LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

Hi Guys,
I am currently refurbishing an old glider (bird of time). The airframe is still in top condition despite being about 15 years old. I Have an old 10 channel PCM Rx in it the size of a house brick, 2 servos that are even older than the airframe and a 600mAh NiCad battery dated January 2008! Time to renew I think. The snag is that NiMh are not my favourite power source for the radio, and we can't buy NiCad's here in the UK any more, so I thought I would try out a 2 s LiPo. Of course I need to regulate the voltage down to around 6V.
I do this all the time with my electric stuff but I have never bought a straight regulator for this purpose and I am looking for advice as to what's best?
Size is an issue. There is very little space in this model so the unit has to be reasonably compact. Any advice on what works well please chaps?

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

I'm assuming there was a typo in the date for the battery....

but... NiMh is fine...the chemistry is much better than it used to.. I use them quite a bit...
But...that being said, I like Fromeco regulators myself.....

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

http://www.tech-aero.net
http://www.radiosouthrc.com/safe_switch.htm
http://www.centralhobbies.com/Electr...rfectstch.html
These are all very good regulators.
The Jaccio is made by Jim Oddino, the Tech-Aero by Ed Alt and of course Radio South is Tony Stillman.
All great guys!
I imagine Ed and Tony would make one up for you without the switch if you prefer.
If you search on the site I linked for the Jaccio you will find his regulators with the "fail safe" switch.
I highly recommend that as well.
Good luck!
JLK

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

I use the Radio South regs in my helis w/ no problems.

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

Yes, The battery was dated 1998!
Thanks for the replies guys, I am looking them up now.
Regards,

John

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

Bump!!:D

I bought a Revolectrix 3300 2S 7.4 volt Lipo to use as a RX pack as well as a Radio South 6volt regulator. (Without the switch)

http://www.fmadirect.com/Detail.htm?...255&section=69

http://www.radiosouthrc.com/regulator.htm

Can I just remove the connector on the regulator and solder the leads directly to the battery? Use a Heavy duty Futaba switch harness? Do I need a switch on the regulator?

The 3300 Lipo is overkill but my model is a little tail heavy and I'd rather use battery than lead.

Thanks in advance.:D

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

I would not recommend a voltage regulator, I would recommend a BEC. I use the Castle Creations BEC in 2 aircraft using a 2S 7.4V lithium ion pack to run the rx. Very light weight and handles 10 amps which is more than most regulators.

Here are the spec's:
Current Output: Peak: 10 amps
Continuous:
<12 volts input = 7 amps*
<24 volts input = 5 amps**Ratings are determined with a 5mph airflow on the BEC. Servo connectors are not rated for current in excess of 5 amps. Users are encouraged to replace the connectors if more than 5 amp currents are anticipated.

Output Voltage:
Output 5.1 volts out of the package, user may set output voltage from 4.8 to 9 using the Castle Link (sold separately).

Input Voltage: 5v to 25.2v (2S to 6S LiPo)

Weight: 11 grams / .4 Oz.

http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=310

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

I bought one of the Turnigy UBEC units from Hobby City but it doesn't work. The units LEDs all light up but I get no joy at the receiver pigtail.

I figured I would go with the Radio South unit because I get a 2 year warranty.

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

You might also consider useing a 2 cell pack of the A123 type lithium tool cells. They come in 1100 & 2300ma capacities. I have been useing the 1100ma size in 2M planes for about a year now. A lot of the giant scale guys are useing them in the big gassers for ingnition and RX packs without any problems. The full charge voltage of these batteries is about equal to a 5 cell nimh pack and NO regulator is needed.
I have use them with HiTech, Futaba and Airtronics RX without a problem...

Good Luck
Bob

RE: LiPo Voltage Regulator for Reciever.
 

I have already bought the FMA Direct 4s Lipo charger a Lipo TX battery. They have a combo special http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?...316&section=74 along with the coupon is a pretty good deal. I've been using the Lipo TX battery and I'm very pleased with it. It lasts forever.

I liked it some much I wanted to run Lipo's in the plane so I picked up the 2S 3300 cell. http://www.fmadirect.com/Detail.htm?...255&section=69 2S 3300 lipo.

There are no extra connetors to buy and everything is "idiot prof" for which I am taking credit.:D