5 Cells? Wuzzup wit Dat?

[DFW_HLG_TG]

I noticed that some people now fly with 5 cells instead of 4. Is there an up and down side to this. Anyone have any horror stories to tell? Whats your opinion.

[tommyt]

UP: more torque and faster speed :)

Down: Higher current draw :(

[MAVA]

Ahh.. More curent draw..

Less flying time for the same capacity pack...

Martin

[e-sailpilot86]

I like 5 cell setups a lot. I first had it in a 48" floyd for slope flying, unusually crisp zippy feel. For my 3.6M DG-600, I put in a 5 cell Sub-C 3000mah Panasonic pack. Yes, it draws a lot more than normal, and I can't fly nearly as long, but it helped balance the plane out, and I get very crisp controls. Moving to digital is a better idea (expensive), but you'd be surprised by how much of a difference there is in just moving up a cell. It varies from plane to plane how much an effect there is, but you get it. BTW, I have one digital servo in my DG-600 from an emergency repair (Hobby shop only had digitals), and it's very, very fast on 5 cells. Doesn't overload it either. Give it a shot! :D Many pilots actually use 5 cell packs! I almost put a 5-cell in my DLG, but I was concerned about weight.... Ended up putting an oz in the nose anyway... But, I have to recharge it all the time anyway, so...

It isn't necessary on many planes (A GL or floater would be kinda dumb), but where "feel" counts, by all means, go with a 5-cell. MY DG-600 cuts through the air much faster than most planes, so I like using it. I also have very long wires going through to the servos in the wings, th voltage cuts through the resistance of the wire better. Any more servos, and I should probably use a power isolator to avoid damaging the reciever.

[pocket rocket]

downside is that some radio systems and servos can't take the voltage of a freshly charged 5-cell pack.

not a problem with Hitec gear

Philip

[DFW_HLG_TG]

So far, It sounds like 5 cells is a good idea. Have there been any tests done on recievers as to what effect the higher voltage does?

[BMatthews]

Not much to test. They either survive or they blow. If the maker's specs don't show operating voltage up to about 6 or 6.5 volts then email them to find out if it's OK. If they don't support it then stick with 4 cells. Otherwise ask in the equipment forum for anyone that's run the reciever you're interested in with 5 cells and lived to telll of it.

[e-sailpilot86]

I'm running a Futaba R148DF without issue. It will bog down if you cycle the servos too quickly though... I wish they'd make Rx's with a better servo power board.

[John Gallagher]

There's been some reports on these forums that small servos tend to burn out on 6 volts. Some manufacturers (like FMA) are gearing up for low voltage li-poly usage.
Check the receiver's specs before you try 6V.