A Stupid Question
 

If I put the regulator for my LiPo airborne pack before the switch, will I kill my batterey?
I think I know the answer to this, lol.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

The reg should be between the switch and the Rx. Mandatory if you are using a switch with a charging jack... can't charge a battery thru a reg, nor test battery voltage.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

Yes.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

Only if you leave the battery plugged in....Bob's post is right on the money.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

In the words of the immortal Homer Simpson:

D'oh!

I hate learning by paying for things, lol.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I'm sure Rick feels the same way.....thanks for the picture....

RE: A Stupid Question
 

In the immortal words of Mr. Garrison: "Remember, children, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people."

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I use that quote all the time.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I resemble that remark!

RE: A Stupid Question
 

No you don't....according to Rick he was at the field with Dave and some smart guys.....

RE: A Stupid Question
 

Smart is only the half of it! Scott, I take it you ran you lipo too low to charge. Sometimes you can carefully trick them back to life charging them slowly with a Nicad progam. Carefully!



RC

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I have done this a few times, and it does work. Used a NiCd charger to get the voltage up to 3.3v per cell and then quickly switched over to a LiPo charger. The voltage comes back up very quickly (within 3-4 minutes) so you have to sit there and watch it and be ready to switch chargers. I have resuscitated some LiPo's with very low voltage readings... less than 2 volts per cell. The NiCd charger I use is an MRC Super brain 977.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I tried tricking the charger by telling it that it was a one cell pack but the voltage was too low even for that. I may try the NiCd setting, but to be honest I don't think I'd trust the battery in an airplane now. I ordered a replacement and it's on the way.
Live and learn.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I asked Ed Alt to set-up my Tech Aero regulator such that the switch and charging/checking plug were parts of the same harness. In other words, the reg is used in similar fashion to a standard switch...one side connects to the LiPo and the other side to the RX, with switch in between. The charging/checking plug works fine too but I generally remove the LiPo from the airframe while charging.

If anyone is in the market for a new reg, ask Ed to help you out in the same manner

RE: A Stupid Question
 

Easy enough to run and time it on the ground, taking the occasional voltage reading. Or better yet, with a Super Whatt Meter and monitor all the vitals real-time at various throttle settings.

I won't go too far out on a limb on this, but I think there might be a smidge of mythology behind the notion that overdischarged LiPo's are permanently screwed. The ones that I've resurrected seem to have suffered no ill effects.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

Bring it to the field tomorrow.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

And we'll try it in your airplane, Pete? :D

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I think I'd agree with Scott on this. I wouldn't trust it in an airplane again. It seems as if most LiPo failures are a result of running them too low, crashes, or over-charging. If I have any issue with a LiPo, I'll just get another one. Not worth risking a plane over something this cheap.

Arch

RE: A Stupid Question
 

I ordered an new battery from Central Saturday evening and it came today (wow!). It's on the charger now. I'll bring the old one along tomorrow, Pete, and if you can get it to come back we'll give it to Rick, lol.

RE: A Stupid Question
 

Sounds like a plan....Rick will use anything that doesn't say YS on it.