I am planning on buying a 3D plane this spring, and I like most people here, want to have a 6v system as apposed to 4.8. I also am planing to go 2.4 ghz. I was just wondering if I could use the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSWL3&P=7]CCBEC[/link] as a voltage regulator becuase I would like to use a 2S 1350mah LiPo for the receiver and servo power (No engine battery, 4 stroke glow). So my plan is to set the BEC to 6.0v and then hook it up to the 7.4 LiPo so that it steps down the voltage to 6.0v. I believe that by doing this, the Lipo and BEC together would weigh about 2.5 oz, which is almost half of an equal capacity 6.0v NiMH.

Can I do this without the plane being an electric? For this system to work, does the BEC have to draw from a battery used to power an electric motor?

Thanks,

LT

Sorry, I'm not sure if this is the best forum to post on

Yes it is a voltage regulator. It can be used without the airplane being electric. Using it in the way you describe will work with no problems.

It will handle input voltages from 2s to 6s lithium packs and you will be able to set the output voltage from 4.8v to 9.0volts.

Thanks blade,

I thought that it would work, but I wasn't at all sure, so thank you.

Is using a LiPo for the rx and servos pretty common, and if it is, what are most people using to step down the voltage?

Sorry if this is a very basic question, but I'm new and just trying to get into 3D.

Thanks,

LT

That sounds like a good idea...but I have heard of BEC failing...not that one in paticular....still has me thinking......Thanks

No problem, Better to ask than to guess. Its much cheaper and safer that way...

A lot of people are using lipo's for receivers. I personally still use 6volt Nimh packs simply because they work. I am quite familiar with Lipo batteries however, as I use them in a few electric planes(3s packs) and helicopters(5-6s packs). I think their main advantage is more Mah in a smaller lighter pack. I do recommend you get the highest quality charger you can afford though. Lipos can be dangerous if not handled and charged properly.

As far as regulators go there are many out on the market. Some good some not so good, My advice would be to ask around and see what people are using and with what type of servos and setups. Something that can quickly destroy a reg. is a system that draws more amps than the reg. can handle. I have not owned any of the CCregs so I cant comment on them.

For batteries I mostly go with Flightpower and Thunderpower, For chargers I use Thunderpower 1010's with 210 balancers. again many choices to choose from, just my personal preferance.

Of course this has just scratched the surface of regulators and Lithium batteries for power, but with some research and smart choices you will get a system that is reliable and safe to use.

I would recommend a 2 cell li-ion and regulator instead of Li-po, Imho much better these are what I've been using for a few years, Metal cans are a bit tougher.
http://www.fromeco.org/shop/shopdisp...asp?search=yes

Also if your not, already using li-po or li-ions why not skip those and go to A123 Li-fe cells, no regulator needed, do a search here and on RCG they are the latestest and greatest.

I use NIMH in my planes now....and have used lipo's for my T-Rex heli but am on a limited budget and am always looking for lighter, cheaper but better then NIMH...
I have a very good charger....MRC 989 What was mentioned abave sounds good for my ExtremeF Yac 74"....Thanks again

Thanks for all of the info!

I think that I am still thinking of doing the ccbec and lipo combo, but I will realy have to look into the Li ion and Li fe packs. Just currious, what is the big difference between polys and ions? Li ions are like cellphone batteries right?

Thanks,

LT

[link=http://www.castlecreations.com/support/faq/faq-ccbec.html#ccbec1]http://www.castlecreations.com/support/faq/faq-ccbec.html#ccbec1[/link]

This is from Castle. Questions 11 and 19. further clarify that a 2S lipo and the CCBEC can defintley be used to power rx and servos. Just FYI

Thanks for all of the help,

LT

I wonder how well it would work on something big... like a 72" yak 54 with a 180.... Looking at the numbers it should be fine... but.... It's just so little....

Li-ion is almost the same as lipo but in a metel case like a standard AA cell (a little bigger) metel case makes it less likely to have damage in a crash and burning up your plane. Also I've not heard of the charging fires, like with lipo's (someone please correct me if I'm wrong here). While not recommended I don't mind charging li-ion in the plane.


I think the Fromeco.org site has some good info on Li-ion.

Amp draw will be the limiting factor, A full load of digi's on a larger planes in full deflection could get up to 5-6 amps or more. They mention not going over 5 amps on the stock plug. On a standard 40 or 60 even 90 size plane you should be ok, but if you load it with a bunch of HO digi's and electrical amp drawing goodies, at least change the plug

On Castle's site, it tells you how to tell if it will be enough to power your servos in the q and a section. I know that its nice to know before you buy one, but the CCBEC is less than $22 so even if it didn't work out in the testing, then im sure you could use it somewhere else. Also keep in mind that the T-Rex 600 helis use only 5 amp BECs, so I would think that the ccbec would be fine for most medium sized plane applications.
I bought one yesterday and yes it is tiny! I have yet to be able to test it though. I don't think that I have enough power hungry servos to load it up for testing yet though (I havn't bought my digitals for my first 3D plane yet).

Heres a vid of what it can do! (I'm not sure if it has upgraded leads instead of the stock 5 amp ones, but read the comments to see his setup)

[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32SNVXklxxs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32SNVXklxxs[/link]

PBThumbs,

Thanks for the info on the Li-ions, You are right, I would much rather charge a Li-ion inside of a plane than a Li-po. Being more durable is also a good thing. I will definitley look into them.

Thanks,

LT

I use the castle bec on my EF 74" Yak....on the ignition module. Do yourself a favor and use a regulator with a heat sink on a plane this big. Full stall current on a big digital can be 4 amps. Too nice a plane to auger in over saving $20 and a few grams...IMHO. T.

yep I use a bec on a 40 size plane, and I will convert all my planes to lipo rx, discharge its not and issue with the lipos, lower weight, 6v and you can recharge them on the field very quick, so you can use for example a 500mah 2s 15c lipo on a 60 plane for 5-6 flights with plenty of reserve (you can check voltaje after each flight) and then stick another lipo or recharge if you want to fly more, with 1300mah you will need to charge once a month!

Daniel

yes, you can do this. I am flying that exact mode now. It works perfect.

Bruce