LiIon

[tnreefguy]

Where can I buy a LiIon pack. I want to go duralite but its too high. I built my own little system in my scale bird and it works great now I would like to get one for my extreme. Check the link and see what you think.

http://www.batteryspace.com/ProductImages/externalbattery/thumb_Li8V4K-1.jpg

[playfair]

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1329
I use this in my R50 with a Ubec.
They are similar LiIon cells that Duralite uses.
Tried the 4S pack for better reg efficiency, but it was insignificant, plus the built-in protection circuit kept cutting out.

You can also search for cheap, used GenII TP or Kokam packs that people are dumping in lieu of higher C's for their micros. They still work great as a rxr pack!

[tnreefguy]

I was considering just going the 7V route. Thanks for the link check mine out and see what you think. Thanks for the advice.

[DavidH]

With only one lead coming from the battery pack, that pack has a safety circuit installed it appears. It will do as Playfair states. When more current is demanded that will pass thru the safety circuit, the power will shuot off.

That is why there is two leads on the Duralite pack. One lead is Charge Only and that is where the Safe Charge circuit is located. The other lead is the power lead that hooks to the receiver. So the power lead will supply as much current as demanded by the receiver and servos.

David

[tnreefguy]

Thanks david I will keep that in mind.

[rwm01]

You might look at the ReLions or the Peerless batteries from Fromeco Scale Avionics (http://www.fromeco.org/). The ReLions are about half the price of Duralites, seem to be very high quality and you can charge them with your own Lithium compatible charger - you don't have to buy one of theirs.
But you can. ;)

Their customer service is second to none. They also manufacture the Arizona Heli Regulator.


HTH,
Bob

[tnreefguy]

I will look into it thanks.

[DavidH]

Yes Fromeco Peerless packs are a few dollars less. But they are not about half the price.

Fromeco Peerless 4800 $78.00
Duralite 4000 mah $92.95


Fromeco Peerless 2800 2 Cell $44

Duralite 2800 4 cell $82.95

The difference between the 4 cell pack and the 2 cell pack. The 4 cell pack is wired so that it is redundant. A cell can be lost in the 4 cell pack and it will still supply power to the receiver.

The Peerless packs from Fromeco is really the only ones that are comparable to the Duralite packs with the Safe Charge Circuity.

Jack and Rachelle at Duralite established the customer service standard that the others have to match.

David

[WillJames]

Exactly David, if yoou compare apples to apples, the Duralite's are not much more expensive at all. Duralite has customer service second to none!

[fitenfyr]

The Relions are the ones that are less.
The Peerless is the newest cell.

I run Relions and the Arizona in all 3 of our birds. 2 Ions and a Benzin.
They work great.

The Duralites are good cells also. I prefer the Arizona regulator over the Duralites though.

[tnreefguy]

Whats up with the new avatar Will?

[WillJames]

RObin made it for me. She thought it was more true to life. :arggg:

[tnreefguy]

LOL

[Knud Pedersen DENMARK]

DavidH: The difference between the 4 cell pack and the 2 cell pack. The 4 cell pack is wired so that it is redundant. A cell can be lost in the 4 cell pack and it will still supply power to the receiver.

Is that on both Duralite and Fromeco (Peerless)??

ChopperKnud

[DavidH]

It is only on the 4 cell packs. I know that is the way it is with the Duralites. The 4 cell packs are wired redundant. Not sure about the Fromeco 4 cell packs, but I would think they set there 4 cell packs up the same way.

David

[charles]

The Fromeco pack is wired redundant just like the Duralites. I have one of their packs myself. If you have your own more advanced charger you charge them as a 2s2p pack.


Thanks

Charles

[Phaedrus]

Here's another point in the Fromeco v Duralite thing. Ask Duralite and Fromeco where and who makes their cells. Then decide which is worth the money.

Here's a hint. One uses off-brand generic cells and the other uses first line high quality cells made by either LG-Chem or Molicel.

[DavidH]

I can answer where the Duralite cells are manufactured.

Duralite uses cells from Lichen. Duralite has an exclusive contract with them and Duralite is the only company in the hobby industry that they will supply these cells to.
This company supplies cells to Hewlitt Packard, Texas Instruments etc
as well as private label for Panasonic others.

David

[Phaedrus]

OK. It is odd that there is not one single hit in Google under "Lichen". Perhaps that is not the actual company name.

I also wonder why the Duralite costs more.

$93/4 Ah = $23.25 / Ah - Duralite

$78/4.8 Ah = $16.25 / Ah - Fromeco

The Duralites are 43% more expensive per aH and 19% more per pack. Why?? Both have superb customer service, so that can't be it.

Oh well. To each their own. I'm very happy with the cost, peformance and service of Fromeco. Others feel good about Duralite. I'm just prefer paying less for that good feeling.

[DavidH]

Mispelled, it is Lishen

http://www.lishen.com.cn/eng/product.asp?t=4

David

[rchflyer]

I have used the Fromeco setups and have been very pleased, with the product and customer support. Both Kurt and Mike have reacted very quickly and professionally to a mixup in my last order.

I also have to give them credit as they provide technical information posted on their web site for all to read/compare.

Dennis


http://www.fromeco.org/shop/apeerlessAdvantage.htm

"Best”
Fromeco Peerless battery packs are made from the absolutely best possible cells, made by the company Molicel. They are widely acknowledged in the battery industry as being the premium Li+ cylindrical cell for critical applications ranging from UAVs to medical equipment. Key features include: Enhanced continuous discharge rates (about 35% higher per cell than the LGChem equivalent), substantially lower internal cell impedence (faster charging), and enhanced life due to highest possible quality manufacturing.

“Real Good”
Fromeco Relion batteries use what up until now were the best cells available to the radio control community; these are the LGChem 18650A3 cells. These guys are a proven performer, putting out about 4.8A maximum continuous, and flying in giant scale ships and helicopters world-wide now for many years. Some of our competitors also use these cells.

“The Competition”
Fromeco’s most significant competitor appears to be using 18650 cells from a company called Tianjin Lishen [http://www.lishen.com.cn/eng/info.asp]; these cells are adequate for many uses, but we do not consider them to be premium cells.