New switch for A123 batteries from Fromeco

[Hammbone]

Fromeco has a new switch out called the Kodiak. It is made specifically for A123 batteries. It is rated at 30 amps, and it has a meter that keeps track of how many mah's you have used so you know when it's time to recharge. It's about the same size as a Wolverine switch, and it has Deans plug in, Deans plug out, and a Deans plug charge port!
This is exactly what we needed for the new A123 batteries. The switches are in stock and ready for sale at Fromeco. I ordered some of them today (Mike told me that I was actually the first guy to order some).

Click on this pic to enlarge (I think it will work)
FROMECO 30 AMP SWITCHThis switch is for LiPhosphate batteries (A123's). Note the dean's connector so that you can charge your battery at a 10 amp rate. The really unique part about this switch is that it counts the amount of amps which flows through it. It continues to add to the total until you reset the counter, so you can fly time and time again and not worry about running out of battery. Of course charging takes just a few minutes. Li Phosphate is coming, and the technology is here to stay...for awhile.

Happy flying, Jim

[ATC666]

Also they have the new expansion boards for the cube that will charge the A123's for sale as well.

[Hammbone]

They will also start selling A123 batteries in a few weeks.

Jim

[bubbagates]

Very cool, I see at least 3 of these in the very near future for me

Looked at the site and they are not listed yet so do you have a price that you can let us all know about?

[ATC666]

Are the new switches on their website, if they are I cant find them. Another thing that I noticed is that their new switch has deans connectors but the cube only has jr leads, kind of defeats the purpose if they are on one thing but not the other?

[Hammbone]

These are so new, they are not on the website yet.
They cost $65 each, if I remember correctly.
The Ion Cube only charges at 3 amps max, so the Deans connector isn't really needed. I think they will put Deans connectors on the ion cube charger though, if you want them to.

The way I see it, you can use this switch for quick charging at the field with a charger capable of charging at 10 amps. Most A123 batteries come with a charge (balancing) lead that you could use to charge with the ion cube charger and standard JR connectors. In other words, you could have two different charging options.

Fromeco is also coming out with a new charger in a couple of weeks that is meant for quick charging three A123 batteries at once (at 10 amps). I'm sure this new charger will come with Deans plugs on it.

Jim

[Pale Rider]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Hammbone
	They cost $65 each

[Hammbone]

The price is about what I expected, considering what you are getting.

Jim

[ben_beyer]

LOL, nice Jim. I just got off the phone with Fromeco looking to see what switch they'd recommend for A123 set ups on smaller planes.

[Hammbone]

Hi Ben,
What did they say?

Jim

[Pale Rider]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Hammbone
	They will also start selling A123 batteries in a few weeks. Jim

So that means A123's are cool now!

That is a pretty slick switch though!

[bubbagates]

Hs anyone else realized that these switches will be of benefit to everything, not just A123 (M1) cells. No more guessing what you used per flight

[rdgood]

All,

I talked to Mike at Fromeco just a few days ago about the A123 solution.

I would be careful about exactly what Fromeco is ready to sell here..
if its not on the website. They may not be ready to go to full production on this..

It might be wise to let Fromeco announce this!!!


Ronster

[Hammbone]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rdgood
	All, I talked to Mike at Fromeco just a few days ago about the A123 solution. I would be careful about exactly what Fromeco is ready to sell here.. if its not on the website. They may not be ready to go to full production on this.. It might be wise to let Fromeco announce this!!! Ronster

I don't know what you're trying to say here, but I purchased some of these switches today. Mike told me they are in stock and ready to sell. I am nobody special. If I can buy them, anybody can buy them.

Jim

[rdgood]

It looks like Kurt and Mike are updating the website. When I talked to Mike about a week 1/2 ago he seemed that they might not be ready to full steam ahead just yet.

It looks like the website is down right now being upgraded...probably with the new 123 stuff

No worries...

Ronster