hi all i am doing reaserch for my first 50 cc plane it will be a wh 28% 260. i will be running a dl50 w/ pitts, spectrum dx7 radio w/ ar7000 rx, hs7985 servos for ailorons/elevator and hs7955 for rudder. for ignition i will be using a 4.8 volt 2400mah nicad but for rx battery i am trying to decide if i wat to use a123 batts or just stick with nicad. what are the benifits with each? if i go with a123 i will have to get a new charger.

thanks for your time

If your present charger doesnt support A123 then you will need a new one.

A123s are nearly half the weight of nicads, but you can do a voltage check on nicads to see "how much is in the tank".

Both are the most bullet proof solutions for receiver packs.

On my 50cc I have a 1200mah nicad on ign and a single A123 2300mah for receiver. I will soon run both off one 1100mah A123. I have a fromeco badger switch that is failsafe and has charge port so it is easy to charge every two flights. One 1100mah A123 weighs 95g. separate nicad packs including what you have would weigh over 500g. CLose to a pound saved.

I've been running my planes for over a year with a single A123 battery feeding both the ignition and receiver. 2.4gh, DL50's, Hitec 5945 and 5985 servos, WH Sukhoi, GP Ultimate and Cellpro Balancing charger. I charge the battery on the way to the field to fly, and they are charged in about 15 minutes. The charger tells the voltage level of each cell. Typically, after three 12 minute flights, the battery is down around 800mhr. Simple basic setups, no problems, light weight.

Note: This wouldn't be a good idea for those not on 2.4gh!

Chuck

This past weekend I flew 8 flights on my WH Suk lasting about 12 minutes each and burned about 3/4 gallon of gas. When I recharged my A123 2200 ma pack I put 980ma back in. I wasn't flying real agressive but I had fun. If you don't mind buying a new charger it's the way to go. I do run a seperate nimh pack for ignition just because I still fly 72 mhz.

ok chuck on your dl are you having any problems with the a123 as your ignition since it is a 6.6v battery. the specks for the ignition say 4.8 to 6 max. i was thinking of using the fromeco wolverine switch and running 2 packs. also from what i am gathering 1100mah would be good for both packs?

Hi rotccapt
A123s and DL ignitions work JUST FINE
Flying all of my 50cc planes now on ONE A123 2300 battery
A123s are to r/c flying as color was to black and white TV...
Walt...

I use to do what Walt is doing without any problems, but recently added a 1N5001 series diode in series with the positive wire for a .7 volts voltage drop for the ignition. I don't have any strong reason for doing it, maybe just for a little extra, extra insurance. Lot of people don't put in the diode and haven't had problems. Your call.

Chuck

The DL uses the Rcexl ignition. Rcexl is good with A123 unregulated if build date is not before Oct. 2007. IF date is prior to 10/07 then reduce voltage or use a 4.8v pack.

TF

thanks all for the information i may end up going with the a123 we will see