RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em?

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em?
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Beginners >> RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em?

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RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/28/2008 11:13:01 PM

kid chuckles

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Hey watch it I use the measly 600.

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Post #: 101

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 1:09:35 AM

Fastsky

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From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
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Highplains, I suggest you break down and buy a Voltwatch and test one for yourself before flipping off about how they are uncalibrated and a waste of $$. I did and based on my findings I believe the Voltwatch to be an accurate indicator of weather the receiver batteries are safe for another flight or not. Check out the review here: http://webpages.charter.net/rcfu/FEReviews/HCVoltWatch.html

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Post #: 102

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 2:51:18 AM

hungryandbroke

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From: blacksburg, SC, USA
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Ok Ok Ok I'll finally buy me a Voltwatch.....

Gonna hang it on my christmas tree.....

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Post #: 103

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 11:30:27 AM

CGRetired

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Hook it up, though. You can monitor the current flow thorugh your tree lights.

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Post #: 104

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 1:08:04 PM

kid chuckles

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You sure the tree will hold a plane with a voltwatch in it. Make sure to hook it up to the blinking lights it is perty that way. I decorate entirely out of Voltwatches. I like the fact you don't have to wind a Volt WATCH lol. If you start now and buy one a week you could decorate your the outside of your home also. rofl i liked that post it was funny.

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Post #: 105

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 1:35:53 PM

hungryandbroke

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quote:

ORIGINAL: CGRetired

Hook it up, though. You can monitor the current flow thorugh your tree lights.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kid chuckles

You sure the tree will hold a plane with a voltwatch in it. Make sure to hook it up to the blinking lights it is perty that way. I decorate entirely out of Voltwatches. I like the fact you don't have to wind a Volt WATCH lol. If you start now and buy one a week you could decorate your the outside of your home also. rofl i liked that post it was funny.

LOL....

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Post #: 106

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 2:16:36 PM

HighPlains

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I don't know too much about "loose" airplanes and am surprised to find out that the Voltwatch can predict weather. But I stand by my conclusion that it is nearly worthless when used for it's stated purpose. After finding out that it is based on the National Semiconductor LM 3914 chip or a clone, I may have been too generous in my earlier assessment of it's accuracy.

If I wanted to watch flashing meaningless lights, I'll buy a color organ and hook it up to a stereo.

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Post #: 107

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 2:23:14 PM

CGRetired

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Right. Ok. Whatever.

Have it your way. Don't forget to connect your calibrated digital voltmeter to your organ.

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Post #: 108

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 2:54:55 PM

HighPlains

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Sorry Admiral, (or is it Rear Admiral?) but knowing the real condition of your flight pack takes a wee bit more understanding of the technology.

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Post #: 109

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 3:37:03 PM

CGRetired

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Uh huh. Duh.. I guess you're right.

You know, we were having a friendly discussion about the voltwatch, some of us use them, some don't. That's a choice. What we don't need is someone coming in here telling us about degrees in electrical engineering and implying to how stuipid we are for using such a device that works.

Check back in the posts. No one is saying that it is to replace the voltmeter... expanded scale voltmeter... for measuring receiver or transmitter battery voltage.

You are entitled to your opinion. I, for one, and judging from comments here in this string, and in other strings, and from people that have a lot more experience than I do, know that they work as intended, regardless of any doubts about the performance of the National Semiconductor products used in the device.

If you don't like it, don't buy it. Pretty simple? Even an admiral knows that. And I won't even attempt to compare my education or experience to yours.

What a country!!

< Message edited by CGRetired -- 3/29/2008 3:50:26 PM >

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Post #: 110

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 4:25:38 PM

cruzomatic

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From: San Antonio, TX, USA
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Well said CG. Careful, I am a U.S. Federal Agent. I can arrest all you guys.

Interesting read this thread is. Personally, since the get go, I've decided to go ahead and slowly begin buying the voltwatch for my fleet. I do have and sometimes use the expanded scale voltmeter, but I do think the voltwatch is a great tool to use in addition to the voltmeter. (opinion based on responses to this thread). I have as you guys do, a lot of money in this hobby. I'd surely hate to lose a plane because of a bad or low rx battery. There are many posts here that contribute the voltwatch to preventing such a loss with some of your models. If it helps, which examples here show that it does, I'd say go for it. If you think they're a waste of money, well then that's okay too.

Keep the posts coming guys. I appreciate everyone's input. Whether you use them or not. Whether you think they're useful or just a waste of money. I think we're all benefiting from this thread. Beginners and experts alike.

"Cruzomatic"

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Post #: 111

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 5:45:52 PM

Missileman

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HighPlains,
I removed an earler post replying to one where you mentioned "religious fervor" perhaps I should have left it.
Seems you are the one with a fervor. As an industrial electrician I work hand in hand with many electrical engineers and most do seem to overanalyze things and over engineer. I often have to go behind them and dumb down what they did to make things work but I have not dealt with one as arrogant as you seem to be.
I simply don't need to measure my battery packs to the nearest millivolt to find out if it can handle another flight. That is rediculous.
Voltwatch may not be as accurate as you like but it is close enough to tell me if I can get another flight in which is its purpose, no more no less.
When I want to check my batteries condition I have equipment at home to do that.
Your degree and 37 years of flying are worth a "warm bucket of spit" as far as I am concerned.

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Post #: 112

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/29/2008 11:01:01 PM

CGRetired

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This is beginning to get a tad out of hand. Perhaps we ought to chalk this one up to 'experience' and just move on to another subject. Obviously, several of us are having a difference of opinion and are beginning to take this personally, which I'm sure was not the original intent of the subject or the thread.

We should just agree to disagree and use or not use voltwatch as we see fit. No need to get down and dirty about a $10.00 gizmo that some of us feel is worth the money.

So, let's just drop the subject. What do you say?

CGr.

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Post #: 113

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/30/2008 12:21:49 AM

gaRCfield

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From: Burlington, VT, USA
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Also remember that this is a 'Beginner' forum; it's a lot easier for us beginners to get a $10 voltwatch and plug it in to get a GENERAL idea of the condition of the battery. It seems a lot easier than using some volt meter and measuring miliamps, then figuring out how many miliamps are safe to fly with. Green lights = go!

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Post #: 114

RE: Voltwatch, you all use 'em? - 3/30/2008 12:38:49 AM

CGRetired

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Excellent point.

CGr.

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