A123 and VPX packs

[flyinhi1]

I've been watching threads on these batteries for a while and purchased 2 packs for the B & D power tools from Wal-Mart, but they sit on my bench unopened because I still have a couple of questions about them. If they've been covered in another thread, I'll apologize in advance for asking the same questions again, but here goes. . .

1.) What will the maH be after I tear open the case, yank out the 2 cells and solder them together in series with a deans connecter and 14 ga. silicon wire?

2.) Is the B & D charger that is sold with a VPX battery pack for about 34.95 any good to use? (I don't really want to buy a new charger (like the Cellpro) just for these few packs, as I have quite a bit tied up and paid for in my existing charger and all my Li-pos.)

Those are my ?'s. I was thinking of using (two) 2-cell packs for redundancy on a 50cc plane with Spektrum receiver and 6 digital servos.

[pepatrick]

	Quote: Originally Posted by flyinhi1
	I've been watching threads on these batteries for a while and purchased 2 packs for the B & D power tools from Wal-Mart, but they sit on my bench unopened because I still have a couple of questions about them. If they've been covered in another thread, I'll apologize in advance for asking the same questions again, but here goes. . . 1.) What will the maH be after I tear open the case, yank out the 2 cells and solder them together in series with a deans connecter and 14 ga. silicon wire? 2.) Is the B & D charger that is sold with a VPX battery pack for about 34.95 any good to use? (I don't really want to buy a new charger (like the Cellpro) just for these few packs, as I have quite a bit tied up and paid for in my existing charger and all my Li-pos.) Those are my ?'s. I was thinking of using (two) 2-cell packs for redundancy on a 50cc plane with Spektrum receiver and 6 digital servos.

1.) My packs tested right at 6.6 volts. I charged them up and it dumped about 523 mahs back in.

2.) I doubt you will be able to use that charger. By the time you disect hte pack...there will be no way to plug it in the charger. The cellpro charger is fairly inexpensive. From what I have heard...it is very good too. I am using the TP-1010c and it works great...I just soldered on TP balancing taps to balance it out.

[rcflyer]

Does Black & Decker sell the VPX pack without a charger?

[decoy26]

Yes, wally world has them I believe they are around 20 bucks a pack without a charger.

[flyinhi1]

I guess what I'm really after is, will these packs be like an 1100 maH pack or something?. What is the maH rating? I was thinking that if the B & D charger is any good, then I'd modify it to have an output lead with a Dean's connector to connect to the battery. Am I way off base in my thinking here?

[dick hanson]

	Quote: Originally Posted by flyinhi1
	I guess what I'm really after is, will these packs be like an 1100 maH pack or something?. What is the maH rating? I was thinking that if the B & D charger is any good, then I'd modify it to have an output lead with a Dean's connector to connect to the battery. Am I way off base in my thinking here?

they put out a good strong output of 1000ma - so call em a 1100 ma pack
get the CellPro 4 charger -

[Uncle Brett]

The VPX packs are rated at 1100 mAh. They will still be 1100 mAh if soldered together in series (+ to -) no matter how many cells you solder together this way. What will be affected though is the voltage, every cell you add, the voltage will increase by 3.3V. The only way to increase the mAh is to put them together in parallel (+ to + and - to -)

[pepatrick]

This diagram shows how to wire the 1100 packs in parallel. This will give you a nice 2200 pack with balance taps on it.

[Pale Rider]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pepatrick
	This diagram shows how to wire the 1100 packs in parallel. This will give you a nice 2200 pack with balance taps on it.

Great diagram! Ive made plenty of 2cell packs but never a 4. Im assuming you use battery bars to connect the cells ?

[pepatrick]

Yes...I have also used braided copper.

[Pale Rider]

Great...I plan on trying those in a foamie after I get my 35% done.

[Sin City Jets]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pepatrick
	Yes...I have also used braided copper.

Be careful using braided copper, or "De-soldering Braid". For low current stuff, it is fine, but I would not run anything over 20+ amps with it. In other words, I don't think I would run a motor or some other high current device.

If you don't have battery bars, you could use thick gauge wire (13,14).

As far as setting up a 2S2P pack, the diagram can be a little difficult to understand because it is set up in a stick formation, so I will (try to) simplify it a little.

Make two 2S1P packs, place the wire end of both batteries together and solder the positive to the positive, and the negative to the negative (use a battery bar or thick gauge wire). Then run your two power wires off the top.