Since I started hovering in 98 I've always used 6V 5 cell setup with a 6V regulator. Just wondering what you guys use?
I like the instant response you get from 6V. I guess I'm asking cause I fried one of my 6V regulators and wonder if I should waste my time setting a bird up with 4.8V and not getting what I want then having to rip it apart when I get a new regulator.

Never tried 6V because 4.8 works so well. Maybe I don't know what I am missing? No problem hovering on 4.8

i fly stock servos on 6v with no reg. There a little twichy but i like it like that. havnt had any problem's with the servos and i have about 6 gallon's so far on the system. (IMHO) I think the stock servos are to weak and too slow on 4.8. If i had some good servos in there i would'nt mind 4.8.

Hope this helps

The slower responce from 4.8V will make it harder to hover, unless you are using fast servos to make up the difference.

I noticed a big difference when I changed to 6v on 3001s in my Cougar. The response was better, more torque (no surprise though!) much better. Noticed they were twitchier like da king says, but I preferred it.

Thanks guys, guess I need to order a new regulator then.

As said before, unless you are upgrading your servos with something faster and better response rate over the Stds, then you will be greatly disappointed with the response of the aircraft on 4.8V. I have recently starting to switch over to the NiMH batt. packs, and haven't looked back. The NiMH 6V packs weight less than the 4.8V NiCads. If you are also looking to loose some weight, I'd strongly suggest going to the NiMHs.
Kevin

Is a voltage regulator really needed when running a 6V pack?

Thanks Kev thats good to know, I really wasn't looking to put my bird on a diet, I just don't like running 5 cells w/o a 6V regulator, it has been known to be hard on those expensive little PCM JR recievers.

Recievers are limited to a 3A output max. This is why on giant scales you see multiple recivers and others prefer only to run the signal wire to the reciver and have a seperate wiring harness for the power of their servos (my preference).
When you charge a 6V batt. pack, it will charge up over 7V easily. This is not good for your receiver. A high voltage input to the receiver will shorten it life cycle (usually when you're real close to the ground ). I know of people that do not run a regulator, and I've seen that some of them have had problems. Personally, I won't run a 6V batt. pack without a regulator, though is just my opinion.
Kevin

That really surprises me, I've never heard of using a regulator before. I've got two planes with 6v batts, the Cougar 2000, and a Morris Balsa Nova 40 both with futaba ppm dual conv rx's (138dp I think). Should I get regulators for them or can I 'get away with it?'

From what I've heard futaba's will handle it and JR systems will not, I personally won't chance it eitherway and prefer to have a constant 6V not a 7 something that gets slower and slower.

Most of the new servos and receivers are rated at 6 v. and will run just fine without a regulator. Seems like a waste to add the weight of an extra cell and regulator only to end up with just slightly higher voltage than a standard 4 cell pack.

Where can a guy get a regulator? Do you just solder a radio shack one in line?

Balsa Geek - I get my 6V regulators from MPI. They just plug in between the reciever and the batt. switch harness. There are other manufacturers that offer these too, though my LHS carries the MPI, so I use theirs out of convinience. You can solder one in if you like, but I am too lazy for that. I just as soon spend my time on other things (like designing and building new Fun Fly designs! )

Wings - I think that you are missing the point, we run 6V batt. packs with std. servos to get the extra torque and quicker response rate. Whether you need the 6V regulator or not? Well check with the receiver manufacturers. I know people such as yourself that have gotten away with it for quite a while. Needless to say, I personally prefer to take the extra insurance and run the 6V regulator to protect the receiver and then I compensate for the slight weight gain by using the NiMH batt. packs. The 6V NiMH 1650 mA packs, even with the regulator are still lighter than a 1200 mA NiCd pack, and I get a heck of allot more flights on one charge too. IMO, it is worth it to me, though, that is just my opinion.
Kevin

Kev is reading my mind. LOL

Keven, I don't think I am missing the point. I run 5 cells (Nimhs, Nicads) to get more torque and speed like you, although usually only on bigger stuff where torque and speed are critically important. Most of our newer servos and receivers are rated at 6v...not 4.8. So you need to ask yourself why you are regulating to 5.7 to 5.9 v. (depending on the regulator).

I don't know about this year, but last year at the TOC all of the pilots used 6 v. Duralights or Nicads (no Nimhs) and not one used a regulator.

Hoverit, If you look at the discharge curve of both Nicads and NiMHs you will find that both of these batteries hold a pretty steady voltage all the way to the point of most of the capacity used up. Usually we consider a 4 cell pack fully charged at 4.9 volt and completely empty at 4.7 volts.) I'm just not sure that using a regulator to hold a constant voltage is accomplishing much.

For those considering using a voltage regulator, remember that most will fail (shut off) if the battery voltage drops below the specified output voltage. A voltage regulator in this situation only compounds problems of a low battery.

I’m really just suggesting trying without the regulator first.

airtronics service department says that straight 6v is fine with all airtronics equipment and will not void warranty

Wings - Speed and ecspecially torque are critical to me in my Fun Flys, because I prefer it, but this is my personal preference. I run the NiMH, as you claim that you do, and I see, comparing them to comparable NiCad batt. packs, at least two extra flights between charges, and significantly less need to cycle NiMH (which is an advantage of the NiMH). Regarding a regulator dumping - Sorry I don't agree. I've never seen a regulator used for RC application shut-off batt. voltage. Besides, a RC regulator is designed to prevent any more than 6V to pass through it, not to include a shut-off a be predefined low voltage.
BTW - its Kevin, not Keven

Outsider - Pls ask Airtronics if they will warranty their receivers with a supply votage above 6V? And at what voltage point will they void that warranty? All receivers are designed today to handle 6V. The problem is that a 5 cell pack will produce a significantly higher voltage over 6V, thence the need for the regulator.

Guys - needless to say, it is your choice. The original question was whether it was worth replacing a bad 6V regulator or not. Well, IMHO, I say yes, its worth the insurance policy, and if I am running standard servos in one of my Fun-Flys, I run a 6V pack with a regulator because I feel that I need the extra torque, and I like the quicker response rate.
That is my 2 cents worth!
Kevin

I guess they've never put a meter on a fully charged 5 cell pack, oh well its a choice they'll have to live with if it causes a problem.

And I didn't want this to turn into a pissing contest, I should have just called MPI and ordered the reg and everything would have been the way I like it. Everyone likes things different, it's the American way.

I run 6V on a couple of different Futaba based planes...some of the old style Duralites (yeah, I know!) and a 5 cell NiMh. The servos are mostly 9202's, some 9201's (servo just before 9202, same specs) and even some 131's (earlier yet, same spec). I like the little 1000Mah NiMh packs..

The 9202 "family" as it were are not particularly fast, so the 6V really makes a difference in speed....noticeable to say the least.

And I just finished a plane with some faster 9252's. Originally I ran these on 6V, but with the revolving door Futaba spec/advice I decided to go back to 4.8V until they get their s...... er story together.

But even at 4.8 V they are way faster than a 9202 at 6V.

All these are unregulated...I don't think they are twitchy, and one plane has a lot of flights like this...if it was gonna blow up it would have by now. The other plane is the same except the RX, and it's working fine, too.

What does all this mean?? Not a thing. I put a higher voltage pack in a couple of planes, got faster response, and am happy. If I had fried my system, I'd not be happy.

When I use 6V Batteries (like in my Flip), I only use them with regulators ! Why risk if there is an easy way to prevent ? !
I bought my regulators from Central Hobbies so far, but will give MPI a try !

I use 6V Batteries depending on the plane. For my GeeWhizBeee for example, I think I will go 4.8V 1600 NIMH, but for the wilder 3D planes I try to use 6V !

Texas 3D, when Jeff Williams visited me, and we flew together, he was telling me that he was running the 720 mA NiMH batt. packs in his Fun Flys. The 720s are AAA batteries. You wouldn't believe their physical size and weight (or lack of it ). I believe that Jeff was saying that he was getting 4-5 flights on a charge. So I bought some from Radical RC. I have yet to install them, but if they perform like Jeff claims, there will be a significant savings! I am already running the 1650 mA NiMH packs in my Ecstasy, and some of my other Fun Flies. I am going to switch over to the 720s as soon as I catch up. I'm getting getting for a couple of shows right now. I tried to put a 720 pack in my PBXL last weekend, but I use the batt. to balance it. When I positioned the 720 NiMH batt. into position to balance the PBXL in the same location I had it with the 1200 mA NiCad, the 720 pack was sitting on the elevon! Needless to say, it didn't go there. I'll have to figure out something else.
Just offering some 'food for thought'.
Kevin

Yep, I love them! I run them in combat planes...the pack is about the size of a book of matches..just thicker. Hard to believe there is enough juice in there to run anything.

Mike Mayberry of Hitec has said many times you do not need regulators on hitec Rx's. Not only that he said specifically to not use them on there digitals as they may draw more current than the reg can pass. I use 3 6v packs unregulated and have had zero problem using hitec Rx's