Dual battery hook up ?
07-26-2002, 05:48 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
What is the best way to hook up 2 battery packs in my plane. I have 2 charge switches, and the batteries are 1600 NimH.
Should I just plug them both in the receiver (using for one an empty channel ), or should I use a Battery backer ? If I use an empty channel, do I have to disable that channel on the radio (I am using a JR 8103) ? I am new to dual packs, so I would like to make things right.
Should I just plug them both in the receiver (using for one an empty channel ), or should I use a Battery backer ? If I use an empty channel, do I have to disable that channel on the radio (I am using a JR 8103) ? I am new to dual packs, so I would like to make things right.
07-26-2002, 08:23 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
As thomasb says, visit red's site.
Basically you want to hook both pack up through the switches and into open slots in your receiver. If you don't have any available slots then use a "Y" cable to get the power where needed
Basically you want to hook both pack up through the switches and into open slots in your receiver. If you don't have any available slots then use a "Y" cable to get the power where needed
07-28-2002, 04:06 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
C. L. "Red" Scholefield is "THE" battery expert in my opinion. There are many knowledgable people, but to me, he is the expert.
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com/
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com/
08-20-2002, 05:59 AM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Use this to connect 2 batteries. If 1 fails (e.g. dead cell) the voltage will remain stable (the good battery won't try to charge the bad one)... Make sure you use a schottky diode to prevent a voltage drop (user of normal diodes will make the voltage drop by about 0,7V. Using a dobbel schottky diode this will only be 0,3V).
08-20-2002, 09:24 AM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Originally posted by Geistware
PieterMX,
That is the most simple circuit I have seen yet.
Do you have a part number for the dobbel schottky diode?
PieterMX,
That is the most simple circuit I have seen yet.
Do you have a part number for the dobbel schottky diode?
08-20-2002, 11:35 AM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Originally posted by Vince
Diodes are not needed, one battery will not discharge into the other without the diodes.
Vince
Diodes are not needed, one battery will not discharge into the other without the diodes.
Vince
08-20-2002, 03:49 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
... try it yourself ... they will
I think I would rather take this issue than use the schottky diodes. Here's my thoughts:
(1) Even if you use schottky diodes, you will see a 0.2V or higher v-drop under load at all times. Lower volts is not what I like to see.
(2) Two packs of the same voltage, regardless of capacity, will not "fight" each other when used in parallel.
(3) Charged cells rarely short -- this is an issue that tends to occur to packs that have low charge levels. I do not fly when my Rx packs are low.
(4) If a cell shorts, the increase in current is equal to about one or two active standard servos. Certainly not enough to cause immediate danger.
Folks, regardless of method you use to bridge two packs together, you should still check them with a ESV before each flight (or install two LED style V-monitors). Two on/off switches will allow you to do so.
08-20-2002, 06:03 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
PieterMX,
You need to take a look at this topic (Parallel Operation = Reliability & More Flight Time ) under Reds RC Battery Clinic. It explans why there is no need for the Diode.
Randy
You need to take a look at this topic (Parallel Operation = Reliability & More Flight Time ) under Reds RC Battery Clinic. It explans why there is no need for the Diode.
Randy
08-21-2002, 12:48 AM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Originally posted by PieterMX
... try it yourself ... they will
... try it yourself ... they will
Vince
08-21-2002, 02:17 AM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Try to avoid the "Y" connector that someone suggested up above, and use one of the unused receiver channels.
By "Y" connecting parallel packs, you re-introduce the "single point failure mode" potential, thereby eliminating full redundancy.
Use the FULLY REDUNDANT system that Red describes in his clinic.
No diodes, just common sense.
And no, you don't have to de-program the spare channel that you plug into.
By "Y" connecting parallel packs, you re-introduce the "single point failure mode" potential, thereby eliminating full redundancy.
Use the FULLY REDUNDANT system that Red describes in his clinic.
No diodes, just common sense.
And no, you don't have to de-program the spare channel that you plug into.
08-21-2002, 11:14 AM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Jim, so what you're saying is that by using a "Y" to connect to a single port on the receiver, the actual port on the receiver could go bad?
Randy
Randy
08-21-2002, 01:14 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Blackie, not to speak for Jim, but...
No, using a Y will not cause the port to go bad. Rather, if you put your redundant batteries and redundant switches through one wire by using a Y, IF that single port/wire goes bad, you're toast, so you've in essense lost a bit of your redundancy.
It is better to put the two separate batteries into two different ports on the receiver. If all channels are used, then Y one of the batteries into a servo lead, NOT the other battery lead.
- George
No, using a Y will not cause the port to go bad. Rather, if you put your redundant batteries and redundant switches through one wire by using a Y, IF that single port/wire goes bad, you're toast, so you've in essense lost a bit of your redundancy.
It is better to put the two separate batteries into two different ports on the receiver. If all channels are used, then Y one of the batteries into a servo lead, NOT the other battery lead.
- George
08-21-2002, 08:02 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Originally posted by Blackie
Jim, so what you're saying is that by using a "Y" to connect to a single port on the receiver, the actual port on the receiver could go bad?
Randy
Jim, so what you're saying is that by using a "Y" to connect to a single port on the receiver, the actual port on the receiver could go bad?
Randy
Stay with Reds FULLY REDUNDANT system described in his clinic ! I've been using it for years. It's simple and reliable; and the fewer connectors and electronic components that you have in the battery circuit, the more reliable that battery back-up circuit is going to be.
08-22-2002, 10:48 AM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Jim,
What I stated is as follows.
I would welcome an explanation on how to hook up a second pack when slots are not available on your receiver!?
What I stated is as follows.
Basically you want to hook both pack up through the switches and into open slots in your receiver. If you don't have any available slots then use a "Y" cable to get the power where needed
08-22-2002, 12:04 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Using Geistware's method I believe I would do away with the quick disconnects and just solder the Y to both switches leaving the one connector for the reciever. At least you would have a better connection on one end anyway.
Randy
Randy
08-22-2002, 12:55 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
No one reads my posts :cry:
Geistware, just use a "Y" connector to connect your second pack with a servo lead. For example, you could Y a battery into your elevator lead on channel 2 and have another battery plugged into a receiver port directly. Both are on the same power bus!
- George
Geistware, just use a "Y" connector to connect your second pack with a servo lead. For example, you could Y a battery into your elevator lead on channel 2 and have another battery plugged into a receiver port directly. Both are on the same power bus!
- George
08-22-2002, 01:13 PM
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Dual battery hook up ?
Mulligan, can you please help me understand better of what you are illustrating.
How would the duel switch's be connected using your illustration?
*scratches head*
Edit in:
OK after more thought I believe what you are suggesting is use the normal hook up, but use an actual ready made y harness connect one end to say throttle servo lead coming from the servo the other to the switch lead that is coming from the switch and then the single end of the Y goes to throttle port?
Randy
How would the duel switch's be connected using your illustration?
*scratches head*
Edit in:
OK after more thought I believe what you are suggesting is use the normal hook up, but use an actual ready made y harness connect one end to say throttle servo lead coming from the servo the other to the switch lead that is coming from the switch and then the single end of the Y goes to throttle port?
Randy