Flight batteries

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Garry Pollard
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14 Jun 2012 00:53 #1 by Garry Pollard

Flight batteries was created by Garry Pollard

I have just bought 2 second hand models, fully equiped with power train, servos, in fact totally complete, and both electric. However both have been installed with a separate RX battery, a system I have never used. My question is how often do I recharge this battery. Every time I use it , or will it last much longer. Or is the answer "How long is a piece of string"

Garry

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Sangoma
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14 Jun 2012 01:00 #2 by Sangoma

Replied by Sangoma on topic Re: Flight batteries

Charge it before each outing, and get an indicator for it, treat it the same as a battery in a glow model.

You don't know how long the piece of string is, and you don't really want to find out!

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Garry Pollard
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14 Jun 2012 01:04 #3 by Garry Pollard

Replied by Garry Pollard on topic Re: Flight batteries

Thanks for that Sangoma, forgot to say that there is an indicator built into each, but cant see that when its in the air, or do they not run down as fast as that. After all they are for servos and RX, not motor. I will do as you say, and charge before each outing

Garry

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Sangoma
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14 Jun 2012 01:09 #4 by Sangoma

Replied by Sangoma on topic Re: Flight batteries

The indicator is nice on the ground, wiggle all the sticks to put some load on the battery, it will give you an idea if the next flight is safe.

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Garry Pollard
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14 Jun 2012 01:12 #5 by Garry Pollard

Replied by Garry Pollard on topic Re: Flight batteries

Good tip, thanks. I usually use the conventional system of lipo to esc, esc to rx. So felt it was better to ask

Garry

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Eric
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14 Jun 2012 02:09 #6 by Eric

Replied by Eric on topic Re: Flight batteries

If you check the volts reading on the display AFTER a flight, and before you switch off, ;that will give you a better idea. A nimh/nicad battery can recover a few percent after a rest, and give you a false read.
But as Sangamo said, recharge after each day's use, as per a normal oily glow model. And Recharge the night before you go out, because nimh/nicad 'leak' their charge away when left standing for a few days. You can leave one on trickle charge 50mah for several days, with no problem.

if you are calm and collected when all about you are going berserk - you've missed something important!

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Grumpy42
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14 Jun 2012 07:10 #7 by Grumpy42

Replied by Grumpy42 on topic Re: Flight batteries

As a dedicated member of the oily hand brigade I use the battery for Rx and servos all the time. Eric's warning about the packs leaking is well founded - I ALWAYS top up the pack before each flying day.

As a guide Garry I find I get around an hour out of a 1600Mah 4.8V NiMh pack driving the Rx and 7 standard servos. Mind you I'm no electronics expert so I don't really know if that's good or bad.

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The Beard
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14 Jun 2012 12:50 #8 by The Beard

Replied by The Beard on topic Re: Flight batteries

Make sure there good ones to start with Garry as well ,what mAh are they and how old are they?

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Garry Pollard
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14 Jun 2012 14:39 - 14 Jun 2012 14:40 #9 by Garry Pollard

Replied by Garry Pollard on topic Re: Flight batteries

Grumps, I did wonder when I read your post, re the hour you get out of a pack, and worked out that I have an average of 10 , 8 mins flights per session which is over an hour. Then I thought, not with the same model you dont. Senile or what:(

? I do worry at times

. They are 1600 mah by the way. Thanks for the reply

Garry

Last edit: 14 Jun 2012 14:40 by Garry Pollard.

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Garry Pollard
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14 Jun 2012 14:43 #10 by Garry Pollard

Replied by Garry Pollard on topic Re: Flight batteries

As with the rest of the 2 models Stephen, they look as if they are brand new, air frame and all the gear, and the flight batteries look brand new as well, but thanks for the concern mate

Garry

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Phil Wood
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17 Jun 2012 21:47 #11 by Phil Wood

Replied by Phil Wood on topic Re: Flight batteries

I've been having a play with my new charger & it's great for testing the condition & capacity of Nimh & Nicad's.
Your chargers are better than my new toy but you've probably just never had to bother with anything other than Lipo's.
I'll bring mine along tomorrow & a couple of Rx packs & you can see how I check them.
This is the first time I've played with a decent charger & now I don't know how I ever managed without one. :lol: