2 Batts or 1?
02-27-2011 | 02:04 PM
#1
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From: St.Clairsville,
OH
2 Batts or 1?
I'd like to hear your thoughts on redundant RX battery set ups. I have seen it both ways from some highly respected flyers. Pros and cons please.
Thanks.
Rick
Thanks.
Rick
02-27-2011 | 03:40 PM
#3
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RE: 2 Batts or 1?
2 small 450mah batteries are very light and will last a day of flying. If for some unknown reason one side (battery or regulator) goes bad, you have a backup. It is insurance. I guess you get a little more tunability for balance point too. Maybe the cons would be extra cost, slightly extra weight (few grams for extra regulator and wiring?), and the requirement to monitor both sides to be sure to catch a malfunction before your redundant side gets drained.
It was suggested to me by the guys I trusted the most starting out to use a redundant setup. I went with it and it works for me.
It was suggested to me by the guys I trusted the most starting out to use a redundant setup. I went with it and it works for me.
02-27-2011 | 04:02 PM
#4
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RE: 2 Batts or 1?
Rick,
You can do the redundant setup for virtually the same weight as the single setup. After my experience a couple of years ago at the D4 champs, a second RX battery just makes more sense. You really don't have a weight penalty and you get the added reliability of 2 packs. I think it is a no brainer.
Arch
You can do the redundant setup for virtually the same weight as the single setup. After my experience a couple of years ago at the D4 champs, a second RX battery just makes more sense. You really don't have a weight penalty and you get the added reliability of 2 packs. I think it is a no brainer.
Arch
02-28-2011 | 09:54 PM
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From: Tracy,
CA
RE: 2 Batts or 1?
I will be honest. hehe. I run one 730/1320 lipo for rec. Depending on the plane. Should I run 2 packs? Perhaps for the failsafe. I have lost a few planes because I didn't. Of course, it was a issue with a rudder servo dragging my power down to fast cuz it needed service. Would 2 batteries have saved these 2 planes? Maybe, maybe not. Would me checking my batteries each flight like I used to when I flew glow have saved it? Absolutely.
So, run 1, check your pack each flight IMO and save weight (and yes, it does save weight). Or run 2 smaller packs, and think your safe. Lets face it. 730/800 mah is 730/800 mah no matter how you use it. If you use it in 5 flights, then fine, but if something goes wrong with a servo, it can drag it down fast and you won't know it either way. Check your batteries.
So, run 1, check your pack each flight IMO and save weight (and yes, it does save weight). Or run 2 smaller packs, and think your safe. Lets face it. 730/800 mah is 730/800 mah no matter how you use it. If you use it in 5 flights, then fine, but if something goes wrong with a servo, it can drag it down fast and you won't know it either way. Check your batteries.
03-01-2011 | 04:35 AM
#9
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RE: 2 Batts or 1?
ORIGINAL: patternflyer1
I will be honest. hehe. I run one 730/1320 lipo for rec. Depending on the plane. Should I run 2 packs? Perhaps for the failsafe. I have lost a few planes because I didn't. Of course, it was a issue with a rudder servo dragging my power down to fast cuz it needed service. Would 2 batteries have saved these 2 planes? Maybe, maybe not. Would me checking my batteries each flight like I used to when I flew glow have saved it? Absolutely.
So, run 1, check your pack each flight IMO and save weight (and yes, it does save weight). Or run 2 smaller packs, and think your safe. Lets face it. 730/800 mah is 730/800 mah no matter how you use it. If you use it in 5 flights, then fine, but if something goes wrong with a servo, it can drag it down fast and you won't know it either way. Check your batteries.
I will be honest. hehe. I run one 730/1320 lipo for rec. Depending on the plane. Should I run 2 packs? Perhaps for the failsafe. I have lost a few planes because I didn't. Of course, it was a issue with a rudder servo dragging my power down to fast cuz it needed service. Would 2 batteries have saved these 2 planes? Maybe, maybe not. Would me checking my batteries each flight like I used to when I flew glow have saved it? Absolutely.
So, run 1, check your pack each flight IMO and save weight (and yes, it does save weight). Or run 2 smaller packs, and think your safe. Lets face it. 730/800 mah is 730/800 mah no matter how you use it. If you use it in 5 flights, then fine, but if something goes wrong with a servo, it can drag it down fast and you won't know it either way. Check your batteries.
You are right, in that scenario it wouldnt matter. Where two can be helpful is if you have a battery lose a cell like I did a couple of years ago. It was a fairly new battery that had been working fine, and suddenly lost a cell. It also can be beneficial if you have a regulator failure. Running the Tech-Aero setup you really don't gain more than 1oz or so over a single regulator setup.
I do still check my batteries after every flight though. That's just a smart thing to do.
Arch
03-01-2011 | 04:37 AM
#10
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RE: 2 Batts or 1?
ORIGINAL: rix
For those using the Tech-Aero system, what configuration did you choose to use?
The Balanced Redundant Supply or the Hot Standby Redundant Supply.
For those using the Tech-Aero system, what configuration did you choose to use?
The Balanced Redundant Supply or the Hot Standby Redundant Supply.
Arch
03-01-2011 | 05:52 AM
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From: Fenton,
MI
RE: 2 Batts or 1?
I have 2 separate batteries that I connect together to make my power system pack. Off of each of these, I run a BEC. So I have a redundant BEC system. It's light, it's redundant and I never worry about RX battery charging. I know, lots of people will tell me that their separate RX batteries are better but I disagree. I've been running BECs for over 10 years without a single failure. To each his own.
