Capt Cash

My Feedback: (1)

I'm pretty much just about done with NiCd / NiMh batteries, at least on the big planes.The next thing isto convert my gas engine ignitions to A123 power as I've already done onmy receivers/servos,and feel the diodes are a pretty safe way to do it. Again this is just for the ignition, I run unregulated directlyinto my receivers and they work great!I love A123, but always a fan of the KISS method I now have to add another choke point if I want to go this route. I've done some homework on the subject and it just seems the diodes are simplelist, safest andsofar havea pretty low failure rate compared to regulators?

I know both methods are effective and cost difference is minimal to me, I just want the most reliable / dependable.

Some informative links:

www.youtube.com/watch(thanks WrongWayRC, this is a great demo)

www.rcaer.com/userfiles/file/RC%20Aero%20-%20Using%20Diodes%20to%20Drop%20Voltage%20on%20A12 3%20batterys.pdf

VIRGINIA MODEL BUILDERS

My Feedback: (159)

Great input. I want to thank you for your contribution.

captinjohn

I agree...very good video. The only different I would like to see is a pressure chamber added to see what effect the spark would have under about 80 pounds of pressure. More like in a engine. Plugs fire more easy in open air. Thanks Capt,n

K-Bob

My Feedback: (1)

I can only speak to that which I have experience with, but if you're running a DA there is no need for either. DA Ignitions are good to go with unregulated A123 packs.

captinjohn

That is what I thought too. Seems like some of the guys are buying DeWalt power packs for portible drills on Ebay. Some have 30 volt packs with lots of cells to make several RC packs.A few guys share the cost= cheap packs! Capt,n

CRFan1

I use a single 2300 MAH A123 with a voltage reducer (diode) setup from Wrongway RC and it works perfectly....

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Me too (on 3 planes)

Capt Cash

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks fellas, looks the diode reducer is a pretty good solution then. How many flights do you find you can get in on a single 2300 mAh A123 battery on the ignition?

I run two of these into my receiver and find I could probably get 8 flights in on my30% Sbach and still have aquitea bitleft. The goal is to go to the field and not have to worry about recharging once I get there.

CRFan1

Well, I generally do four 8 minute flights and I still have 75% left give or take. here is the deal though, get your stuff from Wrong way and buy the FMA Cell pro charger he has (it's cheap). After 4 flights, I hook it up to my hobby box and plug the plane in....it is literally done charging in 7 minutes usually. You can fly all day and not worry.

I got the Single 2300 A123, Opti-kill switch, the smart switch, the charger, the voltage reducer and a couple of extensions for like 130bucks everything you need in one package.

Capt Cash

My Feedback: (1)

[/quote]
Well, I generally do four 8 minute flights and I still have 75% left give or take.
[/quote]

Is this on an A123 battery going to the ignition?

I agree on the FMA CellPro4 charger, I already have it and it's great. The other day I did four 14 minute flights and my two A123's only took about 500 mAh each to top them off. This is running 5 Hitec 7954's too. Seems like two 1100mAh batteries would suffice but at only two more ounces or so, the extra capacity vs. weight is negligible.

CRFan1

Iuse that one 2300 A123 to power the ignition AND the servos/receiver. Rich at wrong way setsthe A123up with a deans connector to go to the switch and another seperate lead on the battery that goes to the opti-kill and than the voltage reducer and into the ignition module. Simple, easy and plenty of power.

Eganwp

My Feedback: (1)

+1 on the $0.05 diode voltage drop. Been doing this on my gassers for 2 years now on A123's.

skip1320

I run an a123 1100 through futaba 2.4 strait to generic chinese ignition,it has a pegasus on it,neato! P.S all the time!