Who using A123 batteries?

[rede2fly]

	Quote: Originally Posted by samd
	I suppose that's my real question: What's the reason a person can't use a DMM with a load to ascertain where they are "on the curve"? In looking around on the FG site and seeing some of the discharge curves people have posted, it doesn't appear to me that A123 cells have a perfectly flat discharge curve with an immediate drop (knee). Oddly, a number of the curves weren't so unlike the curves I've seen on Nicad or NmHd packs in good condition (I have a CBA so I've done a decent amount of testing). No doubt about knowing how many flights in one day you've flown. Unfortunately, there's often some monkeying around with everything turned on that gets forgotten- engine tuning, range checking- anything- Thus my concern about the notion that there's no way to get a quantitative "feel" for what's going on with the batteries. I'm all for technology- I just want to know what I'm getting into. That said, I really like the idea of doing away with regulators and other possible failure points associated with Lipos (along with the extra weight of this stuff).

ya know this statement right here was the very same thing i said about the nickel metal batteries when they first came out. this was there selling point, they kept there charge until bamm it was gone. and i did get to see it first hand. everything works just fine all the way until they quit. its no different with these but take the dewalt drill. it dosent just stop, it slows down until it stops. it dosent just stop going from full slap your hand busting concrete then nothing and neither will your plane it will start to feel slugish, but man you will know it before they just stop. but it wont be that way for the 2.4 stuff cause the receiver will go into lockout first. or reboot or what ever you want to call it. these A123 batteries are good stuff. dont let the graphs scare you. fly 3 or 4 flights then charge it only takes 15 minutes to full charge and NO other battery on the market will do this..... not 1 for this reason alone is worth the change, not to mention the (no regulators) or the more power. you dont have to balance charge everytime, much like the lipos. but the cellpro charger does not give you the option. get the adapter for the charger you are using now, it will work just fine until you deem the balancer is needed. and or have the funds to get it..

[mikel7099]

Me. Well as soon as the brown truck delivers them.

[mikel7099]

Truck came and went so i will be using my A123's from Sin City Jets in my Katana.

[rede2fly]

switched another plane over to A123 tonight. one more to go. man i got 6 regulators that have got to go. 3 are brand new guess ill take a big hit on those

[DR10044]

I am getting ready to order packs for my AW Yak from either Sin City or Tanic. I think I will go with the cell pro 10 charger. What switches do you recommend? 5 Jr 8711s, 1 standard digital, Futaba 12fg 2.4.

[rede2fly]

i make my packs from dewalt. way cheaper. and i use nothing but fromeco switches what you pay for 2 packs i make 5 packs but hey not every one is comfortable soldering

[juliod]

And someone is using in 40%planes and maybe in electrical engines, I would like to know the discharge of A123 batteries, because some Li-Po batteries can be 25C.

[mikel7099]

	Quote: Originally Posted by DR10044
	I am getting ready to order packs for my AW Yak from either Sin City or Tanic. I think I will go with the cell pro 10 charger. What switches do you recommend? 5 Jr 8711s, 1 standard digital, Futaba 12fg 2.4.

I would order from Sin City Again Jets . Cheapest prices and always answered my calls day or night no matter how late or how dumb the questions were. The quality is also first class all the way. I have a pic of the stuff i ordered in this thread from him.

[KrisW]

Took my first flights on the A123's today. Great servo power, no lack of battery in my 40% WH 41% Extra 300. I did lose a receiver halfway through the 2nd flight though, but I cannot attribute that to the A123's voltage level since it's the same voltage range as 5-cell NiMH packs that I have run in the past.

Topped off and stabilized voltage was 7.15 volts on each pack, without turning the system on. After 20 minutes of on time, checking over the plane, and the first flgith, the voltage had dropped to 6.64 volts in each pack. After a 10 minute 2nd flight that ws shortened due to one of the receivers going bad, the voltage was 6.56 volts in each pack.

To me it looks like at least 5-6 flights on a pair of A123 2300ma packs is more than easily attainable with my setup:

2 5955's per wing
1 5955 per elevator
2 5735 HiTecs on rudder
Single throttle servo.

Will do more testing and evaluation after my new prop gets here. Already have a back up receiver into the plane.

[cjdscratch]

	Quote: Originally Posted by mikedannielle
	I would order from Sin City Again Jets . Cheapest prices and always answered my calls day or night no matter how late or how dumb the questions were. The quality is also first class all the way. I have a pic of the stuff i ordered in this thread from him.

I also ordered my packs from Sin City Jets. I was a total pain in the Arse (changed my order like 3 times) . Their customer service is top notch, went out their way to make sure I got what I needed. I will definately buy from them again.

[PTS]

	Quote: Originally Posted by KrisW
	Took my first flights on the A123's today. Great servo power, no lack of battery in my 40% WH 41% Extra 300. I did lose a receiver halfway through the 2nd flight though, but I cannot attribute that to the A123's voltage level since it's the same voltage range as 5-cell NiMH packs that I have run in the past. Topped off and stabilized voltage was 7.15 volts on each pack, without turning the system on. After 20 minutes of on time, checking over the plane, and the first flgith, the voltage had dropped to 6.64 volts in each pack. After a 10 minute 2nd flight that ws shortened due to one of the receivers going bad, the voltage was 6.56 volts in each pack. To me it looks like at least 5-6 flights on a pair of A123 2300ma packs is more than easily attainable with my setup: 2 5955's per wing 1 5955 per elevator 2 5735 HiTecs on rudder Single throttle servo. Will do more testing and evaluation after my new prop gets here. Already have a back up receiver into the plane.

Kris - What did you use to check the voltage on the A-123's? I have a new 40% and plan on running the A123 2300ma batts but I want make sure that these batts are up to the task of a 40%.

Perry

[bjnginge]

Yeah i have to say thanks to SINCITY JETS,the customer service is great and the jet black packs are sweet.Also no problem shipping to oz fast.

[E_ferret]

	Quote: Originally Posted by hybris
	Please post any comments or experience. I am interested in unregulated use on both receiver/servos and ignition.

bought a few A123's a couple of months ago. Put 3s in an electric old-timer (buzzard bombshell), used to fly on 12 NMHs, had to drastically lighthen the tail-end. flew great!
then tried 3s in a combat wing, great duration. Now have a 4s in a Sebart Katana. Due to mounting the wrong Hacker gearbox ,I was pulling 60A,(great verticals!) that fried the 80A Hyperion controller after a few flights, but the A123's were just warm, no problems. As my lipos age, they'll get replaced by A123's.
Charging them at 6A, may try some at 8A.(with temperature sensor attached!) I am using a Hyperion LBA10 charge balancer and a Schulze Lipodimatic in-flight cell monitor set to 2.5V per cell.
My schulze charger cuts-off at 3.65V/cell

[KrisW]

	Quote: Originally Posted by PTS
	Kris - What did you use to check the voltage on the A-123's? I have a new 40% and plan on running the A123 2300ma batts but I want make sure that these batts are up to the task of a 40%. Perry

Perry, I just used a volt meter. It's almost impossible to adequately load the A123's to show a significant voltage drop under load (as you would with Li-Ions), unless you use something capable of handling about 25 amps. Perhaps a small arc welder??

[macanaw]

There seems to be a lot of different assumptions regarding the weight difference on the a123's vs Li-ion. I have the cells from the dewalt packs and here are the weights on a calibrated scale.

a123 4600 mha 2s2p - 10.6
Fromeco 5200 mha 2s2p - 7.2

Difference being 3.4 oz

Add the weight of regulators and your about 1.5 oz difference in weight (depending on what regulators you choose).

Be careful when looking at weights published by manufacturers as they often don't include wires and deans connectors in their published weights.

David