Duralite ION Packs

[maac16324]

I flew three my new Duralite 5S2P 5000 mAh packs on my ION yesterday. They are the new generation of the packs that were first available in limited distribution this summer. They feature low resistance cells and from my experience yesterday are close but not quite equivalent to the Thunder Power 5S4P packs in terms of power delivery. The flights yesterday were my first flights on the packs so I didn't push them really hard. The packs are 20 ozs. less weight than the Thunder Power packs which really showed in the flying. My ION was very nimble and pleasant to fly. I am running a 55 tooth secondary gear and got about 1830 - 1850 rpm in hover with some drop off in the climb out. I expect that the drop off will improve as I get a few more flights on the packs. The packs are a little wider than the Thunder Power packs but would still fit under the stock canopy mounts. I'm goning to get some slightly wider mounts to help the fit. I flew 8 minute flights and put about 3250 mAh into the packs on recharge.

One of the nice benefits of these packs is that they will do dual duty in an electric plank. The dealer I bought them from flies them in a Funtana and it flies awesome.

One of the best aspects of the Duralite packs is the balancing unit. It is very slick and balances the individual parallel cell stacks on recharge.

I understand that the first shipments of the Gen 2 packs are going to be available this week.

.

[ChrisS]

Hi Brian

This is good to hear. Your numbers indicate an average current drain of 24.4 Amps, which is fairly typical, within a few amps anyway. Something to watch is the peaks you are pulling. The TP cells are rated for 8 to 10C and 12C bursts, which means that on a 4P pack, we have a large cushion with a maximum continuous rating of 64 to 80 amps (96 amp bursts) and typical real flying peaks of around 65 amps. If the Duralite cells are similar (8 to 10C), you have a maximum continuous current headroom of 40 to 50 amps, which means you may be over exerting those cells.

In practice, when doing this, you will experience a shortened life span of the pack. A good device for monitoring this is the "Computerized Battery Analyzer" or CBA that was made available earlier this year from West Mountain Radio. This device allows you to discharge a battery and create a curve as you do so. You can then compare that data with similar data you collect in the future to watch a packs life signs.

Good to hear of new stuff being offered.

What kind of a price is the Duralite pack being offered at?

Chris

[KillerBob]

The Duralite packs - same as ThunderPower are rated 10-14C 20C burst - so 14C=70A and 20C= 100A - should be safe for the packs

Best regards
Lars

[maac16324]

Chris .. I got six packs and two balancing units as a package for $2160 CDN, about $1,800 US. I don't know what the individual pack pricing will be from Duralite. I really can't comment on their performance until I get seven or eight cycles on them My Thunder Power packs improved markedly after that number of cycles and I expect that the Duralite packs will as well. I plan on investing in an onboard monitoring system so that I can get the real story on what the system experiences in flight. Unfortunately with the border snarls it is taking a month to six weeks to get anything shipped across the border so I will have to wait until the NW Expo show in February before I pick one up.

I'll report as I get more cycles on the packs. I will say that my Ion was very nice to fly at the lighter weight. Maybe I was just feeling mellow but I really enjoyed the easy way it flew. It left me dreaming that I could fly like Russ McCutcheon.

The balancing units are definately slick. In my opinion the Duralite system is worth the price for the balancing capability alone.

BTW .. I'm still waiting for the Plattenberg 25-10 outrunner and will have it shipped to you as soon as it is available.

.

[ChrisS]

Cool Brian

That sounds like a pretty good deal, roughly $600 for a set of batts. When you can, get the FDR and Seagull units. I have had the FDR for a while but just started using a Seagull...really, really cool stuff. This hobby is just growing so rapidly these days, it's almost impossible to keep up.

I look forward to testing the 25-10. Honestly though, I have not been in a hurt for motors to test. This week it's the new Actro 32-3 heli motor. Kind of tough to mount but once in it seems to be running a good deal cooler which means more performance later in the flight.

Chris

[ChrisS]

Hey all

Wanted to revisit this thread a little. I now have a several months on these Duralite packs. I use them pretty much every time I fly, back to back with my TP's. So far, they are working great. No signs of any change whatsoever from the day I got them. I believe them to be a long lived, high quality battery.

For those who are looking for another option in batteries, I would suggest you give these a look.

Chris

[simon109]

Hi Chris,

I take it these are the same packs as http://www.flightpower.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=40525001 ? I was speaking to them the other day about trying them as I've seen Ion using these packs, but they recommended me http://www.flightpower.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=40536451 said they were having better results with them.

What sort of flight times do you get using the 2p one's with stock Hacker set up ? Do they not get hot.

I have a couple of there cell balancer units :cool:

Flightpower's customer servce is top notch this is why i was thinking of changing my 5s4p TP's to FP 5s2p or 3p.

Simon.

[ChrisS]

Hi Simon

My packs are the same as the second ones you listed, the 3P's. I usually take about 5AHrs out of them in a flight and they are barely warm. My flights with these are 6 to 7 minutes. I have been using a single balancer every six flights or so and the voltage across the packs seems to stay very close...at least as far as my Fluke can tell.

I have gotten into the habit of only charging my stuff at home, at C/2. Then when I go out to fly, I take several models and all my batteries with me. When I'm out of batteries, I'm done. Everything seems to be really happy doing this.


Chris

[simon109]

Same here with the charging at home, very rarley do I charge at the field. Think it's got something to do with lugging the leisure battery with me :lol: but i've only got one set of packs for the Ion :(

Have those 3p packs still got the carbon plate each side as the 2p's have ?

Simon.

[MinAirChris]

No, mine are in white heat shrink, no carbon. Honestly, I like the white, I think it helps to keep the battery from absorbing heat from the sun, which might be why it seems to run a bit cooler.

Chris

[kevfor]

I have been flying these packs for quite awhile now and love them a lil less weight to lug around. when i ordered them the were ready to ship so stock wasnt a problem, and of course you get the" always friendly" service on the phone whenever you call i think they are a great product with excellent backing

Kev

[maac16324]

I have pretty well standarised on the Duralite 5S3P 6450 packs for my ION as well. Of the original TP 7800 and 8000 packs that I bought all have puffed. TP has been very good about offering a credit on their replacments but even with a credit the whole process becomes expensive. So far none of my Duralite packs have puffed.

Over the past two years I have become a balancing convert. I use the new Duralite balancer and battery checker every time I charge and have had good luck so far. I tried to buy the TP balancer but they didn't ship it on my last order. I am hopeful that Duralite will release an adapter for the TP harness so that i can use their balancer on my TP packs.

In the air the Duralite packs are very pleasant to fly. I am not a 3D addict so I am not trying to wring the last bit of power out of my batteries. It is nice to see the Duralite becoming accepted as they are an excellent product and the service is great.