Deadeye

Hi all,
I went out today to try out my new skis that I scratch built for my LT-40. It was about 15 above with 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches of snow on the ground up here in Conrad. Batteries were topped off. I can usually get an hour and a half of flight time with my LT-40 and Hitec Focus 4 radio with stock batts...above freezing. But today, My RX batts were good, but I watched my TX batts go from a full charge to 20% in less than 5 minutes.

Now we all know that TX batts will last 3 or so times longer than RX batts in normal conditions, at least, thats the way it's worked for me with this particular plane ( I know that trainers are different than, say, 60 size sport planes). So why did my TX batts die so fast? Is it the cold? I have noticed from my RC Car experience, that Nicads go dead quicker in cold weather, and I have always attributed that to chemical reaction to the cold. But still, the RX always went dead faster than the TX. Was I getting a faulty TX reading? As soon as I got back and put the equipment in my warm workshop, the TX batts showed full power. What gives?

Lynx

You might want to inspect the pack carefully. This should NOT happen at 15 degree's it's either a bum pack or it's a problem with the radio. I'm leaning more toward the idea of something in the radio being affected. Try checking it on an expanded scale volt meter, or a digital multimeter with a resistor shorted to simulate a watt or two load

rplumbo

My Feedback: (3)

Here in MN, we fly a lot in the cold and I've never had a problem like this with my packs. Sometimes I start with a lower voltage because of the cold, but the rate of discharge never changes. Thought you might like to know.

Reid