Are the A123 packs a viable option for 3D or not?

[Cryofix]

Awesome info sir, thanks for testing that for me!

[MrMel]

Ive written a Headspeed calculator, nothing fancy, but it includes the A123 batteries as an option.
(I use it my self to get the gearing correct)

http://www.dacsa.net/heli/Calculator/default.aspx

As you will se max/min RPM with A123 will differ alot, you need to gear up when using A123, else bogging will be to noticable.

[MrMel]

The temp was finally climbing above "freezing the fingers off while mounting the batteries", so I went out today and got some more flights.

T600, Actro motor, again with e-Governor

http://www.dacsa.net/heli/t600/a123/T600-Actro-A123.jpg

[shails]

I have been reading your posts on A123 and see that you are quite happy using A123.

I used to and still fly nitros and truly love fly nitro heli, however recently I thought of possessing a electric powered heli and ended up getting a HDX450SE from helidirect.

Due to in experience of using a Lipo I treated them like a nicad and ruined the pack. Did not have a fancy charger to go with the lipos just a simple Align balance charger.

Now I am planing to order a BC-6 charger and contemplating to buying a FP or TP pack. But before I go for a Lipo I wanted to know more about A123's.

I am seeing that they are much safer and can take abuse unlike lipo's.
Due to my inexperience of using A123, I need to know from where to buy and what brand to buy for the HDX450.

I see there are lot of configurations like a side-by-side, in-line etc. I need to know what configuration would fit in the frame of the HDX450 and what type of connector to go with it for charging with a BC-6.

Shail

[catfight]

mrmel,

What settings are you using on the Mastech power supply *what initial voltage open circuit)? What is the terminal voltage per cell after a rest from charging? I just setup my CVCC Mastech last night.

Thanks

[MrMel]

What settings are you using on the Mastech power supply *what initial voltage open circuit)? What is the terminal voltage per cell after a rest from charging? I just setup my CVCC Mastech last night.


I just dial in 3.65v per cell (36.5 for a 10s) and then enter for sample 4.6A for 2C charging.

After charging they normally back down to 3.45ish as resting volt.

If you have a wattsup meter you can use that between the charger and the battery to see how much mah that was put back.

[MrMel]

@shails

Ive not tested A123 on such small heli as the 450's, but if you go over at RunRyder and search for A123 posts from ShellDude I think he did some testing with A123 on a T-rex 450.

[spork]

I run the A123's on my 450, and I'm sure there are a couple others here that do as well. For me to achieve the proper balance I have to place two up front and 2 at the CG.

[catfight]

mrmel,

When I first got the A123 batts I also got the Dewalt charger and charged them up as a reference before trying the mastech. After removing from charger and letting them rest a bit they read 37.8 volts (for 10S) - so I thought maybe they are really charged at 38.5 or so. How are yours lasting (time wise) with the 3.65?

Thanks again

[MrMel]

Im drawing about 2250 out of them :)

[Cryofix]

mrmel,

When I first got the A123 batts I also got the Dewalt charger and charged them up as a reference before trying the mastech. After removing from charger and letting them rest a bit they read 37.8 volts (for 10S) - so I thought maybe they are really charged at 38.5 or so. How are yours lasting (time wise) with the 3.65?

Thanks again

Trex 450 on 4S A123: 8-12 minutes depending on flight characteristics
Logo 10 10S A123 HV45 ZPower Z30A-800 8 minutes full FF, and 5-6 minutes loaded with AP gear at 9.5 lbs
Trex 600 TBD

4s packs at 10 amp = 14 to 16 minute charge time
10S pack at 5.7/8 amps = 26 minutes charge time