ORIGINAL: All Day Dan
Thank you Mr. Moderator. What I was looking for was some kind of data that discusses the life expectancy of the A123 batteries or some way that the average RCer can determine that his batteries are approaching their end of life. I know the guys at my field usually wait until that happens and, as expected, it does was they are flying. That long missive you sent me to does not discuss it nor do I know who the author is or what his qualifications are to even discuss it. Do you know of any test data that can tell us when those batteries are going to fail or how to determine when a pack is coming to its end of life? Dan.
PS, No, I'm sticking with the eight track.
The test data for a particuliar battery pack is obtained by discharging a pack to the safe discharge voltage, recharging it, discharging it again, and keeping track of the charge and discharge. You also have to look at the battery specs. A good charger will charge to a specified capacity, along with time, temperature,voltage, current, and so forth, and with A123's it may allow a trickle or "float" charge after a normal charge is complete.
If you have the capability to do so, you can also look at voltage vs discharge rate. As batteries age, internal resistance goes up, and the voltage tends to drop more at high discharge rates.