docgboy

I am trying to make a decision on what receiver and power combination seems to have the best reliability. I am somewhat confused sinse I recently had a lockout on a spektrum 2.4 9 channel reciever which was powered by 2 4200 Li-ion batteries and a powerbox system.

The plane had over 60 flights on the system with not as much as a twitch. Then, on the first flight of the day I tookoff and when the plane reach about 50ft it lockout and the failsafe kicked in and cut the engine and I never regained control. It was not a devistated crash but enough to require a new aircraft. Most of the equipment was undamaged.

So lets hear what you guys are using


Scott

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

i've planning on running the spektrum 9100 rx w/ 4 remote recievers and a pair of Fromeco Ion-Core A123 2300mah packs for the reciever.

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

I have been running the AR9000 with the extra satelite in all 4 of my jets with hundreds of flights and no issues. Just one 5 cell 3600 nimh batt thru one switch into the rx...old school.
V..

trioval00

My Feedback: (17)

Sometimes, old school is better, less equipment that can fail.....

Mark

Delta Mike

My Feedback: (18)

Hi Scott, I have been running the AR9000 and AR9100 Spektum RX for 2 years now. I use the AI23 cells running at 6.6 volts with 2 packs directly into the RX with no regulator and no powerbox system. I have had no issues with this set up logging over 200 flights in 3 different aircraft. The A123 cells are the best overall solution to RC aircraft, especially in a jet, where you have lots of wires and hoses. It minimises the parts count and failure rate of the system. It is easyier to manage, install and inspect. The charge time is less then 15 min and the batteries won't burn your house down, they are much safer then anything else The cycle life of the batteries is also better than anything on the market. It is old school but it works very well. I always try to keep my install as simple and clean as possible.

Godspeed,

Dennis

NickC5FE

My Feedback: (31)

I am running a JR 921 with a Smart fly EQ-10 and 2 4000 + MAH nimh's in my Super Balsa Bandit.

Dustflyer

My Feedback: (13)

Hello Dennis,

Am thinking about making the switch to A123 for my Hotspot. Just wondering what kind or brand of batteries you are using and which charger.

Thanks,

Gene

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

2.4 does not fail safe flights gaurantee. []

On that note,

I run JR R1221, Smart fly turbo reg, 2 2200 milliamp thunderpower 7.4V 2s batters.

Raf

Kelly W

My Feedback: (2)

I just reconfigured my Hotspot with a JR 12X and an AR9100 receiver, running all 4 satellites and a pair of A123 Duralite packs. The AR9100 has the advantage in that the power never goes through the switch, so it eliminates a failure mode right away. It'll also shield one battery from the other if one shorts out or goes flat. Both of these features are not included in the R1221, R921, or the AR9000.

That being said, the current capacity is WAY overkill in some jets. I ran an Eagle Tree data logger with an electric expander to watch one pack, and the max draw was just 6 watts, or a little under 1 Amp. Out of curiosity, I also had the data logger watch the servo voltage, and it tended to indicate a voltage drop of around 0.08V through the receiver.

Its also nice to have packs that don't need regulators with A123's, all be it on the high side of operating voltage, but the whole system is pretty brain dead with the usual Duralite chargers and internal balancing circuity in every pack. You can fast charge these packs as with any other 123 style pack as well.

Kelly

docgboy

When using JR 8611 servos it is recommended and I think also will void warranty if voltage goes over 6.0 volts. Is this a concern with the A123 batteries

Scott

Delta Mike

My Feedback: (18)

Hi Gene, I am using the A123 Racing cells and their charger. I have just recently began to use the CELL Pro Charger from FMA.

Dennis

Kelly W

My Feedback: (2)

Keep in mind, every component is manufactured and specified with a tolerance and 5 cell packs can easily come fresh off the charger at 7V. If 6V was a hard limitation, you'd probably never be able to use a 5 cell pack.

If voltage is a concern, either use 6V packs that are not completely peaked, or use a regulator with the numerous other options available. You could always use an AR9100 and hook up a more conventional pack arrangement to it.

Kelly

Delta Mike

My Feedback: (18)

The A123 Cells hot off the charger will not exceed the voltage of a 5 cell pack hot off the charger. They both come off around 7 volts. In the case of the A123s, they drop down to their 6.6 voltage pretty quick. I have never seen in my experiance a servo failure due to a high voltage situation on servos that are rated for 6 volts.

DM

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Can you run one pack (2 cell) on the rx side and just top it off between flights or will one pack not handle the amp load??

V..

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

Folks,
I use 2pcs 5 cell Nimh packs for several years, each into a switch harness, into an AR9000 rx, one into the bat port and the other into an unused port or a little used one (retracts). I've seen 7.0 Volts off a hot recharge. Never had a lockout, or hold. One time had 2 frames lost...one time. I fly this setup in a KingCat with 36 pounds of thrust. I've had it out to a very small vision so I KNOW range is not an issue. I use 2 remotes and the flight log. I'll assume the AR9100 and of course the JR equivelants are up to the same levels. No battery shares, no power busses, no regulators, etc. No nothing but 2 battery packs into switch harnesses into the RX. I'm NOT saying the added stuff "ain't no good"......I'm telling you what works for me for over 250 turbine flights in 2 years. Near perfection save 2 frames lost on one flight. Heck, my little Reaction 44+ being all balsa and MonoKote is pretty transparent to 2.4Ghz RF. Most of the time fades are below 10 and this is with a single 5 cell pack.
That's it, back to building next years ride.

Dave Rigotti

Hammbone

My Feedback: (309)

One A123 pack would handle the current flow needs and would last several flights, but most guys prefer to use two packs and have redundancy. If weight is a concern for you, use two smaller packs. You'll still have the mah capacity with the same weight of a single larger pack, but with redundancy.

Jim

Speny

Dave

Just to clarify, are you saying that you have two 6v packs connected to your AR9000 rx, one through the switch and one direct to the receiver (spare channel) or both through switches?

Does the battery port on the AR9000 rx control the main power and then once that one is switched on the 2nd battery comes into play?

If the 2nd battery is in a "little used (retracts)" channel - have you "Y" leaded that into there.

I assume this provides double the capacity and the redundancy that if your switch fails there is still power for a signal? Can this really work and has someone tried it - ie pull plug on switch lead with battery behind it??

Id thought of this setup but had reservations of 13.2V input into the receiver (2 x 2s A123 freshly charged) and smoking it.

Are there any channels on the Ar9000 rx that shouldnt be used for the 2nd battery connection?

Your clarifications would be much appreciated

Anyone else with same setup???

Mart

Hammbone

My Feedback: (309)

When plugging 2 batteries into a rx, your voltage does not double, just your capacity doubles. Two A123's plugged into one rx provides a little over 7v after a charge. This voltage quickly drops down to about 6.6v and stays there until the batteries capacity is almost gone.

I highly recommend that you JR guys on 2.4ghz consider using the Powersafe rx's such as the 1222, 922, and 9100. These rx's have 2 HD inputs for battery power, and these rx's come with their own failsafe switch. This switch controls both batteries, and it is not an inline switch so it does not limit current flow in any way.

Jim

KC36330

I'm name branded, if it doesn't have JR on the case, i won't use it so therefore i use the 921s and 1221s in everything I've got from helis to 33% to my jets. i run them with twin Li-Ion / twin NiMh / single Li-Ion / single 5 cell NiCd/NiMh and I've never had a frame loss on anything, on my helis I've never had a single fade on any antenna. my Flash gets 50-100 fades on the antenna located in the nose where both the left and right side of the fuselage are carbon fiber and it averages 15-30 on the others but never a frame loss. both the 921 and the 1221 have dual battery inputs and IME are up to the job in most applications and the powersafe receivers aren't necessary.

you guys running gyros, are you still using unregulated A123s???? i use regulators on all my helis as my gyros have in BOLD FOR 4.8V USE ONLY

SinCityJets

If you are not using some type of power expander system, you are better off using a 1222 or 922. Personally, I use a 1221 with an EQ-10.

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

KC,
not sure what gyro you are using, but all the gyro's i have in my heli's (spartan, futaba 401, futaba 240, futaba 601/611, JR 7703d) are all able to be used with 6v systems. Its the Tail rotor servo's that are limited to 4.8v only.

KC36330

the typical servo connector type battery lead can deliver 3 amps each, if you're drawing 6+ amps you need to be using a powerbox.

KC36330

i've got the matched pairs JR G5000T/8700g

Tom Antlfinger

My Feedback: (24)

In my BVM F-100D, when I converted it to 2.4, I went with dual Electrodynamics 2300 A123 with one JR lead output and one JR lead for direct charging on each battery. Those go into dual ED HD switches, and then into an ED Bat Backer with dual inputs and outputs. That not only isolates both bats including the ground line so I can use my CellPro 10S dual charger and charge both bats simultaneouly without a ground fault error, but since it does have a silicon component in line, it also has the mandatory 0.7v drop so the outputs runs 5.9v, rather than 6.6v.....never any proplems that way with small servos or gyros.

The outputs of the Bat Backer go directly into the 1221 dual inputs.

Each of the cells uses about 180-210 maH/8 minute gear upgear down flight. I am running 8411's all around and 351's on the gear, brakes, and speed brake valves and a 450 JR gyro..... It idles at 0.8 amps and max draw during servo stall tests runs about 2-3 amps.

Andy at ED now rates his JR plugs at 4 amps continuous with no significant voltage drop or heat across the plugs. I use JR leads off my Cellpro 10S for charging at 4 amps and the plugs only get slightly warm during a 20 minute charge.

Just a note=====the Hun is covered with Coverite Presto......I found unusable signals from my remote receivers when they were along the sidewalls of the fuse.....many frame losses. I then moved the 3 remotes into the cockpit area and problem solved. I am not sure what all is in the Presto, but 2.4 does not like it.

I have used PowerBoxes in the past from Duralite and Emcotec. They are expensive, bulky, and my Emcotec failed, fortunately on the ground during turn-on. I did like their feature of lead isolation with long leads, but with 48-52" leads on my Boomer XL for many flights with no PB, never a glitch since going over to 2.4

smaze17

My Feedback: (60)

i am currently running a 9100 receiver with 2 3600 2 cell Lighting Power lipos and it has been flawless so far......good luck brah

S