[NSRCA-discussion] Falcon F3A batteries

[Ron Barr]

Vincente,  I fly FAI. 

I am keeping records on every flight:   battery capacity used,  starting and terminal voltages, and temps on battery, speed control and motor.   Also I am watching individual cell voltages to see how they stay perform.  Obviously I check max current periodically.

I have the same concerns as everyone on the list about battery longevity.   Performance seems to be there for major brands (at least initially) so I don't see that as a big issue.  I am interested in a battery pack design and battery maintenance system that enhances overall life.  Matched cells would seem to have a better chance than non-matched  cells since no cell gets over/under charged or discharged.  Monitoring individual cell voltages provides clues to how the cells are performing relative to each other.   I don't like the idea of simply monitoring total pack voltages -- leaves a lot of uncertainty about what is actually going on.    However,  final proof will be in the cycles.   My view is that we are still have a lot of flying to do (hundreds of cycles on many battery sets ) before any firm conclusions can be made.  

I fully support Earl Haury's approach -- look at the data.  His Partner is fully instrumented with inflight data logger for continuous voltages, motor current draw,  air speed, and full GPS data including altitude for all maneuvers.  He has the data to understand and compare performance.  We need facts like this to understand where to go.

One other thing I have noticed is that managing (forcing) air flow over the motor and speed controller can make 20 to 30 degrees difference from an un-baffled system.   I made formed ducts out of depron foam and have never gotten higher than 115 degrees even on long, demanding flights.  I have seen 140 plus degrees on the same design airplane with simple cowl inlets with no ducts.  However,  airflow over the batteries does not seem critical with the new generation, low impedance batteries --  the before and after temps are very nearly the same without much airflow.

Ron Barr
AMA 6507
Team Futaba
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: vicenterc at comcast.net 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List ; NSRCA Mailing List 
  Cc: Ron Barr 
  Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 9:50 PM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Falcon F3A batteries


  Ron,

  What class you fly?  Please keep statistics and let us know the number of cycles you get in the future.

  Vicente Bortone

    -------------- Original message -------------- 
    From: "Ron Barr" <rsbxon at ev1.net> 

    > Sorry that I am a little late in responding .... 
    > 
    > I am also using these batteries by Falcon. I have 2 sets and have about 20 
    > flights on them. I am pleased with the performance so far. I am flying 
    > them in a 10 pound 12 oz Genesis that I built from a CA kit (Hacker C50XL13 
    > motor). 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: vicenterc at comcast.net 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List ; NSRCA Mailing List 
  Cc: Ron Barr 
  Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 9:50 PM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Falcon F3A batteries


  Ron,

  What class you fly?  Please keep statistics and let us know the number of cycles you get in the future.

  Vicente Bortone

    -------------- Original message -------------- 
    From: "Ron Barr" <rsbxon at ev1.net> 

    > Sorry that I am a little late in responding .... 
    > 
    > I am also using these batteries by Falcon. I have 2 sets and have about 20 
    > flights on them. I am pleased with the performance so far. I am flying 
    > them in a 10 pound 12 oz Genesis that I built from a CA kit (Hacker C50XL13 
    > motor). 
    > 
    > I am impressed with the overall concept of exactly matching cells: 
    > Capacity, Impedence and voltage. The batteries come with a "pedigree" to 
    > certify that the cells are matched. I also purchased the available voltage 
    > checker to allow monitoring of each cell set. Also there is a balancer 
    > available to balance the cells. So far the balancer has not been needed to 
    > any great extent. The voltage checker allows you to monitor individual cell 
    >sday, March 30, 2006 6:32 AM 
    > Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Falcon F3A batteries 
    > 
    > 
    > > Is anyone using the Falcon F3A cells advertised in the K-Factor? Is there 
    > > any track record behind them? 
    > > Thanks, 
    > > Stuart 
    > > 
    > > 
    > > _______________________________________________ 
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    > > NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org 
    > > http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion 
    > > 
    > > 
    > 
    > 
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