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| Click Here to Order Chargers & Access |
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| Click Here to Order A123 Packs |
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| Click Here for the A123 Care & Feeding FAQ |
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Every system setup comes with a decision chain. Here, we'll look at the various common charger, connector
and aircraft layouts and you should be able to determine after scrolling through this basic primer what you need, what to
order, and how to set it all up. Be sure and visit the A123 FAQ for technology comparisons, care and feeding notes and general LiFe support information. |
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Where to start? The Charger... What you have vs. What you need. - The most basic circumstances of any equipment layout
starts with the support equipment. We can't use a Turbine without the right field gear in support, and with A123 batteries,
your definitely going to need an A123 compatible charger. - Sounds simple enough.. unfortunately, as with
most evolving new technology, the perceived needs and the equipment have changed a bit. As of this writing (late spring 2009)
we're into the second generation of A123 compatible chargers. - There's
an awful lot of chargers out there...
First Generation Chargers: These share a common trait... they require
either an external balancer or if equipped with an internal balancer, that balancer requires a second set of leads connected
to the pack for balance charging. We'll call 'em 'Two Lead Balance Chargers' for convenience in identifying
their specific cabling and connector requirements on the pack. These chargers are very easy to spot.. they use a two wire
lead for fast/unbalanced charging, usually from a banana plug type output AND they have a three or more wire 'balance
charge' cable, usually a little white molex type charge socket on the side of the charger to accommodate it. -
| 1st Generation Chargers Banana and Balance Outputs |
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It's possible you already have an A123 compatible charger. Quite a few of the 'lithium capable' mutli- chemistry chargers
already have LiFe or A123 charge or balance charge support. They also have two output cable arrangements.. the banana plug
2 wire output for NiCad and NiMH packs and a molex connecting strip for lithium balance charging. Some use only
the balance tap on the A123 for charging. -
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Second Generation Chargers: These are easy to spot... they have only one
output port (per pack) and it's ALWAYS a 'molex' type port. Various pack connection types are handled by the simple
expedient of adding a RC system standard charge connector to the end of the molex cable they provide to fit the little
molex port on the side of the charger. In the case of the FMA charger (shown) lithium packs are available with the matching
balance tap plug built on them to connect directly to the charger... but with A123 packs (and with giant scale airplanes)
pulling the pack out of the plane to make it accessible to the balance charger can be a mite problematic. We still reccomend
a Univ cell tap on the pack to facilitate in-plane charging. We'll show you two ways to get that done in the 'Switches'
discussion. -
| 2nd Gen Charger.. Single cable output connector |
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Now, there's several routes your decision chain can take.. and again; before we can decide what pack connector
configuration you need we have to decide how your going to set up power delivery from the pack to the radio and servos
and how we're going to give the balance features of your particular charger type acess to charging the pack.
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Comparative Advantages between 1st & 2nd Generation Chargers: While both
types get the job done, the big difference amounts to the ease of connecting up an A123 pack for charging in the plane. With
a 1st generation charger a second charge port is normally required.. as well as a seperate 'tap' on the pack to connect
it to in addition to the usual system connector to the switch. This means the Rx pack will have two connectors... one prime
feed to the switch and off to the Rx and servos.. the other for balance charging. With some 'generation 1 chargers'
that means 2 connections to every pack being balance charged and as a result, 2 charge ports on the side of the plane for
field charging each pack. -
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| 1st Gen Typical 2 Cable Balance Charging |
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| 2nd Gen Typical 1 Cable Balance Charge Setup |
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Generation 2 chargers require only one connection to the pack.. and with a simple modification to your existing HD Chargeport
switch (we'll cover that in the Switches section) will allow balance charging through the switch chargeport... without
any other holes in your plane.
The Common Battery Pack Connector Choices We set up packs with a pretty confusing array of connectors. To clear up some confusion and make it
easier to visualise whats going on with the switch and tap layouts peculiar to A123's, here's some pics of the most
common configurations for A123 packs..
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| A123 2300 with FMA Celltap and Standard 18g JR/FJ |
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| A123 2300 with Univ Celltap and Standard 18g JR/FJ |
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| A123 2300 with Univ Celltap and 18g Deans |
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| A123 2300 with Single 3 Wire 20g Combo Conn |
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The pack above on the left with the FMA balance tap is great if you intend to remove the
packs from the plane to balance charge since it has a molex type charge connection plug for balancing. All three of the other packs
with their connector setups shown above will permit balance charging in the aircraft with the addition of a simple chargeport
or via specialised switches. The two center packs are easy to set up for any 1st or
2nd generation charger and the one on the right is for use with a modified switch and a 2nd generation charger only.
More on that below..
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The Switches and Chargeports - Every RC application requires some way to isolate the battery from the Rx and servos when not in use
or being charged. The key common components to accommodate that are a switch and a chargeport. Below left, a Univ Chargeport, below
right, HD after-market system switches as commonly used in Giant Scale Applications. Now, lets see how we put 'em to use
with the various charger types, pack cabling choices and connectors most often used in Giant Scale.
We'll cover the three basic types.. HD Ultra
Switch with Separate tap chargeport, the HD Ultra ED Nano™ Dedicated, and the Modified System Standard single
feed. To kick things off, lets have a look at the most common configuration.. this accommodates Generation 1 chargers and
packs with a Univ cell tap. The Standard Setup with Separate Celltap
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| ED HD DSC Ultra Switch & Univ Tap Layout |
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| Click Picture for Full Size |
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| Typical Balance Charge Connection Layout |
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| Click Picture for Full Size |
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What we're looking at here is a fast 'pen'
line drawing to scale for a 27% Extra with the prime components of a simple single pack system. Note that the packs 3 wire
Univ celltap meets a 6" std aileron extension that plugs into a Univ Ernst type chargeport. This allows access from outside
the plane to balance charge the pack with a simple Univ Celltap to Charger Cable. This can't be done (access from outside
the plane) with an FMA or ThunderPower, etc, type molex celltap on the pack.. ordering the pack with the
Univ celltap makes balance charging access easy with off the shelf system standard chargeports. The switch is plugged into the packs standard 18g 2 wire system
standard power feed. This is a 'bare bones' setup, allowing use of both Generation 1 and Generation 2 chargers. On
a 1/4 scale Warbird this would give at least 4 flights. On a 23-25% 18 pound IMAC 3D aircraft, 2 flights, average, possibly
more, depending on how aggressively you fly your pattern. For Ignition Engines
up through a DA50 or so, an 1100 A123 would offer about 4 flights. Same setup; the pack has an 18g system standard 2
wire pack connector routed to a HD switch to feed the ignition module and a Univ 3 wire celltap. Mounted at a convenient
point close to the switch is the Ernst Chargeport and 6" extension. Check your ignition modules voltage requirements..
if it'll accept a 5 cell 6v nicad pack, it'll accept an A123 liFe pack without any need for a regulator.
| Simple Std Setup, 1100 Ignition, 2300 Rx Pack |
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| Click Picture for Full Size |
Simple Dual Pack (parallel) System for IMAC
3D 25-40% Size Aircraft For
the really big birds, some additional capacity would be nice.. but we also start to need some extra current handling
capability. Spreading the load out across two sets of connectors and 2 connection points to the Rx add current handling capability
AND a significant increase in system reliability. No single connector, pack or switch failure will take the bird down out
of hand. That's hugely desirable. Here's the Simple Parallel System.. basically, two Rx packs, two Ernst Chargeports
and extensions, two HD Ultra Switches.
| Simple Parallel System w/ Tap Chargeports |
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| Clic Picture for Full Size |
Single Pack, Single Switch, Dual Rx
Feed Setups These are very popular setups for aggressive 3D 20-27%
flyers and it's also a handy way to improve current handling ability without a second switch or pack.
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| HD Deans UltraSwitch w/ Dual Outputs |
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| HD UltraSwitch Nano Dual Output |
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Here's the new HD Ultra Switch with an 18g Deans 2 wire switch input and a dual 22g output for the Rx to improve current
handling capability and spread digital servo loads with two connectons to the Rx. This setup requires the usual separate
Ernst Univ chargeport for balance charging and is ideal for 1st generation chargers requiring 2 connections to the pack for
balance charging.
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This is the new HD UltraSwitch Nano™ developed exclusively for A123 packs with a Univ celltap, this eliminates the usual Univ
Chargeport and extension and is ideal for 2nd generation chargers that require only one 3 wire connection to the pack for
charging. Dual output leads to the Rx, outstanding for spreading out digital servo current loads common with Giant Scale
Aerobatic routines. Neat!
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Simple 3 Wire Switch Feed For 2nd Generation
Chargers Ok, you've seen the standard system setups above, now lets check
out how we can take advantage of the new single balance charge feed 2nd generation chargers like FMA's Multi-4. The idea is
to set up an A123 system without a separate Univ Chargeport on the plane or separate cell balance tap on the pack. With
a quick modification, a standard HD Chargeport switch can be bent to the task. Most all HD chargeport switches are set up with three wire feeds
to the RX, this is to enable the 'DSC' feature available on top end 72 MHz Tx's. or ‘binding’ a new Rx to a 2.4GHz
Tx thru the switch. 'DSC means 'direct servo connection'.. it gave you a means to power up and actuating the Rx and
servos on the plane without actually 'transmitting'. In a world filling rapidly with 2.4 GHz radio systems the DSC feature
is not often required and 2.4GHz Rx first use ‘binding’ can be easily done with an aileron extension plugged directly
into any open port on the Rx rather than using the switch port. In any case, most HD
switches are equipped with that 'third' wire.. it's a 'signal' lead and we need to remove it from the plug that goes into
the Rx so we don't put power to the Rx on that lead. To remove it you need a razor knife and a bit of electrical tape. With
this mod, we're going to turn your switches 3 wire Rx power feed into a 2 wire power feed. Check the photos below..
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| Lift contact retainer tab, slide out contact |
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| Click Picture for Full Size |
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| Fold back contact, tape to insulate |
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| Click Picture for Full Size |
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| Done, ready to plug into Rx |
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| Click Picture for Full Size |
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Ok, Now your HD chargeport switch is ready for use with
a NoBS A123 pack with a single HD 3 wire combo feed. No Univ Chargeport required.. just use the switches chargeport with
a single connection to your Generation 2 charger. If your considering switching to A123 Rx packs in an existing project,
you don't yet have an A123 charger and you want to use your existing switches.. this is how it's done. Note that failing
to pull that signal feed wire to the Rx from that plug will likely damage your Rx.. so don't attempt this without first
modifying that plug. On the plus side.. no extra holes and extensions in the plane and the A123's along with a 2nd
Generation charger like the FMA Multi-4 make this an exceptionally easy, neat and clean setup in any aircraft with any pack
configuration... parallel, single or ignition. Just pull the 'signal' feed to the Rx from the switch, drop in the A123's,
hook up the FMA Charger to the switches chargeport with a Univ adapter cable and your good to go for balance and fast charging,
all through the switch chargeport! - Q: I like this.. what do I order, what connectors should
be on the pack? -
You need an FMA Cellpro or Multi-4 charger and our optional
Univ celltap adapter. The pack should be ordered with NO balance tap and with the '20g 3 Wire Combo Univ' for the pack feed.
Be sure and read thru our A123 FAQ for important info on balance charging!
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| Combo Connector & Modifed Switch Setup |
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| Combo Pack and FMA Multi-4 Setup. Simple! |
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That pretty much covers system setup basics for A123's.
Up at the top of the page are links for our A123 Packs, A123 Care and Feeding FAQ and for our Chargers and Accessories page.
If you found this info useful.. tell your friends and link the site. I don't do any formal advertising.. this little company
runs on word of mouth and on satisfied repeat customers. I hugely appreciate your business! Hope all this helps! Steve Anthony, NoBS
Batteries 10/14/2009, updated 05/10 |
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*A123 & Nanophosphate are trademarks of A123 Racing, Inc. All A123 cells and chargers assembled
and distributed by Hangtimes Hobbies and NoBS Batteries are acquired from A123's sole licensed US Distributor. All rights
to A123 technology and trademarks reserved by A123 Racing Inc. ED, Nano and Nano Ultra Switch are trademarked products of
ElectroDynamics Inc. FMA and FMA Multi-4 are tradmarked products of FMA Incorporated.
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