I have read in the forums about using an external power supply and long wires while learning to hover. Can anyone stear me to the right thread, or better yet tell me what kind of power supply to use for a 11.1 volt system (Belt CP).
Thanks Kevin

No thread neaded, just find a used variable DC power supply on ebay or radio shack if you have cash to waste. Make sure that it can supply at least 50Amps of power, that is 550Watts. (A*V=W) . Then you can buy speaker wire to connect the power supply to the heli, (12 or 14 gauge) should be fine.

Woah! Those things are expensive. Would a car battery do it? If not I guess i 'll buy three or four batteries.
Thanks Kevin

if you use a car battery that will be at 13volts or higher and you would have to keep a battery charger on it at all times so as not to drain (and kill) a battery. with a charger on the battery you could see average voltages of greater that 16volts because charges cycle the voltage. You may have to look to find a good deal for a good power supply but they are out there. Do you know much about electronics?

I know a little about electonics. Where i live is windy most of the time. I was hoping to be able to practice hovering, instead of waiting two to four hours for the battery to charge. I do have a 35 foot RV with a charger converter in it. I have access to 12 volt terminals on it, might that work!
Thank Kevin

Yes, I was about to suggest that, using a RV AC to DC converter. The Marine/RV batteries are designed to be fully drained unlike a car battery. Do you have a multimeter to test the output of your RV's DC power supply? Less than 13.5V should be good. The RV's DC supply should work great because of the DC motors (water pumps) that require large instantaneouse amperage. I am very new to RC electric heli's but I do have a lot of electronics experience, so I would imagine that your heli's motor is going to scream at 13V compared to 11.1V, that and think how wild things could get if you didn't have the weight of the battery.

I almost forgot, make sure you use an inline fuse on the positive terminal. The fuse should be as close to the terminal as possible, auto parts stors or walmart should have a MAXI blade fuse holder. The MAXI fuses are available for higher currents than a regular auto blade or glass fuse.

I planed on leaving the battery in the bird while doing this. I don't want to change the how it flies.I will test the terminals in the RV. Seems to be steady right at 12 volts. I will have to dig out the specs on the converter when I have a little more time.
Kevin

50 amps man thats a lot of power for such a little helicopter. No wonder the batts last only 10 minutes. The heli should be here first of this week. Sound like it will take some time to make sure it is fit to fly (adjustments and such).
Kevin

Well it is not going to draw 50 amps if it is a 450 size heli, depending on the motor it can be 25~35 amps when first starting up. I was just suggesting 50Amps because you never want to run a power supply at full power. Realisticly the motor only draws 10to20Amps while running. If you plan on running your heli with a remote power source be carefull not to burn up your ESC or Motor because of the infinite run time ability. Heat is electronics worst enemy, I was thinking last night about maybe replacing an ESC's heatsink with the heatsink from a CPU because that could take the place of the wieght of a battery and also save your ESC from turning into charcoal. I have never tried it, that was just a thought but I am sure that I will try it when I can.

Thanks Kuade for all of your advice. I do not have the nerve to to fly very long at a time. I am a complete newbie at this. the reason for the external power is to be ready to fly when the wind quits blowing. It is so windy on the coast. I just have to take the opportunities when they arise.
Kevin

No problem Kevin, it is very windy where I live too. I just try and practice in the garage or in the backyard below the top of the 6 foot fence. What made you want to get into electric RC heli's?

I have always liked flying. When I was young and single I got a pilots license, with thoughts of going on to helicopters. I got Maried had three kids only one left in the house now. This is a way to fulfill the dream. I don't think I could pass the flight physical now. Plus not a whole lot of money to spare.
Kevin

I also got my Belt CP today From order to door step in five days including Thanksgiving day. I'm impressed!
Kevin