Advice on PE for 100cc with A123

[Anthony.h]

Hello, I know there is information out there in the forums on A123 packs and smart fly PE, but I still have a few queries.

I am currently flying a 2.6m comp-arf 300sx with a powerbox and two li-ion 4300mAh duralites. Total weight is 5oz + 7.2oz + 7.2oz = 19.4oz. I am running 3x JR8711 and 2x JR8611 and a Futaba R808 rx.

I thought about a smart fly Power Expander "Sport" or "Pro" with two 2cell A123 packs. what are the pros and cons of the PE "Sport" over the "Pro"?

Is it essential for the two batteries to be the same capacity when using the PE Pro? I was thinking of either two 1100's or maybe one 1100 and one 2300mAh pack, to save weight.

what is the maximum charge rate through the PE Pro?
how are the charge plugs connected to the PE Pro? directly to the battery, I would like to charge two batteries at once.

Anthony.

[bodywerks]

How about no power expander, dual A123 1100's through a Fromeco Wolverine with dual output leads into the receiver, and then a Fromeco DC-up plugged into an open port on the rx? This is the exact setup I am using on a 100cc Aeroworks 260, with a Spektrum AR9000 that does NOT have the quick-connect upgrade, and it has worked flawlessly for the past 150+ flights.

[Anthony.h]

I like the idea of the PE with servo signal conditioning, and seperate power bus. How many flights are you getting with dual 1100's?
with dual 1100's, SF PE sport, and a carbon wing tube I can save 15.5oz of weight over what I have now- that should make it 3D.

[Altavillan]

Make it simple. Put in two Futaba rx's. The new 6008 rocks! For now put one side on a new 6008 and one side on your existing 608. No expander needed. Seperate switches of your choice. Two 1100's is more than enough for a 100cc'er. SF's optical kill switch has twin inputs for hooking it up to twin rx's in case one side shuts down.
To my way of thinking this is the simple-est safe-est way to go.
Then get a Fromco cube charger with 3 ports and data logger and you can charge the whole plane from one charger all at the same time.

[Anthony.h]

thought of two rx's, I see alot of guys using duel 2300mAh packs, seems like an over kill but I have never used A123 packs before. I already have a Formeco cube, what is a data logger- time to research.

[bodywerks]

Dual 2300's isn't overkill if you don't want to charge at the field. I can only get 2-3 twelve minute flights safely. I do a lot of high energy stuff, constantly rolling and stuff so I burn almost 500ma per flight. I have a portable charge station so I just charge after every flight.

[2walla]

I would run the second receiver before I would run a power expander. Personally I would go without either, I wouldn't charge thru the power expander at more than a couple of amps as it has regular servo connectors on it for the charge inputs- that limits your ability to really fast charge your a123 batteries. I would run the setup bodywerks suggested..

[wildhare]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Anthony.h
	Hello, I know there is information out there in the forums on A123 packs and smart fly PE, but I still have a few queries. I am currently flying a 2.6m comp-arf 300sx with a powerbox and two li-ion 4300mAh duralites. Total weight is 5oz + 7.2oz + 7.2oz = 19.4oz. I am running 3x JR8711 and 2x JR8611 and a Futaba R808 rx. I thought about a smart fly Power Expander "Sport" or "Pro" with two 2cell A123 packs. what are the pros and cons of the PE "Sport" over the "Pro"?

There's quite a difference. On the PE pro the two battery inputs are isolated from each other, on the sport they are wired directly together. The pro also has the fail-safe switch which eliminates the need for any mechanical switch, this saves weight and cost and is ever so much more reliable. I would definitely choose the PE pro for the minor difference of $40.

	Quote:
	what is the maximum charge rate through the PE Pro?

I would not charge through the PE, most A123 batteries have a separate charging lead that can be used, bypassing the PE and the HD battery leads altogether.

[branwell]

Anthony,

I have the 110" EF Yak with a BME 116 and Hitec 7955s servos. 2 on each wing, 1 on each elevator, and 2 on the rudder.

The batteries are a pair of A123 2300's into a pair of HD switches, into a single receiver.
The ignition is on an A123 1100.

I get 9 x 10 minute mixed 3D / pattern flights between charges.

If you don't mind charging at the field, its quite possible that you could run a pair of 1100's for the servos, or a single 2300 with dual output lead to a pair of switches.

To me, part of what makes the A123 so attractive is the ability to go with a very simple setup.

Branwell

[rrritchey]

Hi Anthony,
The differences between the Pro and Sport are the Pro supports bad battery protection and a failsafe switch. The bad battery protection will isolate a bad battery pack and not allow it to affect the other pack. The failsafe switch will save you weight and wiring. I would advise keeping the packs the same size. You could go with two 1100mAH packs but in a 100c model two 2300mAH packs would give you a full day of flying at very little weight gain. Let me know if you have any other questions.