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JR-Spektrum . Gyro Hobbies . E-flite

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e-Electric General Discussion > Lipo's in cold weather
 
 
Busher
Veteran
Location: Manchester, England

Hi There Can anybody tell if they have used their Lipo's in cold conditions, if so are you experiencing poor performance, and have you ruined a battery by using it in the cold?

I have just read an article on lipo's in the BMFA rag and they are reporting bad performance and/or ruined cells in 5 degrees c . I have used my cells in reasonable weather only so would appreciate your inputs. I am just about to invest heavily in electric flight and would like to know the pro's and cons

Thanks for your help

Good luck
Busher
05-27-2008 08:56 PM
 
 
PilotDaz
Veteran
Location: Seattle, WA

I don't know about it damaging the cells, but you will get fewer MAh's out of a cold pack. We flew all winter (between 5 and 10c) and had no problems, only shorter runs.

~Team Collective Mayhem - "My anger management class really PISSES ME OFF!"
05-27-2008 09:12 PM
 
 
Rob_T
Elite Veteran
Location: Tualatin, OR - USA

I've definitely seen reduced performance at 5 degrees C and below. I don't know if cold alone actually damages anything, but if you already had a weak cell the cold will exaggerate the problem which might lead to an accelerated failure.


Rob
Eco8, Piccolo Fun, Shogun, HB Elite CP, Trex 450XL CDE, Swift
05-27-2008 11:24 PM
 
 
MrMel
Elite Veteran
Location: Lidingo, Sweden

I fly all winter in Sweden.

1. You will have reduced performance.
2. Pre-heat your packs or they will take damage, I use one of those beach-bags (for keeping beer cool), and I place a two bottle of water that I have ran in the microwave, it will keep the lipos warm for a very long time.
3. If you have space you can wrap the lipos in bubblewrap, it will help them.
05-28-2008 12:28 AM
 
 
fenderstrat
Elite Veteran
Location: Aston,Pa

if you are field charging...DO NOT CHARGE OUTSIDE AND THEN BRING INSIDE.....if you must only charge to 90%...if you charge batts to 100% at less then 40deg F then go inside with them..it will cause damage.......

PerformancePlusRC field rep
COMPASS helis field rep
Mini Titan/SE
HBK2
Futaba FASST
05-28-2008 02:21 PM
 
 
misskimo
Key Veteran
Location: Alaska 12 years before , mississippi for 31 y

hey , you will not see a degrade in performance as long as your batteries are around 70 degrees F and then installed in your heli at that temp and fly, its also better if you place the batteries on the dash with the heater on and get them around 85 to 90 F and then install them and fly, but if you carry the heli outside and let the batteries cool to the temp of outside, yes you will get a low performer and less MA! also here in Alaska , I use mostly HV ( highvoltage) so I dont see a performance drop if my batteries are alittle cold

Do-Yo-Thang! !:~) Team ThunderPower, Minicopter & Spartan Gyros
05-28-2008 03:04 PM
 
 
speeddemon370
Veteran
Location: Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada

You don't want them to get cold. It caused a crash for me this last winter. It was about -20c and I was out flying away and about 30secs into the flight I had a low voltage lockup. Lawn dart (in this case snow dart). I figured out later that if I keep them in a pocket that's close to my body (inside the jacket) they work just fine. However, anything below -20 and you're servo's are going to get really slow.

with 2 ears and 1 mouth you should listen twice as much as you talk
05-29-2008 05:33 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
michael88997
Key Veteran
Location: northern texas, us

im glad i live in texas i just got to keep them out of the sun and im good all year around


---------------------------
Performance Plus Rc Field Rep
trex 500, scorpion motor
05-29-2008 05:44 PM
 
 
yongary
Senior Heliman
Location: Lafayette, Indiana

05-30-2008 06:32 AM
 
 
misskimo
Key Veteran
Location: Alaska 12 years before , mississippi for 31 y

I hear ya in Tx , but right now , Spring , summer and Fall , I bet you cant go fly at 2 or 3 in the morning, we got 24 hours of light now

Do-Yo-Thang! !:~) Team ThunderPower, Minicopter & Spartan Gyros
05-30-2008 02:23 PM
 
 
michael88997
Key Veteran
Location: northern texas, us

thats true... i go fly at 7:30 in the morning until about 11 when it hits 100 degrees lol


---------------------------
Performance Plus Rc Field Rep
trex 500, scorpion motor
05-30-2008 02:39 PM
 
 
misskimo
Key Veteran
Location: Alaska 12 years before , mississippi for 31 y

100 F the only time I see that , is my actro comes down about that temp Im heading down south in a week! 4 week vac. cant wait to really feel some heat and take off these long sleeve shirts, Im ready for a tan. so white , I dont need a light on to find my way to the bathroom during the night in the winter

Do-Yo-Thang! !:~) Team ThunderPower, Minicopter & Spartan Gyros
05-30-2008 03:09 PM
 
 
Busher
Veteran
Location: Manchester, England

So from what I can work out, so long as I keep them warm they will be alright to fly in colder weather, Have any of you guys flying in the cold had a pack ruined because you flew and the pack was cold, from what I gleaned from the BMFA rag it was almost saying that the packs would be no use after a cold run.

I am pretty sure this is not the case but I wanted to make sure before I buy a new trex.

Thanks for your help and I hope the weather gets better for you guys in the snow.

Good luck
Busher
05-30-2008 05:22 PM
 
 
HugeOne
Key Veteran
Location: Quebec, Canada

Proplem with cold weather is that the outside cells of a big pack will be colder than the inside cells. The colder cells will have less voltage and may drop below 3V before the others.
Personnaly, I fly my 12S 4000mAh is a wool sock, when it's below 10C.

-Hugo

Raptor e620 w/V-bar, Tango 45-06, Phoenix 85HV, TrueRC 12S1P 4000mAh
05-30-2008 05:37 PM
 
 
misskimo
Key Veteran
Location: Alaska 12 years before , mississippi for 31 y

huge , Since 1P came out , I dont worry about the inside anymore. like back in the day with 2 5s4p 8000s , then , Yep! wool sock would work. I just go outside and fly , no waiting, if you let them sit a while outside, that will cause them to discharge less C. my limit of flying is 16F and above, mostly fall time is that. Spring time, 32 F . seams colder after a long winter. Hands get to cold,

Tony

Do-Yo-Thang! !:~) Team ThunderPower, Minicopter & Spartan Gyros
06-01-2008 05:27 AM
 
 
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e-Electric General Discussion > Lipo's in cold weather
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