RE: balancing jacks
HobbyCity and rcdude are two of many.
Posted on: 8/24/2009 3:20 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9040930

RE: Dean's T-Connectors - HOW MUCH CURRENT??
There is no guarantee that knock-off can handle 100 amps. Now that hobbycity no longer sells knock-offs is there any other supply?
Posted on: 8/22/2009 1:19 AM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9035019

RE: Hobbico Superstar EP - Brushless Replacement
I am going to try this one http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=3884 It may be too much power. I hope to maiden it next Saturday weather permitting and that I finish building it.:) Have you flown yours yet. How does it fly?
Posted on: 8/16/2009 7:58 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9021186

RE: Other than LiPo
User error yes But also could be a major incident still. Even I burst a pack, yes my mistake and still created a big mess but no fire. A friend burned a hole in his dining room table with the same mistake. [quote]ORIGINAL: Nathan King [quote]ORIGINAL: Edwin I wouldnt want to be that one time in a month. There have actually been several incedents in our club with lipo's. I could recite them but what would be the point. Its NOT nonsense. Edwin [/quote] I would be willing to bet that these incidents were caused by user error. Contrary to popular belief, LiPo batteries do not explode when you look at them cross-eyed. [sm=what_smile.gif] [/quote]
Posted on: 8/15/2009 9:37 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9019184

RE: My First power system fails No clue Help!
The Phx 60 default is auto detect for lipos only. It probably sets your lvc to 5 x 3 or 15 volts. The under load voltage of a 5s A123 is about 5 x 2.6 or 13 volts. Hence your going into lvc cut-off. Watch your under load voltage on your meter and it goes under 15 volts then your probably going into lvc. Does your motor run find at half throttle? I've been there as I use 4s and 6s A123 packs and I had the problem of going into lvc till I programed my esc properly.
Posted on: 8/13/2009 11:10 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9014945

RE: My First power system fails No clue Help!
What is your low voltage cutoff set to. For 5s A123 you should be 10-12 volts.
Posted on: 8/13/2009 5:56 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9014150

RE: Other than LiPo
If weight is not a issue try a 3s2p 4600 A123 packs. Have to watch the size as well. But a better solution than nimh I think. As far as price check out hobbycity for great pricing. All my club now buy our lipos at hobbycity.
Posted on: 8/13/2009 1:38 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9013497

RE: Recommend a Li-Po charger
Check out http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7523&Product_Name=Turnigy_Accucel-8_150W_7A_Balancer/Charger We have one GP edge 540 ep at our field and it seems to fly good.
Posted on: 8/10/2009 5:05 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "3D Electric Flying!"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9005546

RE: Prop for Power 46 on 5 cells
I am using a 13 x 8 prop with my Power 46 on 5s 6000 lipos. I think a 14 x 8 was to much current.
Posted on: 8/2/2009 3:01 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8983962

RE: How often should i use my balance charger vs. polycharge4?
The charger does not give you a easy way to check the pack's voltage after the end of each flight. You want to be checking you have not over discharged your pack and adjust your flight time and thottle to fit. All of us electric fliers in our club now do this to protect our investment in batteries.
Posted on: 8/2/2009 12:01 AM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8982734

RE: ELECTRIFLY POLY CHARGE4 HELP
When you press the start buttons the leds should turn green. After two to three minutes they should start flashing. The number of flashs is the number of cells detected. You should all ways check this. The charger beeps and the lights turn red when the charging is finished.
Posted on: 8/1/2009 11:58 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8982727

RE: How often should i use my balance charger vs. polycharge4?
I like the top one because it is a balancer, meter, and discharger all in one. It also has the nicest display.
Posted on: 8/1/2009 10:03 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8982464

RE: How often should i use my balance charger vs. polycharge4?
I have numerous meters to measure the cell voltages. A must have in my option. As is a watt meter. You can get them for as little as $3 or the one I like is $34.95 shows up to 6cells at once and is a balancer/discharger as well.. Balancing doesn't slow down the charge time. I use the Polycharger on my smaller packs. It can only charge upto 3 amps and I charge up to 10 amps. Here is a sample of meters I have all three. Started with the cheap one but I wanted one with a display. Besides I love toys! http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6748 http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8980&Product_Name=GT-Power_Voltage_Analyzer_3_in_1_2-6S http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6589&Product_Name=Battery_Monitor_2-6S
Posted on: 7/31/2009 6:23 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8979757

RE: How often should i use my balance charger vs. polycharge4?
I always check my balance and voltage after every flight. I also mark every flight and what it takes to charge it. I enter these details in a access database to track my batteries usage. I don't always balance at the field. I do balance all the time at home. I do have polycharger 4. They were designed when balancing was not such a big deal. When I charge at more than 1C I always use a balance/charger.
Posted on: 7/31/2009 6:02 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8979714

RE: 72MHz Synthesized Transmitter Module For Futaba?
I've been using Corona Synth 8 ch rx from Hobby city. I have four now. They seem to work great and are very cheap. I use them on my Futaba 9c Synth radio.
Posted on: 7/30/2009 6:05 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8977091

RE: Any 1/2a scale trainers with foam wing?
All foam is ok for a trainer Just glue it back together. Doesn't look so great but still flys. Balsa can be a lot more work to repair. Foam wings like the ACE foam wings are hard to break in my experience.
Posted on: 7/29/2009 4:53 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8974289

RE: Time to convert?
I have a friend that flys a 2M pattern electric plan. The big difference he said is the quick reponse of the electric motor and finer control of speed.
Posted on: 7/26/2009 8:17 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8966035

RE: Any 1/2a scale trainers with foam wing?
The only plane I can think with a 36" foam wing would be ACE AT6. Maybe others have some ideas.
Posted on: 7/26/2009 6:02 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8965680

RE: Do I need a bec
Depends on the ESC. A lot need a BEC on four or more cells. Also some larger esc have no bec at all.
Posted on: 7/23/2009 12:54 AM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8956682

RE: Kadet Seniorita EP 63
Well I got to fly my Kadet Seniorita EP ARF. Had to wait for a test pilot. I am happy how it fly's, though only one flight so far. I found another one at Tower and with their discount of $45 and free shipping I went ahead bought it. It was Towers last one. Now I have a club member that wants it but I want to keep for spare parts as it is a trainer. Sig said it will be at least 6 months before they get another shipment!
Posted on: 7/21/2009 3:39 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8952402

RE: How to tell if a battery is charged
or the same unit at tower http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWW16&P=ML
Posted on: 7/17/2009 4:44 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8941825

RE: Battery started smoking, then caught fire.
Either backwards or shorted it some how. IMO
Posted on: 7/13/2009 11:18 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8931068

RE: Lithium TX Pack for Futaba 9C &10C
Dualsky them as well http://www.2dogrc.com/ecommerce/os/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2105 HobbyCity http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6955 CommonSense http://www.commonsenserc.com/product_info.php?cPath=37_27&products_id=32 You may have reuse your nicad pack's connector. There you go.
Posted on: 7/13/2009 2:15 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8929341

RE: Lithium TX Pack for Futaba 9C &10C
I use a Lipo in my 9C and it works great. Be warned it is against warranty. You should take it out to charge but I don't I just double check my charger is set right. HobbyCity has the best pricing.
Posted on: 7/13/2009 12:49 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8929122

RE: School me on choosing the right Lipo plz
How did you save weight? [quote]ORIGINAL: DaveFlynn Mostly true. The max prop size depends on ground clearance and the min on the thrust required. I try to choose the lowest Kv for a given frame size then choose the cell count to get the pitch speed I want or the maximum rpm rating for the prop. Pay close attention to the numbers, too many watts will cook the motor, too many amps and the weakest link (batt, ESC or motor) will be damaged. I recently changed the motor on one of my planes from a Kv=650RPM/Volt to a Kv=380RPM/Volt motor of the same weight and size. The prop was changed from 12x6 to 14x6 and the battery from 6S2P to 9S1P. Flight times are unchanged at around 10 min and the plane is much faster and 5.5oz lighter. I'm getting slightly more thrust for fewer amps at a lower rpm and lower wattage. This is a big slow trainer, so no 3D stuff here. [/quote]
Posted on: 7/2/2009 7:16 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8901839

RE: School me on choosing the right Lipo plz
Going to 4s vs 3s adds little weight but should add 25% more run time if set-up at the same wattage though I have yet to prove this to be true for myself.
Posted on: 7/2/2009 6:29 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8901727

RE: School me on choosing the right Lipo plz
I very good rule of thumb write up. http://www.horizonhobby.com/Explore/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1563 By it a 2lb 3d plane needs 300-400 watts. That should be 80% of max so I would suggest at least a 500 watt motor. You can always prop down to reduce the wattage if to much. Also to get 500-600 watts with less than 45 amps would probably require a 4s pack. A 3s pack is about 10 voltages under load so at 500 watts that would be 50 amps which is above the motor's rating. I have been fining on my setups than 3s is not giving me the motor max (80%) wattage output. I've been changing to 4s packs and reproping to get more power without overloading the motor on plane that have room and can handle the extra weight of the battery. I hope I have not confused you to much. Selection is a black art not a science. Or find someone with the setup your looking at since real world information is the best data.
Posted on: 7/2/2009 4:24 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8901454

RE: School me on choosing the right Lipo plz
You need to confirm your motor wattage requirements. The RimFireâ„¢ 35-36-1200 is the recommended motor which is a 660 watt motor. One of my friends has that plane with I believe a stock motor and I would not say it was overpowered. I'll ask what battery he is running and confirm the motor.
Posted on: 7/2/2009 4:05 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8901405

RE: School me on choosing the right Lipo plz
I find I tend to use experience with comparable set-ups is the most accurate. I will some times take a known set-up and try work up a formula but I have never come up with a accurate one. There is just to many variables. [quote]ORIGINAL: amadio1 [quote]ORIGINAL: jmohn Looks like a 3S 1320 to 2300 pack would work fine. Jeff [/quote] What im trying to figure out is how to come to the conclusion you just did, but on my own. Did you figure that out based on some formula, or is it strictly an experience thing? [/quote]
Posted on: 7/2/2009 2:58 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8901243

RE: 4 motor electric wiring
I would think you would want to parallel the packs so the four motor always see the same voltage. But I am no expert. [quote]ORIGINAL: eal7575 Hello: I am wiring a 4 engine Super Constellation. Using AXI 5330`s, with 110 amp ESC`s, and 4, 37volt, 10 cell packs. Which would be best? Wire , Battery, ESC, to each individual motor, or wire total batterys in parallel, then wire the 4 ESC`s to that source. Thanks, Buck eal757@myfairpoint.net [/quote]
Posted on: 6/30/2009 11:02 PM by Author "bobferguson" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8896495