Up to 16s - A123 on a Trex 600

[MrMel]

Using the RotorWorkz HFE frame, you can get those A123 to fit :)

I gonna try with a 13s configuration as shown here, if that's not enough, I gonna go with another motor and go for 15s.
If I where to move the gyro from the plate in the back, I could probably cram in more cells if needed.

Flighttests tomorrow if weather permits.


Packs was made out of dewalt, using existing connections (did not solder end to end), reason why I did two packs is that my charger only go to 10s

http://www.dacsa.net/heli/t600/a123/Cimg0998.jpg

http://www.dacsa.net/heli/t600/a123/Cimg0999.jpg

http://www.dacsa.net/heli/t600/a123/Cimg1000.jpg

[Copterklutz]

How much do all those batteries weigh? Seems like a lot of ballast, is there enough power gain to warrant that many batteries?

[MrMel]

Im "replacing" 10s1p 3700 Lipo.

Total battery weight is 1000 grams compared to 968 grams with the 10s1p 3700 lipo, so weight is about the same.

Voltage is a bit higher with the A123, under load I expect around 35.2 volt compared to 33ish with lipo.

Capacity is 2300 instead of 3700, however with A123 you can run them down totally compared to 80% only on the lipo.

[Mercuriell]

Looks like a couple of sticks of dynamite shoved under the canopy - maybe its a TT plot to rid the world of rexs :bomb:

[MrMel]

Well, if you want Ballistic, then you need explosive POWER :) :smokin:

Ive tested my Raptor E620SE with 15s1p, that worked nice, that is a much heavier bird though, so I figured that 13s should be fine for the HFE T600.
plus, I have a 13s charger on the way, which can charge those packs in 10minutes :WOW

[catfight]

mrmel,

Which charger are you getting? I am still in a quandry about A123 chargers.

Thanks

[MrMel]

http://www.tanicpacks.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=102&products_id=712

[Squirrlybird]

10 minute charge time
NICE!

We are gonna need all the details:

Flight time
Performance comparison
Price comparison

Great Job!

[MrMel]

Did some test-flights today, result ~ so so..
Compared to a high performance lipo it was worse, however we had -8C (17F) here, I suspect that the A123 with its lower Mah's got punished harder then the lipo which was not used at max rating..

However, for a sportflyer/easy 3D, this is a perfect setup.

I took a risk, I used the Jazz 55-10-32 which is only rated up to 43 volt, worked fine though (initial volt on the A123 is higher, but as soon as you spoolup it drops)

One flight A123 and a comparison with a TP 10s1p 3850SLX

However, I dont trust my battery making skills 100%, so I will make another set to see if I might have got a bad solder or something like it..


(As you can see on the RPM I kind of overdid it, hehe, need to drop that a bit)

http://www.dacsa.net/heli/t600/a123/t600-a123.jpg

http://www.dacsa.net/heli/t600/a123/t600-Tp3850.jpg

[rdespins]

I thought 12S A123 was ~ = 10S Lipo.

Ron

[MrMel]

I thought 12S A123 was ~ = 10S Lipo.


In terms of max voltage yes, but in terms of min voltage, 13s is needed.
I might even go up to 14 or 15s on this machine, however, then I need to change ESC.

[skeppley]

It looks like if you drop the pinion a tooth and run the head closer to 2000 with the A123 pack it would hold it pretty well. Even with the 13 tooth, the dips were not below 2000.
I wanna see more. Looks good!

[MrMel]

Gonna fly tomorrow just dropping back the ESC to maintain 2150 on the head and see how it goes, I made another pack as well, so I can see if the pack works like expected.

But really, better ambient temp would be prefered, but thats hard to change :)

[catfight]

mrmel,

Thanks for the info on the Mastech CVCC PS - ordered one myself!

[MrMel]

Did a test with another pack today, same performance, however, I did the short flight in the backyard so the pack was warmer when I started, you could feel the difference the first 20 sec until the pack cooled.

I really would like to try these packs in warmer conditions.
I know that others has got 75A out of those A123, if I could do that, it would be enough for hard 3D.

However, for a sport/easy 3D this is surely an very good option.

More modest RPM on this flight.
http://www.dacsa.net/heli/t600/a123/t600-a123-2.jpg