Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Helicopters > Electric RC Helis > T-Rex heli
 Battery flight times - 80% rule? >

Battery flight times - 80% rule?

Community
Search
Notices
T-Rex heli For all you T-Rex lovers out there, this where you can post!

Battery flight times - 80% rule?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-16-2008, 10:22 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (3)
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Battery flight times - 80% rule?

Hey guys, just flew the 450 sev2 for the first time. It has a Scorpion -6 motor with a 10T pinion - this is how I bought it. Flew it for about 6-7 minutes then brought it down, as I know that the scorpion sucks a bunch of power. I am using the Flight Power EVO25 2500mah battery. Can someone explain the "80% rule" to me? I'm charging it as we speak, but it looks like about 1640mah is being put back in. Are you supposed to take out 20% and put 80% back in, or take out 80% and put 20% back in? Can you also explain how to calculate headspeed? It is a simple equation, but I simply can't remember it. Thanks guys.

EDIT: Another thing: what's the maximum headspeed you would run 335mm pro woodies at? At which charge do you leave a lipo overnight? Charged? Uncharged? In the middle? Thanks.
Old 10-16-2008, 10:49 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Chatsworth, CA
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

You're supposed to take no more than 80% out of the pack for better battery longevity - leaving 20%. You would put back in 80% when you charge the pack, or 2000mAh in your case.

The theoretical headspeed = (Motor kV * Battery voltage (under load) * Pinion size) / Main gear size. This is strictly theory and the actual headspeed will be a bit lower. So, if you're using 3S lipos, headspeed = (4400kV * 10.5v (approx.) * 10) / 150 = 3080.
Old 10-16-2008, 11:29 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: City, OH
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?


ORIGINAL: tomtomzz

EDIT: Another thing: what's the maximum headspeed you would run 335mm pro woodies at?
I just looked on my package of Align 325mm Pro woodies and it has a 2,800 RPM MAX limit.
Yours should be the same. There only 10 longer than my blades.

Tom
Old 10-17-2008, 02:34 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: caracas, VENEZUELA
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

if I'm using the 450 se V2 with the stock 3700Kv motor, 2200mAh outrage with a 12t pinion then theoretically my head speed would be more than 3108. Now is this at 100% power?? because I'm using the align pro woodies and I'm afraid to rip them apart[&o] is this setup ok or should I change pinion/blades/throttle curves??

Thanks a bunch.

about the flight times, with my setup I'm flying 7-8 min putting back about 1700-1800mAh back into my 2200mAh pack. If you're running a 2500mAh pack the you should be getting 2000mAh back into the battery.
Old 10-17-2008, 04:47 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?


ORIGINAL: AviationNut

You're supposed to take no more than 80% out of the pack for better battery longevity - leaving 20%. You would put back in 80% when you charge the pack, or 2000mAh in your case.

The theoretical headspeed = (Motor kV * Battery voltage (under load) * Pinion size) / Main gear size. This is strictly theory and the actual headspeed will be a bit lower. So, if you're using 3S lipos, headspeed = (4400kV * 10.5v (approx.) * 10) / 150 = 3080.
It sould be, headspeed = (Motor kV * Battery voltage (under load) * Pinion size * (.85 to.9) / Main gear size.
You forgot to factor motor efficiency.
Old 10-17-2008, 06:46 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
BryFlyGuy67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

Just go to www.readyHeli.com and click on their HS calculator.

Most folks agree that well-made wood blades in good condition can take up to 3000 RPM. Anything higher than that and you need to look into good Carbon Fiber blades.

I wouldn't swing those 335's at much more than 2800, though. Realistically, unless you're doing RAD 3D, you don't need a HS higher than 2800 - 3000 RPM.
Old 10-17-2008, 07:15 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: caracas, VENEZUELA
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

but are the results supposed to be the head speed when running 100% power?
Old 10-17-2008, 09:51 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hackettstown, NJ
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

Yes
Old 10-17-2008, 11:31 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: orlando, FL
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

i have run up to 3400rpm on the align 325 pro woodies and havent had one single problem. and i bang the sticks like hell too. like bryflyguy67 said unless you're doing 3D that headspeed is not necessary.

what is your current flying skills?
Old 10-18-2008, 08:03 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: caracas, VENEZUELA
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

I've just began doing FF (figure eights and stuff) so I'm still learning or better said: gaining confidence because in the sim I'm already doing loops and basic maneuvers, but I wanted to make sure that my headspeed would not be aver the woodies limit. when I'm flying FF I'm using about 80-90% power (I'm flying in idle 1) cause in idle 2 my curve is like 100%-95%-100% hehe. but I'm not going to use that for a while. I just wanted to make sure. It would suck to rip your blades apart, and from the height I'm flying (from my roof) I would want my heli dropping 80ft down into concrete without blades or the possibility of autorotation

running the 12t pinion and with .85 efficiency the head should be doing 2793rpm (the .85 is to estimate the power setting. is that number ok or should it be higher or lower')

Oh and how hot should the motor get after you finish flying? how do you know your getting good efficiency?
Old 10-18-2008, 06:02 PM
  #11  
Member
 
diverjack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: CalgaryAlberta, CANADA
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

"EDIT: Another thing: what's the maximum headspeed you would run 335mm pro woodies at? At which charge do you leave a lipo overnight? Charged? Uncharged? In the middle? Thanks. " {quoted from tomtomzz}

You NEVER leave your LiPo charging overnight!! It shouldn't take more than 1 to 1.5 hours to charge up your Lipo. Hopefully this isn't what you meant; but I thought I'd throw this in here just in case ya did!

FWIW.......I charge mine about 2 hours before I leave for the flying field. About every 15 days or so, I throw all my LiPos on the charger to top them up. Just my 2 cents.
Old 10-18-2008, 10:04 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: orlando, FL
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?


ORIGINAL: rzarikian

I've just began doing FF (figure eights and stuff) so I'm still learning or better said: gaining confidence because in the sim I'm already doing loops and basic maneuvers, but I wanted to make sure that my headspeed would not be aver the woodies limit. when I'm flying FF I'm using about 80-90% power (I'm flying in idle 1) cause in idle 2 my curve is like 100%-95%-100% hehe. but I'm not going to use that for a while. I just wanted to make sure. It would suck to rip your blades apart, and from the height I'm flying (from my roof) I would want my heli dropping 80ft down into concrete without blades or the possibility of autorotation

running the 12t pinion and with .85 efficiency the head should be doing 2793rpm (the .85 is to estimate the power setting. is that number ok or should it be higher or lower')

Oh and how hot should the motor get after you finish flying? how do you know your getting good efficiency?
your setup is just fine. leave it the way it is. the temp of the motor depends on the motor. my scorpion runs on the warm side while my JustGoFly motor runs cool. i think running cool is more efficient...but not sure. i just know that heat is bad. also your esc and lipo plays a large role as well. higher rated lipo's (C rating) runs cooler than lower c rated lipos. If your lipo cant supply the juice the motor demands than both the lipo and motor and esc gets hot. thus inefficient. Generally get an esc thats a tad higher rated than the motor. go with 25C or 30C rated lipos.
Old 10-18-2008, 10:20 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
KCinNC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: LKN, NC
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

my charger(commonsense rc) only shows Volts per cell...how do i calculate mah input?

i never go below 3.5 volts per cell when flying
Old 10-18-2008, 11:03 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: caracas, VENEZUELA
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

I rule of thumb (at least what I've noticed) is that as long as you don't go below 11.2-11.15 volts on a 3s pack which would be 3.7v per cel you will end up putting 80% back into your pack. This is always the case when I change my 2200mAh 3s pack
Old 10-19-2008, 12:41 AM
  #15  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (3)
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Battery flight times - 80% rule?

Hey guys, thanks for the info. I have another question...is there any physical features that are different between the different amperage Align ESC's? I have an align ESC on here, but I don't know which one it is because there is velcro over the label. After hovering, the heatsink on top gets very hot, and I wonder if it is too low rated for the -6.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.