Charging in the field

[Billybuck]

I will be using MEGA POWER Li-Po Battery 4600mAH 20C 6S2P batteries with a (http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=3030)E-Station BC6 Balance Charger.

When I am in the field re-charging batteries can you charge without the balancing and then balance your packs when you get home?

What may I expect for charge times with this setup in the field, depending on whether I have to balance or not while in the field flying?

* Are A123 batteries practical for the TREX 600? If so, what configuration and where can packs be purchased?

Thanks for any comments on these questions.
Much Appreciated

[Pinecone]

If possible you should always balance charge.

Charge times in the field will be the same as at home. I figure with a 1C charge rate it takes 65 - 75 minutes to charge from 80% used state.

[csell]

* Are A123 batteries practical for the TREX 600? If so, what configuration and where can packs be purchased?

Hello Billybuck.

T-Rex 600 is great with a123. Bay them as all others do as DeWalt 36 volt battery packs on www.ebay.com
to about 100 USD for a pack with 10 pcs. I use 12s a123 for my T-rex 600, se more in this long thread, it has all the information:

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=39527

Regards Carsten

[kgfly]

will be using MEGA POWER Li-Po Battery 4600mAH 20C 6S2P batteries with a E-Station BC6 Balance Charger.

a) The BC6 is a great charger but only 50W output. It is underpowered for charging those batteries as it will only charge 6s lipo at about 2A. Hence assuming 80% discharge it will take around 2 t o2.5 hours to charge a 6s2p 4600 mAh pack. If you are OK with that time then the difference between balance and non-balance charging won't matter and balance charge.

b) In general, if you have healthy packs that stay well in balance, then non-balance charging is faster and indeed, at the field you can use the BC6's "Fast charge" mode. This doesn't charge at a faster rate but it uses a higher current threshold for terminating the CV phase earlier, You get a 90-95% charge 10 to 20 minutes faster than a 100% charge.

c) A123 batteries for the TRex600 definitely are viable. I suggest you do some reading, but the short answer is that to get all the benefits of A123 you will need:

* A new HV motor and ESC
* Potentially to modify your frame slightly to accommodate a larger diameter motor
* A new charging solution (to take advantage of the 10A charge rate for A123

It is a significant initial investment however the cost of the new motor/ESC/charger is recovered by the 50% savings in battery purchase price plus the 500-1000 cycle lifetime of A123 compared to the 50-200 cycle lifetime of LiPo.

For an extensive and detailed exploration of the options for running a T600 on A123 read all of this long thread: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=39527

[Billybuck]

Thanks for the info guys. I will definately read the A123 thread and re-think my charger options.

By the way, this Bob White guy seems to be an Angel from heaven, when it comes to the TREX. I will definately be reviewing his videos when assembling the 600 as well as for radio setup and practice.

The whole helicopter community as a whole appears to be the best suppoting cast a newbie could ask for. I'm sure this lends to the popularity of the sport.

Thanks again for your replys.

[kgfly]

Oh yes, Bob's stuff is good :) You might find some of the tutorials and references here useful too: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41692

[Billybuck]

Yes I have watched it all. Very informative. I was able to learn alot from these vids.