A123`s with no mod and no problem. Then i tried it with a 120 and POOOOOF!!!! after 12 starts...[:@]
V..

raptorlogo

Hello all,

You are talking about 3 cells A123 but what about using only 2 cells (6.6v).
The voltage is very closed to 5 NiMh or NiCad cells.

Thanks for your comments,

Alain

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

3 cells for jetcat ecu
V..

fast jets

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks for clearing that up for me, I have only done it on my P-70 and it has 80 flights on it. I am not at all concerned about the $25.00, the turn around time is what I am afraid of. I had to send in my 120SX last summer and it took at lest 4 mounths till I got it back.

John

BaldEagel

John

I am sure that you do not have enough jets, therefore you need another instalation kit to transfer your turbine between airframes, order the new kit with an ECU already converted to A123, then swap you current one and send it off. or buy a secondhand one and send it in for an upgrade and conversion, in this way you can have an excuse to have more than one jet for each turbine, see how good I am to you.

fast jets

My Feedback: (2)

Mike try not to get me into to much trouble. I was already thinking that I should get one more turbine, but with what you are sugesting I would end up with more than just one turbine. I wounder when this crazy I need cycle will ever end?