Hey guys,

Just an FYI - today we test ran one of Ravivos' RAM 500 turbines on an A123 pack (2S1P = 6.6V 2300mAh) with a CO3 ECU, and after adjusting the glow plug value (lowring from 100 to about 85 if i recall correctly) and allowing a higher max PW for the pump (due to lower voltage) of 650 instead of 600 - the engine runs perfect up to 155K with no problems. it is worth mentioning it got to the stock 150K settings without the max PW change, but since he's running 155K it needed a little extra.

The big advantage to this is that we found the glow ignition to be very voltage sensitive and even with a 20C lipo - after a few starts it would have a hard time igniting gas due to the small battery voltage decrease. the A123 packs have a constant 6.6V rating up until they empty almost completely, and since their voltage is more stable - gas starts are much more stable as well, so we are going to fly it on A123's from now on. of course you also need to change the "ECU battery limit" to about 6.2-6.3V to match these cells, but its quite easy overall, and works great.

there is also another advantage and that is that the A123 cells are much safer than lipo, and could be charged inside the model in most cases.