A123 Discharger

[partzee]

I recently purchased a FMA Cellpro Multi4 and (I'm still very new to the A123 cells)if I understand it,the charger balances but does not discharge or cycle.Is a stand alone discharger available?One option I found was the "Dapter" and I could use one of my many NIXX chargers/cyclers.
Tks,Partzee

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by partzee

I recently purchased a FMA Cellpro Multi4 and (I'm still very new to the A123 cells)if I understand it,the charger balances but does not discharge or cycle.Is a stand alone discharger available?One option I found was the "Dapter" and I could use one of my many NIXX chargers/cyclers.
Tks,Partzee

I've been using the 2300 Mah A123 cells now for four years. Present units are three 6S2P packs, one 12S2P pack, one 6S1P pack, one 4S1P pack. Most of them are on their 4th flying season, and all have the same performance as when they were purchased brand new.

IMHO, these A123 cells do not need to be cycled, or partially discharged for long term storage. And that's something I've never done or had to do with my A123 packs.

I've got the Cellpro Powerlab 8, and my understanding is the Cellpro 4 has a lot of the same features, but can't charge at the same rate as the '8'.

These A123 cells can be charged at just about any rate your charger can put out. Mine are charged at 5 Amps per cell, so that 12S2P pack pulls 42 amperes out of the 12 volt Deep Cycle battery during the charge cycle.

If you have not purchased your A123's yet, check out www.voltmanbatteries.com. More expensive than direct from China at $9.99 each plus shipping. But they are located in Ohio, which is a good plus in my opinion. Be sure to specify solder tabs, soldering directly to an A123 cell is a real hassle, it takes a 100 watt temperature regulated soldering iron, and special soldering flux.

Take a look:
http://www.voltmanbatteries.com/serv...1-dsh-A/Detail

[partzee]

Thanks so much for your reply.You answered my question on discharging as well as answering my other post looking where to buy good A123's.Thanks for the link,I'll give it a try.
partzee

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by partzee

Thanks so much for your reply.You answered my question on discharging as well as answering my other post looking where to buy good A123's.Thanks for the link,I'll give it a try.
partzee

You're welcome!

I purchased 6 2300 Mah A123 cells from voltmanbatteries a few months ago, very happy with this company. (Again, be sure to specify tabs for your batteries)

As for long term storage, seems these cells really don't care if they are stored fully charged, 20% charged what ever. I've found that they lose less than 10% of full charge after being stored for 6 months. Not bad.

[partzee]

Thanks again.I've looked at the site and while I've never built a pack I can solder very well so I'm going to give it a try.I'll need to get a balancing pigtail to put on the pack for the XH balancing adapter I purchased with the charger.
Thanks much,
Partzee

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by partzee

Thanks again.I've looked at the site and while I've never built a pack I can solder very well so I'm going to give it a try.I'll need to get a balancing pigtail to put on the pack for the XH balancing adapter I purchased with the charger.
Thanks much,
Partzee

Sounds good.

Take a look at this posting: What works very well for shrink wrapping is one of those plastic water bottles from your local grocery store. Find one with the circumference slightly larger than your battery pack, drink the water, cut the top and bottom off and dry it out.

This stuff shrinks about 30% or so, and is extremely tough, far more tough than the shrink wrap available for this purpose.

Take a look:
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43455

The attached thumbnail shows how to set up an Anderson Power Pole system to allow charging or powering up the model with a connector bolted to the side of your model. It sticks out, but if your model does not have a removeable hatch, this is one way to go.