Kokam Experts

[minirulz]

Guys I just got my Kokams in and the charger w/ wall adapter. What I need to know is, Kokams are the 1000mAh, so with a 2 cell pack(1000mAh) each, do I still put the jumper on the 1000mAh rate, then just select the 2 cell setting? My other question is, I got the wall unit for the charger, do I just cut the end off the wall unit and adapt it to the charger? Its not very explainatory here. The wall power source has a round terminal on it and the charger just has 2 wires. I've never had experience with these cells or the charger, so its all new to me.

[pgoelz]

I'll stand in for Troy until he shows up....

Yes, you would set the charger for 1000 mAH (or lower is OK) and two cells.

As for the wall adapter, I would imagine it is a standard part with connector. Remove the connector or get a mating connector from Radio Shack and connect to the charger observing polarity.

I'm not sure what Troy recommends, but I would imagine it would be a very good idea to charge each cell individually for the first time, since you do not know their initial state of charge. Using and charging Lithium cells in series requires the cells to be at the same state of charge at all times.

[minirulz]

Hey Paul maybe you know this too then. I haven't built them yet, but I think they go like this! Put 2 packs together w/ -&+ on one pack facing the other packs +& -. - to + terminal, then solder and use other - & + terminals and solder on my connector.
Another question I have for you is I saw where you had a post awhile back about a carbon brushed tailmotor. Have you heard if anything like that has come about or is coming? Thanks!

[Piccolo_Pilot_2B]

Yes that is how you want to connect them something like this:
_____
| - [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img] + |
-----------
| + [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img] - |
----------
_ A [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] B

Conect the two tabs above A together. Then connect wires to the two tabs above B and these will connect to the Piccolo.

Hope that turns out OK and is a good enough explaination for you.

David [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Standard Piccolo
Orion Elite Modified Motor 8T
Robert Lee’s Carbon Blades
Warren’s One-way mod w/ Titanium Shaft.
MIA Landing Gear
Head Stiffener Mod, Ball in Swashplate Mod, Fly bar Bearings
Delrin Shaft Collar (Much better then silicone tubing!)
Hitec Focus 4, Hitec Feather Receiver (4ch)
Piccoboard Plus w/HH Module (new FET & Schotky diode). Thanks to Paul’s Repairs
JMD Canopy
AUW = 280grams with a home made 7 cell 700mAh pack of Rayovacs.

Homemade modifications:
Rear Skid from Picture Frame Hanging Wire shaped the bottom like a D so it does not catch.
Thicker rear Fin (from Paper Plates) helps keep Wire from bending too much.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] Wish List / X-Mas List: [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
Eclipse 7 with Spectra Module
Kokams cells (1020’s or 1575 or 2070’s)
Aluminum Swashplate
Carbon 3D Tail Fins or Jet Ranger Canopy
[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] ECO-8 Brushless with Aluminum & Carbon Fiber upgrades on 6 Kokams 3270mAh cells (3 in series x 2, by my calculations this is 12.6v, 6540mAh, 384grams or 13.5oz) [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] (Nothing wrong with dreaming!)

[minirulz]

Yeah, thats how I was thinking they would go. Man I heard the tabs were thin, but Wow, really thin! I bet they won't take much bending before they would break. Gotta make sure I have everything just like I want it 1st. No rebending with these.

Minirulz....let us know how they work.

thanks
charles

MiniRulz, it looks like with Pauls & Davids help you have got the handle of things. Checkout: http://www.b-p-p.com/tips.htm for more info and pics on cell construction. Kokam is very good on charging the cells to within +-.02 volts from the factory. Its always a good idea to check the voltage of each cell before you build the pack. As long as the cells are within a few milivolts you are ok. As for you charger I can only give you general info as I don't own the charger you are talking about. Get yourself a voltmeter and check the voltage of the wires coming out of the wall adapter. Usually the inner is positive. Splice in your own connector to the charger and double check you have the correct polarity. Check the voltage of your pack before charging. It should be around 7.2 volts. Check the voltage of the charger. It should be 8.39-8.47volts. If everything checks out you are good to go.

While we are on the subject of low cost chargers, below is a pic of a dual output charger I will be releasing soon. 1-3 cells, 145ma-4amps, 9 current settings plus an adjustable dial for setting custom current levels, dual current meters with 4 selectable scales, & will charge 3 cell packs from standard 12v power supplies. It will sell for 49.95 The picture below shows it charging a 3 cell 3270mah Kokam pack @ 3.3 amps & a parallel 1020 (2000mah total) @ 2amps at the same time. The 3270 pack was just placed on the charger and the 1020 pack is nearing the end of the charge as you can see by the current meters. Thanks

-Troy

[pgoelz]

I don't recommend bending the tabs at all. If you place positive an dnegative tabs adjacent, just gently bend them together and solder. Don't bend them over backwards. Protect them by extending the shrink tube past them prior to shrinking and it will conform to them and protect them.

Troy, how is your manufacturing capacity? At that price and performance level, you are going to sell a LOT of them if word gets out!

BTW, does it automatically terminate the charge or do you manually terminate?

[minirulz]

I built one pack last night. I flew it this morning and you really have to set your balance again because they are so light with just 2 cells. Had to move them forward. The other thing is if you get these yourself, make sure you take it easy first time you go up, or you really will go up, out the roof! I throttle'd up a little slower than usual, but not slow enough and she went straight up, almost into the ceiling tiles!

I still wish someone would just go ahead and come out with some packs already made in 2 and 3 cell packs to where you could just buy them already built! I hate building packs, I built them fine, just hate doing it.

[Piccolo_Pilot_2B]

LS77 (Troy) How long before it is ready for sale? And Ditto to Pauls questions.

Minrulz - What was the flight time on the packs???

David [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Standard Piccolo
Orion Elite Modified Motor 8T
Robert Lee’s Carbon Blades
Warren’s One-way mod w/ Titanium Shaft.
MIA Landing Gear
Warren’s Head Stiffener Mod, Ball in Swashplate Mod, Fly bar Bearings
Warren’s Delrin Shaft Collar (Much better then silicone tubing!)
Hitec Focus 4, Hitec Feather Receiver (4ch)
Piccoboard Plus w/HH Module (new FET & Schotky diode). Thanks to Paul’s Repairs
JMD Canopy
AUW = 280grams with a home made 7 cell 700mAh pack of Rayovacs.

Homemade modifications:
Rear Skid from Picture Frame Hanging Wire shaped the bottom like a D so it does not catch.
Thicker rear Fin (from Paper Plates) helps keep Wire from bending too much.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] Wish List / X-Mas List: [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
Eclipse 7 with Spectra Module
Kokams cells (1020’s or 1575 or 2070’s)
Aluminum Swashplate
Carbon 3D Tail Fins or Jet Ranger Canopy
[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] ECO-8 Brushless with Aluminum & Carbon Fiber upgrades on 6 Kokams 3270mAh cells (3 in series x 2, by my calculations this is 12.6v, 6540mAh, 384grams or 13.5oz) [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] (Nothing wrong with dreaming!)