A123 type batteries
 

I notice that Radial RC has added some LiFe batteries to their inventory, and sell a 1100 MAH 6.6V battery that looks like it will weigh about 3 ounces. Has anyone been flying with these, and what sort of experience have you had with them?

It's tempting to try some of them, for sure.

RE: A123 type batteries
 

I remember hearing that A123 batteries were not recommended for 2.4ghz use.

Those specs do look good, but 3 oz is pretty heavy for a racing plane. These are what I had been using.

Radical RC 720mah NiMH 4-AAA cell 4.8volt RX Flat Pack

Weight 51.5g, 1.82 oz. Sanyo NiMH HR-AAAU 720. Fits in most any 1/2A ship or sailplane with lots more duration! About same weight as 350 Nicad pack. AAA size cells, it's small size is unbelievable! Typical uses are from 1/2A up to 5 standard servos and sailplanes.
SKU Number:RRC04H0720F

RE: A123 type batteries
 

I am flying several sport planes on them and love them. I use the larger cells in my giant scale planes. They require a different charger, but can be charged at high rates and have very low self discharge.

Mark

RE: A123 type batteries
 

Dave - where did you hear that?

I've got a 720 NIMH pack, but I am not a firm believer in the NIMH yet, internal resisitance and self discharge are both worse than NiCd batteries. I haven't put it in a plane yet, but will before too long.

I also just picked up 3 5-cell 350 MAH Sanyo NiCd packs from Radical RC, along with an 1100 MAH transmitter pack. Great service and good prices, by the way. These 350's are the same size as the old 270's, and I'm not sure he has any more left at this point.

RE: A123 type batteries
 

I had heard it from one of the Team JR members, but this was probably close to a year ago. Not sure if that opinion has changed or not.

What I have found using NIMH's is that you need to slow charge them initially with either a wall wart, or use a battery former (I use the one sold by Cirrius, now Peak Electronics). After the initial slow charge, I discharge and note the capacity. I will do a series of 4 charges and discharges before putting in a plane. Rarely will you see a NIMH actually hold the stated MAH, my 720 batteries normally peak around 700 MAH. After that, they are normally good to go, but I do monitor them during the year with a charge/discharge cycle every few months to make sure they are holding at least 80% of stated capacity

RE: A123 type batteries
 

Dave - I also slow charge NiCd's the first few times at least, too. I don't have a dedicated forming charger, but do have an adjustable output charger that I can set to what's needed for the initial charges.

RE: A123 type batteries
 

Thats what I thought but it turns out that the duralite's can be charged on li(po/on) so long as you use the yellow tab, The only downside is its a 1amp max charge rate

Steven