2 RX batteries
06-16-2007 | 05:35 AM
#26
My Feedback: (1)
RE: 2 RX batteries
Allan is absolutely right on. This is not rocket science. The lower voltage battery would be charged by the higher voltage battery.
I use the dual battery dual switch configuration, which is the simplest and safest way to go with dual batteries. I add a volt-watch in a vacant channel and use that to monitor the battery situation before and after every flight.
I believe if you read my post earlier, you would see how this setup saved my Venus II.
DS.
I use the dual battery dual switch configuration, which is the simplest and safest way to go with dual batteries. I add a volt-watch in a vacant channel and use that to monitor the battery situation before and after every flight.
I believe if you read my post earlier, you would see how this setup saved my Venus II.
DS.
06-16-2007 | 07:36 AM
#27
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From: Johns Creek,
GA
RE: 2 RX batteries
Fair enough... none of what you listed would need redundancy ('cpet maybe the turbine)
I saw the Aeroworks name and forgot that they made this smaller model....
I am in complete agreement..for a 60 to 90 size there is absolutley no need for 2 batteries........
just put a good 1450mAh or larger 5 cell pack and go fly.....
I saw the Aeroworks name and forgot that they made this smaller model....
I am in complete agreement..for a 60 to 90 size there is absolutley no need for 2 batteries........
just put a good 1450mAh or larger 5 cell pack and go fly.....
ORIGINAL: j.duncker
In response to Exeter acres.
I do not fly giant scale but I do fly a wide variety of models from ultra light indoor stuff, through 12th scale combat, club 2000 pylon racers, 3D profiles, 1/4 scale bipes and a high speed Gas Turbine scale model.
I fly a lot, my own models, other peoples on buddy box set ups [ I am an instructor at my local club] and am often asked to test fly models after checking them over.
I am an old fart who has been flying RC since the days you built your own RC equipement.
I agree with you if it was something like a 15 foot span B17 then it makes sense to use 2 RXs with separate batteries and drive multiple surfaces with sufficient redundancy to get the model back on the ground if one system fails. However the original post relates to An Edge 540
If this was mine I would use a single battery single switch set up. I fly Futaba and would be happy using an unregulated 5 cell 6volt NiMh pack of 1800 mah capacity and would expect to use substantially less than 200 mah per flight in the above model even with an all digital set up.
In response to Exeter acres.
I do not fly giant scale but I do fly a wide variety of models from ultra light indoor stuff, through 12th scale combat, club 2000 pylon racers, 3D profiles, 1/4 scale bipes and a high speed Gas Turbine scale model.
I fly a lot, my own models, other peoples on buddy box set ups [ I am an instructor at my local club] and am often asked to test fly models after checking them over.
I am an old fart who has been flying RC since the days you built your own RC equipement.
I agree with you if it was something like a 15 foot span B17 then it makes sense to use 2 RXs with separate batteries and drive multiple surfaces with sufficient redundancy to get the model back on the ground if one system fails. However the original post relates to An Edge 540
SPECIFICATIONS
Wing Span 60"
Wing Area 693 Sq. In.
Length 55"
Weight 5.5 to 6 pounds
Engine .46 to .61 Glow
Radio 4 Channels minimum
Wing Span 60"
Wing Area 693 Sq. In.
Length 55"
Weight 5.5 to 6 pounds
Engine .46 to .61 Glow
Radio 4 Channels minimum
06-16-2007 | 09:06 AM
#28
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From: sydney, AUSTRALIA
RE: 2 RX batteries
hi guys i been useing 2x6volt2200 & 2 switches on my models for 3 years now .from 72'' planes & 3x35% with no problems.The jr rx work fine.
my red bull yak comp arf has a emcotec with 2x 3200 lipos 20 flights 2000mha from each lipo.
cheers glen
my red bull yak comp arf has a emcotec with 2x 3200 lipos 20 flights 2000mha from each lipo.
cheers glen
06-16-2007 | 06:00 PM
#29
My Feedback: (1)
RE: 2 RX batteries
wifpwcf, you are absolutely right on. I read some repies and hey, I don't have to agree with them all, but seems to me, to some, the 'voice of reason' seems to go into deaf ears.
One nice thing about this hobby is that you can do damn near anything you want and pretty much get away with it. You can use one 600 mah 4.8 volt NiCd battery as used to come with a lot of systems, and fly it two, three times, then recharge and fly again. Those that attempted to go more than three or so flights usually found out that it was probably a dumb move. Maybe, maybe not. But, as ai said, it's usually up to the pilot. And, it's nice to have deep pockets when doing so.
And, as a person that decides to do things as I wish, BUT listens to advice, well, I think I will stick with my two 1200 mah NiMh 6 volt batteries, and two switches, and call it a day.
Those of you that use one battery, hey, your choice. I choose to use two. I won't lose a plane because of a bad battery. The odds of losing both at the same time are pretty much on my side If the gods of RC choose to have both go bad in the same flight, well, so be it. But, I seriously doubt it will happen.
Good night.. and good luck.
DS.
One nice thing about this hobby is that you can do damn near anything you want and pretty much get away with it. You can use one 600 mah 4.8 volt NiCd battery as used to come with a lot of systems, and fly it two, three times, then recharge and fly again. Those that attempted to go more than three or so flights usually found out that it was probably a dumb move. Maybe, maybe not. But, as ai said, it's usually up to the pilot. And, it's nice to have deep pockets when doing so.
And, as a person that decides to do things as I wish, BUT listens to advice, well, I think I will stick with my two 1200 mah NiMh 6 volt batteries, and two switches, and call it a day.
Those of you that use one battery, hey, your choice. I choose to use two. I won't lose a plane because of a bad battery. The odds of losing both at the same time are pretty much on my side If the gods of RC choose to have both go bad in the same flight, well, so be it. But, I seriously doubt it will happen.
Good night.. and good luck.
DS.
06-17-2007 | 05:24 AM
#31
My Feedback: (1)
RE: 2 RX batteries
Well, Dave, I started using it when I started with my Excelleron 90, which is a pattern design type plane. It seemed that the larger aircraft had bigger control surfaces, stronger servo's, and required more battery energy to maintail more than what standard RX batteries could provide.
The 'club pro', who is a Master level pattern flyer, has used dual 800 mah's in his pattern planes and we talked about that. His thoughts were to keep it as simple as possible because more stuff only adds to that point of failure issue that pops up when starting to add redundancy. So, he suggested, that if I wanted to go to dual battery setup, that I keep it simple with two batteries, two switches, into two separate RX channels and that's it. And, he always talks about how things fail, vibration is the usual culpret, and vibration is always with us, and what we would lose if a single battery failed during flight.
The simplicity and ease of care for a dual battery setup, one battery, one switch, one channel, then the second independent battery, on a separate switch, and to a separate channel, is the simplest way and the best way to provide this redundancy.
So, to answer your question, when you feel that your investment would be enhanced by such a setup, if you have any doubt about a single setup, then you must decide if this is what you want.
I paid over 300 bucks for the Excelleron 90, over 250 for the OS 1.20 AX, and each servo was $73,00 (four of them) and one standard servo for the throttle, and 99 bucks for the DX7 receiver, plus time and effort building and setting up, so I figured the cost of an additional battery and switch was worth it for the investment I had in that particular aircraft, so I went with it.
Again, it all comes down to a choice you have to make with regard to certain factors. Larger control surfaces, stronger servos, higher speeds (more pressure on control surfaces therefore more torque from the servo thus more battery drain), all adds up.
Dual battery setup is not always the best solution, it just happens to be one that I take with my larger models. The smaller ones, well, single setup is just fine. Trainers, smaller size aircraft.. my Tiger 60 has one battery... don't need all that redundancy. If all is well, and if you check your battery frequently, then you will get 3 or 4 flights out of a standard battery. The key here is to check it with an ESV before starting out that day, and after each flight. You can't go wrong.
One of the main thing that most people, even the nay-sayers here, is that some sort of voltage monitor is a good thing. I chose Voltwatch (see Tower Hobbies for that). Sure, you cannot see it in the iar, but you CAN see it before and after flights and it will warn you of potential problems, or a battery discharge situation in either case. You can then take the necessary action to correct it. Remember my post a bit back.. my Venus II that I did not have the voltwatch setup on at the time... flew it a few times, checked the batteries individual and found one that was dead.... flying on what that second 1200 mah was providing.. well, I now have voltwatch installed on that plane and I can see trends immediately as they develop.. not in the air, but before and after each flight. If all is in the far left green, then all is well with the world because it checks under load.
If you stick with single battery, then at least spend that little additional amount to put something on there to monitor battery condition to warn you of any potential probems before they develop.
Good luck, and no matter what you do, it will be the right choice, so don't worry about it. What I have been saying is strictly advice and how I would handle it. You decide. Take all the plusses and minuses you have read here on RCU and judge for yourself and you can't go wrong.
DS.
The 'club pro', who is a Master level pattern flyer, has used dual 800 mah's in his pattern planes and we talked about that. His thoughts were to keep it as simple as possible because more stuff only adds to that point of failure issue that pops up when starting to add redundancy. So, he suggested, that if I wanted to go to dual battery setup, that I keep it simple with two batteries, two switches, into two separate RX channels and that's it. And, he always talks about how things fail, vibration is the usual culpret, and vibration is always with us, and what we would lose if a single battery failed during flight.
The simplicity and ease of care for a dual battery setup, one battery, one switch, one channel, then the second independent battery, on a separate switch, and to a separate channel, is the simplest way and the best way to provide this redundancy.
So, to answer your question, when you feel that your investment would be enhanced by such a setup, if you have any doubt about a single setup, then you must decide if this is what you want.
I paid over 300 bucks for the Excelleron 90, over 250 for the OS 1.20 AX, and each servo was $73,00 (four of them) and one standard servo for the throttle, and 99 bucks for the DX7 receiver, plus time and effort building and setting up, so I figured the cost of an additional battery and switch was worth it for the investment I had in that particular aircraft, so I went with it.
Again, it all comes down to a choice you have to make with regard to certain factors. Larger control surfaces, stronger servos, higher speeds (more pressure on control surfaces therefore more torque from the servo thus more battery drain), all adds up.
Dual battery setup is not always the best solution, it just happens to be one that I take with my larger models. The smaller ones, well, single setup is just fine. Trainers, smaller size aircraft.. my Tiger 60 has one battery... don't need all that redundancy. If all is well, and if you check your battery frequently, then you will get 3 or 4 flights out of a standard battery. The key here is to check it with an ESV before starting out that day, and after each flight. You can't go wrong.
One of the main thing that most people, even the nay-sayers here, is that some sort of voltage monitor is a good thing. I chose Voltwatch (see Tower Hobbies for that). Sure, you cannot see it in the iar, but you CAN see it before and after flights and it will warn you of potential problems, or a battery discharge situation in either case. You can then take the necessary action to correct it. Remember my post a bit back.. my Venus II that I did not have the voltwatch setup on at the time... flew it a few times, checked the batteries individual and found one that was dead.... flying on what that second 1200 mah was providing.. well, I now have voltwatch installed on that plane and I can see trends immediately as they develop.. not in the air, but before and after each flight. If all is in the far left green, then all is well with the world because it checks under load.
If you stick with single battery, then at least spend that little additional amount to put something on there to monitor battery condition to warn you of any potential probems before they develop.
Good luck, and no matter what you do, it will be the right choice, so don't worry about it. What I have been saying is strictly advice and how I would handle it. You decide. Take all the plusses and minuses you have read here on RCU and judge for yourself and you can't go wrong.
DS.
