Real world results with A123 pack.

[aviti]

OK, this is for the guys who have been flying the 2300's on 35-40%. Based on your experience, how many 15 min flights will you get running dual 2300's on a 40% Carden Edge? I'll be running eight 8711's and one throttle servo. I know were just taling estimates as how you fly can affect it but just trying to figure out if I can get about 4 or 5 flights safely without having to re-charge.

[wildhare]

I would estimate 7 or 8 flights with plenty of reserve.

I'm guessing you will use about 400mah per flight. 8 flights would be 3200mah.

You will be carrying 4600mah capacity, so you will be using about 75% at 8 flights.

If I were you I'd try 4 flights and see how much you use per flight, after that the math is simple.

TF

[mflander]

Thanks tom, I am sold. Ordered my A123 packs and FMA charger about 2 minutes ago. Appreciate it.

[Tailchaser]

Well yesterday I finally got my 37% Yak set up with my Sin City Jet Batteries I purchased, took out my turbo regulator and plugged the batteries into dual wolverine switch's then into my smart fly power expander and WOW these batteries made my servos wicked fast, so much so I had to go from 45% expo to 75% just to smooth the transition out a little on high rates, too windy to fly today, but am really looking forward to trying it out soon.
The plane has 13 JR 8611a plus ignition. I have two 2300's so will post just how much it takes in a 12 minute flight, and how long the cell pro 4s takes to charge them up, so far.........................loving it.

Chuck

[GooseF22]

I put 4 of these 2300 batteries on my glow hi torque starter and its a new starter. I was using nickle packs and had a nicad portable pack and this 123 setup is actually producing more power than it does off a car battery. Try it you will like it! and besides its very light portable starter. I think actually 5 cells is the way to go on the starters... I was beginning to wonder if I needed a new starter.....nope.....just more POWER.

[Rolling Thunder]

I have 2 2300mah packs on my 150cc plane. 8 JR 8611A, running throught the SmartFly Turbo EQ6, Flying Unlimited sequence plus lots of extra snaps. In 3 flights (45minutes in the air) each battery needed 800 mah of charge on my Cellpro.

[wildhare]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Rolling Thunder
	I have 2 2300mah packs on my 150cc plane. 8 JR 8611A, running throught the SmartFly Turbo EQ6, Flying Unlimited sequence plus lots of extra snaps. In 3 flights (45minutes in the air) each battery needed 800 mah of charge on my Cellpro.

So 6 flights would be well within your capacity with plenty of room for safety.

TF

[aviti]

Tom - Thanks for reporting all your testing with these. I'v seen some discussion about checking the staus of packs with a voltmeter (with load). Based on what I've read, it's difficult to do this due to the flat discharge. This is my only remaining concern with the A123's. For example, somehow my batteries don't get fully charged or something goes wrong with a pack and it doesn't have the full capacity. I am only able to count flights but never know that my pack is about to drop off a cliff. Is there a way to check the status of the pack other than counting flights and knowing how many mah you use per flight?

[Sin City Jets]

Toni,

The only other way, other than being familiar with your set-up and "learning" how much power your plane uses on each flight, is to charge in between flights. Here is the reality with these packs, you can charge them from DEAD to 100% in just over 15 minutes with a capable charger, or in just over 30 minutes with a CellPro 4S. If you're that concerned about it (which you really shouldn't be) just hit them with a charger in between flights. 5-10 minutes after each flight, and you could literally fly ALL WEEKEND LONG.

Chad

[wildhare]

I suppose you can use a volmeter, but you will need to be very consistent and become very familiar with the packs' operation. There is a voltage difference between full and near empty, but it's a small variance and you would need to be very consistent about measuring it.

To avoid starting with a partial charge, just charge to full before you start flying. This will be 7.2 volts and is unmistakable. If you start out partially charged it will be tough to tell how much you have.

Those of us using them simply charge before we fly and then keep track of how many flights we make. It's pretty simple if you are methodical about what you do.

TF

[Pale Rider]

In addition to the above I just recharge when I get a reading of 6.4 unloaded

[mflander]

Sin city, You gonna ship me my packs on monday?