SinCityJets

We have just recently worked out a deal for A123 batteries. We will be offering the best priced A123 packs on the web (short of making your own).

For a limited time (through Christmas), we will be offering 2 cell A123 packs (6.6v 2300Mah) for an introductory price.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, or post your questions here.

Here's a link to the page directly:

http://www.sincityjets.com/store-batteries.htm

rjbob

My Feedback: (8)

I'm in for 2 to start with. I hadn't a clue about these particular types of batteries so I called Chad at SinCity Jets. He was very patient in explaining this technology to me.

I'm really looking forward to testing them.

Airforce7

My Feedback: (31)

I have the CellPro 4S balancing charger. Will your A123 battery lead connect directly into my charger or does it require the adaptor you speak of?

Also, what are the dimensions and weight of the battery?

Thanks, Ken

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

What is the benefit to switching from a 5cell 2700nimh to the 123 cell ?? The 123 cell is a 2300 ??

V..

Airforce7

My Feedback: (31)

If he postes his specs on the battery then we would find out if its worth exchanging.

SinCityJets

AF7: When you purchase the battery with the balancing lead, it will plug directly in to the Cellpro 4S. make sure you have the new version capable of charging A123 cells. Their voltage cut-off is lower than Lipo's. I will have exact dimensions and weight for you later today.

For those that do NOT already have an A123 charger, the A123 "Dapter" will turn just about any Nicad charger in to an A123 charger. There is more info on them on my site also.

Vincent: The A123 cells take the best characteristics of Nicads, NIMH, and Lipo's and leaves the bad ones. For example, no memory, 1000 cycles, hard case (not brittle like lipo's), won't explode on short, light weight, capale of 10A charging, 30C nominal discharge, 60C burst. You can fully charge one of these packs in less than 20 minutes if you maxed the charging capability.

What you may lose in Mah, you gain in cyles and ability to recharge at the field. I used to use 2 2-cell lipo's and could easily get 5-7 flights, with these, you could fly 5-7 times, charge for 20-30 minutes, and then fly another 5-7 times. If you really need the Mah (ECU), put two packs in parallel (4600Mah).

SinCityJets

Here are the dimensions directly from A123. These dimensions are EACH cell:

26mm x 66.5mm (A pack would be double the width)
Weight - 70g. (A pack would be 140g + shrink wrap + wire)

These cells are actually a tiny bit heavier than lipo's, but what you lose in weight, you gain in higher "C" rating, much faster charge capability, ruggedness, lower price, and most importantly SAFETY.

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

What charger is good for these 123 cells?? other than the ones on the adapter list.
V..

SinCityJets

Vincent,

Right now the CellPro 4S charger is the most popular. It is sold by FMA direct ($74.95). It is also a balancing charger. However, I should tell you that balancing is really not neccessary with these cells. Most of the research and studies I have seen show these cells keep themselves within close tolerances of each other, especially when dealing with 2-3 cell packs. Now, I think when you start getting up to 5-10S packs, it would be easier for a "bad" cell to be masked by the other cells in the pack.

I just don't think we are going to see the problems with these that we saw with Lipo's. The whole reason we even came up with "balancing" cells was because if you had a bad cell in a lithium pack, and continued to try and push power into it via charging, the cell would overheat and eventually explode. These cells will not do that. In fact, these cells have been intentionally over charged, with no visible negative affects. Will it possibly decrease the number of cyles from 1000 to 800?? Probably. but will it turn your garage into a giant fire place?? Probably not.

If you have a good Nicad charger laying around (Triton, Astro, Schulze, etc. etc) buy a dapter and forget adding ANOTHER charger to your arsenal.

bigbri

My Feedback: (287)

I know the reciever can handle 6.6 volts...but can the servos??? I also like to check my batteries every flight with an expanded scale voltmeter. What can I use on these cells???

felker14

My Feedback: (50)

Orbit Pocketlader will charge them.

SinCityJets

Bigbri,

The operativing voltage on these packs is about the same as a fresh 5 cell NIMH. Unfortunately, voltage is NOT going to be a good indicator of how much time is left on these batteries. They pretty much maintain a constant voltage throughout their use until they reach their cutoff and drop suddenly. There are two ways to effectively determine how much energy you have used from the cell.

1) Fly with the pack 2-3 flights. Remove the pack from the plane and charge it. Subtract the Mah charged from 2300 and this will tell you how much energy was used from the pack. Repeat this test a few times to get a good indication of how much energy per flight you are getting.

2) Use a flight data recorder. In-line flight data recorders, record operating voltage and amp draw during flight. They go between the pack and your receiver (or power expander). The information is then downloaded to a computer for analysis. I have these flight data recorders available. There are a few on the market. One comes from Medusa Research, and the other one comes from BNB Products. One intersting thing about the flight data recorders is they will actually show you a graph of how much energy was being used at a particular point during the flight. Example: Full snap, you may be pulling 4-6 amps depending on servo configuration, straight and level flight may only be .5-2A.

YLF

My Feedback: (2)

I have a 2cell a123 pack in my Intro. After three six minute flights I put back 280mah into the pack. One of the best thing about the a123 packs for me is that they have a very low self discharge. I can charge my pack today, leave the plane sit until better weather in March, and go fly. Try that with NimH. There is a good thread on flyying giiants site (a123 for dummies) where a bunch of the giant scale guys are using these in 35-40% planes. A few have measured their mah usage at 175-200 mah per 10-12 minute flight in a 35% 3D gasser. You can safely get an honest 2000 mah out of these packs before they drop below 6 volts under normal rx/servo load.

I'm also flying a couple of electric planes with 3 and 5 cell a123 packs and they are impressive when it comes to amp load, durability and recharge rate. I can recharge my 3cell packs in about 10 minutes putting in 1800 mah. They are heavier than lipo and lower voltage but you can run them completely dead, turn around and fast charge at 10 amps and no harm done.

3DHELINUT

My Feedback: (3)

The thunder power 1010 charger with the latest update will charge A123, lipo, Nimh, Ncad and PB cells @ 10 amp charge


Alan

tothemax

Do the older Pocketladers have to updated to charge A123's,or do you use a batt type already installed?
Thanks

felker14

My Feedback: (50)

Yes they need updated. 2.16 and later version does A123 packs.

tothemax

Thanks for the heads up!

bigbri

My Feedback: (287)

OK I am very interested. Lets see if I got it. Using the FMA charger it will tell me how much energy has been used so i can determine usage. How do I know if a cell is going bad before it fails in flight costing me a jet ??

jcw111

I need the phone number for SinCity Jets

Thanks

Jim Whitney

SinCityJets

BigBri,

Don't forget, these are 2300 Mah cells. Depending on configuration, you would get AT LEAST 2-3 flights before you were anywhere near having to worry about recharging. More realisticly around 5-7 flights. Again, this depends on your configuration. As far as a cell going "bad", the truth is you won't know. It is no different with a Nicad or Nimh cell. If it goes bad, it goes bad, however one of the benefits of these cells is their lifespan compared to NiCad or Nimh.

You will be able to identify a cell coming to the end of its life by the amount of charge it will take. As a cell ages, it will take less and less of a charge. The A123 cells are made for up to 1000 cycles, or about 10 times as many as other battery systems currently on the market.


JCW, you can reach me at 702.521.8010

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

These cells sound like a good choice but they won`t work with the jetcat ecu just yet. Bob Wilcox said they are working on a similar type cell and after that one is approved the A123 cells will work too. I guess i will have to wait a little longer to switch.
V..

Bobman

My Feedback: (5)

How about with a regulator? Or is there some reason why you shouldn't use a regulator with these batteries?

Bob

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Hi Bob,
I don`t know why just what Wilcox said, below is a copy of his e-mail to me. V..

<<<Hi Vin:

Not yet. We are testing a new version of our software for a 3 cell Panasonic Lithium Phosphate battery right now. It should be ready by February of 2008. The Panasonic is the same chemistry as the 123.>>>

quist

My Feedback: (198)

Mr Matt told us to setup the ecu for 8 cell nicad for use with the A123 battery 3 cell pack.

I have been running two 2 cell 2300mah dewalt receiver packs in my Flash a. After four 10 minute flights, each battery takes 380-400mah of charge.


edited

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Tony,
Are you running an A123 pack on the ecu or just the rx in the flash ?? BTW what charger are you using??

V..