Pros-Cons About A123

Showtime · 03-24-2008, 08:23 PM

So they are still kind of new and i am thinking this is going to be the way of the battery world here soon. So what are the pros and cons?

PlaneBender · 03-24-2008, 10:17 PM

Interesting question indeed.

Pros=:
A budget solution for those who choose to save money on regulator sales.

A comforting solution for those who want or feel the need to remove the regulator from the problem mix.

A good choise for those who are flying a (Nondemanding) group of servos that don't have the need for the higher voltage supply. And also don't reap the benifit of the weight savings.

Very safe non flamible unit and very user friendly when it comes to charging.

Cons=:
The heavest batt solution of any lithium product.

Require more room in the aircraft for storage.

When using high demand digital combinations and non regulated current you can find yourself below 6V on almost a regular basis.

Some brands require a special charger that can cost nearly $100.00

The need to charge more often as to keep the voltage on top.

Just my 4 cents, No toe stepping here.

Bodywerks · 03-25-2008, 06:22 AM

Pros:
1. cheap - if you build your own, a 2s1p 2300 pack can be made for $25 a unit or less.
2. perfect voltage for the manufacturer-recommended voltage range - I know there are a lot of people successfully running unregulated ions and lipos with no problems, but until the manufacturers of the servos officially say it's OK, I won't do it.
3. Highest C rating of any lithium-based battery currently available, that I know of. Because of this, they are PERFECT for high-demanding, high performance servos, even in groups of 10 or more. A 4600 pack can push 40 amps and maintain 6 volts for several seconds under such load. Under typical flying conditions, the bigger planes draw an average of only 4to 6 amps - a cake walk for A123's
4. Excellent choice for a LIGHTWEIGHT, high-output battery setup. For example, the minimum weight of a li-ion setup for a 150cc bird with regulators, including ignition, will be 20-24 ounces. This is because higher capacity batteries are needed due to the low C-rating of li-ions (a 5200 is only good for 8 amps), so almost all setups will use two 5200's for the receiver power, just to be able to push the amps that can be demanded by the bigger planes. With A123's and their 30C+ continuous rating, you don't need big batteries. And while a single 2300 could probably handle the load with ease, a more logical setup would be two 2300's, and then an 1100 for ignition. This total battery weight is only 14.5 ounces!
4. Safe chemistry
5. the recommended chargers are no more expensive than the recommended li-ion/lipo chargers, and they make affordable adapters that will retrofit current lipo chargers to be capable of charging A123's.
6. Fromeco has started selling them - that says something.
7. Can be charged in 15 minutes or less if so desired.
Cons:
1. About half the energy density of lipos or li-ions (but because of their lower cost and no need for regulators, two sets of batteries could be had for still less than a typical li-ion setup).
2. FAST! voltage drop when they do finally run out of juice. You really have to pay attention to the average current consumption of your setup to avoid running the batteries dead. Standard practice is to charge again when you think you are at about 50% capacity (the good thing is that you can charge them almost as fast as you can fuel the plane - the bad news is that may mean having to field charge).
3. lower voltage than li-ions. Right now, this is actually a pro. But if servo manufacturers ever manufacture high-voltage servos(rumor is that they are already in the works), then A123's will be at a disadvantage.

Showtime · 03-25-2008, 06:27 AM

Great info guys i had no idea about a123 and now i feel a little better about what i am getting into....

JBenson · 03-25-2008, 06:32 AM

I have them in the new 40% QB and I really like them. Just make sure to charge your ignition every time out whether you think you need it or not

True I get only 4 flights per charge of my 2 2300 packs, but they are lighter than the 2 5200 Li-Ion packs I would be using, no regs, and I can charge in 15 minutes. So far so good.

JB

Showtime · 03-25-2008, 06:46 AM

Benson your plane is already a little heavy You are saving like maybe 6 ounce total put bigger packs in it and be safe. If you lose this plane over 6 ounce that would be stupid.
Your ignition pack is 1100 Get a bigger pack on it.. if you are worried about weigh put a lipo in it and forget about it. I do understand that weight saving is important but what is more important your plane our just a little weight on a plane that you properly would not know the difference. This is for benson only i am not saying A123 isn't a good solution.

JBenson · 03-25-2008, 09:48 AM

My plane isn't at risk because of batteries. I was just stupid and didn't charge the ignition. I am going to go to a 2300 on ignition so I don't have to worry about it. And how do you figure my plane is a little heavy? 41 lbs on a 122" plane isn't really heavy. Plus, I have more faith in the A123s being able to supply the necessary power so my 2.4 receiver does not reset. The A123 are definitely batter.

JB

JBenson · 03-25-2008, 09:49 AM

Your statement is like me saying to put 10 bolts on the wings of the AirRunner to be safe. Your plane isn't at risk of a wing coming off because there aren't enough bolts, they were at risk because some dummy didn't tighten them down.

JB