Mudbay

I have just started into R/C flying with an Airfield Cessna 182 foam model, so you're talking to a complete newbie here. I've had it out for a few flights now, and it seems to do pretty well, personal skill level considered. The problem is that documentation seems pretty sketchy. Can anyone tell me how, or indeed, if, the tx tells you that the batteries (I'm running plain old alkaline cells) are running low? The thing has no meter, so the only thing I can imagine is that either a) it beeps at you to give you a heads-up, or it just quits working. Does anyone out there have any insights?

scooterinvegas

My Feedback: (1)

I cant say on your model, but I have two 3 channel park flyers, and both of them flash the Tx power light. The light is solid at first, but when the batterys get low, the light blinks. Maybe you could find some old batterys and put them in your Tx to try in out.

TedMo

Since you did not state a thing about the equipment you are using, only the plane, There's no way we can answer that.

TedMo

No way to answer that without some idea of what equipment you are using. Sounds to me like a toy RC device with alkaline batteries.

KW_Counter

TedMo,
Read the title of the thread.
KW_Counter

lopflyers

My Feedback: (12)

Be careful, I have a JR Dx6i that runs on regular alkaline AAs,and it does have a meter that reads the voltage of the batteries.
Last week I had two episodes of new receivers not responding, in one of the ocassions I lost the plane. Thinking what the odds are of two brand new receivers failing the same day I changed the AAs in the transmitter and whala, the meter was misreading. What a stupid way to loose a plane, AAs[X(]
Now I am planing to replace the suckers every month.

Mudbay

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. Scooter, I'll definitely try putting some exhausted AAs in there just to see what happens. Maybe it will indeed flash, or otherwise do something useful. The thought of losing the planeespecially of doing damage to something or someonejust 'cus I didn't know my batteries were about shot, is almost enough to keep me from the field!

As it is, I've flown the plane for probably a grand total of 20 minutes, through two charges of the LiPoly battery, and have found myself wondering if I dared try it again without changing out the TX batteries. The Airfield/Chiyuan TX has absolutely no frills: just the two sticks, trim slides, and the on/off switch. Oh, and a row of switches for reversing the servo throws. Meter? Nada. Instructions? Nyet. Sure glad there is a forum, though! Words of wisdom are appreciated!

Thanks again,
Rob

scooterinvegas

My Feedback: (1)

That will be...... one dollar!

Mudbay

Hey, Scooter, just to let ya' know, I found some burned-out AAs and put them in the tx to test your theory: sure enough, the red "power" light flashes. Now I know what to look for. All we need is a bit of flying weather, and I'm ready to try it again!

Oh, and *cha-ching*, there's yer buck. Many thanks again!

Rob

jester_s1

Some very cheap insurance is one of those $5 multimeters from Harbor Freight. You can test your alkaline batteries with it, along with your lipo for total voltage and balance. On smaller planes, it can also be your amp meter so if you change props you can be sure you aren't stressing your speed control.