josecilurzo

I would like to know if is posible to use the A123 BATTERIES direct in RX FUTABA R6014FS, without volt regulator.

JOSE [8D]

erbroens

Jose, this receiver is stated to work within 4.8 to 6.0 V and A123 batts has 3.6V for each cell, so I think they are a bit too much
for not using a regulator.


As I don´t like regulators, I simply use 5 element NiMh batts in the Futaba receivers and now in the JR R2100 RX without issues.

SinCityJets

Anybody running A123's are running them direct to the receiver. They carry the same voltage as a freshly charged 5-cell NIMH pack.

JohnMac

Are you sure? They are a nominal 3.3volts per cell aren't they? I am using them as Rx batteries without Regulators and I have had no issue (although admittedly not with a Futaba Rx)

pbusa1400

Jose,
I got 3 FUTABA R6014FS in different airplanes running on a123 with no problems what so ever. (no regulator)

erbroens

My bad! they are 3.3V indeed.


Enrique

Airforce7

My Feedback: (31)

I am about to start testing A123 batteries for both my Rx and JetCat ECU. I have a AR9000 Rx. If all goes well I'll post some data here after my fights.

Kelly W

My Feedback: (2)

I've seen them and know of them being used with the AR9100 Rx for some time, and it seems like a good combo. The only minor issue was a rudder servo twitching a little bit.

Switching receiver brands now, I run 5-cell NiCad's direct to my Futaba receivers and the fresh off the charge voltage is close to 7 volts. The Servos you choose are probably the items you should keep an eye on.

Kelly

Jgwright

I am running 3 planes with A123 batteries with no regulator direct to Futaba R6104FS. No issues and liking the very quick recharging when getting several models ready to fly. I used to run 5 Cell NiCad batteries but the A123 2 cell 2200 are lighter than the 1700 5 Cell NiCad and more capacity. My servos are Futaba and Hitech.

John

josecilurzo

thank you everbody!!!!
we are going to A123!!! simpler, and it does not need regulator!!!
John, congratulations to your magazine, I`m reading since 2002!!
Pablo, I`m going to Miami to see Carlos, and, Lake Wales too, see you there.

jose [8D]

bigbri

My Feedback: (287)

over 40 flights on my kangaroo with 123's futaba 149 dp rec...;ove them. Also powering my jetcat turbines with them in 3 cell config....awesome !! I am a convert for sure

josecilurzo

Hi guys,

I have a doubt, as it is the tension peak when the battery is loaded in the maximum limit, and the used servos are not all 8711 ?
The tension peak is 8 V !!!

jose [8D]

454

My Feedback: (9)

Well you don't need a regulator but you do need a milliamp counter an the are also some of the heaviest batteries on the planet

JohnMac

Jose,
All cells do this. We deal with the nominal voltages of a cell. So a Nicad cell is nominally 1.2 volts per cell, but straight off charge it could be around 1.5 volts per cell. LiPo's are nominally 3.6 volts per cell but can be around 4.2 volts per cell straight off charge. A123's are the same. Nominally 3.3 volts per cell they can measure around 3.8 volts per cell straight off charge. But if you let them settle for say one hour they all drop down quite a bit.

igorcar

Don’t you guys think it’s easier and safer put a regulator?
Because you are using normal servos for doors, brakes, gear!
With battery should I put um flying a F16 JL 2X 8711, 2X hs65, 2X DS168, 1X HS-85MG and 1X DS3421?
And can I use it on the ECU of a JETCAT? With? And about warranty?


Igor

JohnMac

No Its one more thing to go wrong and totally unnecesary.

Airforce7

My Feedback: (31)

I flew three flights today with my Rafale using a P-120 and unregulated AR9000 Rx on ED A123s. I got a little puff of white smoke from the ECU on the first start-up attempt (within seconds of the initial spool-up). I shut down and checked the ECU with the GSU and everything seemed normal. I went ahead and started up the turbine and flew. I eventually flew three times and had no issues. Got home and charged the batteries with my CellPro 4s. The A123 9.9V 3S1P ECU battery required 857mAh. It took about 17 minutes to charge at 4 Ah.

Next I charged my 2S1P 6.6V 2300mAh Rx batteries. Both batteries required about 240 mAh each. It took about 8 minutes to charge each battery at 4 Ah. Three to five minutes at the end of each battery charge was mainly for balancing the cells. I could take them off the charge early and still feel pretty comfortable the batteries were nearly 100 percent charged after the first beep (100% charge as seen on the screen). Multiple beeps indicate a complete charge and only put 10-30 mAh after the first beep. Later, I decided to open up the ECU and see if I could find any damage or burn marks left behind from the smoke. I was able to isolate the source of the problem and proceeded to contact JetCat. The ECU is on its way for service. Hope to get it back before Fresno Jets.

SinCityJets

Running A123's is currently the best possible set-up for RC. ECU's, receivers and the like are all perfect applications.

After having built and sold over 1500 ECU and receiver packs, I'm here to tell you, there is no better set-up.

Erik R

My Feedback: (32)

I have to agree.Having gone from ni-cd to ni-mh,to duralites,to fromecos,I tried the 123's from sin city in my new raptor.2 6.6's into a spectrum 9100,and a 9.9 on the ecu.Running a Simjet 3000.I love these batteries.Their burst amp capability gives me peace of mind when running 2.4G radios.No chance of a low voltage scenario,which is the major concern running dsm radios.Also,I love how quickly they charge.The airplane is a bullet,faster than my super bandit,which is no slouch.

erazz

I've also been using A123's on my planes. You don't need regulators since a freshly charged 5 cell Nicd has a higher voltage. Fast to charge and very robust. Highly recommended.

The only concern is the voltage drop on load especially with a high count of digital servos.
The best setup would be to parallel 2 packs through 2 switches. For extremely high drains the best option is still Nicads.

Jgwright

One little gaget I recent received was the Smart Guard Digital Battery Checker. Several shops have them for sale [link=http://alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=35017&Desc=ch]Smart Guard at Als hobbies[/link]. This little gaget will tell you how fully charged the battery is for 2-7 cell LiPo, 2-7 cell LiIon, 2-7 cell LiFe, 4-7 Cell NiCad, and 4-7 cell NiMH. It is not expensive and saves worrying about how fully charged A123 cells are.

John

jseppanen

Absolutely correct in my opinion too!

Why the concern about voltage drop under load?

If you have, say like ten modern digital servos, even all of them fully stalled - current is in the region of 30-40A - scenario, which you will probably never see in a model jet of any size. And still the A123's hold voltage very well! Under max recommendable draw of 40C, with 2300's over 90A, voltage of a single cell should still be around 3V, 6V with a normal 2S receiver pack...no need for NiCads/NiMHs unless you need some extra weight...or am I missing something really bad?

Btw. under similar 30-40C loads, the voltage drop of for example 1950FAUP (NiMH) or good 1700mAh NiCd is similar or even worse. They come easy under 1V per cell...

larryfl1

My Feedback: (3)

i am using a123 on my 9100 receiver and also with a jetcat ecu...no problems and love the 5 minute charge time at 10amps...amazing...


from what i heard the jetcentral ecu's do not like the a123 they recommend liion ....i wonder why?

ela

I am also using the A123 for my receiver and love them. And I see what voltage they can keep when discharging under load. I would never use them without a regulator. Have Futaba said you can use 5 cell nicd or nimh? Most of our equipment is ment to operate on 4,8 to 6 V, that means yon need an regulator. If you will have som margins on your side an fly safe use a reguator. Don't push you receiver/swithes/servoes limits just because some is using this combination without problems. [sm=drowning.gif]

SinCityJets

Ela,

No offense, but I have not heard of one single failure as a result of running A123's direct to the receiver (when the receiver or servo were capable of running at 6.0v). Also, most radios come stock now with 5 cell NIMH packs for their receiver.

I would not run them with servos only capable of handling 4.8v......they will go poof!