Question about my Fromeco system...

[EagleMan]

Hey Guys,
I have an AW 75cc Extra 260, and I'm setting up the avionics for this bird. This is my first time usinig Li-Ion batteries, and I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone can help me with.

I am using a Fromeco Relion 4 cell, Li-Ion pack rated at 5200 mAh, and I have a Fromeco Sahara regulator for it. I know that you should hook the pack up to a switch and then to the regulator normally, but the Sahara switch that I purchased came with the optional Pin Flag switch harness attached. The directions did not mention any specific installation instructions in regard to this switch, so I'm wondering if I can just hook the two together without risking any damage.

The other question I had was regarding the battery- can I charge a 4 cell Li-Ion pack with my Accucycle Elite charger? Does the fact that this is a 4-cell pack instead of a 2-cell pack make any difference at all, from either a charging perspective or a flying perspective?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[Fromeco]

Hi Eagleman,

On the Accucycle elite, yes you can use this. As far the 2 cell vs. 4 cell, the 4 cell is welded in Parallel. This means the pack has been assembled to retain a specific voltage 7.4 with double the capacity. Your charger only cares about what voltage the packs is at. Using the 2 cell setting is what you want to do, even though you are looking at 4 actual cells, the voltage is that of a 2 cell pack.

On the switch. The Sahara can have a switch lead on it, (as yours does). However if I understand your question correctly, you are not going to be able to hook a stock switch to that lead and get it to work. It will not hurt anything, but it will not do anything either. That lead is meant for either a Pin Flag switch, or something similar. You can make your own if you like as well.

The way that lead works is, if you cross the Red & Black wire at any point on the lead the Sahara will turn off, (you are completing a circuit that shuts down the Sahara). To test this and help yourself understand how it works, take a pair of Tweezers, (metal) and touch the contacts that are visible on the bottom side of the plug. The Tweezers will complete the circuit and shut down the Sahara, this will not shock you or anything so no worries there.

You can take a standard hobby switch and make modifications that will allow it to work with that switch lead.

Hope that helps?
Kurt Cook

[EagleMan]

Thanks for the info, Kurt! Yes, that does clear up the questions that I had. To be honest, it's taking me a little longer to get up to speed with the new battery technology, and all the cool peripherals now available, than I thought. Hopefully, tomorrows maiden flight for my AW Extra 260 will be successful1
Thanks Again!

[luv2flyguy]

EagleMan - Just to let you know you made a wise decision with Fromeco, they rock!! I had a question about my new regulators and switches and customer service was outstanding. This is some of the best electonics on the market today IMHO. Hey let me know about how that AW 75cc Extra flies, I have the 75cc Yak/ZDZ Super 80, just maidened it a week ago, awesome plane, I'm looking real hard at the Extra in the 75cc or 100cc range.