Hi guys,

I have a doubt, I`m going to A123 by my RX, I would like to konw if is posible to use without REGULATOR, in all servos ( 6 V ).
I`m thinking in use DURALITE PACKS with DIGI SWITCH.

thank`s

jose

Jose,
There is a write-up on the latest edition on RCJI written by Dave Gladwin. Makes interesting reading too.

Reuben

hello jose
I have them in all my jets with great sucess. (no regulator needed)

I have used them in both Planes and jets. Never a problem.

I am using A-123 with a AR9100 receiver. It is working very well.

Paul Appelbaum

Glad you found it of interest !

I have just installed A123s as ECU batts. (9.9v) in both of my Hawks with JetCat 160SEs, work fine.

In my new Eurosport with a Wren XL 200, I have used twin A123s via a Powerbox Royal, a superb device. The digital display shows a rock solid 6.6 but the dial shows the batts are empty as they are set up for lipos, no real problem. .

That said, I read the new manual on the Royal and it makes the point that reducing voltage to servos from the maximum they can handle does improve servo life significantly. . They were really addressing 7 volt servos but I guess the same principle applies to servos rated for 5 cell nicads, which can peak at up to 7v.

Personally I always use a regulator to limit V to at or below 6v. Never had a servo failure, others tell me they never regulate, and never a failure, its an individual choice !

The powerBox Royal manual is on their web sit and it makes an interesting read.

It is interesting to note that Duralite is moving to A123 chemistry, see their web site for details.

Regards, David.

I have two A123 packs in my Boomerang Elan, plugged directly into an AR9100 reciever. Works great 26 flights so far , and I only use 280 mh out of each battery for 3 flights of 10 minutes each, I could probably fly it 10 flights without charging, but I charge after 5-6 flights to be safe. I use the Fromeco Ion Cube to charge, I have two slots of the charger set up for A123's and the other three are for Li-Ion packs.

Hi Pablo, how you doing man?
Nice talk to you.
Wich switch are you using?
And chargers ( is it the Fromeco cube ) ?

Thanks.

José.

Hi David,

While on the subject of regulators, I will be using a Spektrum AR9100 reciever on which I will have several Jr 8411 servos plugged. In view of the voltage warning (4.8V) on the servos, I will need to use a regulator, both if using a 5 cell ni cad, or a 2 cell li po. Which regulators are you using? Have you tried the Spektrum regulators yet? Your advise is greatly appreciated.

Best regards

Joseph Attard

thank's for ALL GUYS

A-123 it's very fine in JETS

jose

Hi Guys,

Anyone using A123s for the Wren or pst ecu. 2 cell 6.6v seems a bit low and 3 cell 9.9v a bit high.

Regards
Chaitanya.

I love the Black Jet 123's. And the little CellPro 4s charger is simply outstanding.
ECU and Regulated to 5.5 for the rec'vr.

Hi Joseph,

Hope those T33 parts are earning their keep !

A few points: I have loads of 8411s, (some with 100s of flights on them) 8511s and 8711s spread across my fleet of 10 jets and all are operated at voltages in excess of 4.8.

I have just bought a number of 8711s from Dave Wilshere (he has an excellent deal on them ) and saw a note on them that they were limited to 4.8v. Dave tells me that this note was added by Macgregor, the UK importer of JR and should not be taken too literally!

On the Horizon web site they give torque ratings, derived from their own tests, for both the 8411 and 8711 servos at 6v so I have no idea why MacG impose their restriction, particularly as Horizon give JR products 3 year warranty, Mac G only 1. Very odd !

I use Weatronics, 6 v; Powerboxes, 5.9 (when measured at the servo after the diodes) Duralite regs, 5.1 and 5.6 and the excellent MiniHobby (which I believe is dual channel) at 5.5 V I almost always use dual batteries and dual regulators and never a failure. I have not yet tried the Spektrum regulator, my 9100 and 9000 receivers are fed by regulated Duralites and have given faultless service with still not a single frame loss.

( I cannot imagine why anyone would NOT use two batteries in an expensive jet, (where there is space) it virtually eliminates the chance of a total electrical failure and if it was not sound policy why do Weatromics and Powerboxes use duals ? It also means that one can replace batteries "on condition" rather than regularly as a precaution, particularly if using a Weatronics DR or Powerbox Royal both of which monitor and record battery performance. )

I always set up my flight controls so that the servos draw minimum idle currect and use the Hangar 9 device which is invaluable for that, quite indespensible when setting up a dual servo config, such as the Hawk stabs.

I have just finished the installation on my Eurosport and have been playing a lot with the PowerBox Royal, like the Weatronics this is a superb device and gives whole raft of valuable information on battery and receiver performance, I cannot speak too highly of these units AND they both have superb manuals, available on the internet, something which seems to have defeated the JetCat factory despite THEIR engineering excellence ! (yes I will keep plugging that anomaly until something is done about it !)

I have Wren and PST ECUs but have not yet used A123s on them because the voltage is different to that recommended. I will seek the advice of Wren and PST.

Wow, coffee is now cold but hope this helps ! Happy flying !

Regards,

David.

ditto to that...my exact setup, except 3 A123 cards.....one for the smoke batt.

the lion cards charge the ECU batts and the spare. all at the same time

Wren hasnt authorized the lower voltage as of yet.

no regs required. fly it.

I believe the above broad statement is flawed. Spektrum state that a 4.8 volt nicad must not be used, risk of drop outs, but the receiver CAN handle up to 10 volts. Voltage fed to the Rx is also fed directly to the servos on the 9100. So if using a 5 cell nicad/Nimh pack (upto 7 V fresh off charge) pack you may be OK, your choice, without a regulator BUT if using a two cell lipo, then you have 8.42 volts to the Rx AND servos and that voltage is too high for the servos so you need to regulate. (The Power Box manual expands on that) and MacGregor have issued a specific warning about the use of two cell Lipos, unregulated to the servos. You risk premature failure. Duralites also give 8.4V, too high for the servos without a regulator. The best compromise if regulators are not to be used seems to be A123s, high enough for the Rx to avoid drop outs and perhaps no too high for the servos to use unregulated !

Regards, David.

I am also using unregulated A123 batteries in 3 planes for the Rx. As an experiment I am also using A123 2 cell ECU pack for starting the MW44. This uses kero start and the battery seems to work ok. It is early days yet though. I have had to reduce the max rpm of the starter to 30K to compensate for the lower voltage. I am not sure how readily all '44s will accelerate with the starter off at 30K. I may just happen to have a good one. As you say not a Wren appoved setup. I would have thought that the 54 and Super sport would start fine with A123.

The A123 batteries are so quick to charge with the Cellpro charger it is a real benefit especially when getting 3 models ready for a days flying.

John

On another thread, Wren recommended to stay with a Lipo for their turbines.

Is there any problems to use 123 batteries with Futaba FASST RX ?

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the replies,

The T33 Parts are awaiting their turn on the building schedule and I am very happy with the superb finish on the wings. Thanks again!!

Seems like I had better play safe and use dual regulators on the 9100. I wll decide wether to use li po's or ni cads, depending on the amount of nose weight required to balance the finished model. Ni Cads definitely need to be 5 cell as per the 9100 instructions. The A123's seem like a good option, but I believe that they need their own charger, and I do not feel like adding another charger to my collection!!

Mc gregor look as if they are playing it safe and covering their bottoms on the warranty. With that note they can always say we warned you!!!

Best regards

Joseph

The 3 planes I am using them in are Futaba FASST 12 channel systems.

John

Thanks.