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Audacity Models Pantera 50 - Tiger 50 > Question about batteries...
 
 
xtremeaerosport
Heliman
Location: Lewes, DE

Okay, I've got almost everything for my Pantera either on my bench, or in the mail to me. My next quest is batteries.

My setup is as follows:

3x Hitec 5625's on CCPM
Futaba Gy401 w/9254 on TR
Hitec HS635HB on throttle (with a spare HS635HB for a carbsmart later down the road, if I feel the need (or it all goes into a scale fuselage later)) (I know it is a lot of servo for the throttle, but I got a great price on the pair )
Standard 72mHz receiver with base loaded antenna.

It is a straighforward and simple setup, but I know from my GS IMAC birds that digital servos are hungry. I don't really want to go with a Li-Ion setup right now, due to cost of the battery and regulator, but I wonder what size NiMH I should go with? I'm thinking 3000 or so mAh would be able to feed the three digitials for a few flights before feeding time again, but I'm not sure about going with 4 cells over 5. Can the Gy401 and the 9254 handle 6v, or should I just pony up an get a Li-Ion and regulator and reg it all down to the 5v range?

Thanks guys.

Jon

CPT Jonathan Ott
US Army
08-19-2008 03:34 PM
 
 
jbeech
Ex rrAdvertiser
Location: Sanford, FL (Orlando area)

I long ago decided the investment in a heli with digital servos meant a good quality regulator and adequate battery capacity were a necessity vs. a luxury. I researched it and settled on the stuff from Fromeco, which I ultimately decided to offer to my own customers. Surf the link to see what we have. Along the way, I also began to handle the very nifty Aerospire MultiGov Pro as well, which not only governs the throttle to pitch duties but also incorporates the carb smart feature for the needle valve servo - all in one compact box for a great price. Don't forget to order the inexpensive temperature sensor too.


John Beech - GM (and janitor)
Audacity Models
08-19-2008 05:01 PM
 
 
xtremeaerosport
Heliman
Location: Lewes, DE

Thanks John. I have all Fromeco stuff in my IMAC birds, so I know their quality.

Another question: Is an Arizona really required for heli use, or can I use the Regulated Reliaswitch? And with Fromeco Li-Ion's...2600 or 5400?

Thanks,

Jon

CPT Jonathan Ott
US Army
08-19-2008 05:39 PM
 
 
MartyH
Key Veteran
Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana

My latest power setup for a Raptor 90 3D with all digital servos and a 401 gyro and 9253 tail servo is as follows:

The battery is a 4000ma 5 cell Ni-MH using HR-4/3AU cells from http://www.batteriesamerica.com $40.

The switch is from http://www.heliproz.com and is the JR Heavy Duty #JRPA001 for $13.99

The 401/9253 cannot handle 6 volts so I use the JR/Spectrum dual output regulator VR5203 specifically designed to send 5 volts to each the gyro and the tail servo. It too is available from Heliproz and is $29.99.

Thats $84 for the complete 4000ma setup and I can use my Litco Alpha 4 to manage and monitor Ni-MH battery health.

If you go Ni-MH or Ni-Cd, know that a pack made of sub-C size cells is going to be like puting a brick in your heli. The pack I use uses 4/3 of an A size cells. It's a reasonable tradeoff between battery weight and capacity. Another battery I have used recently in 50 size helis and really like is the premade JR 2700ma pack available in 4 or 5 cell versions using an A size cell. They are $43.95 from http://www.chiefaircraft.com/rcmsec...RBatteries.html. BatteriesAmerica now also has this same 2700ma size battery for $32.50. While I have not used that particular one, they were my supplier of Ni-MH batteries when I competed in IMAC for several years and I never had a battery issue and won a lot of contests with their packs.

Marty,
Raptors,Evos, Panteras and more
08-19-2008 05:48 PM
 
 
MartyH
Key Veteran
Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Jon,

If you decide to go Fromeco, I have an almost new Arizona regulator and 2600ma pack I'll make you a deal on. I got these from John earlier this year. $90 shipped. New this is about $120 plus shipping.

Marty,
Raptors,Evos, Panteras and more
08-19-2008 06:11 PM
 
 
xtremeaerosport
Heliman
Location: Lewes, DE

Marty,

How much flight time can I expect out of a 2600mAh pack? Seeing since I'm still in the hover, slow manuever phase of flying, think that pack will suffice?

I've got $90 left in my pocket, plus some change to purchase the Money Order with. If you'll PM me your address, I'll send you a money order for it.

Sound like a deal?

Jon

CPT Jonathan Ott
US Army
08-19-2008 06:35 PM
 
 
MartyH
Key Veteran
Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Yep, sounds like you have your power issue resolved. hehe.

Marty,
Raptors,Evos, Panteras and more
08-19-2008 06:49 PM
 
 
xtremeaerosport
Heliman
Location: Lewes, DE

Yep.

(oh, and if you happen to have an extra M3x15 SHCS (engine mount screw) in your spares box... )



CPT Jonathan Ott
US Army
08-19-2008 06:52 PM
 
 
jbeech
Ex rrAdvertiser
Location: Sanford, FL (Orlando area)

It's been my experience a 2600mAH pack is safe for 4-5 flights while one of the 5200mAH packs is good for double that, call it 10. Personally, I fly the big packs and the heck with the extra weight as I love the fact I can fly three or four times, and even if I don't go fly again for a month, unlike the NiCd and NiMH technology, the packs don't self-discharge so quickly I can't go fly again and not charge in between trips to the field. Conversely, 3D pilots, who are concious of the added weight of a 5200 vs 2600mAH pack generally prefer the smaller/lighter 2600mAH packs. We handle both but the larger packs outsell the smaller ones nearly 10:1. Anyway, MartyH indeed purchased this new recently and he's making you a great deal.


John Beech - GM (and janitor)
Audacity Models
08-19-2008 07:45 PM
 
 
MartyH
Key Veteran
Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Thanks for backing me up on the age of the items John. I told him I thought I was getting 6 flights with a lot of flipping and rolling. I'm no hard core 3D pilot. I could fly for days on the 5200ma packs no matter how I flew.

Marty,
Raptors,Evos, Panteras and more
08-19-2008 08:17 PM
 
 
Machinehead01
Senior Heliman
Location: USA

A 4500nimh here

I fly a JR 4.8 volt 4500 nimh pack, it tends to cure the heavy tail on the pantera. Plus I like the fact that I fly all day on it. I will say this though I just changed the collective/cyclic servos to the Futaba BLS451's and haven't much time on them to see what their consumption will be.

Thomas

I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was going to blame you!
08-19-2008 10:44 PM
 
 
Eleven_Bravo
Senior Heliman
Location: Modesto,CA

The last time I flew my Pantera I beat its guts out for 5 flights. On my last flight I did tic-tocs for about three minutes straight I wanted to see how low I could get before I chickened out.

I hate 4.8v and everything associated with it those POS switches that fail and cost you a perfectly good R50. Then the POS battery connections going bad and costing you a Pantera. The battery connection deal was a total loss. I am using that 4200mah POS in my tennis raquet bug zapper. The switch actually caused two crashes on the R50. Before my blood pressure goes too high I am going to stop talking about how much I hate 4.8v.

I am not calling out anyone I am saying this for anyone that reads this post. DO NOT BE A TIGHTWAD go get an Arizona reg or some kind of reg and a li-ion or li-po leave that prehistoric 4.8v trash alone. This is my personal theory on why the Arizona is such a good product. Number 1 it gets rid of that lil flimsy girlie panzie axxed battery connector and replacees it with a DEANS connector. Besides this the Arizona is top quality period. I also believe that years agao 4.8v is fine but the connector just will not last flowing the current of todays digital servos and setups however the deans will. Last but not least the pin switch which is open curcuit on which means no connections inside a switch sliding together wearing itself out. Open circuit on also means even if it gets disconnected during flight the Arizona will still be on. All in all the crashes I had with 4.8v cost me roughly 900 dollars. I have had ZERO electrical issues since having a Arizona regulator not spending the extra 75 bux cost me 900. I was new with helis and did not know any better and I am trying to save you the hassle of learning the hard way like I did.

I have the 2600mah relion after the five flights I tested the battery with the Fromeco 8-ball load checker at a 1A load it checked at 7.21v 7V is the no fly zone. I charged this battery when I got back home and it took only 1302mah to reach full charge. I will also personally never push this 5 flights 5 is good enough if you need to charge it does not take but an hour. I personally use the smaller battery due to the lighter weight my Pantera weights 7lb 13oz without fuel I could tell a huge difference between the 5200mah which weights 6.6oz compared to the 2600mah 3.3oz. The difference in feel in power was like going from 15% nitro to 30%. I had a friend with a synergy that would get 9 to 10 flights before charging. I have seen him fly it all weekend on a charge more than once. I hope I have helped someone make up their mind and do the right thing and get an Arizona in the first place.

Its not a maneuver until your looking down on it. ~Jason Krause~ Phoenix FF 08
08-22-2008 04:39 AM
 
 
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Audacity Models Pantera 50 - Tiger 50 > Question about batteries...
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