Redundant RX packs are they overkill?    Gallery
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
    Search This Thread  
 
Printable Version


GJC 1/6 Scale F-16 ARF PRO
Seller:  Flynstuff
Details:   $4,400.00   |  5/6/2013   |  Classified Ad
We will rotate YOUR AD in this spot if you select "Forum Featured" when placing or editing your ad!

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Jets >> Redundant RX packs are they overkill?
Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>  

Tower Hobbies Get Coupon Codes Brands  
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 7:01 PM   
Ron101



Posts: 1674
Score: 116
Joined: 8/9/2004
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Brentwood, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Guys,
I've been flying large EDF Jets (1/6 scale), warbirds, and 30% acrobatic planes for many years

I've alway used two rx packs and have gone away from switches and plug straight into the rx with deans or micro deans....

Now that I've gone to Life packs they hold such a great charge it seems like I'm useing hardly any mah amps from the two 2100 mah rx packs

There 5 oz each and are 10c rated..so they can pull 21 amps cont. I use these in all my big planes, but was really thinking about just dropping down to one pack and saving 5oz


Us EDF guys get a little nuts with weight, and it looks like an easy way to save some weight. I'm just old school and have done the redundant thing for many years.

would love to hear everyone thoughts on the subject

thank much and have a great rest of you weekend

Ron

_____________________________

"It''''s not personal, Sonny. It''''s strictly business."

Hide Signatures
       Post #: 1

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 7:29 PM   
invertmast


 

Posts: 5693
Score: 193
Joined: 12/11/2003
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Status: offline 		If it costs more than $1200 and can accept a dual rx battery setup, it gets one.. no questions asked. The pro's of having an extra rx battery, even if you never need it, far out-weight the results of what could happen if you ever do need it, IMO.

_____________________________

Thomas W.
Euro-sport Evo, Scratch built 1/7 F-14D Tomcat, 26.5% Gee Bee R2

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Ron101)
       Post #: 2

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 7:48 PM   
Wclays


 

Posts: 211
Score: 105
Joined: 1/24/2002
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		You will only need that backup battery once.

Never leave home without it.

Clay

Hide Signatures

(in reply to invertmast)
       Post #: 3

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 7:55 PM   
rodestar99


 

Posts: 39
Score: 100
Joined: 2/28/2007
Last Login: 5/17/2013
From: sebewaing, MI, USA
Status: offline 		Another option is to use 2 smaller batteries...thus keeping your redundancy and also saving weight. As you said 2 1200 mah batteries can probably last aa long as necessary to complete
the flight.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Ron101)
       Post #: 4

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 7:59 PM   
Kelly Rohrbach


 

Posts: 476
Score: 100
Joined: 2/24/2002
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: KALISPELL, MT, USA
Status: offline 		Would you go skydive without a backup chute??
A backup is just that, a backup. If you never use it you could argue that you did not need it, however in this case a backup means you might get to go "back up"
Cheapest insurance when you think about it.

_____________________________

Kelly Rohrbach
BVM REP

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Wclays)
       Post #: 5

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 8:13 PM   
PaulD



Posts: 1097
Score: 105
Joined: 4/16/2002
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: CoquitlamBC, CANADA
Status: offline


quote:

ORIGINAL: rodestar99

Another option is to use 2 smaller batteries...thus keeping your redundancy and also saving weight. As you said 2 1200 mah batteries can probably last aa long as necessary to complete
the flight.


That was my thought. I sure like dual packs for pretty much anything over 40 size. Our local field was lost due to 2 fly aways that were due to dead packs. Both were totally preventable and one ended up with a person getting struck by a model on the landlord's neighboring property. Your situation will vary of course and I do believe that most high power edf guys are pretty contious about electrical requirements so do what works for you.

PaulD


_____________________________

If it''s too LOUD - You''re too OLD


Hide Signatures

(in reply to rodestar99)
       Post #: 6

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 9:20 PM   
Harley Condra


 

Posts: 1922
Score: 105
Joined: 12/7/2001
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Longwood , FL, USA
Status: offline 		A few years ago I lost a KingCat when the battery pack went south right after take off.

The loss easily exceeded the cost of a redundant battery.

_____________________________

Harley Condra
BVM REP, Skymaster REP, JetCat REP

Hide Signatures

(in reply to PaulD)
       Post #: 7

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 9:54 PM   
Ron101



Posts: 1674
Score: 116
Joined: 8/9/2004
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Brentwood, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Well that pretty much sums it up...lol

I guess this is why I always run a backup.... just wanted to see if feelings have changed with seemingly better batteries these days

but looks like guys still run a back up

_____________________________

"It''''s not personal, Sonny. It''''s strictly business."

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Harley Condra)
       Post #: 8

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 10:16 PM   
Wayne22



Posts: 5383
Score: 105
Joined: 4/10/2002
Last Login: 5/8/2013
From: Strathcona county, AB, CANADA
Status: offline
quote:

A few years ago I lost a KingCat when the battery pack went south right after take off.


ditto! not a Kingcat, but same experience, same result....

_____________________________

All I ask is for a chance to prove that money can't make me happy......

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Ron101)
       Post #: 9

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 10:21 PM   
bevar


 

Posts: 3170
Score: 142
Joined: 9/8/2002
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Lake Worth, FL, USA
Status: offline 		We lost a twin engine Velox XL last week when it's Life receiver pack died during the gear pass.

Two packs would have saved it.

Beave

_____________________________

Jetcat and EVO Jet Rule!
Allied Scale Squadron

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Wayne22)
       Post #: 10

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 11:11 PM   
Warbird Man



Posts: 859
Score: 105
Joined: 9/3/2004
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Hortonville, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Are you guys simply plugging two packs into the RX or using a redundant device for them that switches between packs?
If so where do you find such a device?

_____________________________

Warbird Man

I love the smell of AV gas in the morning.
Smells like.... victory

Hide Signatures

(in reply to bevar)
       Post #: 11

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/5/2012 11:29 PM   
Jetfan20


 

Posts: 261
Score: 107
Joined: 11/6/2002
Last Login: 5/17/2013
From: Apopka, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Fromeco Wolverine switches works for me!

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Warbird Man)
       Post #: 12

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 1:16 AM   
gsmarino2000


 

Posts: 176
Score: 100
Joined: 11/20/2003
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Loveland, CO, USA
Status: offline 		You do need to have something, because just tying two packs together gives the opportunity for a dead or shorted pack to bring down the plane. I use JR PowerSafe recievers in my gas planes. They are built to handle redundant batteries and have a diode "or" function to keep a dead or shorted pack from killing the good pack. There are a number of other options - Fromeco, Powerbox, Smart Fly PowerExpander, etc.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Jetfan20)
       Post #: 13

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 1:48 AM   
Harley Condra


 

Posts: 1922
Score: 105
Joined: 12/7/2001
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Longwood , FL, USA
Status: offline 		I have been using Fromeco Wolverine switches and Sahara regulators for several years now with absolutely no complaints.
I use the JR powersafe switch/regulator combination in some of my airplanes.


_____________________________

Harley Condra
BVM REP, Skymaster REP, JetCat REP

Hide Signatures

(in reply to gsmarino2000)
       Post #: 14

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 1:50 AM   
jzuniga


 

Posts: 408
Score: 105
Joined: 12/25/2001
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jetfan20

Fromeco Wolverine switches works for me!


Ditto...

Z

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Jetfan20)
       Post #: 15

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 3:44 AM   
Ron101



Posts: 1674
Score: 116
Joined: 8/9/2004
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Brentwood, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I run no switches, just deans plug on a extension straight to the RX

I have studied RC systems for many years and one dead battery will not draw down the other pack..... the one bad pack will remain dead while the other does it's job
This has been shown over and over in the old reds battery clinics. Planes have been setup for years with packs straight to the RX, I personally feel that is the best way to setup a plane... it's less weight, money, complexity, and one less thing to go bad

it's an age old debate and many feel strong on either side.... it's just the way I choose to do things and have had great success with two packs straight to the RX with no switches

_____________________________

"It''''s not personal, Sonny. It''''s strictly business."

Hide Signatures

(in reply to jzuniga)
       Post #: 16

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 3:54 AM   
Ron101



Posts: 1674
Score: 116
Joined: 8/9/2004
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Brentwood, CA, USA
Status: offline 		This sums up the argument for anything to be between the RX and RX packs in my eyes:

http://www.hangtimes.com/parallel_packs.html

suprised this site is still up reds clinics have been around for many years

_____________________________

"It''''s not personal, Sonny. It''''s strictly business."

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Ron101)
       Post #: 17

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 3:54 AM   
hotspot 01


 

Posts: 111
Score: 100
Joined: 12/30/2005
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Perth, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		Had a mate just recently save a Reaction X on the ground the reciever failed to bind discovered a faulty wire coming from the only battery he had on board. Ok fault was found think two packs would have hidden the problem but fortunate the problem was discovered on the ground.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Ron101)
       Post #: 18

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 4:09 AM   
Edgar Perez



Posts: 1861
Score: 100
Joined: 12/1/2001
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Gurabo, PUERTO RICO (USA)
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: hotspot 01

Had a mate just recently save a Reaction X on the ground the reciever failed to bind discovered a faulty wire coming from the only battery he had on board. Ok fault was found think two packs would have hidden the problem but fortunate the problem was discovered on the ground.

when charging at the end of flying they should take similar charges. Otherwise you need to check what's going on.

_____________________________

Edgar Perez
Puerto Rico

Hide Signatures

(in reply to hotspot 01)
       Post #: 19

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 4:43 AM   
essyou35


 

Posts: 836
Score: 100
Joined: 12/4/2009
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: none, USA
Status: offline 		I use two life packs on a Y cable. Some put diodes on them so a dead pack cant drain the good one (Amps out only). However, my experience is that introducing diodes or other devices increases the chance of failure as these devices can go bad themselves. I feel that if a pack dies the good pack will keep it strong enough to finish the flight, I found a bad pack is usually bad as it wont put the A needed and the V drops, so the good pack can carry it.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Edgar Perez)
       Post #: 20

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 4:53 AM   
speed is life



Posts: 271
Score: 100
Joined: 5/22/2006
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Denver, CO, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Ron101
This sums up the argument for anything to be between the RX and RX packs in my eyes:
 http://www.hangtimes.com/parallel_packs.html

Read Ron's posted link.......
Diodes, fancy power safe boxes, isolator circuits, whatever, are unneeded.........It is urban legend OK, a potentially bad/shorted pack CAN NOT "draw down" a good pack. There is no "charge", "reverse charge", or otherwise catastrophic compromise by a plain old simple parallel circuit.

That said; if you like complexity and more "bling" then have a ball......if it makes you feel better.




_____________________________

-Schuebeler Sales USA-


Hide Signatures

(in reply to Ron101)
       Post #: 21

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 5:09 AM   
GSR


 

Posts: 1780
Score: 110
Joined: 10/31/2002
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: SoMexifornia, CA, USA
Status: offline 		What Ron said about the old saw of one dead pack draining the good pack- Like most of the stuff coming out of Washington it just is not true. I have always used two packe running thru two switches into two ports. Check each one individually at start up. Turn number one on and check voltage, turn number two on and switch off the number one, check voltage then turn number one back on. If weight is an issue run two 1100 Ma A123s packs. They weigh very little and gives you 2200 total Ma.Scotty

_____________________________

"If you ain''t crashed-You ain''t flown"

Hide Signatures

(in reply to speed is life)
       Post #: 22

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 9:49 AM   
Boomerang1



Posts: 2247
Score: 120
Joined: 6/24/2005
Last Login: 5/18/2013
From: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline
quote:

What Ron said about the old saw of one dead pack draining the good pack- Like most of the stuff coming out of Washington it just is not true.


I grabbed a heap of old jet magazines someone left at my club.

In one magazine a guy actually did in real time most of the failure scenarios associated with twin RX packs

The results were basically what Ron said, the dead pack will not drag down the good pack. - John.

_____________________________

Distributor for: Nothing! So my posts can be unbiased.

Hide Signatures

(in reply to GSR)
       Post #: 23

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/6/2012 6:51 PM   
Dieselman1220



Posts: 335
Score: 110
Joined: 2/9/2004
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Mcallen, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I'm not a fan of adding extra crap on the airplane I don't run powerboxes etc.....however one thing I am a big fan of
Is the electrodynamics power backer. Very simple straight forward and functional.
http://www.electrodynam.com/rc/EDR-108/index.shtml


_____________________________

Joseph K

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Boomerang1)
       Post #: 24

RE: Redundant RX packs are they overkill? - 8/7/2012 2:08 AM   
Xairflyer



Posts: 2548
Score: 105
Joined: 12/17/2002
Last Login: 5/19/2013
From: Co. Donegal, IRELAND
Status: offline 		Redundancy is what we are looking for on bigger models and why we use two batteries whether just plugged direct into the receiver, or through a battery backer switch.

Redundancy is the one thing Futaba forgot about when they designed their S bus system, which they think it is a great idea to run the whole plane with maybe 12+ servos on one 3 core servo lead ???

_____________________________

www.letterkennymodelflyingclub.com
www.jmaireland.com

Hide Signatures

(in reply to Dieselman1220)
       Post #: 25

Page:   [1] 2 3   next >   >>  
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Jets >> Redundant RX packs are they overkill?
Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>  




Jump to:


 
Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

RC Universe is a service of Internet Brands, Inc. Copyright © 2001-2013.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America


1.219RCU1