ORIGINAL: masonman
So still flying after you hit 9.6 is okay? Cause thats what takes 28 mins, going from 11.2 to 9.6 then i stop. I have always heard below 9.6 is a major no no
Do I fly at 9.6V sure? You can fly a long time from 9.6V to the low battery warning at 8.4v. Typically I don't take it down to 8.4 but I would have no hesitation to take it to 9V and have had the warning come on at 8.4 on occasion. Never had a problem, but at the warning I land immediately. I only need a minute or two to land.
Remember the nominal voltage of that pack, fully charged is 9.6V so you still have lots of capacity left at 9.6. At 8.8 V you are still at 1.1V per cell and probably still have 20% of the useale pack to go. On a 700 MAh pack that is 140 MAh, That is probably good for another 10 minutes till you hit the 8.4V warning which itself probably gives you another 10 minutes before the radio dies, though I have never had the radio shut down.
Your 9C, with standard frequency module uses about 250 MAh per hour so the standard pack should give you a good 2 hours of actual radio time. Try it at home some time. Be mindful of where you live vs the flying field as you don't want this test shooting someone down.
Fully charge it. Now put the antenna up about 20% so the transmitter secton does not oveheat but so that you are not transmitting at full range. Let it run. See how long it runs before you hit the 8.4V warning. I bet you get 2 hours or more.
If you are going to stop flying at 9.6V you better carry multiple packs. I have the 2500 that lives in the radio. I have only drained it once and I think that is because I did not fully charge it. If I am going to go out a second day I charge it overnight on the wall charger to replace what I have used.
I carry the 700 that came with it in my bag as a spare, also charged. Sunday I loaned that spare pack to a friend. After beign at the field for 6 horus and having the transmitter on for probably 4 of that 6 I was still at 10V. I used the standard wall charger to charge the 2500 MAh radio pack. When I took it off the charger is was at 11.2V.
Definately get a second pack if you like to fly all day. Unless you are slope soaring all day, a 1200 or higher primary pack with the stock 700 MAh pack would be fine for almost anyone. 1600 packs are very reasonable, and QUALITY 2500s are easy to find but you pay a premium for them.