Hi all, I'm new to electric RC. I trained in Nitro planes years ago as a kid and have several (little used) nitro trucks now.

I recently bought a guy's collection that includes several electric models I'm not familiar with. I would really like o become aquainted with the electric planes.

There is a GWS Slow Stick, a GWS Corsair, a Spectra glider and an Ultrafly biplane that all seem to be set up for the same 11.1V 1650mAh battery packs.

The guy that sold the set told me he would rather have had more powerful battery packs for the ultra fly as he wanted to hover it. He said more power would help the others too.

My question:- What would be the battery and charger I should look for here? I would like to get something I don't need to upgrade very soon.

Thanks.
Carl.<br type="_moz" />

If they fly well with that battery then stick to it. A 1650 sounds a little big (and heavy) for a slow stick, but if it works it works. As for chargers, any lipo capable charger that does balancing will work. I'll suggest getting one that also cycles so you can verify the capacity of new packs and test old ones to make sure they are still good. That little feature has saved me a couple of planes over the years, so it was well worth the investment. Dymond RC has an AC/DC charger that will serve you nicely.

http://www.rc-dymond.com/index3.php?productID=1873

Several places sell this 4 bank charger, rebranded. It is only 50 watts, so it wouldn't charge packs for giant scale.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...i_Charger.html


For smaller planes it is really handy to charge more than one at a time. It is also very handy for fuel planes. You could charge two Li-Fe rx packs while charging a nmh ignition battery and a nicad glow driver, for example

HK's nanotech batteries are pretty light for their capacity, and reasonably priced. You might try the same capacity (mah) at a higher discharge rating (higher c rating).

I would get battery connectors from a LHS or Tower or Horizon, though.

A lipo voltage alarm is also nice for electrics. Basically it plugs into the balance plug, and beeps loudly when any cell drops below a voltage you set.

Better than using a timer, because sometimes you fly gently, and sometimes you hammer it a lot. With a beeper, you can land the plane consistently with about 20% battery left, which seems to help them past longer.