A123 and VPX packs

[KenDobson]

I have a 50cc comp-arf with a DA50, using a futaba 2.4 reciver and 5 Futaba S9156 and a S9002 going through a badger switch. I have a A123 pack to run servos and reciever, planning on running the VPX pack to the ign with a smart fly optic kill switch with no switch or reg.

Will this work out or does anyone see a problem with any of this.

What charger works well for these cells, I have a Orbit MICROLADER Pro that I use for my lipos will this work?

Any insight would be great.

Thanks

[pepatrick]

I am using A123 2300 pack on my 50cc Extreme Flight Yak. 6 x 5955s for surfaces and throttle and 1 VPX pack 1100 A123 for the DA 50. I also have the opticle kill switch...I get about 6 flights before I recharge...and the 2300 pack takes in about 900 mahs...and 1100 pack takes in about 600 mahs. I could easily get a total of 8 to 9 flights without recharge...but since it only take a few minutes to recharge...it is better to be on the side of caution.

Any charger that will do A123 specific batteries. Some good ones are the FMA cellpro and balance pro. I am using the TP-1010c..and rewired my packs to take the TP balancer...This combo works very well. Also the Bantam e-stations work well too. I like the 1010c because it charges at 10amps.

I dont like the A123 racing charger because it does not show the mahs going back into the battery.

[superdh]

pepatrick, what charge rate are you using for the vpx cells?

[pepatrick]

I am using smaller leads on them...I still charge a 5 amps...so far so good...I have about 20 flights on the A123 2300 pack...and 10 on the 1100 ignition pack..I like what I see...so far.

[KenDobson]

thanks pepatrick, is it hard to solder in a balance plug and do you have one on each of your pacs? I am going to see if my charger will work I think it can charge up to 8 amps for lipo. its cool that you are already doing what I was hoping would work out.

[superdh]

thanks pepatric for the info!

[pepatrick]

The tabs are already in place. Go here (http://scriptasylum.com/rc_speed/_lipo.html) to show how to connect the balancing taps. I used standard flux and solder. It was very easy...and then just used heat shrink to wrap it all back up.

[dick hanson]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pepatrick
	The tabs are already in place. Go here (http://scriptasylum.com/rc_speed/_lipo.html) to show how to connect the balancing taps. I used standard flux and solder. It was very easy...and then just used heat shrink to wrap it all back up.

Now THAT'S handy.
save me making any more sketches -

[KenDobson]

If I get a cellpro charger do I need to have balance tabs? and if so are they jr plugs or do I get the balance leads from A123?

[decoy26]

Ken, you will need the cellpro node. It comes with the connection for the charger and three bare wires just solder a JR servo lead to it and charge away. Simple! On the node you have a black wire, red wire and white wires. Keep the black, red, and 1 white wire next to the neg (black wire) the other white wires can be removed or just cut short your choice.

[dick hanson]

	Quote: Originally Posted by decoy26
	Ken, you will need the cellpro node. It comes with the connection for the charger and three bare wires just solder a JR servo lead to it and charge away. Simple! On the node you have a black wire, red wire and white wires. Keep the black, red, and 1 white wire next to the neg (black wire) the other white wires can be removed or just cut short your choice.

like so---
the batt pack then plugs right into the stock switch-
the switch OUTPUT to the rx - should have the signal wire clipped - as the rx wants ONLY 6 v input-
To clarify
the rx wants 6 volts (+&-) not 3 volts plus 3 volts AND 6 volt input. Back in the Golden days (Kraft golden boxes ) rx did use all three leads and the rx then shifted power to the servos from center to either side -

[decoy26]

Thanks for the pic Dick! I trying my best to not make it sound confusing.

[KenDobson]

oh sorry I guess I should explain more, I have a home made A123 two cell pack with a deans plug on it, and I want to put a deans plug on my vpx pack, can I charge them with a cellpro with out a balance plug? Is the cell pro the best charger right now for the a123 and vpx. I am not sure if I need to buy a cell pro since I already have a orbit microlader pro.

[Sin City Jets]

No, you can not charge A123 batteries through the output connectors on the CellPro charger. If you have the Orbit, download the A123 update and charge away!!

Right now, the FMA cell pro is the most popular "balancing" charger for A123's, but I have a sneaky suspicion we'll be seeing another one by the end of this week......just a guess

[dick hanson]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Sin City Jets
	No, you can not charge A123 batteries through the output connectors on the CellPro charger. If you have the Orbit, download the A123 update and charge away!! Right now, the FMA cell pro is the most popular "balancing" charger for A123's, but I have a sneaky suspicion we'll be seeing another one by the end of this week......just a guess

Did you write what you meant to say?
Re : first sentence-