Bass1

Since quite a few of us have been using A123 packs in our models for quite awhile now, I was wondering if anyone has had any problems after several years or more of use with their original packs. I just finished my 3rd season without a problem on 3 of my 50cc airplanes and am trying to decide if I should buy new and replace the older packs for peace of mind/safety. I'm still using single 2s 2300 packs and am now also contemplating the use of 2 packs per plane for redundancy. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to at least replace the switches as well even though I do use dual switches. Anybody had issues or have thoughts on the matter?

Eagleburger

Do some charge/discharge cycles and measure capacity.

I have some EP flight packs that are over 6+yrs old, have 450 cycles and have just taken up residence in my new fuel pump. I have a couple of other packs that have a cell with severely diminished capacity.

All my receiver packs have less than 200 cycles and are perfect. I Have one pack that is a little uneven that I use on ignition and balance charge it often.

They are rated for 1000+ cycles. I would be happy with 500cycles or 5yrs and replace for peace of mind.

flatspinjim

My Feedback: (3)

I've got 4 packs that are 2 years old with A LOT of cycles. No problems at all.

negy1

i have had two packs 2300mha that i rotate been useing for 2.5 years now one pack shared with ignition 4 brushless 9452 futaba 14 hlg servos on ail one on elovtor one hiteck 9755 on rud one jr dig throtle 3 15 minite flighs mostly 1600 mha not one problem models both seagull bling 55cc dle the other zdy 48cc twin olso cmpro extra 300 mvvs 58 cc c same setup next model will be 112 cc dla 106 inch extra kanke but will use two 2300 mha batery shared with ign the best batterys ever

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

Vibrations are probably more the thing to worry about. We're not going to tax these batteries with our receiver/servo loads. Also most of us charge at only 4 amps, they are capable of 10 amps. I only have one year use on mine so I can't say based on that. I love the batteries though. Best thing to happen to our hobby besides 2.4G.

MIXMASTER

My Feedback: (15)

Have well over 1 year and 200 flights on 33% Yak with 3 Duralites w/balance circuits(2300). I only charge w/Cube, they never go over 7.2V. Have 8- Hitec 7955TGs and Digi standard throttle servo. I never fly more than 4 flights between charges, but have never used over 1000ma/pack . I changed all my Nimh after 3 years use, they were showing a little capacity loss. I never charge Nimh or A123 at the higher C ratings, bring 2 planes , its more fun!!! I have several Fromeco packs that get too far out of balance, (the balance circuit gave me little comfort as it took 24 hours in some cases)not using them for flight at this point although I did at first. The Turnigy charger did not balance the Fromeco A123's either? I could never get more than 4 flights w/2700mah Nimh, yet the 2300 A123's seem to be good for several more?

Hibrass

My Feedback: (1)

I have been using A123 2300mah cells since 2007. My 2 oldest packs are from Aug 2007 and cycle as well as the latest pack from July 2010. Mine were all purchased from NOBS/HangTime and have been used in single battery configuaration on 50cc birds to dual battery configs on 100cc birds. Also my setup share the ignition with the RX batteries and to date no issues or problems. Very simple reliable robust setup that I don't intend to change.

Ed

readyturn

My Feedback: (9)

Regardless of battery type, I thought that this was a no-no.

Rick

Jezmo

Doesn't seem so Rick. Many are now sharing the receiver pack with the ign.

As to the question of How are your A123 doing, My 2300's came from a DeWalt pack about a year ago and are holding up great. I agree with Joe above, they are the best thing to happen to this hobby since 2.4, IMHO.

skip1320

Finally made the switch after seeing this product http://www.hangtimes.com/a123balancebuddy.html, will be just like my Nimh setup w/TP 610 cant wait to get them cycled,Good Stuff! Also running ignition out of rec,remote kill,tach,led kill switch light all on 2.4! http://www.hangtimes.com/index.html

Rockyaged

I also bought two of the DeWalt 36 volt A123 battery packs, and made 10 two cell packs. I bought all the wiring,
plugs, heat shrink and the Cellpro 4s charger from FMA Direct. Started with them back in '09. Everything went
as was discribed in all the posts in the forums. All are still going strong. They make great electric fuel pump power
supplies as well.
I find it interesting that batteries in the new Electric driven cars have now converted to Lithiums. I have not seen
if they are also using the Nano Phosfate (sp) type. I am left wondering what will come next, in compareable
improvement and how long will it take. Will they ever eliminate the weight factor.

Gerald