Minimum reciever voltage?
09-09-2010, 08:27 PM
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Minimum reciever voltage?
I just recieved my fancy new 6 volt reciever battery and I am wondering at what voltage Ishould stop flying. My voltmeter has a "green" (safe) range from 4.8 to 5.7 volts. With my 4.8 volt pack, I fly until 4.8 is indicated with the volt meter. Is it the same with this new 6 volt? BTW, I am running Futaba Faast 2.4. Thanks!
09-09-2010, 08:30 PM
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RE: Minimum reciever voltage?
If you stop flying at 6.0 volts you will be very, very safe. A good condition 5-cell battery (NiMh) will probably hit 6.0 volts when it is about half used up. So you'll have a big safety margin.
09-09-2010, 08:41 PM
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RE: Minimum reciever voltage?
Hmm, I guess what I'm asking is: would it be bad to run this 6 volt battery down to 5 volts before calling it quits?
09-10-2010, 05:36 AM
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RE: Minimum reciever voltage?
A good rule of thumb to follow with Nickel (Nimh or NiCd) is 1.1 volts /cell is fully discharged. With a 6 volt battery, there are 5 cells.
The typical discharge curve for these batteries has a fully charged voltage of about 1.45 volts/cell, which quickly drops down to around 1.25 volts per cell while using. They then discharge fairly linearly down to about 1.15 volts/cell . After that they drop quickly. If you discharge a 5 cell battery down to 5 volts, you're going below the normal fully discharged curve. Depending on your current draw, you may pull it down below 3 volts in flight and your reciever will cease to function. Your "time to quit" voltage with a 6 volt battery should be around 5.7-5.8 volts.
The voltwatch your using is for a 4 cell pack. You should replace it with one designed for the 5 cell (6 volt) battery.
Brad
The typical discharge curve for these batteries has a fully charged voltage of about 1.45 volts/cell, which quickly drops down to around 1.25 volts per cell while using. They then discharge fairly linearly down to about 1.15 volts/cell . After that they drop quickly. If you discharge a 5 cell battery down to 5 volts, you're going below the normal fully discharged curve. Depending on your current draw, you may pull it down below 3 volts in flight and your reciever will cease to function. Your "time to quit" voltage with a 6 volt battery should be around 5.7-5.8 volts.
The voltwatch your using is for a 4 cell pack. You should replace it with one designed for the 5 cell (6 volt) battery.
Brad
