NiMhs hate the cold.

This morning was cold (for California, 40 degrees) and I let a 350 pack sit about a half-hour (after a full charge) before using it. My T-Moth barely got off the ground and was back down within one minute. Still plenty of run-time, just no power. After a full cycle (and a warm battery) The Moth climbed to where I was starting to get nervous. I flew around for 5 or 6 minutes, landed and as the motor still felt strong took off again. This second flight was better than the one in the morning with a charged, but cold battery.

The best advice that I can give about NiMhs and cold weather is to cycle the battery once before flying and fly before it gets cold.

About Cal-cold, we are supposed to get down to the teens tonight! I spent the winter of 69 at Camp McCoy near Sparta Wisconsin. I remember a two-week period when it never got above freezing! That was on the base, which was in a valley that seemed to trap the cold.

I developed a great respect for Packer fans that winter.