Besides being somewhat safer, the A123's really don't compete as well as the newer LiPol tech these days. So I can see why they have lost some market share. _________________ https://www.halfdonethings.com/
Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:12 am
Valen Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 4436
Location: Sydney
alternator shouldn't fry them, you will just want to add a balancer but the peak voltage should be well within the voltage range.
Only issue you might have would be not fully charging them.
I was thinking of putting A123s into cassies bike, but the voltage was too close for my taste and you still need a balancer. I was half tempted to look at making a new regulator and slightly adjusting the charge voltage.
Oh the attraction of A123 cells for "traction" use isn't the power/weight its the cycle and calendar life. A123's are good for 2-3000 cycles to 80%DOD, most lipoly are lucky to hit 500. Calendar life is 10 years for A123 and 1-2 years for lipoly (to a 30% reduction of capacity) _________________ Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets
Yep, We use the Zippy 5S 4200mAh LiFePo4 packs in Bullfrog. A 10S 2P configuration.
Seems to work fine. But with only 3 fights and 2 testdrives it's a tad early to say more.
Also, with our overgeared drivetrain (20-1 on 250mm wheels) it's not that they have a lot to do.
Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:11 pm
Philip Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 3842
Location: Queensland near Brisbane
Have there been any Lipo fires (not including from physical damage) in robots recently? Just been reading the FRA discussion on their 2013 rules. _________________ So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems
None in robots AFAIK. It can happen but if you are doing things properly is pretty hard. If you are really worried about it get some A123s or just get one of the charging bags from HK. _________________ Steven Martin
Twisted Constructions
http://www.botbitz.com
Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:28 am
Glen Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 9481
Location: Where you least expect
The only one i can ever recall combusting in a robot on its own accord was in bender at least 5 years ago now. Probably one of the very early low C lipo's. _________________ www.demon50s.com - Minimoto parts
http://www.youtube.com/user/HyzerGlen - Videoooozzz
Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:39 am
Valen Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 4436
Location: Sydney
Blender i think smoked one of his packs, no fire though. _________________ Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets
Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:13 am
Jaemus Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Posts: 2674
Location: NSW
The irony is I distinctly recall an A123 cell exploding very much like a rocket out the side of Rapture, at the time, possibly at the same event _________________ <Patrician|Away> what does your robot do, sam
<bovril> it collects data about the surrounding environment, then discards it and drives into walls
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