Power requirements of a Hitec Transmitter (Optic 6 and Laser 4)

[Oodi]

Hi,

I am building one of those USB to PC adapters for my Hitec radios. What kind of power requirements does a Hitec Optic 6 or Laser 4 have when operated as a buddy box (transmitter disabled)? I assume 9.6V should do, but what is the current drawn?

Thanks,
Adi

[Miami Mike]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but did it occur to you to measure it?

[Oodi]

Thought about measuring it... Too bad there are on specification with this equipment that would provide such information. Was hoping someone might know what the typical current draw of a transmitter would be.

[Gazzz]

I've read that most entry level computer radio's pull around 200 to 250ma, seems about right for my futaba 6exa, has the standard 600mah battery pack that lasts 2 and a half hours or so.

BUT when your using the tx on a sim, you wont have the RF parts powered up, so the current consumption will be much lower,

Best thing to do really is measure it, as any data the manufacturer gives will be the max current consumption, and of course it'll be the current when the tx is transmitting,

i'd guess it to be pretty low when using it as a trainer box without the RF deck operating, i.e. powered via the trainer ports power in pin.

[Volante24]

Hi,

I am building one of those USB to PC adapters for my Hitec radios. What kind of power requirements does a Hitec Optic 6 or Laser 4 have when operated as a buddy box (transmitter disabled)? I assume 9.6V should do, but what is the current drawn?

Thanks,
Adi

I think we measured with Optic 6 with Spectra removed about 85ma (but if that was true why then the battery would run out as
fast as it did? No idea). I would expect Laser 4 w/o crystal less than that, but possibly not by too much.

Nick

[Oodi]

I finally got around to measuring the actual current drawn by my Optic 6 and Laser 4 radios.

Optic 6:
- 195mA with transmitter ON
- 14mA with transmitter OFF

Laser 4
- 160mA with transmitter ON
- 23mA with transmitter OFF

To disable the transmitter I jumpered two pins on the buddy box DIN jack. Didn't remove the crystal.

Adi