Who using A123 batteries?

[STLAV8R]

Can lithium ions be balanced? I balance my A123's and lipos. Haven't heard of balancing lithium ions though.

[rcbobp]

Maybe not. That might explain why I haven't had to balance them. So how do you balance the A123's if their strapped into your plane. Do I add a balance port on the airframe?

[STLAV8R]

Check out the information about 1/2 way down the page under "Univ Chargeport for Univ Celltap."

http://www.hangtimes.com/a123_rx_packs.html

[Flatlandman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by STLAV8R
	Can lithium ions be balanced? I balance my A123's and lipos. Haven't heard of balancing lithium ions though.

Yes they can. they just have to have the balance leads on them, I believe if you ask Fromeco will add a balance lead to your packs.

[STLAV8R]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Flatlandman
	Yes they can. they just have to have the balance leads on them, I believe if you ask Fromeco will add a balance lead to your packs.

That's great to know. I have never seen a lithium ion battery with balance leads. Wonder how much it helps balancing them and what the benefits are?

[Flatlandman]

I have been Using fromeco bats for over 3 years and i haven't yet balanced any I think that the low charge rates allow us to not need to balance. My Friends have some pacs they mad up them selfs that they added balance lead to and their batteries are fine just like mine that are charged sans balancer.

[sherman89]

I had my first 123 pak go south on me, after about 60 flights one pak decided not to take it's normal amount of mah's that was expected and when I checked the cell v I found 1 cell at 3.34 and the other cell at it's normal 3.6. The pak only took 39 mah's when it should have taken about 1200 to match the second pak. I cycled the pak twice and now the bad cell will not come up from .55v. These cells all started out as Dewalt paks purchased new. This the first time I have had a problem with several paks in 35% and 40% models. I will not take a chance and the pak will be replaced.

[STLAV8R]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Flatlandman
	I have been Using fromeco bats for over 3 years and i haven't yet balanced any I think that the low charge rates allow us to not need to balance. My Friends have some pacs they mad up them selfs that they added balance lead to and their batteries are fine just like mine that are charged sans balancer.

This is my fifth year using Fromeco batteries. Never had a problem either. However, I do replace them after about 2 years. Would be interested to see if balancing the cells prolongs the life of the battery. And what the difference is between the balanced/unbalanced cells.

[wfield0455]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcbobp
	How do folks handle balancing for A123's? I'm thinking of replacing my regulated Li-Ion's in a 35% Edge with the A123's primarily for the fast charge advantage. To balance, I'd have to take off the cowl which of course is a pain in the arse. I never balanced the Li-Ion's and they've given me 3 years of good service.

If you have a charger that connects via the packs power connector (instead of a balance tap), you can just add a balance tap to your A123 pack and attach a "blinky". Then just charge through the charge jack and the blinky will take care of balancing the cells.

Wayne

[crazyjoe]

Get one of these chargers you wont regret it. https://www.tanicpacks.com/product_i...21a07c1616f104

[50%plane]

(sorry, I haven't read the whole thread)


is anyone familiar with 42% products A123 packs? I'm wondering if I can charge them through the regular lead, or if they have any circuitry built into them to prevent that? (I don't have a balance charger)

[Fritter]

	Quote: Originally Posted by crazyjoe
	Get one of these chargers you wont regret it. https://www.tanicpacks.com/product_i...21a07c1616f104

That is the setup I have and love em!

[leepord geko]

Okay going a123 in my new plane but wondering about fast charging even if I can do 5amps on my Triton Eq I don't think my smartfly super switch charge jack can pull 5amps but on only 3amps being a standard wire thats probably 22awg. I suppose I could always charge the pack directly what do you guys think.

[Zeeb]

Well first off I don't think any of the Triton chargers natively support A123's????

Better figure out how you're going to handle that issue first. IIRC I've seen guys post about using Tritons on A123's, but it takes some monkeying around to pull it off and a Triton would not be my choice of charger for A123's.

[leepord geko]

Based on the Triton Jr., the Triton EQ offers the capability to handle the latest battery technologies, including LiPo, Li-Ion and even LiFe (A123) cells

It does and I don't know where your getting that information, its simply just a LiFe setting on the charger to charge at 3.6v per cell. http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3155.html