Who using A123 batteries?

[Zeeb]

	Quote: Originally Posted by storklappe
	Will a Triton charger work with the 123 packs?

Don't think so but I've got a question about that posted elsewhere on the forums.

The reason is that the Triton doesn't have an A123 mode and these batteries have a lower nominal voltage than either the Li-Ion's or the Li-Po's.

You run the A123's to 3.6 volts per cell where the other two run to 4.2 volts per cell. So if you select the 11.1 volt 3 cell Li-Po setting on the Triton, it charges the packs to about 12.6 volts or so. I've not tried setting the Triton to the 7.4 volt setting for 2 cell Li-Po's, but if it's gonna charge to 4.2 per cell or 8.4 for the pack, that'll cook the A123's...

[superdh]

zeeb, you are correct on the triton info, it was designed before life's hit the hobby scene
the triton displays the "nominal" voltage of the packs you want to charge, which is 3.7v/cell for lipo, 3.6v/cell for li-ion, full charged volts per cell are 4.2 and 4.a per cell respectfully, a123's nominal voltage is 3.3v/cell and are fully charged at 3.6v/cell
there are many other chargers that support life's with more coming each day, the new triton zx will probably have life charge capability

[ben_beyer]

I'm going to use A123 packs on all my large planes now. Probably go with one 2300 maH pack in the 50cc planes and two 2300 maH packs in 100cc and up.

Does anyone know if there is an advantage of the packs from Tanic vs. the ones on the A123racing.com website? Probably going with the ones on A123racing.com for now since they have a charger just for them unless the Cellpro is a better charger. Anyone know that one?

[crazyjoe]

I had Brian from tanic make mine up one lead with deans and one lead w/Jr connector to go to external jack on plane for balance charger. Tanic packs are made w/ the same a123 cells. Brian will make them up any way you want. As far as chargers the a123 charger and the cellpro are about the same price. I went with the cellpro because i can use it for lions and lipos as well. Plus the cell pro will tell you how much you put in the bat. so you now how many mah your using per flight. Think of it as a fuel gage. The a123 charger charges at a higher amp than the cellpro 10 verses 4 amps i believe

[Pale Rider]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ben_beyer
	I'm going to use A123 packs on all my large planes now. Probably go with one 2300 maH pack in the 50cc planes and two 2300 maH packs in 100cc and up. Does anyone know if there is an advantage of the packs from Tanic vs. the ones on the A123racing.com website? Probably going with the ones on A123racing.com for now since they have a charger just for them unless the Cellpro is a better charger. Anyone know that one?

Tanic will make custom packs for you as well as WildHare and Sin City Jets. I would get them from one of those places as they know what you need for your plane. I wouldnt get th A123 charger simply because it doesn't show how m any mahs your putting back into the packs. Ive been using the Cellpro 4S and like it.

[ben_beyer]

Cellpro it is then. I've heard they were good chargers, but never used one. I also like with the Tanic packs that you can get the cells side-by-side or in a line. That way you taylor them to how you need them.

[Scott Gerber]

I've been following all the threads on FG about a123's ( thanks Dick Hanson! ) and finally made the jump to them in my 29%AW Edge. Bought the 2s 2300 pack and Cellpro charger from Tanicpacks and made my own ignition pack from a store bought VPX pack and added a node connector to it. I'm pleased with the near 50% reduction in weight and the ability to fast charge on demand at the field.... we will see how things go at the field this spring on the first flights because I also made the jump to Spektrum and have that installed now too.....

Scott

[Sin City Jets]

A123's are definately the way to go. More and more airplane guys are switching to these everyday. Keeping me busy for sure!!

[rob_k]

I'm not using them for airplane receiver batteries yet but, I am having good luck on a heli running a 15s A123 setup with a BEC off of the first 5 cells in series. They are definitely heavier than the equivalent 12s lipo but, $150/pack as opposed to $600/pack made for a $1350 savings for me with 3 packs.

[Ricky Bobby]

OK i been reading & reading all the post about A123
I am setting up a new bird for spring. 40% carden edge.
I always been a fan of keeping it simple [kiss] and been running 2 rx set up and nickel metal batteries in my planes. No problems at all.
Well i made the jump to a123 for the edge and i will be going with a power expander and i will be running a Seiko servo for the rudder.
I receive all my goodies from Sin City
2-2300 for rx
1-2300 fir ignition
1-2300 3sip 9.9 to power the Seiko
1-power expander
the batties just have the 2 leads no balancing leads i will be using just deans connectors

OK now i need to get my switches and a charger with a read out. I like to go with fromeco wolverine switch for the power exp. 1 switch for rudder 1 for ign.
Is possible to charge threw the switches
need some advice on what chargers to buy looking to have 2 charger

[Panzlflyer]

Yes you can, you could get an adapter and use your nicad charger.
I am using an Orbit pocketlader from Radical and a Bantam 902 from RC accessory

[Al Lewis]

I haven't used them as of yet but here's the link to a guys site (Bob Pastorello) that has researched and used them extensively. All the information you'll need is here.

www.rcaerobats.net

[rede2fly]

iam using them and love it. fast charge the way its supposed to be. fast!!! i make my own packs with the dewalt batteries. they are 2300 instead of the vpx packs being 1100. also bought the cellpro 4s, but i emailed multiplex/ hitec and they shot me back a email today saying that the ln5014 will charge the A123 without any adapter (great i have one of those). i just ordered another dewalt pack last night. i will end up with, what i allready have 10 packs total. enough to do all my planes. iam totaly switching out. will be listing all my regulators and li-ions for sale as soon as i can take pics

[Panzlflyer]

I dont see 123s or Li Ferrite listed in the Hitec Multiplex specs, make sure it cuts off at 7.2v or so as it seems some of the manufacturers think they are lipos or liions that cut off at 8+ Volts.
Unless it says A123 or Li Fer then it probably does not.

[samd]

I'm still struggling with the idea that other than keeping close track of flight time (battery power used), you have no way of knowing where you are on the [discharge] curve. The fact that you could be very near the "drop off" (due to a number of factors, not the least of which is simply losing track of the time you've flown) and not know seems mighty risky.

Call me "shaky in Seattle" or some other appropriate label... Just not sure about this A123 stuff.