mkn8632

Are all Rx capable of running 4.8 or 6 volts? Or just a select few. I have a Futaba FP-R127DF... Could I run 6 volts to get more out of my servos?

Thanks
M

jetmech05

yes you can

DMcQuinn

My Feedback: (13)

I think 90% of the receivers and servos sold today will work fine on a 5-cell unregulated NiMh pack.

j.duncker

My Feedback: (2)

I have been running Futaba gear on 6 volts for years. Other than the odd twitch when the battery is fresh off charge I have had no problems.

mkn8632

when using the six volt power source, does your servo life suffer?

Valve floater

I have always used 4.8 Nimh. I use a fairly large pack at 2000, AA size batteries. I also use standard servos. Works fine.

TedMo

Perhaps a good question! I do not have a proven answer but have used 6 volts for years without any problem. No idea how long a servo should last on either voltage but don't believe 6v. will do any harm at all. Does improve torque and speed though.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I don't have experience yet going from 4.8 to 6 volts. I do have experience going from standard servos to digital sport servos, which are faster, have more power, and are more accurate. The difference is enough to have spoiled me, and I've got the near-bottom end of the digital sport servos!

Stick 40

we started using 6 v , 15 to 20 years ago with no problems. I don't think we are getting much of a longer run time on them, they run the servo's faster and I think that draws mah down. I am used 2300 to 2500 Mah 6 volts battery's to get my run time.
The one reason I am using the 6volt now is the warnings on the 2.4 spectrum radio's and the need for the 6 volt battery's or so we are told, I have not seen proof of it, but I don't mind using them.

I have not lost a servo yet, to striped gears etc.

It would not hurt to check with your servo maker and ask about using 6v with thier servo's.

jetmech05

most...not all servos are rated for 6 volts...you'd have to either get the Tower catalog and look up your servo...or punch in your servo on line and see

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Yeah I just started seeing this as I'm moving up in servo quality. Will be running 6 volts in my 120 planes next summer and looking for better servos; some Futabas (and I imagine there are others) are only rated for 4.8 volts. Some too are only spec'd at 6 volts.

dignlivn

Are sub C size Rx pacs any better than AA size ?

Thanks,

Bob

-pkh-

My Feedback: (2)

Yes, Sub-C cells have a much higher current drain capability than AA cells. I've mainly seen guys with the larger gas planes and turbines use Sub-C packs. A compromise between AA and Sub-C cells are A cells. They are only slightly larger than AA cells, and have a higher current drain capability than AA cells. I put A cell RX packs in almost all of my planes for this reason. I usually use 5-A cell packs (6V) in 3D planes with high torque servos, and 4-A cell packs in planes with standard servos.

dignlivn

Thanks pkh,

That is what I needed to know.
I'm using high torque servos in my
current build. (Astro Hog)

Bob

mkn8632

Thanks Guys! I appreciate all your hard work...

M

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

After reading a thread that says high capacity AA's have a huge resistance, and seeing my fully charged 2000mah 4.8v (AA) battery drop into the warning level on my Voltwatch, I'm switching everything over to regulated lipo.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

If you are a guy that flies from sun up to sun down like I sometimes do - Lipos cannot be quick field charged

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Ha ha, how'd you know??? I jumped into a set of 120 two strokes, though, and the fuel costs have taught me to chill out between flights and mingle with my club members.
I was burning over a half gallon a day in my .46! Well I'll still be burning over a half gallon a day, but probably 20 flights down to 8.

I'm getting 2300 or 2600mah lipos though, should last at least a few flights

F4U Corsair

My Feedback: (22)

Seems a lot of Spektrum users are going to A123 batteries for Rx's. They make a 7v (no reg req'd), 1100mAh 2 cell that is about the same weight as a typical 5 cell NiCad, and can be charged at 5A for fast field topping without any harm to the battery. There is several threads on this if you search. I'm thinking about converting all of mine over down the road.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

6volt (5 cell Nicd or NMH) batteries weigh more than the same MAH 4.8V batteries and due to the extra current draw due to the higher voltage - they do not stay charged as long.

Don't bother with 6 volts unless you need the speed and power.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

What the heck is an A123 battery???

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

Nanophosphateâ„¢ lithium ion battery technology they are 3/6V but top off at 4.2V nominal 6.4-6.6 volts from 2 A123's

http://www.a123systems.com/products

http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm

https://01836cd.netsolstores.com/ind...arch=GO&Page=1

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Thanks.

jaka

Hi!
Not all LiFePo cells (A123) are 6,6V.
Those from Himodels in China are 6,4V...works just fine without a regulator on my JR 8711 servos.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

The higher discharge rate of 6v versus 4.8v is only on the order of 5 percent or so which is easily compensated for by buying a slightly higher capacity battery.