Lipo receiver battery

[Highlander1]

Just ordered one of these for first time for my glow engined trainer with a balancer any tips soooooooooo many horror stories but thought I'd take the lipo plunge by starting with a new receiver battery.

This is my last attempt at conversation on UK forum before I pull the pin.

Was looking for somewhere to talk models and share advice and experiences of the weekends flying but this is like drawing teeth.

:rolleyes: :confused: :eek

Cheers John

[Roger Lombard]

My receivers are all rated at 4.8 - 6v. One lipo cell wouldn't be enough, two cells would be too many - how are you doing that without sending it through an electronic speed control?

[Highlander1]

My receivers are all rated at 4.8 - 6v. One lipo cell wouldn't be enough, two cells would be too many - how are you doing that without sending it through an electronic speed control?

Hi there it was Als Hobbies who recommended it. They sold me a voltage regulator.

It arrived with instructions to read instructions but I can't connect it via the switch in the plane.

They promised it would be sent ready for the weekend and i could just plug it in but theres a wee white plug connector and 2 great thick wires with no end plug on so i haven't got a clue so much for helpful sales.

My old 600map battery was needing charged after every flight so they suggested this was the modern way to go.

The end result was a great weekends flying missed co's I couldn't use the lipo and the old 600 was too risky.

:(

[Roger Lombard]

Is it this one? http://www.alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=5401&Desc=voltage%20regulator&PHPSESSID=1c14f68402642c9b256ca3b42eb38530

Describe what plugs you have. I'd expect to see a black and a red input wire which would need connectors fitting. Because of the low currents I'd use 2mm gold connectors (or solder them to the output terminals of the switch). I'd expect the output leads to be terminated in a connector which would plug into the RX.

You'll find plenty of places where you can "chat" but for some reason the UK regional forum isn't well supported. You have to bear in mind that the whole RCG thing is US based and oriented towards, and heavily populated by, US flyers. Despite this I still think its a better forum than any of the UK based ones.

Have you looked for help in http://www.rcgroups.com/batteries-and-chargers-129/

[Highlander1]

Thanks Roger

I still find computers very overwelming.

Having found the forum I saved it to favourites and so am able to revisit when I like.

You guys that can put these links and stuff in are amazing.

Thanks for your reply, I will study the electric bit. The balancer is the same as per your link.

I was hoping that I could use the lipo in all the planes.

If I put BEC connectors onto the thick wires can I charge through them as per a normal flight battery or do I need a a special adaptor/ device to charge through the wee white plug on the lipo with the 3 wires on it?

Cheers John

[mem]

You seem to be in good hands with Roger’s advice but I will jump in to quickly say that you must not charge your LiPo battery using a charger that is not designed for that purpose! The device in this link (http://www.alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=5401&Desc=voltage%20regulator&PHPSESSID=1c14f68402642c9b256ca3b42eb38530) is a voltage regulator (it drops the LiPo voltage down to 5 or 6 volts), its not a balancer. Did Als also sell you a LiPo balancer/charger?

If you are not sure if you have a LiPo capable charger , tell us what charger you have and someone can verify that it is OK or not. LiPos are safe to use when charged and handled properly but can cause serious harm if you are not careful with them.

[Highlander1]

You seem to be in good hands with Roger’s advice but I will jump in to quickly say that you must not charge your LiPo battery using a charger that is not designed for that purpose! The device in this link (http://www.alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=5401&Desc=voltage%20regulator&PHPSESSID=1c14f68402642c9b256ca3b42eb38530) is a voltage regulator (it drops the LiPo voltage down to 5 or 6 volts), its not a balancer. Did Als also sell you a LiPo balancer/charger?

If you are not sure if you have a LiPo capable charger , tell us what charger you have and someone can verify that it is OK or not. LiPos are safe to use when charged and handled properly but can cause serious harm if you are not careful with them.
Hi thanks for dropping in

I have a propeak constelation charger I was going to charge it on the LI setting I take it that would be ok.

As for the wee white balancer thing Any advice do I need a special something to charge from there IE plug into the charger via this or can I just fit BEC onto the thick wires by soldering on thin wires.

Cheers John

[mem]

John, you do have the right charger for your LiPo pack but I am not sure what connectors you have. Is your battery a Dualsky and did it come with a red connector on the thicker red and black wires, and do you have cable that connects the small white (balancing) plug on the battey to the charger?

The voltage regulator needs to be disconnected from the battery when charging but I am not clear what plugs you are using.

In this picture (http://www.dualsky.com/editor/UploadFile/20064518238231.JPG) there are three connectors.

The one at the top (it looks blue in the picture) appears to select the output voltage. Keep it on 5 Volts for now.

The connector below that appears to be a male servo connector as input from the battery. Does yours have this connector or is it bare leads?

The connector at the bottom is the output and this needs to plug into the receiver.

Does this match what you have?

[Highlander1]

That's the one I have taken a picture of the battery trying to post it here.

Thanks to my 12 yr old son Douglas for your help with the picture.

[mem]

You have a number of options and which is best depends on how handy you are soldering up cables.

Here are some suggestions that may minimise the amount of soldering.

Solder a servo type connector to the battery which can plug into the voltage regulator connector on the plane or the charging cable below. You can get a cable like one of these (http://www.alshobbies.com/shop/search.php?Desc=servo+extension) or if you have a faulty servo in your junk box you can cut the connector off and use that. Make sure when you splice this to the battery that you connect the positive and ground wires correctly and be very very careful not to short the battery!

Get a cable like this (http://www.alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=4687&Desc=) that plugs into your charger and into the battery connecter you wired above

You could get this balancer (http://www.alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=5701&Desc=) to charge the battery, you would need to attach the appropriate banana plugs so it can connect to your charger.

Or this one (http://www.alshobbies.com/shop/lookupstock.php?pc=4883&Desc= ), but you may need to cut the connector off (or make and adapter) so that you can plug it into the output of your charger.

I have not used any of these items so check with Als (or someone on these forums) to verify that these will work correctly with your charger. But I hope that points you in the general direction.

[Highlander1]

Thanks very much indeed
I will go for the cell balancer bit and connect it up for the extras £7 odd it makes sense.

Thanks for all your help.

Kind regards John.

[mem]

Be very careful when you are soldering connections that you don’t short the battery. Also, if you do use the servo connectors, make certain that you don’t accidentally plug the battery directly into the receiver rather then via the voltage regulator!

and if you are not familiar with LiPo batteries then its prudent to read up on their safe handling and use.

[Highlander1]

:eek: :confused:

No problem thanks for all your advice I will follow it to the letter.

I have a concrete hearth inthe model room so always charge things on it.

I will be extra careful with this one and i see were your coming from with the plugging straight into the receiver bit. Just the kind of thing i'd have done. :D

Cheers John

[mem]

John, happy to help.

BTW, out of curiosity, what airplane are you putting your battery in? That pack weighs more than 100 grams so I hope your plane can handle it.

hope the wind drops where you are so you can get flying :) .

[Highlander1]

I hope to use it in several different ones It is about the same weight as a 4 cell NI Mh4 cell.

I have an old Seagull Mustang and posted to see if anyone had any idea about engine size, there was no response so I decided to try an OS 61, 4 stroke which I have had in a box for years and never used or run in.

Just ran it in yesterday before installing it last night. I know it won't be a speed machine but so long as it get's of the ground and gives me a chance to practice for my Silver SAC I will be happy.

I have been flying the same trainer for 3 years and had a PT19 which is no more.

Just ordered a balancer. I have a 3 cell Liop in it's packet I got for one of those "I WANT ONE" flying boat things which is still being built. (one of these day's)

Cheers John