RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

You got me bamboozled now, Freestyle. I thought we were comparing a OS .15 to a AXI 2808. On a .40 size plane, you can electrifly it and use an 15-18 inch prop. Then you'll have power and great 3D capability.

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

Is it better to recharge batteries after flight or they can remain discharged for much time?

Thank you

Freestyle2000

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

It's best to recharge them right after the flight. If lipos are left discharged too long their voltage can fall below the point where they're rechargable. If it's only for a day, or even a week, it's fine. Any longer and it's best to recharge. I like to keep mine charged too so I can get in the air right away!

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

My 2 cents. A lipo balncer per say is not all that important, keeping track of your individual cells every few flights after charging is. I find I may only be off a few tenths of a volt after 10 or so flights so I just ocassionally charge them as individual cells and that does all the balancing I need. And to the glow/electric argument, E power and glow are 2 different animals, They use different props, have different throttle curves and response points. to champion one over the other is just blind sidedness. E depends on a great many variables all contributing to a sucessfull or unsucsessfull combo. Glow is almost idiot proof. I happen to like the 4 stroke low end power much more on 3d planes myself but when going under 45 inches E power is about the only thing that makes sense to me. Different strokes (or turns) for different folks. You might consider a lehner 1020-15 in runner with a cobri gear box (12 -68 with an apc 12-6E or 12-76 with an apc 13.5-6) using 15-20 c 3 cell 2100-2600 ma lipos. 35-40 amp speed controller and try to limit burst amps not much more than 30-35. more effecient than most outrunners and gobs of power for a 28 oz plane

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

Electric flight is fantastic :D :D :D my plane flies very well.

What heli do you suggest? E-flight? Which? - Helimax? Which? - T Rex? Which? - Walkera Dragonfly? Which?

Thank you

Freestyle2000

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

I only fly electric. But I'll NEVER buy a plane over 45". As soon as a plane calls for a series of batteries, count me out.

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

Sorry Smallfly, but I don't understand your post. One minute you are saying "keeping track of your individual cells every few flights after charging is important" the next you say that a balancer isn't all that important. I don't see the difference between you charging individual cells to match voltages and using an automatic balancer. You are doing the same thing only manually. You must be using a digital multi-meter to be able to accurately monitor voltages, so why not a balancer which has got to be a much neater solution. Have I missed something?

I would actually go further with the opinion I expressed in my original post in which I strongly advised the use of a balancer and further advise the use of a device like a CellShield. This device monitors individual cells during the discharge period (flight). If it is left to the ESC to control the cut-off voltage it is very easy for the voltage of an individual cell to drop below the point of irrecoverably damage. This is possible due to the fact that most ESC's only measure total voltage across the whole pack and not individual cells. Giving the user a false sense of security.

I have recently noted with approval that some ESC manufacturers are now supplying ESC's with an extra pcb attached which does the work of a CellShield. Frankly I think it overdue that this feature is incorporated directly into the ESC's circuitry. Come on Hacker, Castle Creations, Hyperion, et al. Pull your fingers out.

Regards,

Dave

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

Right, but which heli?

THank you

Freestyle2000

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

I thought this thread was about Lipo balancers and not glow VS electric or about Helis. I think lipo balancers are a must.

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

Balancers are very important to the longevity and performance of LiPo batteries. Balancers allow the individual cells in the battery pack to get evenly charged. Cells within a pack that are unbalanced can lead to permanent damage of the cells and have an adverse effect on the battery performance.

--
Joshua Gordon
Common Sense RC
www.CommonSenseRC.com
Toll Free 866-405-8811

RE: Is lipo balancer really important?
 

Any chargers out there currently with a balancer built in? I dont really understand why they are always a separate package. Maybe its something too new for them to combine the two into one?