Hi gents,

Are these things just too cheap and nasty or will they handle my 1/5th warbird with lipos 7.4V. I understand they are only 3Amp,,, is this enough? I would be running two separate ones.

What are you all using with this type of thing. I am so sick of my Ni-cads going flat so quick and want to try something different.

Cheers,

Brad

Have you thought about using A123 batteries??

No regulator required,they hold their charge also.


Bob

Any good regulator such as Duralite, Fromeco, or others, can handle the load, but as Bob said, A123 is a better alternative.

I have been using LI-Ion batteries...Life batteries are a good choice as well.....I use a regulator
It isn't the type of battery that is cauisng you problems so much as it it either the condition of the battery or the capacity in Milli Amp Hours

fixed quote

+1 on the A123 or other branded LiFe. No regulator needed, all the benefits of a Lipo, and no fire danger. I've been using the Hyperions for about a year now and don't plan on ever buying anything else.

I am using the reg http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXVDB1&P=ML with this battery http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXVDB1&P=ML . I just got the set up and have not finished the plane. I like the system because it has so much fail safe built into it.

Posting pics in next post, david

These are the pics to match the links.

david

I use 3 cell lipos and regulator b/c my charger doesnt handle A123 plus my servos dont all handle 6+v. The balance chargers and proper charging techniques by the consumer have all but eliminated fire dangers though it is still a possiblity. I gve up nimh last year as well.

Guys this is all very good info thank you.
I am so sorry,,, I thought I added the link to the reg I was talking about but I cant see it so maybe I didnt.

Here it is,

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230707554...84.m1438.l2648

After looking at the one daveopam linked to Towers I think the one I found looks a bit cheap. I was going to get two and run two systems for redundancy.

So,,, the A123 batteries if you have a pack of two at 6.6 volts is that OK to plug straight into a normal RX?? Is this how I am reading it? They do sound good.

Thanks for all the replys, it really has me thinking. I have never done a lot of research into this subject.

Cheers,

Brad

Brad,


I plug my A123 into my Futaba Rx like any other battery. You can
run 2 batteries if you want to.


Bob

Exactly, if you have servos with a 6V rating (which is most of them) then just plug it into the receiver and fly.

It needs a decent charger, I use a cellpro, and you have to fly it a couple of times and get an average use per flight, figure out your number of flights, and take a few off as a safety margin.

You can't check them with a ESV.

People worry that the LiFe is too much voltage going from 6v to 6.6v, but if you look at the actual discharge curves of them and a NiCd you'll find that the voltages are very close to each other in actual application. I checked mine and found that the LiFe was only .2 volts higher than the NiCd at the receiver when fully charged, and fell in line with a hot off the charger NiCd fairly soon in use. Essentially, an LiFe battery gives you the power of a fully charged NiCd all the way through its practical discharge range. The only negative I've found is that you do have to buy a charger that's made for LiFe batteries, and you do have to use the balancing plug to charge them. That's a small issue if you have the battery in an inconvenient location for balance reasons, but nothing a little extra wire and some solder can't fix.

How about these? Two for RX and one for ignition.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200535687...ht_2757wt_1159

Cheers,

Brad

Some ignitions work only on 4.8 volts. Great for Rx batteries though.

Bob

Just get a Castle Ceations 10 amp bec. One end lipo other end plugs into Rx, don't forget the to set the out put voltage (5 or 6v). Should be able to run alot of servos and accessoies with 10 amps.

My 3W ignition requires 6v so that is ok.
Castle Creations 10 amp bec looks very interesting as well. So many options.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Castle-Cr...ht_3295wt_1159

Cheers,

Brad

So how does this look gents?

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...r_Charger.html

It says A123's.

Brad

That's a good charger, but overkill for what you're doing. A 50 watt charger will charge those 2 cell flight packs just as fast for about half the money.

Thanks for that mate. Yes a bit of overkill. I have just ordered this one https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...arehouse_.html
and got three two cell packs coming.
I will post here how I go when it all arrives and let you know how I get on.

Thank you to ever one. It's been great.

Brad

These are good chargers. (For charging yourLi-RX-Packs)It comes with all kinds of plugs, even a glow driver adapter for charging, and USB to PC adapter, and a Heat Sensor. Been useing one for a year now. I even charge my Rideing lawn mower battery.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html

Can you charge two 2s packs at once? I was looking at the specs but could not tell if it would do two packs at one time. Also does it show you how much is in the A123 cells?

dignlivn, you had it nailed mate.
I wired up the new A123's and tested them both together (fully charged) in my Spitfire and no problems at all. I am so happy. I like the simplicity and the gallons of gas in their tank.

Cheers guys,

Brad

Only one pack at a time mate.

Brad

Good Flying to you !

Bob