props & batteries
05-04-2006 | 09:31 AM
#1
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From: Clifton Park,
NY
props & batteries
Hi all;
A couple of questions:
1) What's the best way to open up a hole in a prop, (not wood)? My Saito 82 has a shaft that's larger than the standard holes in the Master Airscrews I'm using. I've tried the proper bit in my drill press and I still get "grabbing" and a somewhat less than perfect hole.
2) How should I recharge my RX & TX batteries between flight days? I have an Accu-Cycle to cycle/charge, but should I cycle after each flying day? I'm pretty sure I shouldn't "top-off" the bats between days, but should I take them down completely? Most flying days I only fly a few flights and don't fly for maybe a week or so. It seems that there's still a lot of capacity left.
Thanks!
A couple of questions:
1) What's the best way to open up a hole in a prop, (not wood)? My Saito 82 has a shaft that's larger than the standard holes in the Master Airscrews I'm using. I've tried the proper bit in my drill press and I still get "grabbing" and a somewhat less than perfect hole.
2) How should I recharge my RX & TX batteries between flight days? I have an Accu-Cycle to cycle/charge, but should I cycle after each flying day? I'm pretty sure I shouldn't "top-off" the bats between days, but should I take them down completely? Most flying days I only fly a few flights and don't fly for maybe a week or so. It seems that there's still a lot of capacity left.
Thanks!
05-04-2006 | 09:40 AM
#2
Senior Member
RE: props & batteries
Get a 4 step prop reamer, available at most LHS.
Don't cycle your batteries too often, maybe once a month. Simply top them off overnight with the "wall wart" charger that came with the radio before flight sessions. If the Accu-Cycle will charge without cycling, use that.
Dr.1
Don't cycle your batteries too often, maybe once a month. Simply top them off overnight with the "wall wart" charger that came with the radio before flight sessions. If the Accu-Cycle will charge without cycling, use that.
Dr.1
05-04-2006 | 09:48 AM
#3
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My Feedback: (1)
RE: props & batteries
ORIGINAL: CB36
Hi all;
A couple of questions:
1) What's the best way to open up a hole in a prop, (not wood)? My Saito 82 has a shaft that's larger than the standard holes in the Master Airscrews I'm using. I've tried the proper bit in my drill press and I still get "grabbing" and a somewhat less than perfect hole.
>A prop reamer (a couple of dollars at you LHS) is your best bet.
2) How should I recharge my RX & TX batteries between flight days? I have an Accu-Cycle to cycle/charge, but should I cycle after each flying day? I'm pretty sure I shouldn't "top-off" the bats between days, but should I take them down completely? Most flying days I only fly a few flights and don't fly for maybe a week or so. It seems that there's still a lot of capacity left.
>You only need to recycle your batteries after they have been sitting
>for a long period of time, such as the beginning of the flying season.
>At the beginning of the season I cycle my batteries twice, then record
>the capacity and compare it to the initial capacity to see if I feel it is
>safe to use.
>
>For the way you are flying (very similar to my useage) I suggest
>putting them on charge the night before and let them charge. I use
>the wal-wart chargers hooked to a timer and let them charge about
>14 - 16 hours. I have batteries that are 4 years old and no problems.
>I do keep track of their capacity after charging, and any battery that
>charges up to less than 85% of initial capacity gets replaced.
Thanks!
Hi all;
A couple of questions:
1) What's the best way to open up a hole in a prop, (not wood)? My Saito 82 has a shaft that's larger than the standard holes in the Master Airscrews I'm using. I've tried the proper bit in my drill press and I still get "grabbing" and a somewhat less than perfect hole.
>A prop reamer (a couple of dollars at you LHS) is your best bet.
2) How should I recharge my RX & TX batteries between flight days? I have an Accu-Cycle to cycle/charge, but should I cycle after each flying day? I'm pretty sure I shouldn't "top-off" the bats between days, but should I take them down completely? Most flying days I only fly a few flights and don't fly for maybe a week or so. It seems that there's still a lot of capacity left.
>You only need to recycle your batteries after they have been sitting
>for a long period of time, such as the beginning of the flying season.
>At the beginning of the season I cycle my batteries twice, then record
>the capacity and compare it to the initial capacity to see if I feel it is
>safe to use.
>
>For the way you are flying (very similar to my useage) I suggest
>putting them on charge the night before and let them charge. I use
>the wal-wart chargers hooked to a timer and let them charge about
>14 - 16 hours. I have batteries that are 4 years old and no problems.
>I do keep track of their capacity after charging, and any battery that
>charges up to less than 85% of initial capacity gets replaced.
Thanks!
05-04-2006 | 10:13 AM
#4
RCU Forum Manager/Admin
My Feedback: (9)
RE: props & batteries
As was said above, get a prop reamer to open up the hole on the prop. [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK248&P=7]Prop reamer at Tower Hobbies.[/link] . Don't use a drill to open it up if you can avoid it. The problem is that a drill can wander off center and throw the prop out of balance. The reamer will let you open up the hole evenly
Hope this helps
Ken
Hope this helps
Ken
05-04-2006 | 01:46 PM
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From: Poland,
OH
RE: props & batteries
I too have an Accu-cyle. I trickle charge my batterries overnight the night before flying (when you first plug battries into an accu-cyle and the lights are flashing green it is trickle charging)
I then push the charge button to get a regular charge rate when I get out of bed and let it charge for the hour or so that I am drinking my morning coffee and waking up.
I then push the charge button to get a regular charge rate when I get out of bed and let it charge for the hour or so that I am drinking my morning coffee and waking up.
