I think 4 diodes will work even when battery is at 12.2V. Surface charge should quickly bring up the voltage. When the diodes are cold (at turn-on) they will drop 1.8V, not 1.3V (when hot).
In addition (if it doesn't work) you could get a spool of 12 awg house wiring and get the extra voltage drop. 12 awg has a fusing current of over 200A, but it will get hot.
As I said, it's not going to be elegant nor pretty.
jrnymn7 wrote:
Thanks Salvo,
So, if I understand this correctly, by paralleling 4 diodes, I can distribute the current amongst them, thus divvying up the heat dissipation, but will only end up with a total of 1.3 volt drop, the same as with an individual diode at the same temp.
This would only get the Turnigy down to 12.32 volts; still well above the 12.2 volts of a 50% dod bank.
But what if I was to use forced air cooling, along with a heat sink? (keeping in mind, the ambient air could be more like 35C).
