Hello!

OK, I got the biggest battery question on the earth. I have a SkySport 6 FM. It has a charger and two Ni-Cad batteries.
How should I maintain them?

I have a voltmeter from my dad's computer and electronic toolbox. Do I need to buy anything else?

Thanx,
David

Hey David,
You really don't need to do anything until you're ready to fly for the first time. The packs should be fine until spring. But, if you're anxious to try the radio stuff out, just put both packs on the wall wart charger. 16 hours the first time is about right, then put them on the charger overnight once a month during the winter.

Hey, there's a Gremlin Combat contest at the field tomorrow at 10:00 AM. It'll be over by about noon. Then, there's a guy who has a HUGE Sukhoi (3D aerobatic plane with about a 100" wingspan), and he's supposed to come to the field and fly it at about 12:30 or 1:00. I think you'll be impressed if you can make it.
Dennis-

what about maintaning a charge during flying season, how would you keep your batts charged so you can go flying on the "spur of the moment", instead of planing the night before, or quick-charging?

During the flying season you will need to plan on when you want to go fly and charge the night before. Get a volt meter that has a load to check the airborne pack. Do this before every flight without exception. The transmitter should have a meter built in so keep an eye on that.

Getting a field (fast charger) will be an items to add for your flight box. Until then maybe you could use a fellow modelers'.

EXCAP232

You can also use an on-board monitoring system.
I use one for my ignition battery (gas engine)
and my flight pack. They come in 4 cell and 5 cell models

.

Wing,
You really do need to plan ahead a little unless you get a quick peak field charger. They usually connect to a 12 volt battery, like your car battery, and can charge your receiver pack in a 1/2 hour or so. (Less if you get one that has an adjustable rate and don't mind "pushing" your packs a little.)

The least expensive can be had for around $35 to $40.
Dennis-

I highly recommend that you check out www.rcbatteryclinic.com for good info on how to maitain and care for your batteries. Red covers all your questions in detail.

Thank you for the replys, and thanks for the link to a great site rodney!
so this means my plane should always be ready to fly?
is this a bad idea?
There is so much to learn about all this, not just how to fly!
thank you
Kevin
P.S. is the gp triton a good field charger? is it also a cycler?

I bought a Lil Trickler. I usually fly on weekends so I put the battery on charge overnight on Wednesday or Thursday and switch to trickle on Friday. I put the battery in my field box and the glow starter on trickle when I get home from the field.

Also, what if I accidentally leave the charger on for 24 hours? I might forget to take off the charger from the wall!

Thanx, David
DB: Sorry, couldn't make it. Had to do last minute Math homework.

Dave,
You won't do any harm by leaving the pack on the charger for 24 hours. I've forgotten and left packs on the charger for 2 or 3 days at a time. (Try to avoid it of course.)

The guy with the Sukhoi didn't fly it today. They weren't happy with the way the engine was running. (May have been the cold!) And you don't risk an $8,000 plane on a bad running engine. [:@]

The Combat contest was pretty good though. Quite a few people flew in 30 degree temps with crosswinds of about 20 mph, gusting to 30! (Man it was cold.)
Dennis-

You can leave the charger on for longer periods without hurting the batts. Just don't make a habit of it.I use an ace digapulse which has six charging stations and can be programed to charge six different batterys at once and after they have been charged it goes into trickle and can be left on indefintly till next flying session. I leave them on all the time including long periods of inactivity.
Rctrax

Hear, hear! He has a great article on using a lamp timer to automatically trickle charge your batteries for an hour a day. That method would solve the "spur of the moment" concerns.

Basic Trainer = $150
Average 2C engine = $100
4 Chanel Radio = $150
Assembly Tools and Field Equipment = $100

Checking your batteries with a Cheap Voltmeter, before you fly - PRICELE$$

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