Should we advise people to use Lithium-Polymer batteries in their transmitters?

Miami Mike · Sep 08, 2009, 08:16 PM

When people ask us if they should use LiPo cells in their radios, should we tell them "yes" or "no"? Is it a good idea or a bad idea?

PeteB · Sep 08, 2009, 10:31 PM

I always recommend that people check with, and follow their manufacturer's recommendations. Who are we to go against a manufacturer's recommendations? I certainly wouldn't want to be held accountable for giving bad advice and a TX is critical piece of equipment.

Maybe I'm being over cautious, but I'd rather err on the side of caution.

Lastly, I don't see what all the rage is either. Buy an extra pack for your TX or get a better charger and charge at the field. I have multiple TX batteries and swap one out at the field when necessary.

GPT · Sep 08, 2009, 11:25 PM

I went to 3 cell lipo in my JR2610 2 years ago no problems.

Mark Wood · Sep 08, 2009, 11:58 PM

My

Lipo in a tx - an answer looking for a question.
Use whatever makes you feel like you know what you're doing.

mw

vhoward1122 · Sep 09, 2009, 12:20 AM

My answer would depend on if I had any experience with the model of radio the person is asking about. Neither one of the poll questions is absolutely correct. It might just be a bad idea depending on the maximum voltage a radio can handle.

Mikey C. · Sep 09, 2009, 01:22 AM

Honestly, what's the point? When the energy density of NiCad/NiMhs is nowadays above 2600mAh per AA cell, why bother? Heck, even my old, rusty Hitec Lazer 4 Tx can last 2-3 hours on its stock (800mAh I think) NiMh battery on a full charge. Besides the "because I can" excuse, what's the advantage? Seems to me, the risks far outweigh the benefits, especially when taking newbies into account.

That said, this is all well and good until Tx manufacturers start designing and producing LiPo or Lion powered Tx's. When they become as trouble-free as cellphones, then there won't be much discussion in this regard I think. But until then, why "fix" what ain't broke?

There's my two cents.

fhhuber506771 · Sep 09, 2009, 01:23 AM

there's 2 more choices needed...

C) Depends on the radio

D) No point using LiPo, just use Eneloops or other low self-discharge NiMh.

Its not bright to stick LiPo in a JR X9303 or a Spektrum DX7. The LiPo can damage the radio and void your warrantee. (not to mention potentially causing the loss of control of a model in flight)

Some Futaba radios are specificly rated for 3S LiPo...

with the 2 choices provided in the poll... I was forced to vote no. But its dependant on the radio as to if its OK to use them... and the relatively recent development of low self discharge NiMh gives a better option for many radios.

whitecrest · Sep 09, 2009, 04:56 AM

I'd vote for the high-capacity Nimh. They will significantly increase transmitting time and can be charged with the Nicad charger. I think a lipo is overkill in this application.

HobbyCNC · Sep 09, 2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitecrest

I'd vote for the high-capacity Nimh. They will significantly increase transmitting time and can be charged with the Nicad charger. I think a lipo is overkill in this application.

I didn't see your answer choice in the poll?

"Yes, it's a good idea."
"No, it's a bad idea."

everydayflyer · Sep 09, 2009, 06:31 AM

Use Sanyo Eneloops, Ray O Vac hybrids or other high quality LSD Ni Mh .

Charles

RC Man · Sep 09, 2009, 07:03 AM

The problem is that you should charge LiPo batteries in a fire proof container. You have to remove the battery for every charge or make a fireproof compartment in your transmitter.

My Futaba transmitters with NiCad or NiMh have almost 3 hours of on time so I don’t see why you need more. For those long weekends away from home I fly several transmitters so it’s not a problem to charge one while I am flying other.

LiPo – it’s just not worth the risk.

RC Man · Sep 09, 2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitecrest

I'd vote for the high-capacity Nimh. They will significantly increase transmitting time and can be charged with the Nicad charger. I think a lipo is overkill in this application.

That’s definitely the best solution.

jrb · Sep 09, 2009, 08:05 AM

Neither -- always YMMV; and, only if you're careful/capable!

I do w/diode in JR 9303 (72 & w/2.4 Spek Module); my freind in 2.4 JR 9303 w/o diode -- both of us since early this spring.

Challenger 413 · Sep 09, 2009, 08:24 AM

I voted yes. If you are careful with lipos, why would you be careless when used with a Tx?

Challenger413

Mark Wood · Sep 09, 2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Challenger 413

If you are careful with lipos, why would you be careless when used with a Tx?

Because

happens. Why complicate matters when simple solutions exist? (Eneloop, Ray-o-Vac, etc.)

mw

View Poll Results: People who ask us should be told...
"Yes, it's a good idea."	141	50.18%
"No, it's a bad idea."	140	49.82%
Voters: 281. You may not vote on this poll

Sep 08, 2009, 08:16 PM	#1
Miami Mike Pompano Hill Flyers Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami Lakes, Florida, USA Posts: 6,680	Should we advise people to use Lithium-Polymer batteries in their transmitters? When people ask us if they should use LiPo cells in their radios, should we tell them "yes" or "no"? Is it a good idea or a bad idea?

Sep 09, 2009, 01:23 AM	#7
fhhuber506771 Deletedfor proving Nauga wrong Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Posts: 15,865	there's 2 more choices needed... C) Depends on the radio D) No point using LiPo, just use Eneloops or other low self-discharge NiMh. Its not bright to stick LiPo in a JR X9303 or a Spektrum DX7. The LiPo can damage the radio and void your warrantee. (not to mention potentially causing the loss of control of a model in flight) Some Futaba radios are specificly rated for 3S LiPo... with the 2 choices provided in the poll... I was forced to vote no. But its dependant on the radio as to if its OK to use them... and the relatively recent development of low self discharge NiMh gives a better option for many radios. Last edited by fhhuber506771; Sep 09, 2009 at 01:29 AM.

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Sep 08, 2009, 10:31 PM	#2
PeteB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: USA Posts: 2,587	I always recommend that people check with, and follow their manufacturer's recommendations. Who are we to go against a manufacturer's recommendations? I certainly wouldn't want to be held accountable for giving bad advice and a TX is critical piece of equipment. Maybe I'm being over cautious, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. Lastly, I don't see what all the rage is either. Buy an extra pack for your TX or get a better charger and charge at the field. I have multiple TX batteries and swap one out at the field when necessary.

Sep 08, 2009, 11:25 PM	#3
GPT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sydney,Australia Posts: 1,164	I went to 3 cell lipo in my JR2610 2 years ago no problems.

Sep 08, 2009, 11:58 PM	#4
Mark Wood characters welcome Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: San Diego, Calif. Posts: 18,835	My Lipo in a tx - an answer looking for a question. Use whatever makes you feel like you know what you're doing. mw

Sep 09, 2009, 12:20 AM	#5
vhoward1122 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Bend, OR Posts: 1,510	My answer would depend on if I had any experience with the model of radio the person is asking about. Neither one of the poll questions is absolutely correct. It might just be a bad idea depending on the maximum voltage a radio can handle.

Sep 09, 2009, 01:22 AM	#6
Mikey C. "Hobby Apparatus" Flyer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oxford, PA Posts: 1,314	Honestly, what's the point? When the energy density of NiCad/NiMhs is nowadays above 2600mAh per AA cell, why bother? Heck, even my old, rusty Hitec Lazer 4 Tx can last 2-3 hours on its stock (800mAh I think) NiMh battery on a full charge. Besides the "because I can" excuse, what's the advantage? Seems to me, the risks far outweigh the benefits, especially when taking newbies into account. That said, this is all well and good until Tx manufacturers start designing and producing LiPo or Lion powered Tx's. When they become as trouble-free as cellphones, then there won't be much discussion in this regard I think. But until then, why "fix" what ain't broke? There's my two cents.

Sep 09, 2009, 04:56 AM	#8
whitecrest Frequent Flyer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orleans, MA Posts: 291	I'd vote for the high-capacity Nimh. They will significantly increase transmitting time and can be charged with the Nicad charger. I think a lipo is overkill in this application.

Sep 09, 2009, 06:31 AM	#10
everydayflyer Southern Pride Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Haralson County GA. USA Posts: 24,927	Use Sanyo Eneloops, Ray O Vac hybrids or other high quality LSD Ni Mh . Charles

Sep 09, 2009, 07:03 AM	#11
RC Man A man with too many helicopter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 11,071	The problem is that you should charge LiPo batteries in a fire proof container. You have to remove the battery for every charge or make a fireproof compartment in your transmitter. My Futaba transmitters with NiCad or NiMh have almost 3 hours of on time so I don’t see why you need more. For those long weekends away from home I fly several transmitters so it’s not a problem to charge one while I am flying other. LiPo – it’s just not worth the risk.

Sep 09, 2009, 08:05 AM	#13
jrb Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Edina, MN, USA Posts: 8,790	Neither -- always YMMV; and, only if you're careful/capable! I do w/diode in JR 9303 (72 & w/2.4 Spek Module); my freind in 2.4 JR 9303 w/o diode -- both of us since early this spring.

Sep 09, 2009, 08:24 AM	#14
Challenger 413 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dickinson, Tx. Posts: 4,776	I voted yes. If you are careful with lipos, why would you be careless when used with a Tx? Challenger413