A123 users question
07-14-2010 | 09:38 PM
#1
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From: River Oaks,
TX
A123 users question
guys currently using 123's in jets: I'm dumping my L-Ions rx batts for 123's - getting rid of regs etc.
Is it correct practice to use only 1 rx batt 6.6 (2s1p, 2300mah) for an app such as mine? Bobcat/Tam F16 or do Ineed 2 on the rx?
Rx is the plain jane 921, (not powersafe of course)
Thanks in advance
Smitty
Is it correct practice to use only 1 rx batt 6.6 (2s1p, 2300mah) for an app such as mine? Bobcat/Tam F16 or do Ineed 2 on the rx?
Rx is the plain jane 921, (not powersafe of course)
Thanks in advance
Smitty
07-14-2010 | 09:41 PM
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From: Henderson, NV
RE: A123 users question
Smitty,
One is good. I operate off two is better. It's a personal preference. If you can (or need) carry the weight, carry it. I would rather carry usable weight that carry dead lead.
Also, the obvious, you'll get almost twice as many flights before needing a charge!
Chad
One is good. I operate off two is better. It's a personal preference. If you can (or need) carry the weight, carry it. I would rather carry usable weight that carry dead lead.
Also, the obvious, you'll get almost twice as many flights before needing a charge!
Chad
07-14-2010 | 09:53 PM
#4
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RE: A123 users question
I've been using a single A123 on a Flash/Titan combo. Same on a P80 powered scratch built. I've configured my A123's with 2 power leads running to two switches. Guess I still like having the two switches plus it provides a higher current path to the Rx/servos. Averages around 110mah back in the battery per flight.
07-14-2010 | 09:58 PM
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From: Henderson, NV
RE: A123 users question
DO NOT USE VOLTAGE TO DETERMINE THE NO-FLY CUT-OFF. DON'T DO IT.
You MUST learn how many Mah per flight your plane uses. Of the 2300 (which is really about 2150), I use about 1800 before charging.
Here's what you do:
1. Charge batteries up completely.
2. Fly 2-3 flights
3. Charge up batteries again.
4. Divide Mah put back in the batteries by the number of flights (eg 900mah / 3 flights = 300mah per flight
5. Divide your cut-off mah (1800) by 300 (average mah per flight) = 6 flights safely
Re-do this measurement every couple of months, AND once you know your plane can safely do it, try and take the measurement at five or six flights.
Good luck Smitty!!
You MUST learn how many Mah per flight your plane uses. Of the 2300 (which is really about 2150), I use about 1800 before charging.
Here's what you do:
1. Charge batteries up completely.
2. Fly 2-3 flights
3. Charge up batteries again.
4. Divide Mah put back in the batteries by the number of flights (eg 900mah / 3 flights = 300mah per flight
5. Divide your cut-off mah (1800) by 300 (average mah per flight) = 6 flights safely
Re-do this measurement every couple of months, AND once you know your plane can safely do it, try and take the measurement at five or six flights.
Good luck Smitty!!
07-14-2010 | 10:32 PM
#6
My Feedback: (145)
RE: A123 users question
Two packs, two switches and do what Chad just said. I have been running them this way for about 18 months now. Sold all my regulators, powerboxes, schmowerboxes, schmartflys etc- opens up a lot of room in your plane. As the proto-hippieThoreau said "Simplify, simplify"Scotty
07-15-2010 | 01:14 AM
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From: NA,
NJ
RE: A123 users question
I use 2 packs of 1100mah with 2 switches.
Always charge the day before and never fly more than an hour total. Then again I have a small jet with very little servos.
Always charge the day before and never fly more than an hour total. Then again I have a small jet with very little servos.
07-15-2010 | 02:40 AM
#8
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RE: A123 users question
ORIGINAL: SinCityJets
DO NOT USE VOLTAGE TO DETERMINE THE NO-FLY CUT-OFF. DON'T DO IT.
You MUST learn how many Mah per flight your plane uses. Of the 2300 (which is really about 2150), I use about 1800 before charging.
Here's what you do:
1. Charge batteries up completely.
2. Fly 2-3 flights
3. Charge up batteries again.
4. Divide Mah put back in the batteries by the number of flights (eg 900mah / 3 flights = 300mah per flight
5. Divide your cut-off mah (1800) by 300 (average mah per flight) = 6 flights safely
Re-do this measurement every couple of months, AND once you know your plane can safely do it, try and take the measurement at five or six flights.
Good luck Smitty!!
DO NOT USE VOLTAGE TO DETERMINE THE NO-FLY CUT-OFF. DON'T DO IT.
You MUST learn how many Mah per flight your plane uses. Of the 2300 (which is really about 2150), I use about 1800 before charging.
Here's what you do:
1. Charge batteries up completely.
2. Fly 2-3 flights
3. Charge up batteries again.
4. Divide Mah put back in the batteries by the number of flights (eg 900mah / 3 flights = 300mah per flight
5. Divide your cut-off mah (1800) by 300 (average mah per flight) = 6 flights safely
Re-do this measurement every couple of months, AND once you know your plane can safely do it, try and take the measurement at five or six flights.
Good luck Smitty!!
07-15-2010 | 03:14 AM
#9
My Feedback: (23)
RE: A123 users question
+1 with chad. My eurosport averages about 230mah per flight w/ all 8611's on all the flight surfaces. I run 2 per rx b/c life is easy. If your space/weight limited dual power leads running from the battery to the rx is the next best bet. For the very short amount of time that it takes to charge these batteries, i just charge them every 2 to 3 flights.
07-15-2010 | 06:38 AM
#10
My Feedback: (40)
RE: A123 users question
ORIGINAL: GSR
Two packs, two switches and do what Chad just said. I have been running them this way for about 18 months now. Sold all my regulators, powerboxes, schmowerboxes, schmartflys etc- opens up a lot of room in your plane. As the proto-hippieThoreau said ''Simplify, simplify''Scotty
Two packs, two switches and do what Chad just said. I have been running them this way for about 18 months now. Sold all my regulators, powerboxes, schmowerboxes, schmartflys etc- opens up a lot of room in your plane. As the proto-hippieThoreau said ''Simplify, simplify''Scotty
FYI, with two A123 batteries connected to a rx you can not balance charge them both at once. The common ground interfers with with the charging logic and generates a "reverse polarity" message on my Cell Pro 10-S. Took me a while to figure out that I had to disconnect one battery lead or charge them one at a time. Not really a problem since they charge up so fast.
07-15-2010 | 07:22 AM
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From: Smedjebacken, SWEDEN
RE: A123 users question
Hi guys,
Happened to see this thread, and thought I´d better take the opportunity to ask a couple of questions.......
I have been using 2 cells LiPo packs with my power box systems as well as my JetCat ECUs.
Having read horror stories about LiPos catching fire when charging etc. I seriously considerto useLiFe /A123 batteries in the future on my Jets.
Questions are: Can I use the 6.6 volts LiFe cells with the powerbox and with the ECU instead of 7.4 volts???
/Pete
Happened to see this thread, and thought I´d better take the opportunity to ask a couple of questions.......
I have been using 2 cells LiPo packs with my power box systems as well as my JetCat ECUs.
Having read horror stories about LiPos catching fire when charging etc. I seriously considerto useLiFe /A123 batteries in the future on my Jets.
Questions are: Can I use the 6.6 volts LiFe cells with the powerbox and with the ECU instead of 7.4 volts???
/Pete
07-15-2010 | 08:01 AM
#12
RE: A123 users question
ORIGINAL: petera38
Hi guys,
Happened to see this thread, and thought I´d better take the opportunity to ask a couple of questions.......
I have been using 2 cells LiPo packs with my power box systems as well as my JetCat ECUs.
Having read horror stories about LiPos catching fire when charging etc. I seriously consider to use LiFe /A123 batteries in the future on my Jets.
Questions are: Can I use the 6.6 volts LiFe cells with the powerbox and with the ECU instead of 7.4 volts???
/Pete
Hi guys,
Happened to see this thread, and thought I´d better take the opportunity to ask a couple of questions.......
I have been using 2 cells LiPo packs with my power box systems as well as my JetCat ECUs.
Having read horror stories about LiPos catching fire when charging etc. I seriously consider to use LiFe /A123 batteries in the future on my Jets.
Questions are: Can I use the 6.6 volts LiFe cells with the powerbox and with the ECU instead of 7.4 volts???
/Pete
07-15-2010 | 10:53 AM
#13
RE: A123 users question
ORIGINAL: petera38
Hi guys,
Happened to see this thread, and thought I´d better take the opportunity to ask a couple of questions.......
I have been using 2 cells LiPo packs with my power box systems as well as my JetCat ECUs.
Having read horror stories about LiPos catching fire when charging etc. I seriously consider to use LiFe /A123 batteries in the future on my Jets.
Questions are: Can I use the 6.6 volts LiFe cells with the powerbox and with the ECU instead of 7.4 volts???
/Pete
Hi guys,
Happened to see this thread, and thought I´d better take the opportunity to ask a couple of questions.......
I have been using 2 cells LiPo packs with my power box systems as well as my JetCat ECUs.
Having read horror stories about LiPos catching fire when charging etc. I seriously consider to use LiFe /A123 batteries in the future on my Jets.
Questions are: Can I use the 6.6 volts LiFe cells with the powerbox and with the ECU instead of 7.4 volts???
/Pete
Mike
07-15-2010 | 11:33 AM
#14
My Feedback: (2)
RE: A123 users question
ORIGINAL: CraigG
Ditto.
FYI, with two A123 batteries connected to a rx you can not balance charge them both at once. The common ground interfers with with the charging logic and generates a ''reverse polarity'' message on my Cell Pro 10-S. Took me a while to figure out that I had to disconnect one battery lead or charge them one at a time. Not really a problem since they charge up so fast.
ORIGINAL: GSR
Two packs, two switches and do what Chad just said. I have been running them this way for about 18 months now. Sold all my regulators, powerboxes, schmowerboxes, schmartflys etc- opens up a lot of room in your plane. As the proto-hippieThoreau said ''Simplify, simplify''Scotty
Two packs, two switches and do what Chad just said. I have been running them this way for about 18 months now. Sold all my regulators, powerboxes, schmowerboxes, schmartflys etc- opens up a lot of room in your plane. As the proto-hippieThoreau said ''Simplify, simplify''Scotty
FYI, with two A123 batteries connected to a rx you can not balance charge them both at once. The common ground interfers with with the charging logic and generates a ''reverse polarity'' message on my Cell Pro 10-S. Took me a while to figure out that I had to disconnect one battery lead or charge them one at a time. Not really a problem since they charge up so fast.
07-15-2010 | 12:16 PM
#17
My Feedback: (11)
RE: A123 users question
Depends on who you buy them from.
Mine came from Electrodynamics. They offer either a JR connector and a matching charger lead for the CellPro or one of the popular taps. CellPor, TP Poly quest.
Mine came from Electrodynamics. They offer either a JR connector and a matching charger lead for the CellPro or one of the popular taps. CellPor, TP Poly quest.
ORIGINAL: bcovish
What type of balancing tap comes on the 123 packs?
What type of balancing tap comes on the 123 packs?
07-15-2010 | 01:23 PM
#22
My Feedback: (2)
RE: A123 users question
ORIGINAL: furloughed ual
highhorse, which brand switch breaks the common negative ground ? Would be really nice to have.
Thanks.
highhorse, which brand switch breaks the common negative ground ? Would be really nice to have.
Thanks.
07-15-2010 | 01:29 PM
#23
My Feedback: (2)
RE: A123 users question
For simplicity's sake, I am using the DURALITE 123's because they have their own balance circuit built in and I can continue to use the "stupid simple" duralite 4 output charger.
No programming, zero hassle, just plug em in and walk away. When the little green lights go out, the batts are charged. This does not take advantage of the 123 fast charge feature, but I don't care. I have enuff amps on board for a minimum of 10 flts each in my Rx and ECu batts, so i dont need to charge at the field.
No programming, zero hassle, just plug em in and walk away. When the little green lights go out, the batts are charged. This does not take advantage of the 123 fast charge feature, but I don't care. I have enuff amps on board for a minimum of 10 flts each in my Rx and ECu batts, so i dont need to charge at the field.
07-15-2010 | 02:35 PM
#24
RE: A123 users question
ORIGINAL: highhorse
Dude, i wish I remembered. Sorry. Check the electrodynamics folks. That might be the one which specified no common ground.
ORIGINAL: furloughed ual
highhorse, which brand switch breaks the common negative ground ? Would be really nice to have.
Thanks.
highhorse, which brand switch breaks the common negative ground ? Would be really nice to have.
Thanks.
07-15-2010 | 03:44 PM
#25
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From: River Oaks,
TX
RE: A123 users question
Is there this problem when using seperate switches and only using the 2-wire power lead from the batteries? Ican't wrap my brain around having a problem balance charging using the 3-wire lead with the switches in the "off" position?
