New switch for A123 batteries from Fromeco

[samd]

Speaking of batteries to power chargers, this sure is nice looking: http://www.hfprojectsyahoo.com/vepomovp.html
Though they're mighty proud of it...

[BaldEagel]

samd

No indication of the Wattage so no idication of charge capacity and at only 10.5amp internal battery capacity, you may as well have two 7amp gell cells at 25% of the price, and its only designed to charge PB's, so not what I am looking for in a field charger.

Mike

[samd]

Mike,

Actually, I don't think it's intended to charge anything- it's merely a 12 vdc power source that's rather nicely packaged. I don't have any intentions of buying one, merely observing the rather nicely done package that includes a built in charger for the battery and a charge indicator. Note, too, that the handle is placed on the balance point, which is a nice touch.

Now, for me, I'll simply buy a gel cell or two, slip it in a $2.99 Wal Mart tote and call it good:-)

Sam

[BaldEagel]

Sam

Sorry I thought it was on the subject of charging A123's, personnaly I use a 24AH Gell cell which is designed to power my golf trolly, this has been converted to carry all my flying gear and aircraft too the pit area, its a long way from the car park.


Any news on if these Kodiac switches are available yet? anyone?

Mike

[Pale Rider]

Anyone have a pic of the back of the switch ?

[buttface]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Hammbone
	First of all, these new Kodiak switches are failsafe switches, so I am not adding any failure points. I will use these switches instead of the Power Expander failsafe switch. Second of all, having a mah counter is very important to me. Thirdly, this switch gives me the ability to quick charge through the switch at 10 amps when I want to. Basically, I will gladly pay $130 (although it's really just $110 because now I don't have to spend $20 on the failsafe switch for the Power Expander) to know the staus of my batteries and know for sure when they need to be recharged. I don't want to guess when they need to be recharged. This could save me $7,000 to $8,000 by keeping me from crashing if my batteries run low. The other features are just a plus. If the new switch does not appeal to you, you don't have to use it. :-) Jim

Hear is a situation for ya. What if you get a bad cell and the pack is only holding a very small amount of mha and you aren't aware of it.You may be able to watch how many mha you are using at the counter but if the pack didn't take a full charge or had a bad cell you will not know.So you are still guessing with the counter,just not as much as you would with out it.
Point being nomater how you count the mha after you charge or while you fly in real time you are never guaranteed to have a fully charged pack unless you have a cell pro or other charger that will warn a bad cell.
I do like the idea of counting in real time .I already have a SF fail safe switch.

[Doc]

	Quote: Originally Posted by buttface
	Hear is a situation for ya. What if you get a bad cell and the pack is only holding a very small amount of mha and you aren't aware of it.You may be able to watch how many mha you are using at the counter but if the pack didn't take a full charge or had a bad cell you will not know.So you are still guessing with the counter,just not as much as you would with out it. Point being nomater how you count the mha after you charge or while you fly in real time you are never guaranteed to have a fully charged pack unless you have a cell pro or other charger that will warn a bad cell. I do like the idea of counting in real time .I already have a SF fail safe switch.

Well if you were running 2 battery packs, wouldn't you just see a big difference in the number of mAH drawn from each pack after the flight? (If you were running only 1, you'd know by testing the voltage of it after you picked up all the broken pieces...)

I have a SF failsafe switch also, does anyone know if Fromeco (or anyone else) has plans for a similar sized mAH meter WITHOUT the switch?

[rcflyer]

An mah meter without a switch is a good idea!

[codydmorgan]

I Agree, I don't want the switch. But I would really buy a mah meter of that size.

[rcflyer]

Fromeco should consider making mah meters available to users of their standard switches. I have quite a few that I plan to use with A123 Rx and ignition. It should be relatively easy for Fromeco to do this.

[Hammbone]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcflyer
	Fromeco should consider making mah meters available to users of their standard switches. I have quite a few that I plan to use with A123 Rx and ignition. It should be relatively easy for Fromeco to do this.

Their standard switches will not handle enough current flow for use with A123 batteries, that's the reason for the new switch that will handle 30 amps. The mah meter is just a bonus.
So, you guys, that want just a mah meter, don't like the idea of having a Deans connector charge port on the side of your fuse?

Jim

[codydmorgan]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Hammbone
	Their standard switches will not handle enough current flow for use with A123 batteries, that's the reason for the new switch that will handle 30 amps. The mah meter is just a bonus. So, you guys, that want just a mah meter, don't like the idea of having a Deans connector charge port on the side of your fuse? Jim

Why? If you have two leads coming from one battery for a 35% airplane, you can you two JR HD switches and charge a 5 amps. thats plenty for me.

I really don't want to change all my leads and charge connectors to deans, no t till I am 100% sure I like this set up.