ScaleCrazy

I'm new to jets and would like to know what's the jet guys choice of rx power in turbines and why. Thx for your input.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

I can't answer for everyone but I use genuine A123 packs.

They give the benefits of 6v systems w/o needing HV servos or regulators. They charge very quickly, and they don't self discharge, I can charge them today and fly them at Christmas and it doesn't hurt the packs and they will be ready to go.

I particularly get mine from WrongWay RC He makes them with whatever wiring you specify

ScaleCrazy

Where do you get "genuine" A123's. I thought they were going out of business. I know there are A123 knock off's. So what's a reliable sorce?

FenderBean

Electrodynamics is a good source, I see folks using Hobbico LiFE packs at 6.6 volts and I personally use 7.4V Ions. all have pros and cons but all work just as good and depends on your style.

Len Todd

Personally I use two Spektrum 2000 mah LiPo receiver packs into a powerbox evolution. Redundant batteries is a must for me. I can easily pull them out for charging outside the plane. When I put the LiPos on the scale, they are ~50% lighter than 2000 mah LiFe receiver packs. Consequently to do the same with LiFe I would have the weight of three LiPos. Also, the LiPos are also a lot thinner and fit into the nose further. I use all HV components so there is no actual need for a voltage regulator, although the powerbox does cut the power back to 7.3 volts.

Electro Dynamics has LiFe packs. I see a lot of their packs around.

ScaleCrazy

Thx guys. I just bought a dx18. And thought only 9 channels. So ordered a 12 channel rx. The issue is the 12 channel I got is a power safe rx. I orginally was and still may use 2 fromeco lions with a regulated switch to power my rx and servos. But was trying to come up with a way to use the 12 channel power safe rx. I guess I could just plug 2 A123 into the rx directly?? Or is there a better option.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

www.wrongwayrc.com and www.taildraggerrc.com

The "out of business" thing involved car batteries, not our hobby cells.

Yes, you can get 2 A123 packs and plug them into the power safe receiver. The soft switch on the P/S Rx will keep power on if it fails, they are probably the easiest way to have redundant packs

arizcowboy

My Feedback: (14)

Listen to your buddy he's been flying jets for years

ScaleCrazy

Yes. My buddy is very knoledgable. But there could be a new way of doing things that he's not aware of. So maybe I could teach him something with this vas knoledgable base on RCU.

kevinthoele

My Feedback: (1)

The Fromeco's are fine. I have used them for years. Also the Duralite work well as well. The receiver is good to go on 123 or 7.4 It is the servos that need to be able to handle voltage

Glad to have you in the jet world. You will love it. I have been flying turbines now for 21 years and never went back

Art ARRO

My Feedback: (5)

Go to www.jetpilot's.org and under the Members section scroll down to the Knowledge Bank segment and open it. There's an article entitled "Batteries for Jets" which describes several battery types and their application to RC model jets. There's also a lot of good info on turbine maintenance, landing and making your own servo extensions.
Welcome aboard to the jet world and consider joining JPO, the AMA's Special Interest Group (SIG) for jets.
Rgds,
Art ARRO

AndyAndrews

A123 for sure. No regulator needed. Plug in directly to RX. Flat discharge. Fast recharge. Explosion proof. What else would anyone want?

Randy M.

My Feedback: (38)

I use a123's from taildraggerrc.com. 2500 Mah x 2
with dx18 and 12 channel rx you get 12 channels if you turn on the x plus

FenderBean

If you go ions I recommend duralite over fromeco just because they have balance leads. Im currently switching over to them, but have used fromeco for years and since I fly high voltage stuff with futaba I dont need voltage regs

Randy M.

My Feedback: (38)

I use power safe rx as well with soft switch. Works great

gsmarino2000

My Feedback: (2)

The PowerSafe receivers give you many of the advantages of a power distribution system at a fraction of the cost. I prefer to avoid regulators, so I use LiFe. Dual batteries into the Power Safe receiver. The only disadvantage that I'm aware of with this battery technology is that you can't check your charge state with voltage.

Greg

FenderBean

BoomaRC makes a great little switch that can support two batteries and tell you how much of the battery you have used. It would be a great with your power safe setup!
http://www.boomarc.com/en/intelliswi...ion-monitoring

drac1

My Feedback: (4)

Why?

I've been using LiFe Rx batts with no reg for 3 years and have only ever checked charge level with voltage.

DrV

My Feedback: (2)

Dual Genuine A123 cells (2s 6.6V) directly into the Rx without any switches.

www.hangtimes.com

you can ask Steve to make any harness or wiring. Lots of battery info on his site. Mill spec battery backs.

brabriggsoan

The soft switch on the P/S Rx will keep power on if it fails

Terry Holston

My Feedback: (1)

I use A-123s from Electro-Dynamics and Andy Lowe told me to recharge when the batteries read 3.00 volt per cell. They read 3.40 volts fully charged. How else could you check them???

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

A-123's have a very flat discharge curve so voltage checking doesn't really tell you the true capacity remaining.

You need to have a true measure of capacity used per flight, figure out a safe number of flights with a decent safety margin, and monitor what the charger puts back in for problems.

FenderBean

Thats why i mentioned the product I did, it works like my Robbe/Futaba battery backer does. You tell it the battery is charged and it keeps track of what was used during each power on period.

Jeti USA

This is the one of the best you can get, all protection circuits integrated with addition of tray holder.
Jeti 2600/5200mAH 7.2V Li-Ion

Zb/Jeti USA

http://www.espritmodel.com/jeti-tran...ery-packs.aspx

Jeti Power Ion RB receiver battery pack comes equipped with built-in over-charging (Voltage higher than 5V/cell), and over-discharging (150A) protection circuits. One of the biggest advantages of the Li-Ion cells is the mechanical resistance due to reinforced metal casing.

drac1

My Feedback: (4)

After each flight, I immediately check voltage under a 1 amp load before the batteries have time to recover. I don't fly if the voltage is under 6.3 volts, (2S pack).

That leaves 15-20% capacity remaining depending on the conditions. That's usually 3 flights. I have never had a problem doing it this way.

I think more so than saying you can't check this way or that way, it's a learning curve for your particular batteries and how you operate them.