A123 Cells

[dvmiller]

I am what you could call new to the helicopter realm, just into FFF. I like the sound and power of nitro but I am not a big fan of the price and clean-up of the fuel. I recently purchased some A123 cells to make into battery packs for a Trex 600. I am putting them in a 7s2p configuration to give me a similar voltage and capacity to most popular LiPo packs. Using A123's is cheaper, they can supposedly be charged and discharged for 1000+ cycles, charged at a high rate, and supply 120 amps per parallel pack, so a 2p pack can give 240 amps for a short bursts. The biggest disadvantage I have found it the weight of the completed pack is more than the standard LiPo. Does anyone else have any experiances with A123 cells?

Please share your experiances good or bad about A123 cells.

What chargers work well?

How fast are you charging?

How many cycles do you have?

What is your overall opinion?

[Neogenesis]

I throw this out there....even though I'm not using them in my Heli.

#1 is that they are heavier than Lipos...that is one drawback.....so I decided to try them out in my Bushless E-Maxx instead. I'm out less money there if something goes terribly wrong.

#2 I found that running a 3S1P pack could not provide the amperage that the BL setup needed and battery temps were very high. So high in fact I was uncomfortable running them. I made up another pack with a adapter plug so I'm basically running a 3S2P pack now and temps are barely above ambient.

#3 The thing I like the least about them is that there is no voltage drop at the end. It's like falling off a cliff......you go, go, go, and then they are so dead the truck won't even move.

#4 I'm using a Cellpro 4s charger....charging at 4 amps.

#5......I love them overall.......and will keep using them...they kick a Lipo's butt in the car application due to their ruggedness and quick charging capabilities.



Neo

[dvmiller]

I to have tested a 3s1p pack in an RC truck, I am using the Stampeede with the new velineon motor and speed control. I only have one run on the pack but it is borderline uncontrolable, throttle managment is a necessity. Bliping the throttle causeses immediate flip over wheather you are 2 seconds into the run or near the end of the pack.
I have a pack put together in the 7s2p configuration. I will take some measurements tonight on size and weight. maybe post a picture or two as well. It fits under the canopy, I havn't tested the balance yet.

[Straub]

I have two 6sa123 packs that i got for my nexstar trainer and have only charged them up 1 time. So i dont have much experience with them but they do charge up very fast. I need to put them to better use and am thinking of getting a trex 500 but not sure how well they will fit under the canopy.

[Flypaper 2]

Using 4s1p of the B&D 1100 cells in the LMH 100. heli working very well. More poop than 3 li-ion cells. When it runs out at the end, it drops at about 3 mph with the throttle full on. Been using a timer since then. About 8 mins run time.

[zeta30]

I just switched to 3s A123 in my CopterX 450. Unfortunately, like you I'm still a noob, probably less skills than you since I can barely do forward flight.

I had a major crash right before I ordered them and am still trying to re-build my CX so the only thing I've been able to do with them is hover while I do test flights. Here are a couple links that I've found very helpful. There is a ton of info on both sites about A123's

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_450/p_/tmode_1/smode_1/tt.htm

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6769001&postcount=2

I have a ThunderPower TP610C Charger. I can charge the packs in about 20 minutes. They are capable of charging faster but my charger can't keep up with them since it can only charge up to 8C

[JustinMoore12]

I use them in my 500. I like them but they dont offer near the amount of power as a lipo. For FF and simple stuff they are good. I find a big difference in preformance. Charge times are great and i will continue to use them.

[pjpg]

I am what you could call new to the helicopter realm, just into FFF. I like the sound and power of nitro but I am not a big fan of the price and clean-up of the fuel. I recently purchased some A123 cells to make into battery packs for a Trex 600. I am putting them in a 7s2p configuration to give me a similar voltage and capacity to most popular LiPo packs. Using A123's is cheaper, they can supposedly be charged and discharged for 1000+ cycles, charged at a high rate, and supply 120 amps per parallel pack, so a 2p pack can give 240 amps for a short bursts. The biggest disadvantage I have found it the weight of the completed pack is more than the standard LiPo. Does anyone else have any experiances with A123 cells?

Please share your experiances good or bad about A123 cells.

What chargers work well?

How fast are you charging?

How many cycles do you have?

What is your overall opinion?

The A123 cells are perfect for your flying style of basic flight and or sport flying. I am just not sure of the particlar set up you are asking. I assume you want to use the stock motor and esc. I use to fly the 600 with 13s A123 and it provided plenty of power for 6-min sport flying. But that would require a different motor and esc. Using A123 cells tkes a bit of experimenting to find the right set up. Due to the lower voltage and 2300 mah you need to over gear and go with a higher voltage to compensate. From my experience the cells hold up very well from crashes and have a longer cycle life than lipo. I currently run 10s A123 on a Logo 500 and it has all the power I need. The Logo uses 6s lipo normally. With a thunder power 1010 charger a 10s pack can be charged in 30 min. at 5 amps. They can be charged faster if you have a charger capable. I dont want to recommend the 7s2p configuration as I have no experience with it. I have read of many others that are happy using A123. With long cycle life, durability,and faster charging I am more than happy.

[500Driver]

I use a 12s2p A123 pack (yeah, it's a big mother) in my Maxi Joker II for aerial photography work.

Very robust batteries and just as much flight time as my lipo packs which is what I really care about. They are slightly heavier but the Maxi doesn't seem to mind.

Using a Cell Pro 10s set for A123's charging at 10 amps.

Probably not the best choice for 3D...but for sport flying, hovering, and if you demand a reliable, tough as nails battery...can't beat A123's.

[invrted]

I've used A123 cells in only 1 application and loved them.

The aero design team at my college, we designed and built a 15 foot wingspan heavy lift airplane powered by Large axi motors and 2 10s2p A123 packs taken from dewalt packs.

overall, they worked really really well! during our testing phase for the plane, we were able to take 10 flight over a 5 hour period. each flight was around 5 minutes and the charge time was around 30 minutes. they provided enough power for what we were doing.

a member of the club then converted a 90 size Cap 232 plane using the same equipment. although heavier than the glow 4 stroke setup he was using, there was plenty of power on hand and the cells never came down anything above ambient temperature

[coptercptn]

The major down sides to A123 is "C" ratings are lower..(less punch for 3D style flying ) and weight..
If you are going scale..they work great and the advantage is you can recharge them immediately after using them..and many, many cycles!!!

Another plus is if you are building a big bird try them for RX packs...We have been buying the Black and Decker batteries (A123, 1100) packs (2 batteries in pack) for under $8 bucks and they are great 6v. packs. Just plug them in to rx and go...for more time go 2S2P and build a 2200 pack!!! at $8 bucks a pack you can have a lot of flights!!!

[JustinMoore12]

The major down sides to A123 is "C" ratings are lower..(less punch for 3D style flying ) and weight..

The true 2300 Mah cells are 30c.