ORIGINAL: MetallicaJunkie
i used to use 4.8 on my ignitions, not anymore....i now use a 6 volt 2500 mah AA pack with a cheap inline 6.0 v reg on the output of the switch... with a 4.8 pack, if you lose a cell, your motor will die
Be careful with a 6v regulator on a 6v pack...
Normally the regulators step the voltage down by dissipating excess current as heat or via switching to capacitors, etc.
I had a friend who did exactly what you are doing, and we spent about a half hour setting his control horn throws, up at the field.
The relatively small amount of actual on time was more than enough to deplete the batteries because of the drain of the regulator.
His plane started glitching as we were getting ready for it's first flight... due to insufficient battery power...
I had him switch to higher voltage, but same capacity packs and this made all the difference with his regulator.
He's getting a good six times the initial 12-15 minutes of on time he had before.