I am very happy to tell you all my oldest TP5300 reached 200 flights during the Hollister contest a week ago. I added 4 more since the 200th. I fly FAI so the P07 sequence has given them a serious workout during practice and competition.

When I bought the 5300s early in 2006, I was hoping to get 100+ flights on each 10S set. That was where I calculated my break even point would be vs glo (fuel, servo maintenance, engine maintenance, glo plugs, etc). I am not saying the 100 flight number is correct, it was what I had calculated and was very curious to see where I would end up total flight count on the 5300s. I bought 2 at the time, the second is nearing 175 right now. Actually, I bought 2 sets from a fellow electric flyer who wanted to move to 3700s. One set (the one with 200 on it now) had about 15 flights on it, the second set was new.

I try to treat my batteries 'right', not over discharge, not overheat, not leave fully charged for more than a few days at a time, keep them in cool storage. I wish I could say I was totally successful at all those, but I slipped from time to time. I flew one of my batteries without recharging once. Got all way down to the Jeti reducing power due to low voltage. I have forgotten and left them fully charged a few times. I have left them in my 'safe' in the back of my SUV for a couple days in the heat. etc, etc, etc. I didn't abuse them in anyway intentionally, but I did slip up.

Are they as strong as they were early on? Probably not. I haven't cycled them to determine capacity loss, but I can tell they get a little 'tired' near the end of a flight in wind when I am pushing them thru the Horizontal Eight and the 6 sided loop. They get a little warmer than they did originally. Remember, these are 13C batteries. I can really tell my new 10S 17C battery is much quicker to respond in mid range throttle, seems to just jump while the 5300s are slower to spool up, but they get me to the top of any maneuver with adequate response. They will still accelate going vertical with a 20.5x14 prop pulling a 10.75 lb plane. but yes, they are getting a little 'tired'. Maybe a little grey like their owner ;-)

There are now several good battery brands out there now. ThunderPower paved the way for all of us using lipos and I want to thank them for that. Competition is a good thing but this is not about whose battery is better, stronger, lighter, etc. I just wanted to acknowledge reaching the 200 flight level with at least one of my 5300s. The second is only about 25 flights behind.

Woodie (Don Atwood)

Good news Don. I made 200 flights per pack my goal and I still have hopes of reaching that. I have three TP5300 packs and have used the TP charger and balancer from the start. I've got 133 flights on one and I haven't detected any changes yet. I fly in relatively cool weather all year so I don't believe my packs were ever overstressed. With $150 motors, controllers that last forever, and batteries that yield 200 flights for $500 it looks to me that electric is less expensive than high performance glow in the long run. Then throw in the wear and tear on the airframe and servos and it seems the choice is clear from a cost standpoint.

Jim O

Until you add the powersupplies and generator!

Stuff that lasts more than ten years is free. My 9ZAP is over 15 years old. How much did it cost per flight? Lost in the noise. I'll tell you where the real expense is, travel to and from the field. A buck a mile for 60 miles round trip, four or five flights, pricey.

Jim O

My 2 sets of TP5300's have 110 and 115 cycles on them now and don't seem to perform any differently now as far as flight performance other than they come down about 5 -10 degrees hotter than before. That is still only around 120-130 degrees on even the hottest 95+ degree days. Don't own a generator either, just a $110 deep cycle marine battery that gives me 5 full 10S charges per session. That is just plain inexpensive power. I come to the field with 3 fully charged packs and I am good for 8 flights. Much more than I will typically fly. Keep the info flowing Don and Jim, there are plenty of us out here who appreciate the data.

How about longevity of the extremes and evo 5000 packs (same cells I was told?) One prominant competitor has told me that the extremes seem to have a shorter life span. Seems odd if they run cooler and are rated at higher discharge rates. Seems that they should last longer.

Stuart

My 5300's have just finished two complete seasons. I didn't keep track of the cycles, but I'm confident of it being at least 200 if not more. I can still easily get through the Masters pattern but have noticed that my plane is slower than it was. Over these two years, I've gone from a 22 X 14 to a 21 X 14 to a 20.5 X 14 on a Hacker C50-14XL Comp setup. Each of these changes brought on an increase in speed, but now the 20.5 X 14 feels like 22 X 14 did when the batteries were new. I'm planning on replacing the packs for the 2008 season. My goal is to adapt to flight conditions with a prop change so I'm slower in calm and faster in wind. My batteries are currently too tired for that. I've been very satisfied with the 5300's as well as ThunderPower's service. For now, I'm going to sit tight until Spring to see what comes out in batteries between now and then.

Ooops, I meant 22 X 12, not 22 X 14 in my previous post.

Verne

Great news Don..

200 flights?? I don't even have that, and I've been doing the electric thing longer... LOL

Dang motor problems.. hehe...

Glad the packs worked out for ya!!

I got 4 sets of FP 5350's brand new and the Abbra that may be going up for sale.. Your checks have always been good before.. hehe

Good luck ...

C

I would think so too. However, a friend of mine is flying two TP Extreme 4500 packs and is seeing large imbalances after each flight. They seem to balance fine during charge but then go to numbers over 100 mvolts at the end of flight. I haven't watched close enough to tell if it is always the same cells. I'll pay more attention if you guys think there is a problem with them.

Has someone actually run enough cycles to determine the life of the Extremes and/or Evos?

Jim O