Alternative battery system for Futaba 14MZ (/12Z) radios - Page 2

RCfan · 06-10-2006, 07:14 PM

All prototype boards are in the hands of testers. Thanks to all who responded.

Rodney · 06-13-2006, 01:47 PM

I received mine today. Have to say very nice setup. The board needs to be beveld on the front edge where it clips in under the battery tabs. After slightly filing the edge it went in very smoothly. The battery plugs in nice and tight. I dont forsee any problems with connections with this system. I would have to say the best thing about this is that you can have multiple batteries at a much lower cost than the Futaba or the Sony battery, which I aleady have purchased at about $60. I will post more info after testing the use of the battery, but all in all I think this will be the way to go in the future. You can use any cells you might have with this board.

RCfan · 06-13-2006, 02:02 PM

I'll pass your feedback over to Mike @ Fromeco. The bevel idea is good; I found out that applying pressure on the pin end of the board was all that was needed, but beveling would sure help.

Thx,
--Felix

Rodney · 06-13-2006, 04:28 PM

The board could be a few thousands thinner.

06-13-2006, 05:34 PM

I would like to try one in my 14 as well

Bobby

tkilwein · 08-02-2006, 09:21 PM

I have a few CAN CAN CC-NPF570 batteries for my camcorder that looks the same for, form fit function and is 2300mah, when cycled ~2200 on the triton. They cost $26 including shipping each. Have lots of cycles in the cam. Cam charger even looks similar.
Now if you try them you are on your own.

Tony

dumpcentral · 08-02-2006, 09:50 PM

How are the tests going with the Fromeco prototypes?

Craig

RCfan · 08-02-2006, 10:05 PM

Tests completed. Production run was supposed to have started last week.

RCfan · 08-09-2006, 12:12 PM

Boards are in, hope to see them on their site soon.

WillJames · 08-26-2006, 07:48 PM

I talked to the Fromeco guy at IRCHA about this board and pack and he told me they had no plans of producing it. ???????

RCfan · 08-26-2006, 09:03 PM

Will,

The board has already been produced (pic is from one sent to me by Kurt); all waiting now for the Fromeco site to be updated with the info. Do you know who it was that told you that?

RCfan · 08-26-2006, 11:57 PM

Just got word that the listing is up ... see:
http://www.fromeco.org/shop/atranzorker%20packs.htm

WillJames · 08-27-2006, 06:20 PM

Wonder who was representing them at IRCHA??

Rodney · 08-27-2006, 08:47 PM

I got one from RCFan,Will and it works great. I got a dozen or so batteries now as me tranmitter and heli's use the same pack. Makes it reall easy.

ethinger · 09-17-2006, 05:06 AM

Rcfan,
does the new packs make significant differences?
is there any real numbers?
the OEM futaba is 2200 MAH and the Peerless is 2400 MAH is that a big enough difference or what?

RCfan · 09-17-2006, 10:42 AM

It does to me ... Fromeco's Relions 2400+battery carrier board is a cheaper alternative to anything out there, can be charged on any LiIon charger and offers a slightly larger capacity. Depending on how you use your radio, i.e. if you play music or leave the screen light on for a long time, you may not see any difference. For example, I can get an extra full flight on a T-Rex with the Relions; granted not much, but again for a cheaper alternative than the OEM and lookalikes ... priceless!

Phaedrus · 09-17-2006, 05:03 PM

It is lower cost if you use the Relion packs and not the Peerless. To set up an extra pack with Relions will cost you $37. A Peerless pack setup will run you $54.

The Sony NP-F570 can be had for around $42 to $45 dollars.

At the rated draw of 750 to 1,000 Ma on the 14MZ at best the you will get 12 to 16 minutes more "ON" time from the 2400 packs. That is if you are willing to run them down to full discharge, which is not recommended (the lower you draw them the shorter their life - and why fly to the ragged edge of capacity anyhow??).

You do get the ability to charge with any Relion/Peerless compatible charger, and that to me is the real benefit of the Fromeco system. Plus it allows you to charge out side the TX.

I solved my issues with a Futaba CR-2500. Charges my 14MZ, my Fromeco 4800 packs, my NiMH and Nicad cells (4 to 6 cell packs up to 2,000 mAh), and my glow starter. I also set up my Sirius lithium charger to charge my TX packs. I also have a small AC voltage rectifier that I got for about $30 that allows me to run the stock charger off a 12V battery in the field.

The cost and "extra" flight time are a near wash. But the ability to charge packs with any charger and to charge one pack while using another is a real positive benefit of this system.

hoot · 05-09-2011, 06:31 AM

I can't find the board on the Fromeco site. Must be discontinued.

Four Stroker · 05-13-2011, 01:28 PM

Yeah, it was crap. Bare copper on the board pushing on the sides of the Futaba pins. Needed 2.5 mm female bullet connectors on it.

Phaedrus · 05-14-2011, 10:34 AM

Futaba service saw more than a few14's with screwed up battery pins due to these and similar boards. As Four Stroker and others have noted before, you can open the case on the stock pack and install newer higher capacity cells. Or you can buy new packs for pretty cheap. Hopefully the new 18MZ will have a more robust and flexible battery solution.

06-13-2006, 01:47 PM	#22
Rodney Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Cloud, Florida	I received mine today. Have to say very nice setup. The board needs to be beveld on the front edge where it clips in under the battery tabs. After slightly filing the edge it went in very smoothly. The battery plugs in nice and tight. I dont forsee any problems with connections with this system. I would have to say the best thing about this is that you can have multiple batteries at a much lower cost than the Futaba or the Sony battery, which I aleady have purchased at about $60. I will post more info after testing the use of the battery, but all in all I think this will be the way to go in the future. You can use any cells you might have with this board. __________________ Radikal G20 Ion Powered DX7 Infina Models ION Batteries.Transmitter and Receiver Lithuim Ion Dual Pack For Radikal

06-13-2006, 04:28 PM	#24
Rodney Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Cloud, Florida	The board could be a few thousands thinner. __________________ Radikal G20 Ion Powered DX7 Infina Models ION Batteries.Transmitter and Receiver Lithuim Ion Dual Pack For Radikal

08-26-2006, 07:48 PM	#30
WillJames HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Western, NC	I talked to the Fromeco guy at IRCHA about this board and pack and he told me they had no plans of producing it. ??????? __________________ William James To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. If you fly you are going to crash. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-27-2006, 06:20 PM	#33
WillJames HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Western, NC	Wonder who was representing them at IRCHA?? __________________ William James To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. If you fly you are going to crash. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-27-2006, 08:47 PM	#34
Rodney Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Cloud, Florida	I got one from RCFan,Will and it works great. I got a dozen or so batteries now as me tranmitter and heli's use the same pack. Makes it reall easy. __________________ Radikal G20 Ion Powered DX7 Infina Models ION Batteries.Transmitter and Receiver Lithuim Ion Dual Pack For Radikal

06-10-2006, 07:14 PM	#21
RCfan Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Longwood, FL USA	All prototype boards are in the hands of testers. Thanks to all who responded.

06-13-2006, 02:02 PM	#23
RCfan Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Longwood, FL USA	I'll pass your feedback over to Mike @ Fromeco. The bevel idea is good; I found out that applying pressure on the pin end of the board was all that was needed, but beveling would sure help. Thx, --Felix

06-13-2006, 05:34 PM	#25
BobbySmith	I would like to try one in my 14 as well Bobby

08-02-2006, 09:21 PM	#26
tkilwein Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: us colorado	I have a few CAN CAN CC-NPF570 batteries for my camcorder that looks the same for, form fit function and is 2300mah, when cycled ~2200 on the triton. They cost $26 including shipping each. Have lots of cycles in the cam. Cam charger even looks similar. Now if you try them you are on your own. Tony

08-02-2006, 09:50 PM	#27
dumpcentral Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: California	How are the tests going with the Fromeco prototypes? Craig

08-02-2006, 10:05 PM	#28
RCfan Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Longwood, FL USA	Tests completed. Production run was supposed to have started last week.

08-09-2006, 12:12 PM	#29
RCfan Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Longwood, FL USA	Boards are in, hope to see them on their site soon.

08-26-2006, 09:03 PM	#31
RCfan Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Longwood, FL USA	Will, The board has already been produced (pic is from one sent to me by Kurt); all waiting now for the Fromeco site to be updated with the info. Do you know who it was that told you that?

08-26-2006, 11:57 PM	#32
RCfan Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Longwood, FL USA	Just got word that the listing is up ... see: http://www.fromeco.org/shop/atranzorker%20packs.htm

09-17-2006, 05:06 AM	#35
ethinger Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Phnom Penh Baby!	Rcfan, does the new packs make significant differences? is there any real numbers? the OEM futaba is 2200 MAH and the Peerless is 2400 MAH is that a big enough difference or what? __________________ someday we'll know

09-17-2006, 10:42 AM	#36
RCfan Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Longwood, FL USA	It does to me ... Fromeco's Relions 2400+battery carrier board is a cheaper alternative to anything out there, can be charged on any LiIon charger and offers a slightly larger capacity. Depending on how you use your radio, i.e. if you play music or leave the screen light on for a long time, you may not see any difference. For example, I can get an extra full flight on a T-Rex with the Relions; granted not much, but again for a cheaper alternative than the OEM and lookalikes ... priceless!

09-17-2006, 05:03 PM	#37
Phaedrus Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SOCAL - USA	It is lower cost if you use the Relion packs and not the Peerless. To set up an extra pack with Relions will cost you $37. A Peerless pack setup will run you $54. The Sony NP-F570 can be had for around $42 to $45 dollars. At the rated draw of 750 to 1,000 Ma on the 14MZ at best the you will get 12 to 16 minutes more "ON" time from the 2400 packs. That is if you are willing to run them down to full discharge, which is not recommended (the lower you draw them the shorter their life - and why fly to the ragged edge of capacity anyhow??). You do get the ability to charge with any Relion/Peerless compatible charger, and that to me is the real benefit of the Fromeco system. Plus it allows you to charge out side the TX. I solved my issues with a Futaba CR-2500. Charges my 14MZ, my Fromeco 4800 packs, my NiMH and Nicad cells (4 to 6 cell packs up to 2,000 mAh), and my glow starter. I also set up my Sirius lithium charger to charge my TX packs. I also have a small AC voltage rectifier that I got for about $30 that allows me to run the stock charger off a 12V battery in the field. The cost and "extra" flight time are a near wash. But the ability to charge packs with any charger and to charge one pack while using another is a real positive benefit of this system. __________________ AMA Leader Member Team Futaba Raptor 90SE/YS91ST - T550E FB - T550E FBL w/CGY-750

05-09-2011, 06:31 AM	#38
hoot Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Garnet Valley, Pa.	I can't find the board on the Fromeco site. Must be discontinued. __________________ Trex 600N, MA BW Stratus, Rotormast V-22 Osprey, 2 450 Clones, McpX , BL P-51, Micro P51, Stryker, 2 Vapors, Twister CH47, Hanger 9 Arrow Trainer.

05-13-2011, 01:28 PM	#39
Four Stroker Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta	Yeah, it was crap. Bare copper on the board pushing on the sides of the Futaba pins. Needed 2.5 mm female bullet connectors on it.

05-14-2011, 10:34 AM	#40
Phaedrus Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SOCAL - USA	Futaba service saw more than a few14's with screwed up battery pins due to these and similar boards. As Four Stroker and others have noted before, you can open the case on the stock pack and install newer higher capacity cells. Or you can buy new packs for pretty cheap. Hopefully the new 18MZ will have a more robust and flexible battery solution. __________________ AMA Leader Member Team Futaba Raptor 90SE/YS91ST - T550E FB - T550E FBL w/CGY-750

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