A123 li-ion packs for R/C
 

check this out guys, looks like A123 is doing this by themselves. Look for the boost box about two to three posts down, not sure how it works, but looks interesting. http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/s...d.php?t=222362

I really like that boost box thing. It's basically just a DC to DC converter, but neat as long as it can withstand the current draw. It would be nice if it handled higher voltage though. All you would need is one ~10Ah.14v pack and you'll be able to dial-up any voltage you need.

A few downsides to these cells though. They are kinda heavy, only 2.2 (IIRC) Ah each, and aren't a typical Li voltage so a different charger will be necessary.

That drag bike is bad ass...

I don't know if anyone has seen thier web page, so here it is with prices.
The site is not finished and orders are not being taken as of yet.
http://www.a123racing.com/html/hypersonicturbo.html

So anyone know how they can take what appears to be a 2 cell pack and put a box on it to dial it up to 10.8V?:dft002:

Could you take that box and dial up a standard 6 cell sub c to 10.8V?

Seems kinda like magic to me.... :p

Not magic, a DC to DC converter. You don't gain anything except the ability to dial in the voltage you want so one pack can be used for different voltages. Power output will be the same. If you dial up the voltage, it will pull the same amount of current from the battery, but provide less current at the output. Example: Let's say you dial in 10v and your load is 20A. That is 200w. The 6.6v battery will have to supply 30.3A to the converter to get 10v @ 20A at the output. 6.6v X 30.3A = 200w = 10v X 20A. There are some losses in the circuit so actual current pulled from the battery will be a little more. For the sake of efficiency, it would be best to get the pack(s) that have the voltage you want so the converter won't be necessary. It's a really good idea though.

So the box would work on a standad sub c pack?

I don't see why it wouldn't as long as you make sure the pack voltage is close if not equal. The supply battery has to be able to have a deep discharge though. IMO, with a sub-C pack, it would be easier and weigh about the same as simply adding another cell or two.

I am very excited about this technology!
Although I can't afford to jump on board with it now, I definitely plan on purchasing from this line before winter (provided they don't have catastrophic failures and horrible reviews).
I also want to see real-world installations in R/C land vehicles in order to determine how they fit in existing sub-c battery spaces.

The idea of this evolutionary, voltage-accomodating, quick-charge, plug-and-play type of power system is a HUGE boost to the electric R/C market. Let's just hope that the application of the idea is just as impressive :003:
Being able to take a battery pack of varying base voltage and set it for the standard 7.2V doesn't obsolesce existing electronics, which is a nice bonus. Add in that you don't have to worry about overcharge or over-discharge, and it's even more fool-proof than nimh batteries.

I can't wait!

Would be cool to tune for the track with voltage. Many-a-times i wished i could adjust voltage seconds before a race.

Turns out that these A123Racing guys aren't far from me. I met Brian (A123Racing Representative) today at the ROAR Region 1 Electric Off-Road racing at R/C Excitement in Fitchburg MA. The products look great.
They had the 2300 and 4600 packs, as well as the charger and Turbo box. They ran two of the 2300 packs in an E-Maxx between rounds, and also ran one of the 2300 packs in an HPI Pro4 on the carpet track for a little while.
The packs are definitely an odd shape for standard vehicles, but it doesn't take much to make a 2300 pack fit, as they demonstrated with the E-Maxx and Pro4.

Here are 3 pictures I took today.

First is an E-Maxx and the Pro4 on a pit table with the batteries and charger. Interesting note about this picture - you can see a pack under the E-Maxx that the A123Racing guys were using to power the charger. They used their own batteries to charge their batteries :)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ing/A123-1.jpg

Second is a bit fuzzy, but it shows the 4600 pack plugged into the charger. You can also see the single cells on the right.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ing/A123-2.jpg

Last - I added this one just because the body is so pretty. :cool: There is a 2300 pack under the lid of this nice Saleen body, though. :)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ing/A123-3.jpg

I bought it guys I guess I be the guieni pig here I bought the 4600mah magic box adjustable volt two of them for emaxx and the charger they had:
http://www.a123racing.com/html/hypersonicturbo.html
charger:
http://www.a123racing.com/html/soniccharge.html

of course I cant wait...:035: :035: :010: :010:

Cool! Make sure to check in and let us know how they work!

maybe I keep it to myself and if we all ever meet I will blow you guys away with my e maxx lol...no just kidding keep yas updated...

Questions
 

Hello People,

My name is Brian, I am an applications engineer here at A123 Systems.
Its great to see that you are as excited as we are about these products.

I will be checkin in from time to time so if you have any questions please feel free to post them, if somoene else doesnt get to it before I do then I will gladly answer them.

Questions

1. Q) Can the Hypersonic Turbo be used with other brand batteries?

1. A) We do not reccoemend that the Hypersonic Turbo be used with other batteries. The reason is because our packs are capable of very high discharge amperages (70A continuous on the 2300) with no problem. This is how we are able to make the boost work. As you increase your desired output voltage the Turbo Module draws more amperage out of the pack to acomodate. IF you were to try this with a typical battery it is possible that you could severely damage the pack.

keep the questions rolling,

Power . Safety . Life

Brian

Brian,

Thanks for stopping by! Glad to see you could make it. :003:

I'm definitely looking forward to running your packs again.

Hey Brian,
Welcome to the forum.

These products look great.

The product spec capacity for the Sonic Charger is 1-3 cells.
Is there or will there be a 3S1P pack available?
My cell count of choice is 6S (2x 3S) although a 4S and 2S would work, it seems the Sonic Charger max is 3 cells.

Are there any higher cell count packs/chargers on the horizon?

Thanks

There already is a 3s1p pack.
http://www.a123racing.com/html/hypersonic.html

Ah, very cool
Thanks Tazz

I added a new post to the RCZ thread on the A123Racing packs.
You can see it here:
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/s...46#post2064046

Souns promising I ordered the set also....

Brian,

Will there be a 4s-2P config? Or even a 3S-2P for Brushless E-Maxx & Gorilla Maxx owners wanting higher voltage?

I'm excited about you new products and looking to upgrade from my GP3300's in the very near future.

also....do you have details on charging techniques, voltage depression, etc. that you can share?

Hello Procharged,

We are currently offering the 3 battery configurations available on our website, www.a123racing.com. We will be looking into new configurations in the furture but for the time being hope that people will buy the packs nesessary to create their larger packs (For example, if you need a 3S2P you can purchase two of the 3S1P packs and string them together in parrallell).

If you check out the forum link that Batfish posted above you will find answers to alot of questions.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Power . Saftey . Life

Brian

makikng things short and simple...well the system rocks on emaxx...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...1/100_1387.jpg

Is that the booster or turbo on each side with the packs?

guess you can call them booster or turbo yeah each pack has one running to EVX my EVX does not run after the 2nd boost so on the 3rd boost setting it jitters like the EVX wont handle it or somethig....overall the packs are nice....

The evx gets gittery on to many volts. What do you have the volts set on?

Once I get to 18volts the EVX works fine, but once i surpass 18v the system jitters. each boost is worth 1.2v so im using double boost since double batteries so each boost is 2.4vs total and the packs are 6.6v i tried to fry the EVX for kicks, but now worky :005:

I tried 18 cells on a evx. It ran as well. Itwas jittery.

I was wondering if there is a 14.8v 4800 mah available? That would be just too good to pass up and would make me rethink selling out. Finally the durable lipo like packs I've been looking for.

Each cell is 3.3v 2300mah, so it'd be tough to get 14.8v 4800mah out of that. You could go with 13.2v in 4600mah or 6900mah, or use the booster thing to up the voltage to 14.4v (which would decrease the runtime).

You buy two of the 3s1p packs with turbo controllers. Set the appropriate voltage and run them in series. I spoke with A123 about this for my set-up.