RE: solderless power tubes
http://www.slkelectronics.com/DeWalt/hints.htm A123S comes in 2300 and 1100s MAh sizes only. Charles
Posted on: 6/28/2009 5:07 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8888665

RE: Duralite Batteries (Buyers Beware)
I use Thunder Power 1010C / 210V combo FMA Balance Pro HD (disciontinued),FMA fell Pro 10,Hyoerion DUO,720i Net,720i Net 3,modified Astro Flight 109 and my Zip Charger for 3S packs. Really go to RC Groups Batteries and Chagers and do a search on post on A123 by everydayflyer. Do a Yahoo on A123s and many hits will be my post. Go to the A123 ARcing Support Forum here oc RCU and read my post
Posted on: 6/24/2009 4:53 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8877818

RE: Duralite Batteries (Buyers Beware)
Post # 1 Snip [quote]Below are a few pictures of what they call the 123 batteries [/quote] Post #17 Snip [quote]And yes he used the Duralite charger that came with it. At the time, lithium Ion batteries were brand spanking new. I mean like maybe a month old. [/quote] Post #22 Snip: [quote]4. Duralite calls the customer and had a direct conversation. Duralite was told that batteries were charged once using Triton charger on Li-Po setting just as he would charge his ThunderPower Li-Po batteries! [/quote] Sure seems like a lot of conflicts but then that is what happens with second and third hand hear say. Like another poster above I have never owned any Duralite products. I have used A123 Systems LiFePO4 cells both the 2300s for over three years and the 1100 for close to ywo years. Many consider me a A123 guru. I know for a fact that charging A123 2300 cells to 4.2 volts per cell would not cause such an event . I have charged them to 4.5 volts per cell and they merely got a little warm. I have charged a 3S at a starting rate of 100 amps. and a ending votage of 12.4 (4.13 per cell) in 4:14 and they went from 75F to 140F. I have charged a 3S at a 20A average , 6-1/2 minutes average charge time to 11.55 close to 500 times and the battery still delivers over 2000 mAh of useable flight capacity. I have no idea what really caused the above events but I do no that A123 Sysytems cells are extremely durable and safe. Yes the can be overcharged to the point of venting and even poping the ends off but it takes a lot more than 4.2 volts per cell to do so. Charles
Posted on: 6/24/2009 4:12 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8877718

RE: "New" A123 cells (evaluation to follow)
Around 4 years ago some vendors claimed to have a source for A123 cells of better than DeWalt quality. It would appear that Steve do9es in fact have a source for a better grade of A123 cells. Perhaps these better / more consistant cells are the ones now being manufactured in the A123 Systems Enerland Plant which they purchased about a year ago and the DeWalt cells are now two or more years old.
Posted on: 5/15/2009 10:14 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8772634

RE: Dewalt 36v life battery
DeWalt 9360 has 10 ea. 2300 mAh cells 9280 has 8 ea. 2300 mAh cells 9180 has 12 ea. 1100 mAh cells. 6S2P
Posted on: 4/14/2009 9:26 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8682082

RE: A123 "storage" charge?
Thgis question has came uop a few times. The cells are shipped at 3.2 per cell which would indicate this is best fro storage however I have cells that are over 3 years old that have always been fully charged and they seem fine. I am sure most cordless power tools are left charged for instant use. Cells ./ packs that I know i will not be flying for extended periods such as several weeks to months I store at 40 to 60% stste of charge. Cells which have never been put in service are at 3.2 and 45F in sealed zip lock freezer bags along with my infrequently flow LiPolys which are 3.8 [per cell.
Posted on: 4/14/2009 9:20 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8682051

RE: A123 as receiver pack - no fly voltage?
[quote]Change your load when you test batt voltage to 1.8A and your "no fly voltage" will go down. chance it to 5A and it will go down farther. [/quote] With A123 1100 mAh cells there would be very little difference in voltage at these load levels and with 2300 s the difference would be even less. I have posted discharge graphs of 1100s and 2300 many,many times. Myself when used as received packs I wold noy use more than 80% of their capacity to be determined by test flights and measured recharges. Charles
Posted on: 3/19/2009 10:44 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8596037

RE: Lipo / Lion / A123 / or Stay with NiMH
2S A123 2300 mAh . Charger FMA Cell Pro 4 which will balance charge a 2S at 4A or just over 30 minutes for a completely discharge pack. In receiver use you would not want top discharge over 1800-2000 mAh (approx. 6.0 volts) so recharge would be approx. 20 minutes. Best place to purchase a 2S most likely radicalrc.com Charles
Posted on: 2/27/2009 11:18 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8526718

RE: A123 QUESTIONS
If the charger you are using does not charge the cells to 3.6volts then it is a charger issue not a battery issue. Multi 4 should balance charge a 2S to 7.2 volts (3.6 per cell) . Soon after charging voltsge should be approx. 6.6-6.9. Some new A123 packs required 5 to 15 balance charges at reduced charge rate to become balanced / formed / broken in. Some of the cells which were harvested (salvaged) from B&D VPX packs may be older cells which were stored under less than ideal conditions. Charles
Posted on: 2/23/2009 9:33 AM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8508425

RE: Charging - Two batteries and two switches
That can get complicated. Using the Cell Pro 4 if you charge one using the balancing lead (you really have no choice) and both swithes in in a position(s) wher both batteries are connected power leads wise both will charge. One through the balancing leads and the other thrugh the power leads. You could use a Y-harness and charge both in paralle through the balancing leads at thre same time. To charge in parallel (either way ) they need to be close to the same voltage which they will be if they were both switched on during the flight. Charles
Posted on: 2/14/2009 4:31 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8476561

RE: A123racing's Horrible Customer Service
Depends on one's point of view I guess. Back when I first started posting here I was informed by Brain that I did such a good job of answering most question that he did not feel the need to respond to most post. If someone has a problem that requires customer service then they really should phone or email not post on a forum , any forum in my opinion. A123 does have another site but I do not have it book marked. There were a lot of changes when A123 Systems purchased Enerland and perhaps Brain has much bigger fish to fry. Last I heard Horizon Hobbies was the sole US Distributor so perhaps they are a good CS contact point . I will mentioned once agin that there is 10 to 100 times more information on these cells over on RC Groups then there is here. Charles
Posted on: 2/10/2009 11:23 AM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8461019

RE: A123 Fueled Great planes Electro Stik
[quote]Hi Charles, Would the GP ElectroStik ARF/Rimfire 42-40-1000 combo fly ok using 3 or 4 VPX1100 cells?[/quote] The 1100 mAh A123 (B&D VPX) cells are not enought. I use the 2300 cells. I have no idea how the other poster smoked 3 of these motor but my original ARF one with supplied Rimfire has over 100 flights using 4 and 5S 2300 A123s and the only problem I had was with the servos. They are slow and the gears strip easier than Hitec 55s. My second one with the Scorpion and dual aileron servos now has 285 flight and has been flown on 4Sand 5S A123 (2300) as well as with 3S2P 4500 LiPolys.3S1P 3300 LiPolys and 4S3300 LiPolys. It develops over 1,000 watts on a 4S LiPoly. The ARF one sets in the hanger(shop) in case I need a spare. Truth is the Scorpion powered one is just a lot more fun to fly with the insane amount of power it has. Charles
Posted on: 2/7/2009 11:53 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8451082

RE: airplane for A123 batteries
Here you go. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6477096/tm.htm That is the smallest sport plane I fly on 3S A123 2300s. I use 4S and 5S ones in my 3DHS 47" Extra 300 SHP, Great planes Electro Stik and Extreme Flight Yak-54 47" 4S only in Yak I also use 5S in a Zero Gravity Pitts Python and a Sig Fazer. I will tell you like I tell the rest. There is a 100 times more info on these cells and their useage on RC Groups , Batteriers and Chargers Forum. I have more post there than you can read in a moth on these. I have flown them for two years and thousands of flights. My MUS has right at 500 flights on it , my 3DHS Extra close to 600 and my Stik around 275. Stick here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7912854/tm.htm I have since gone to a 60A ESC a 12X8E prop and with a 5S it is over 800 watts. Here is my 3DHS Extra http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6989719/tm.htm Charles
Posted on: 1/30/2009 8:05 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8420703

RE: Large packs... Check this out!!!
[quote]Well, I did lots of research on these cells and I swear I remember reading that that dot is a safety vent and should not be covered... I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere... [/quote] I am sure you did read that. I have read it also but fact is it is wrong. I hate to sound like a know it all but few know more about these cells than I do. http://www.slkelectronics.com/DeWalt/packs.htm Snip [quote] When I built this pack, I totally missed that the little blue button is a vent! Turns out it's not a vent after all, but where the electrolyte is added. There is anecdotal evidence that these cells will vent when seriously abused, e.g. heavy discharge way below recommended cutoff voltage. I have since learned that there is another vent on the opposite (non-button) end of the case. This vent is large enough as to be outside the normal area for end-to-end soldering. Just be sure to keep solder to about the diameter of the button[/quote] Charles
Posted on: 1/20/2009 1:47 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8380213

RE: Large packs... Check this out!!!
That dot is not the safety vent, believe me or not. I have soldered many cells / packs with equipment I described. I have never had any problems what so ever. Good luck. Charles
Posted on: 1/15/2009 6:52 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8362355

RE: Large packs... Check this out!!!
hat little blue dot in the center of the neg. terminal is not a vent. That is where the cell is sealed after assembly using a UV actived sealant. You do not need a 260 watt soldering gun. You should not be using a soldering gun at all. You need an soldering iron with a large tip (thermal mass). A 40 watt iron with a good hammer head tip works OK . A 100 watt iron with a large chisel tip works great. Clean the ends (burnish with 400 grit sandpaper) ,apply rosin soldering paste very lightly and use 63/37 solder. To solder to the aluinum can use Zinc Aluinum flux from Cheap battery Packs .Com or aluinum soldering paste such as Harris from a welding supply source.. Charles
Posted on: 1/15/2009 2:13 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8361418

RE: Triton charger for 2 cell B&D VPX A123 pack
7 cell Ni charges to approx. 10.5 volts and a 3S A123 charges to approx. 10.8 volts so should be OK for ESC. A123s will deliver more amps. so you may need to use a smaller prop. to keep amps. below 35 . 3S A123 will be lighter than Ni and will hold volts a lot longer so more climbouts per charge. Charles
Posted on: 12/31/2008 2:50 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8302727

RE: Triton charger for 2 cell B&D VPX A123 pack
wahoo CellPro4 is a very good choice for A123 (VPX)receiver packs. It will charge a 2S at up to 4A which is an approx. 4C (15 min) charge for the 1100 mAh cells and it balances. Do not forget to order some pigtails (node leads). BillS How many cells in your glider Ni battery? Each A123 cell is approx. the same as 3 Ni cells. I have used a 3S 2300 mAh A123 pack in several of my 2 meter gliders that used 6-8 cell Ni packs in years past. Any Ni charger will work if used with any of the A123 compatible Dapters. Any LiIon / LiPoly charger can be used also. A123 cells are normaly charged to 3.6-3.7 volts per cell where as LiIon charge to 4.1 and LiPoly to 4.2 however charging A123s to these levels will not do that much damage to them as long as a balancer is used to prevent any cell from exceeding 4.3 volts. Some in-line balancer with an over voltage safety disconnect such as an Equinox will both balance and stop the charge when one cell reaches 4.3 volts. Try them for a while with such a setup or your existing chargers then purchase a LiFePO4 mode charger when you see how great they are. Seems like I have answered these question in the past in this very same thread. See post # 7 Charles
Posted on: 12/30/2008 11:33 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8300869

RE: 2s and 3s a123 cells in my traxxas rustler and stampede
DeWalt packs come with all cells joined in series by straps, cut the number of cells needed and fold. Use care not to short cells,cause ends to rotate or tear spot welds lose. http://www.slkelectronics.com/DeWalt/hints.htm Charles
Posted on: 12/28/2008 6:30 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8291692

RE: 2s and 3s a123 cells in my traxxas rustler and stampede
Most transmitter require an 8 cell Ni battery which charges to approx. 11.6 volts and is considered discharged at around 9.4 volts. A 3S A123 would be required and works well but will not fit inside the case. Charles
Posted on: 12/24/2008 9:54 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8279891

RE: New battery sugestion??
All very interesting and basic questions however they are about Ni batteries and this is the A123 Racing (LiFePO4) battery support forum. You would need a different charger. Nicds and NiMH require either different chargers or a chargerwhich can be set for different type batteries also a higher capacity battery would require a higher charge rate or much longer to charge. Charles
Posted on: 11/19/2008 10:52 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8164692

RE: 123 and Brush motor
Here is a discharge test showing comparison of 3S A123 and 6 cell NiMh. Charles
Posted on: 11/17/2008 2:23 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8156244

RE: can you use a123 1100 cells as a nitro reciver pack?
A 2S A123 is extremely close to te same as a 5cell Ni. No regulator is needed. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5423975/tm.htm A Thtread here with CBA comparison graphs(discharges) http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=914941 Charles
Posted on: 11/10/2008 2:15 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8133456

RE: A123Racing Battery Questions
Sounds to me like it did survive question is for how well and for how long?. Another question , do you really want to place the other cells and other equipment at risk by continuing to use a know damaged cell? Charles
Posted on: 11/10/2008 8:43 AM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8132616

RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no word here!
The initial 1C then 2C then 3c charges are to alow the cells to form /condition. The discharges folowing these charges should also be at reduces rates such as 2c,4c,6C. Number of cycles required will vary with the cells / packs. If one observes the charges and discharges it can been seen when the cells are staying together. I have had AA123 packs which were near perfect from the first cycle and I have had others which required 15-20 cycles to settle in. I have had two 5S apcks which required a cell to be replaced as the cell was still laging behind the others afte 40 cycles or more. A lot of this conditioning depends on how hard you are going to use them. The same type of discussions on LiPolys have been going on for years. If you get 15-20 minute flights / runs from a battery then that is an average 3 to 4C discharge rate and is not hard on them. If you get an average 5 to 6 min. flight / run then that is a 10-12 C avaerage which is much harder on them. In addation to the average C rate during discharge the depth of discharge makes a big difference. Discharging greater than 90% from A123s causes them to heat up more and also can cause greater inbalance. Charles
Posted on: 11/9/2008 10:38 AM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8129561

RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no word here!
Correct setting for A123 (LiFePO4 cells would be [quote]LiFe Vultage level: 3.3V/cell Max.charge vultage: 3.6V/cell [/quote] it also has a program for LiFE which only charges to 3.3v though. That is not max. charge to but base(nonimal) voltage just like 3.7 is base(nonimal) voltage for LiPoly. Cells should charge to 3.6 each and be approx. 3.45 a few minutes after charge is completed. It is best to charge at 1C,then 2C then 3C when new. Charles
Posted on: 11/8/2008 10:42 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8128501

RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no word here!
They are closing out the VPX line due to the fact that they did a very poor job of marketing them and they did not sell well. Shelf space is very valuable and can not be taken up with low volum sales items. The cells themself are great. HomeDepot made the same kind of mistake with the DeWalt 36V cordless tools and is why many of us got great deals on A123 cells by way of EBay. Charles
Posted on: 11/8/2008 6:41 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8127784

RE: A123 QUESTIONS
You do not need the regulators and depending on the type may just waste power. Look at it this way. With linear regulators you just turn extra voltage into heat with switcher regulators if you use 6 volt ones they are not going to be doing anything most of the time and if you use 5 volt ones then you lose the advantage of higher speed and torque. Charles
Posted on: 11/5/2008 6:42 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8118712

RE: A123 QUESTIONS
IMO anyone recommending not to discharge A123 cells below 50% capacity does not know these cells at all. Cycle life posted by A123 Sysyems is based on 100% DOD (depth of discharge). I routinely fly 2000 mAh plus out of my 2300 size packs. [quote]The voltage cutoff looks high compared to the 2.0 volts stated in the Hangtimes/NoBs website. Does anyone know where the cliff is on the A123 batteries? [/quote] Are yoy (they) talking receiver useage(low drain) or as power souce for electric motor(high drain rate)? The 2.0V per cell is for high amps. useage. AF109 use 3 volts LVC as it is a very low drain discharge rate. The Cliff for the 2300s is around 2100-2200 depending on the discharge rate at the time. Discharge graphs for 1100s here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6590509 2300s here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5197497 Bunch more if you care to look for them. Charles
Posted on: 11/2/2008 8:52 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8109038

RE: What is the cheap and best A123 charger & A123 balancer?
Same but very different IMO. Dapter limited to 8amps. max and I find it to be a pain to use. Terminator II handles 40 amps. with ease and is extremely simple to use. Terminator II also uses a higher cutoff voltage which I was responsable for developing and I find to work better. If you have a charger with a 6 volt Pb setting it will work fine for a 2S A123. If you have a charger with LiIon setting (3.6 charge to 4.1) per cell settings it would be safer than counting on stopping a charge in the Ni mode. SAme can be said for usin LiPoly (3.7-4.2) setting. These A123 cells can stand being overcharged. It may reduce the total number of cycles but is really not a big deal. A single cell test was ran where a cell was charged to 4.3 volts and discharged to zero volts for 300 cycles and no damage was done.Problem with charging to higher voltages is that balance becomes a bigger issue. I have charged a 4S balanced pack to 18.25 volts (4.5625 per cell) one time after flight #44 and now 300 flights latter it is still delivering over 2000 mAh capacity. A few have left a battery unattended on a Ni charger and caused cells to vent. They are tuff but can be destroyed. Charles
Posted on: 10/29/2008 1:35 PM by Author "everydayflyer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8095921