HobbyKing Online R/C Hobby Store : GENUINE A123 Systems 26650A LiFePo4 Cell w/ tabs

View all comments | (24 threads)

14/08/2010
Rooks (34%)
Any expert here to advise the best way to build them into string? The cells are shipped at 50% state of charge so can i solder them right away or charge them to 100% individually? I always think that the shipped cells are the most balance in terms of state of charge since they use dedicated charger to charge them in storage mode.

SBAlv (43%)
Hi Rooks, I have been using A123 for more than one year and I just love them. They are heavier and bigger than LiPo but they are way more reliable, robust, well behaved and long lasting. If you don't exceed their charge/discharge rate you will enjoy them for many years. HK sells them with tabs so making strings is a piece of cake. I have used a very standard 60 watts solder. I am not a skilled solder so I bet you will have no difficulty. It is always a good idea to solder them quickly in order to keep the cells as colder as possible. The geometry of your pack will depend on your application. My packs are 4S with the cells side-by-side. The pack looks like a cube. Please note that you will have to make a 4S pack if you want to use the A123 pack as a direct replacement of a 3S LiPo (this is my case).

Don't count on those "50% charged from factory". It is just not true. Charge each cell independently before making the string so you can be sure that they are balanced, specially if you plan not to include a balancing connector in the pack. Unless you are planning to make a very long string, I recommend you to solder balancing wires just because it is pretty simple, easy and will allow you to access each cell after the pack is ready. You can get it from HK. Depending on your application, pay attention to the selected wires. I used 12 AWG in my packs and selected DEANS. I would use the new XT60 if I had to make the packs today. I use to charge my pack at 4C (9A)on the field or 2C (5A) at home. Program your flight to land with at least 300mA or 400mA in the cells because the voltage of your pack will drop abruptly at the end of the discharge.

Good luck and have fun!

This customer was awarded a credit for their answer.

19/07/2010
Philipp (-9%)
Gestern kosteten die a123 noch 12$ jetzt pltzlich 18$ ?!

8/06/2010
kapel (67%)
What kind of ESC should I use and ESC programming?
Thanks in advance

buckaroo (34%)
cut off is around 2V per cell. Turnigy card programmable controllers allow voltage cutoff adjustments by battery type Lipo or nicd/nmh they do not have a setting for LifePo4. What you can do is select a Nicad setting with the appropriate percentage cutoff. 0-45-60% of pack voltage at power on. I use 60% but its a back up, its best to time your flights and land before cutoff. A123's hold their volts than fall sharply when empty leaving you no or little throttle to land.

6/02/2010
Hans Petter (55%)
Is it possible to use 3pcs of these batteries in my HK450? Enough effect/space?

Jan (37%)
Full 3*3,6V=10,8V = Ok, but low (same as an lipo on the empty site) 3*2V=6V = bad Taking 4: 4*3,6V= 14,4V = Very good, maybe you have to get a smaller gear to keep rpm/amps down 4*2V=8V = should be ok to land safely

18/08/2009
SA_Flyer (63%)
I agree , I'll be happy to pay $12.5 for them as they do have tabs on them .

slumberjer (88%)
Any tutorial on how to assemble this pack to xsxp configuration? what part needed to join this pack together..interested to pack this for my t500 heli. This is 2300mah cells right?

17/08/2009
robomaniac (81%)
(Has for august 2009 )I personally think that $14.95 is to expensive. The 9$ mark is the good price range. On ebay you can get dewalt 36 pack for 100$ so that is 10$ per cell.

OR, get better price when you buy a certain amount. 5 for 50$ 10 for 90$

20/05/2009
SA_Flyer (63%)
These are still way to expensive , you can get the untabbed ones for $10 at another HK retailer with MUCH cheaper shipping , I can also get a pre-built 4 cell pack from the UK for less than buying these cells from here . I thought I'd never say it but HK is EXPENSIVE

SA_Flyer (63%)
Thanks for the price drop.

nrajesh@hotmail (73%)
Hi, These batteries are available for USD 10 from Hyperion. Not a good buy. Thanks Raj

Jason5001 (4%)
Not anymore.
Hyperion was selling old stock.
His cells are gone now.

nrajesh@hotmail (73%)
Dears, I am not sure Hyperion sells old or new, but physically they look good, decent for USD 10. I use it for two packs each in Extra 330 l 55 cc gas, and another in Yak 25 cc gasoline, I flown these airplanes for more than 50 flights in a year, and charged a year back, You have to believe it.
Since the voltage is good, i did not charge these batteries.
Wish if i get a good deal again.
Thanks and Regards, Raj

20/05/2009
samith (68%)
backed by a 12 month warranty. warranty your shop or enerland?

Maicon (43%)
is this cells 2200mah or less?

Beaufighter (-25%)
It is a 2300mAh cell

Tadeusz (43%)
My charger shows it put 2360mAh into this cell with charging 3A current. Discharging shows ~2100mAh but it can be not so precise measurement. In fact there is no regulator can discharge battery to "zero".

Pithan (74%)
I would like to ask if somebody knows how much time of flight does this battery can have with a a motor that pulls 55A?

Hrvoje (85%)
Formula for calculating flight time: capacity (Ah) x 60 / current
For your example: 2.3 Ah x 60 / 55A = 2.5 min
This is theoretical time, practical is slightly lower.

Hrvoje

Pithan (74%)
Ok, that's just gonna happen if stay with full throtle right?

Tarmo (88%)
You'll probably get 6 to 7 min flights, with a typical aerobatic plane.

jozef (69%)
I have this bateries, in the 2 Pack.using more than one year, excellent live. I have mor 300 cikles and yor capacity mor 2000MAH.
Super.

Sirius35 (100%)
2300 x 4 **-> 2300 4s1P (13,2v) x 2 ****> 4600mah 4S2P (13,2v) **-> total 8 cells

ttgraffx (33%)
thank you so much for your quick replies
i am running 2 Turnigy brushless that run max 11.1v
if the 2 packs are 13.2v will they burn my motors ?
thank you

Sirius35 (100%)
it depend your motor, if it resist to 13.2v it's ok

David (67%)
I run 4S in pushing an AXI 2826-12 and running an 11x6 MA prop and have unlimited vertical with my old Speedy Bee. It has crazy power with the 4S.

I just cant justify the weight by going 4S2P. Anyone out there doing that and what is your set up and aircraft????

ttgraffx (33%)
can someone please tell me how many of these cells do i have to put together to be able to have the equivalent of a LiPo 3S 4000 mAh ?
Thank you very much

eemla (72%)
2x3s => 4400mA and 3.30V x 3 = 10V
Or
2x4s => 4400mA and 3.30V x 4 = 13.20V

John (87%)
United, what are the dimensions of the A123 systems 26650A lifepo4 cells please? Thankyou!

Xcelleration (78%)
All needed information can be found at the A123 homepage...

Mark (75%)
When is HobbyCity going to re-stock these cells? Last note there was Aug 08. It has not been updated since.

grmpf (50%)
HI,

is there any chance that UH will sell
"ready to use" packs including balancer
connector and power cables?

Crashtruk (72%)
That will surely help us "electronically challenged"
folk get into A123"s I am still a bit confused by all this new stuff, I have only just worked out LiPo's.

Peter (50%)
Hi
I have just bought 15 a123 Lift04 batteries and a mega 860ds charger. I am looking for a balancing plug and leads to put onto the battery pack so I can balance the pack.Iam using 5 cell
Does hobby city sell them and what is the stock code

Sam (80%)
No they don't. I have brought this up several times on the forums but HC won't/doesn't want to stock them for some reason.

ppxav (83%)
hi peter
to make a balance plug you can use this
***********hobbycity****/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5611
for 5S it's ok, i personnaly use two for a 10S setup
enjoy *)
cheers
xav

johnsont (39%)
is it this battery just the same wiht a123 26650 m1 cause this battery code is 26650a

Palin77 (73%)
Is it easy to solder it, at what temperature. Thanks and regards.

nrajesh@hotmail (73%)
Hi Palin,

I tried 15, 35 and finally 80 watts,no use. The battery pick up lot of heat and fails soldering. I am planning to go for a spot welding to over come battery failure usign a approriate material. First i will need to check with a condem battery for spot welding, before trying on Lifi.
Other way is to go for a packed version.
Hyperion has a video on soldering A123, hope they use a professional solder and raw materials. Again no idea on solder resistence.
Wish you will be able to do a proper integration of cells. All the best. Regards Rajesh, India

Palin77 (73%)
please, inform size (L*W*H). Thanks.

wawdeno (34%)
L 6,7mm W 2,6mm

Mister-T (66%)
Hello, I have found lower price on M1 A123 cells there, 15 $
***********modelelectronicscorp****/view_products.php?tid=2&stid=5

Do you plan adjust your price soon ?

Jason5001 (4%)
They are the same price.

Mister-T (66%)
they weren't few weeks ago ...

Jason5001 (4%)
The cells you mention in your link are from DeWalt battery packs. They are not real A123's with nickel tabs.

Mister-T (66%)
I checked once again, they are stated as A123 cells and PRICE is 15 $

WorldWideWeb.modelelectronicscorp****x/browse_product.php?pid=31

Mister-T (66%)
(and hobbycity lowered is price finaly)

Sam (80%)
and raised it again, using these stupid annoying tabs as an excuse. The tabs suck, it would be good if we could get the non-tabbed ones for less like before.

clark06000 (67%)
A123 is a registered brandt, with many patents... Dewalt uses them from the beginning in their tools. And I have some, bought directly from USA. Now they diversify the models. But all have the logo A123 clearly visible!
They have tabs. But the + wire is the casing!

Jim (50%)
Is there a special charger or will ni-mh or li-po chargers work properly? If not what is the proper charger, part number and price?
Unable to enter 123 web site.
Thanks for your help

Jim Jenkins

Virgis21 (64%)
The best is to use, charger able to charge A123 cels (3.6V cutoff). My friend is charging like Lipo batery. In the end of charging, charger shows error, because then cell is complete charged, it raises voltage very quickly (to 4.2 like liko) and cherger quits very fast after A123 cell is fully charged.
****A123systems****

Sam (80%)
NO! A normal nimh or lipo charger will wreck the A123 batteries quickly, they use a completely different method to nimh charging, similar to lipo but with different charge voltage and cutoff.

Kamikazi (55%)
Mega Power 860 or 960 chargers sold by HC have A123 compatible charge modes. Some higher priced chargers sold elsewhere do also. (I use a Hyperion 1210i)
Charging with a LiPo charger has been said to be acceptable in an emergency, but regular charging to 4.2 volts/cell will likely degrade them. The proper charger will do the job faster and safer.

Ren (78%)
Even the cheaper Turnigy and Hyperions now have an A123 charge mode

night_flight (75%)
Are there tabs pre-soldered on either end of the cell? Do they come with soldering tabs?

Mister-T (66%)
No there isn't soldering tabs, I did use flat Brass stick that I did cut to the size then solder them

Ren (78%)
as shown in the photo, they currently come with solder tabs (mine arrived with solder tabs - Dec 2008)

Ren (78%)
Just to add that as you can charge A123 batteries in very short times (15-20 minutes) so you would be wise to invest in a charger that can handle the higher currents.
I got the Turnigy Accucell 8150 which now does all my battery charging (NiCD/NiMH/LiPo/LiFe).

Dennis (55%)
What is the capacity or mah of this cell?

www.vorona.org (47%)
2300mA/h * 3.3V 60A discharge

Click here to see all comments