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LiFe Batteries New Technology Lithium
cells known mainly as 'A123' but also 'M1'. The chemistry is
Lithium Iron Phosphate which is sometimes abbreviated Li-Fe or
Li-FePo4. These cells have most of the good features of both
Lithium Polymer and Nicads. More specifically:
* Light enough to be in same league as lipos
* High enough voltage to be almost as good as lipos
* Flat discharge curve better than nicads and lipos
* Non-critical voltage extremes so less likely to be damaged
inadvertantly
* Not sensitive to heat like lipos
* Inherently much safer and don't have to be monitored like
lipos
* Can be charged quicker than nicads! (15-20 minutes)
* Slightly cheaper than equivalent capacity lipos (if bought as
DeWalt power drill packs and re configured into the required
voltage / capacity pack.)
* Physically much stronger than lipos to withstand more crashes
Disadvantages:
* Only two sizes currently available (2.3mAh capacity showing
most suitable for model use)
* Larger/bulkier than lipos
* Likely to need new chargers and balancers
* Have to consider ESC voltage and BEC implications
* Being marketed with their charge voltage (3.6v) rather
than nominal voltage; very confusing for people (eg: both
Li-Ion and A123 cells are marketed as "3.6v" but they are not
the same measure)
We currently do not stock these cells but recommend
their use if you are not confident using Li-Po packs.
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