rcboosted
01-27-2007, 08:29 PM
So I brought my A123 pack to Arbor today with the intent to let Bob test it out and give us a feedback on it. But Bob is running an Align 35G esc, so he was worried that the BEC would get fried. So we tested this on my bird. I'm running a CC35A and JGF 500TH. I don't have an A123 capable charger yet, but Jason was kind enough to let me charge the pack on his TP charger.
A123 on woodies, 2600rpm(tached) HS, the punch out is definitely affected. The power's there, but you can just feel the extra weight of the pack keeping it from becoming a rocket. The CG was off, but not that bad. I was tail heavy by 2 clicks using my lipo, with the A123, I'm 3 clicks head heavy. Normal sport flying felt the same to me, just the punch out felt dampened. Undetered, Bob loaned me a set of his carbon fiber blades, after another charge we bumped the HS to 3100rpm. That helped, it climbed faster, but I was too nervous about not crashing Bob's carbon blades.
Then Bob then gave me a set of old style align 315mm carbon blades that he said he won't be needing anymore. Although 315mm, it is just slightly shorter than my 325mm woodies. So I put that on and gave it another test at 3100rpm HS. This combo seemed to do the trick. It punched out just as fast as when I was running my woodies at 2700rpm on lipos. Which is quite fast if you read my review on the JFG 500TH. I can still feel the weight, but I think it is very acceptable to fly it this way. Also remember I'm on the JGF 500TH 12T, a much more powerful motor than the 430L, so I think this helped a bit.
The A123 pack weighed in at 330g with the balance connector and Deans main connector. I had it flattened out instead of 4 cells in a bunch like most people. This is due to my STK frame's design, it simply cannot accommodate the cells grouped that way. Using my 2L soda bottle canopy, it was a tight fit, I may have to go 3L for more room.
I'm still trying to decide if I want to continue flying the A123 pack yet. Mainly because I have yet to send my Cellpro 4S charger back for reflash. But so far I like it. Bob took a quick test spin on my bird as well. I will let him chime in on his experience.
A123 on woodies, 2600rpm(tached) HS, the punch out is definitely affected. The power's there, but you can just feel the extra weight of the pack keeping it from becoming a rocket. The CG was off, but not that bad. I was tail heavy by 2 clicks using my lipo, with the A123, I'm 3 clicks head heavy. Normal sport flying felt the same to me, just the punch out felt dampened. Undetered, Bob loaned me a set of his carbon fiber blades, after another charge we bumped the HS to 3100rpm. That helped, it climbed faster, but I was too nervous about not crashing Bob's carbon blades.
Then Bob then gave me a set of old style align 315mm carbon blades that he said he won't be needing anymore. Although 315mm, it is just slightly shorter than my 325mm woodies. So I put that on and gave it another test at 3100rpm HS. This combo seemed to do the trick. It punched out just as fast as when I was running my woodies at 2700rpm on lipos. Which is quite fast if you read my review on the JFG 500TH. I can still feel the weight, but I think it is very acceptable to fly it this way. Also remember I'm on the JGF 500TH 12T, a much more powerful motor than the 430L, so I think this helped a bit.
The A123 pack weighed in at 330g with the balance connector and Deans main connector. I had it flattened out instead of 4 cells in a bunch like most people. This is due to my STK frame's design, it simply cannot accommodate the cells grouped that way. Using my 2L soda bottle canopy, it was a tight fit, I may have to go 3L for more room.
I'm still trying to decide if I want to continue flying the A123 pack yet. Mainly because I have yet to send my Cellpro 4S charger back for reflash. But so far I like it. Bob took a quick test spin on my bird as well. I will let him chime in on his experience.