MicroDat

Anyone using this setup? I have an older P120 non-SE that I want to use A123 with but of course I want to make sure it is possible and safe.

Thanks,

Dat

SinCityJets

Dat,

It is absolutely possible and safe, HOWEVER, you must make sure you get your ECU updated by Bob at JetCat. I don't know exactly what the mod is, but I think it's only $25.

Chad

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

81 perfect kero starts and runs on a non se P-120 with a 3cell A123 pack.

V..

NickC5FE

My Feedback: (31)

What they said......

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

The service center mod is apparently larger grade MosFets and heat sinks in the ECU so as to prevent the "magic smoke" from coming out of the ECU (it's happened a couple times to no modded ECU's in the past I have been told). I had my ECU updated for A123 ops on a 3 cell pack last year for $25 and a week and a half turn around. I am very satisfied with A123 performance and the ability to always be on top of exactly what sort of voltage and performance my pack is gonna give. Fast charge in 7 minutes using a Cell Pro balancing charger every other flight (with the battery in the jet unlike Lipoly) and you can at worst case be at 60 percent or more of pack capacity and no memory effects. Heck, I quick charge it every other flight while I'm fueling and topping off the air tanks. The charger beats me to the flight line, I don't typically turn the jet around much faster if I wanted to.

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

I even have about 50 A123 starts on a non modded P-80 ecu.
V..

MicroDat

Do you mail just the ecu? Or the entire setup? (turbine, pump, ecu, etc)

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Just the ECU.

As others have said, the issue is actually at high voltage, mainly just off of the charger. Some of the older units could take the voltage, others could not.

Regards,

derrickxp8103

My Feedback: (80)

A123's ..........two thumbs up !!!!!!

Tha mod from JetCat must be done to the ECU.

Derrick

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

The best bet is to have the ecu updated for use with A123 packs but Bob Wilcox was still unsure whether it was just the some chargers topped off the cells and others that don`t seem to affect the ecu`s.
V..

SpiderJets

The entire powerboard in the ECU (the horizontal board where the battery plug clicks in) MUST be replaced by another one (it is vertically clicked in the board(s) below).
They MUST have a RED MPX battery socket instead of a green one, and JetCAT writes clearly "12V" on the outer case of the ECU, where normally is written "Lipo 7,2V".
I was reconfirmed this explicitly by JetCAT Germany last week.

Out of experience, I know the ECUs CAN work with 3S A123 (I started several times a P-160), but you WILL fry the powerboard when making a few quickly repeated kerostart attempts (or sooner...).
It burns so deep that the circuitboard is smoking and lost (and not only the electronic components !)
I have seen my burned powerboard when they took it out...

At then... the check is not 25$ but I actually paid 125 euro (165$). [&o]

Don't try your luck !

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

<<<The entire powerboard in the ECU (the horizontal board where the battery plug clicks in) MUST be replaced by another one (it is vertically clicked in the board(s) below).
They MUST have a RED MPX battery socket instead of a green one,>>>

I have 5 ecu`s updated by jetcat usa and none of them have a red mpx battery socket on them. I believe Bob Wilcox is modding the existing ecu.

V..

NickC5FE

My Feedback: (31)

Me neithr Vin

BaldEagel

There is a difference betweeen having your ECU modded in Germany and the US, JetCat Germany will not modify the older ECU's, or any of the pre SE P80's, this can only be done in the US, when modded in the US the battery socket is still green, I recently had this mod done by JetCat US (thank you Bob)

My SX120 ECU was modded in Germany and the socket is now Red.

Mike