jspencer

My Feedback: (6)

I've noticed that on Tower Hobbies site that the 149DP high and low versions have been discontinued and replaced with a fits all 149DP Rx. My question is on the older high/low Rx the battery used didn't seem to be an issue (NiCAD or NiMH), but I noticed on the newer 149DP that is requires NiCAD batteries only. Why the change and why NiCAD? Any help in understanding this would be appreciated.

TIA,
jspencer

Josey Wales

My Feedback: (61)

I read that too but that has to be a typo...

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

Sounds like the legal department is being safe.
Usually 149dp are in high load applications and they want to make sure that peoples planes have enough capability to deliver the needed current.

Silent-AV8R

I have flown a 149DP with up to 11 LARGE digitals (8611's) in a 40% plane using 3300 NiMH's without a single problem. The RX could care less where it gets its power from. Beats me why Futaba does this.

jspencer

My Feedback: (6)

Thanks for the replies. I looked on Futaba's site for some information, but found nothing. Sounds like if you run a different type of battery (NiMH or Li) it should be fine as long as it can deliver the required load.

James

Silent-AV8R

Exactly. With either NiMH's OR NiCads you need to run the lowest internal impedance you can get, especially in high load applications. For instance, a 2700 "A" cell pack has an internal impedance of 20 mOhms. My 3300 sub-C packs have an internal impedance of 5 mOhms. What this means is that under a 1 amp load the 2700 pack sees nearly a full volt drop while the 3300 sees only 0.22 volts. Car guys and other electric folks knew this long ago. We are just learning the lesson when it comes to our application.

Go here for more info on this:

http://www.hangtimes.com

Krysta

Hi jspencer,

We believe that it should be as the high-low version of the R149DP, but to be safe we are checking with Japan on this. We will let you know within a day or so and we will also advice Tower Hobbies so that they may correct their information.

I hope you find this information helpful. You can also reach our Futaba support technical team at 217-398-8970, or via fax at 217-398-7721.

Sincerely,
Krysta
Lead Futaba Customer Service and Programming Technician

jspencer

My Feedback: (6)

Krysta-

Thanks for the reply and checking on this. I just purchased a 9C with the high version of the 149DP, but for future planes I will be buying the newer version and just wanted to make sure that the NiMH would be fine. And as Aresti has said, as long as the battery is 4.8V or 6V and can handle the load it shouldn't really matter what type the power source is (NiMH, Li or NiCAD).

Josey Wales

My Feedback: (61)

Any word on this yet Krysta?

Krysta

Hi jspencer,

Yes, just heard back and the new R149DP will handle the same batteries as the older version, this was a typo in the information on Tower's site which has now been corrected.

Just remember to make sure the voltage does not go above the 6V rating and you can use NiCd or NiMh.

Thanks, Krysta