Support Home

I have a triton charger. Is that any good for your batteries or should I be looking at the fromeco one?

The Triton will work.  Use the 2s/7.4v lithium setting, and set the charge rate between .5 and .8C for optimal battery life (they can be charged at a max rate of 1C).
Be aware that the Triton does a cell impedance check (and will prorate the charge rate accordingly, based on LiPo, not Li-ion cylindrical characteristics), so please use relatively short, thick charge leads for best results.

I have a five port Ion Cube with the GUI.  When I plug in the batteries to charge the light flashes twice, goes solid and then begins to flash rapidly on all ports.  The GUI is blank all the time.  I hve checked polarity.

Please give us a call Mon-Wed, Rapid lights blinking is an error code for us telling us there is a power supply problem, the blank GUI is a different matter.  Give us a call so we can get all the scoop and get you fixed up.

The most prevailent of the Gaint Scale Class.  There are 3 classes of set up for this size of bird.

Single Non-Redundant system.

• 1-4800mAh+Reg, RX
• 1-2400mAh+Reg. Ign.

The single system is light simple and inexpensive.  It does require that it's pilot is thorough on preflight checks, this set up allow for about 3 to 7 flights on a full charge.   This is with a recharge voltage of 7.0 to 7.1.  We recommend using "Heavy wire" and Deans or PowerPole connectors when running a 4800 RX pack in a 35% sized ship.

Redundant system.

• 2-2400mAh+regs. RX
• 1-2400mAh+regs. Ign.

The redundant system is like the single system above when it comes to flight time, about 3 to 7 flights on a full charge.  The redundant system is a little more expensive due to the fact that it has a another regulator in the current path.  The redundant system can be utilized with both single RX's and duel RX's.

I have a couple older Fromeco Regulators, and I was wondering if they can handle the voltage input that a three cell pack woudl have?  The 4800 4 cell is a tad heavy for my Sceadu, and the 2400 only gives about 3 flights.

Unfortunately no, the Regulator is only Rated for 10Volts a 3S would kick the voltage above the rated voltage, and recommend against doing that. 

...I did not find the recommended charging current for the 2400 batt. I know that It´s not recomended to charge it with more than 1C and the cell documentation in your site shows the numbers for 0.5C but is there a minimum current? What will be the best for battery life? (I´m using an Apache 2500 charger).

You are correct in all your statements:  1C max charge rate, .5 to .8C charge rate for longest life & reasonable charge rate.  The cell manufacturers specify .5C charge rate for cycle testing, incidentally.

There isn't a minimum allowable current, but you still must follow the CC/CV algorithm, i.e., the charger should reduce current to maintain termination and must shut off the charge when the pack voltage is 8.4 volts or less, and when the input current is 25mA or more (no problem with the Apache).

I have the Arizona Regulator and 2400 Peerless pack. If Im flying towards the end of the charge, how does the pack react? Will it shutdown in flight?

There should be no difference between the end or charge and the beginning.  The Pack will not shut down at end of charge. 

Lithium XX chemistry batteries do have a very nasty habbit that does exist at the end of charge.  If you look at Graphs of Lithium Ion/Polymer batteries discharge curves you will notice that the VDC drops very, very dramatically at the end of charge.  We call this the cliff.  Under load this drop off is litterally a matter of seconds.  Other chemistry batteries such as NiCad and NiMH your controls will get mushy and things may not feel right.  With a Lithium it is likely you will lose everything all at once with no warning. 

If you are operating at the end of charge and have not done a proper load check there is a good chance that bad things could happen.

Load checking is absolutely critical with any Lithium chemistry battery especially if you are using these systems on your RX. 

Good Load Checking

• Ensure you load checker is applying a 1amp load or higher. 
• .5AMP IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH
• Apply load to battery for 7 to 10 seconds. (Critical)
• Apply load until voltage readings stabilize.
• Make sure you Load checker is in good working order.

If the load applied is not high enough or long enough, your batteries will most likely indicate that they are still with in proper operating parameters. 

Im interested in your 2400mah peerless Li Ion pack.  I see that it has built-in balancing circuitry.  Does this mean I do not need a separate cell balancer when I am charging them, or during use?  In other words, I could hook this directly up to my Accucycle Elite and not have to worry about unbalanced charging?

How much flight time can I expect from the 2400mah peerless running 3 standard JR digital servos (DS821), 1 submicro digital servo (DS285) and 1 JR 7channel synthesized PCM receiver, in my CG Superchipmunk?

In general, small packs such as a 2s2p Li-ion are best balanced by simply using high quality cells of recent manufacture and from the same lot number.  We do this for both Relion and Peerless packs.  Accucycle Elite works well for both of our battery lines, and you won't have to worry about unbalanced charging.

Guessing at flight times would be a bit chancy on our part, because it is highly dependant upon type and size of airframe, as well as specific setup detail (including servo types) and style of flying.  A Carl Goldberg Super Chipmunk should get over 5 flights on a single 2400 with the above stated system, in good working order.