I bought mine last year too. Flew all winter when the weather was good except for our winter funfly when it was 0 F . Batts. would run for five mins, didn't matter what capacity they were. Fingers only lasted that long before they went numb anyway
Most of the guys with the alky burners never got them started. I remember those days. Good thing our clubhouse has a woodstove. I think about 25 members showed up.