dasintex

My Feedback: (10)

Do I need to use a regulator to drop the Voltage when using A123's with Futaba Receivers? I have read that Futaba has not committed to saying that this is OK or NOT; I know I have to run a regulator to drop the Voltage for my Ignition, but what about the receiver?

Thanks.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

I don't know what the "official" stance is but I have been doing it for a while with both Futaba and JR stuff

Mk23socom

My Feedback: (7)

The 6.6V in the new A123s are Rx and servo friendly as I understand.. I know several guys running them unregulated with NO issues.. I have read that all major brand products handle the 6.6 with ease. If I were running them to an ignition module I would certainly regulate.. but thats a completely different issue..

dasintex

My Feedback: (10)

I thought A123 were 7.2 volts?

jetmech05

what is your receiver worth? Since no one has offically said...run a regulator....we know that 6.0 V won't hurt and we know that 6.6V might hurt after a while....
I run regulators

Mk23socom

My Feedback: (7)

i think you are thinking of Lipo batteries.. A123 batteries are Lithium Ferrite or LiFe.. they are 6.6V

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=MCD

and the fellas I play with have called the manufacturers and asked if the 6.6 from the A123s will hurt.. none said yes. You can still regulate if you choose..

jester_s1

A 6 volt NiCd is 7.2 volts hot off the charger, while an A123/LiFe is 7.4. Under load the difference is a bit more because it takes more to draw down an LiFe, but those are the max voltages that the manufacturers have to design for. So the real issue is whether or not the receiver and servos can tolerate an extra .2 volts. Given that they can still work at less than 4 volts, it seems to me that this equipment is not so voltage sensitive that another .2 volts at the high end is going to make a difference.

dasintex

My Feedback: (10)

'Mk23socom': Fully Charged they are 7.4, I said 7.2; but you are correct, usually rated for 6.6; and like 'jester_s1' said a 6 Volt NiCd/NiMh is about 7.2 fully charged and I had overlooked that, I currently run 6 Volt NiMh with Futaba Receivers and have never had an issue, except for a Gyro that stated it was rated for 4.5 and it acted goofy when the battery was fully charged., so it would appear that A123 Batteries can be used, even though Futaba will not commit to this!

Anyone else out there using A123 with Futaba, any problems?

Thanks.

Steve Percifield

My Feedback: (14)

I have been using 5 cell Nicd and Nimh for the past 20 years with Futaba, JR, Hitec and Airtronics. The only issue I ever had was with some older JR servos that twitched until the initial charge was burned off. My flying buddy has been using A123 for the past 5 years, straight up, with all Futaba gear, and has never had an issue. This is with both 72 and now 2.4. My next battery purchase will be A123 and I will not be using any regulator. FWIW.

K-Bob

My Feedback: (1)

A123s are 7.2V right off the charger and fall to their rated 6.6v fairly quickly. Futaba equipment is well able to use the a123s without regs and DA has approved unregulated A123s on their ignitions. I don't think that holds true for the others though.

dasintex

My Feedback: (10)

7.2 or 7.4; the question was can you run A123 with Futaba, but thanks for the clarification; so it appears that you can run A123.

TFF

Futaba has the stance that if it does not have the Futaba name on it then your not suppose to do it. Reality is it is done all the time. I think it is a standard in pattern now.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

I find it interesting that Hobbico sells LiFe Source batteries for reciever packs and nowhere do they warn you not to use it with thier Futaba equipment

dasintex

My Feedback: (10)

This is true of almost anything, they all want you, and will have you believe that you have to use their named brand only, how many times have you read or heard that if you use anything else it will void the warranty or degrade the performance, etc, etc; what a bunch of BS; unfortunately, the majority of consumers will buy this line of crap.

BarracudaHockey; that is interesting that Hobbico sells LeFe, but do not warn against Futaba use, again, more crap; thats what makes RCU a valuable tool when you can't get accurate and honest infomation from the manufacturers.

I find it also interesting, that I read that JR has told consumers that A123 use is not a problem with their equipment; they don't seem to be bothered by people not using JR Branded batteries; these manufactures have to know that a lot of people interchange brands within their use ie: Futaba Radios and Receivers and Hitec Servos; or when 72 was the only frequecy in town, how many people used Hitec Receivers with Futaba, etc, etc. so it would make sense that the voltage requirements and limits are fairly universal so people could remain Brand Loyal; can you imagine what would happen if Futaba or JR Radios would only operate their brand of servos, ESC, etc.