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Radio - Servo - Gyro - Gov - Batt > A123 (Fromeco Iron Corps) Question
 
 
kcass518
Veteran
Location: Manhasset, NY - USA

Is it necessary to balance A123 cells? I ordered a Fromeco Iron Corps 2400 to replace one I crushed and forgot to specify that they add an FMA balance tap. The battery arrived with no tap and no wiring to add a tap - power leads only - which makes me think that balancing is not necessary for these cells, but I just want to make sure. Of course, I'll need a different charger, but that TP-610C has been calling my name for several months.
10-22-2008 07:48 PM
 
 
Eury
rrProfessor
Location: Ankeny, IA, USA.

Not really. I made 6 packs a while back, and they all have taps. 5 of them are 2s receiver packs, and one is a 5s starter pack. I almost never hook up the balancer, one pack in particular had around 50 cycles on it in a plane, and I pulled it out last week, and the cells were still balanced within .005v. I don't treat the cells delicately either, these are packs that I charge at 10amps and everything.


Nick Crego
Still wanted by the government, I survive as a soldier of fortune.
10-22-2008 10:52 PM
 
 
jester4
Key Veteran
Location: Brampton, Ontario

I built a new pack a couple of days ago, and when I put it on the balancer it showed a massive imbalance (over .250), and when I tried to charge it the charger would throw a fit and stop because the imbalace was too great. To make a short story long......I decided to cycle the pack to see what was going on, so I discharged the pack @3 Amps until it shut down at around 2.25-2.75/cell. Then I charged it at 3 amps to see if the charger would trip with an imbalance again, and guess what? The cells stayed balance through the entire charge to .003 difference, without much assistance from the balancer. This leads me to believe that balancing is not a big issue with these bad boys.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm really excited about this new found (for me anyways) battery technology.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!
10-23-2008 01:31 PM
 
 
kcass518
Veteran
Location: Manhasset, NY - USA

Thank you! I just found this on the Fromeco site:

NOTE:
Balancing 2S batteries is not a bad thing, however in low amperage service, (all RX applications are considered low amperage application unless battery system is undersized) balancing 2S is not necessary. Proper charging, storage, and monitoring of 2S batteries negates the need for balancing. Balancing Packs larger than 2S is always a good idea, especially if in high amperage service.

I guess I could go either way.
10-23-2008 02:21 PM
 
 
Eury
rrProfessor
Location: Ankeny, IA, USA.

FYI, I had the same experience with a pack I made, it seems there's a lot of variation in the charge level they are delivered at.

Also, the 5s pack I use for my starter is certainly a high amp application, and it stays in balance as well.


Nick Crego
Still wanted by the government, I survive as a soldier of fortune.
10-23-2008 02:56 PM
 
 
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Radio - Servo - Gyro - Gov - Batt > A123 (Fromeco Iron Corps) Question
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