[Rob]

Hello i am new to the A123 battery thing so my question is Are the A123 and the liFe batterys the same ? can you use a liFe charger to charge A123s? thanks Rob

[mikeb99]

Hello,

the answer is that they are similar. They use the same charger but according to the package on an LiFe 2100 you should charge it at 2.1 amps. You can charge A123 at a higher rate.
Mike

[Rob]

so if i understand you correctly the only diffrence is the charge rate. the A123s have a higher charge rate ?
thanks Rob

[Pauld]

IMO they aren't the same. Use the genuine A123 cells.

There are places you can buy complete packs for around 45.00 for the 2s2300's or there is a guy on Rcc here who is selling raw cells.

https://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/show...highlight=a123

Also - you must use a balance charger (as with any Li-xxx cemistry).

I use the A123's for receiver packs exclusively - run them direct to the receiver and servos and they work perfectly. They can usually charge up in the time it takes to organize your gear before you head out to the field.

PaulD

[mikeb99]

As Pauld said they are not the same, A123 have a much higher charge and discharge rate. I too have used them as receiver packs unregulated and will continue to do so. Thunderbolt RC has a good charger for these as well.

[Rob]

That is my Plan run them directly to my receiver. I bout some cells form Offroader here on rcc adn i am going to make a couple of packs as a friend wants one. My main concern was the charger. From what you are saying a liFe charger will work fine. thanks for the info.

[offroader]

Yes Rob, chargers that say they can charge Life or A123 will charge these batteriesI use a Thunder Power 610C nice compact charger.

Originally Posted by Rob

That is my Plan run them directly to my receiver. I bout some cells form Offroader here on rcc adn i am going to make a couple of packs as a friend wants one. My main concern was the charger. From what you are saying a liFe charger will work fine. thanks for the info.

[Tex Gehman]

LiFePO4 is what we're talking about here, and A123 is a brand name for some of them. There might be differing qualities and varying production runs, but they all charge as LiFe.

As for balancing, I wouldn't bother too much. Check the cell voltage from time to time after a charge and see if there is imbalance. If there is, just charge the low cell for a while. They're very forgiving, unlike LiPOs. I've run a lot of 8-10 cell packs without balancing and had no problems. Beware, though that there are some softside [pouch pack] cells that IMO cannot be treated in the same manner as the round cannister type.

Tex

[Spitball]

In my experience, I would agree entirely with Tex - my sentiments exactly!

[Spitball]

I must qualify that post - I have just read an article on:
http://batteryuniversity.com etc.
and it is quite technical and in depth, and it seems that there are at least three types of Li-Ion/LiFe/ LiFePhosphate (A123) and others, that we tend to bunch together and they are not all alike. I was intrigued and it really bears a read if you are at all interested in this type.
Even the full charge voltages vary a bit.
It's under 'The High Power Lithium Ion' section.
Quite a full discussion! Read and judge for yourself.