A123 Cells at Hobbycity

[BushmanLA]

I just noticed that hobby city is selling A123 cells.

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6444
1.1Ah cell for $13.20

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6444
2.3Ah for $15.00


Hobbycity usually has things for dirt cheap but I haven't really shopped around much for A123 cells before, anyone know if this is a good deal? I'm thinking about using A123 for my current aircraft because its so honking huge that I don't want to wait hours for the lipo's to charge up.

I have 4 x 3S 5Ah packs on backorder, thats a lot of charging :(


Edit, they also have some other LiFePO4 cells that are non A123 for considerably cheaper amounts. Is there anything special about A123's cells other than a good brand name?

[Neil Stainton]

I believe A123 cells are made by just one company, that (co)invented the technology. It is more that a brand name, it is a guarantee that you are getting the correct cells.

Neil.

[AndyKunz]

If you shop around you should find them for $9.00. Check ebay for DeWalt packs.

Andy

[Tomapowa]

Unless you are real lucky, you will not find them for $9/cell any more. Last year Dewalt had a special, offering distributors discounts on Dewalt DC9360 battery packs (ten A123 cells, 36v). The fella I bought mine through (Moyer & Sons) sold them to me for $85 per pack (and I gladly ordered 10... now wishing I ordered hundreds!). Moyer sold more than 800 packs in one week! After this promotion, the price increased dramatically. Last year on Ebay, I saw the 10-cell packs selling for around $100-110 each (incl delivery). Now, they are going for over $140-150 per pack or $14-15 per cell (sometimes, you can get one for under $135 delivered from some guy selling them via "But-It-Now"). If you find them any cheaper, let us all know... I could always use more! :)

[BushmanLA]

Yeah, I've been looking and looking and I can't seem to find anything much better than $15 a cell, but that just isn't quite cheap enough for me to spring on.

[kahloq]

hobbycity has raised the price on those Non dewalt used cells up to a current(as of 6/27) price of $17ea