| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:11 pm
Post subject: Need to understand batteries |
|
|
Howdy from SC
I'm sure everyone here has heard this before but I would like to know some more about batteries. Like what does 15C and 1C and stuff like that mean. Heck an old fart like me I'm doing good to check email and get it right. I tried to send a picture the other day and ended up sending it to myself. Go figure. I get the mah part. The higher the number the longer it will last. Oh well. Thank you for the help folks.
Tom |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
TonyD Hopping Maniac


Joined: 15 Dec 2011 Posts: 45 Location: Jefferson, New Hampshire
|
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:54 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Tom,
Betcha it is warmer in SC than it is here in NH where it is currently 4 degrees!
Anyways here is a web site that gives a good overview of LiPo batteries and chargers in addition to other information related to this hobby.
Battery Info
http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-lipo-batteries.html
Main Site
http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/
Hope this helps! _________________ Keep Em Flying
Anyhoo,
Tony
BlitzRCWorks Contra
Double Horse 9116
Blade mSR X |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dasBlade450 Hopping Maniac

Joined: 25 Dec 2011 Posts: 21 Location: New Hampshire
|
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:48 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
Tony.....
OT...but.....did you ever get down to Concord to the Rt. 106 Hobby Shop??
if so.....what'd ya think???
Cheers!! (waiting on the Thursday storm....could be nasty!!! ) _________________ I'd Rather Be FLYING my Blade! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:44 pm
Post subject: Thanks for the information |
|
|
Thanks Guys
I just want to know a little more about these little batteries. I'm use to working with my solar panel batteries but these are a whole new animal. What I'd like to do is be able to charge off my 12 volt system here in the house. Or in the field. Somebody probably makes one you can buy. I can always use the inverter oto plug into but the inverter uses battery power so I try to stay on 12 volt. Oh yeah it's 54 degrees and suppose to be 64 today but it's cold and rainy out so I'm staing in.
Tom |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 10:14 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
YoTony,
That was a great article on the care and feeding of lio batteries. Thank you very much.
Tom
Just went back to re-read the article. The C rating really blows my mind but I'll get my pea brain wrapped around it sooner or later. Thanks again for the link to the article.
Tom |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
TonyD Hopping Maniac


Joined: 15 Dec 2011 Posts: 45 Location: Jefferson, New Hampshire
|
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:38 am
Post subject: |
|
|
Hey Tom,
No problem, located on that web site is also a page explaining the various chargers / balance systems available for charging these new generation of batteries.
Anyhoo _________________ Keep Em Flying
Anyhoo,
Tony
BlitzRCWorks Contra
Double Horse 9116
Blade mSR X |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
solentlife Extreme 3D


Joined: 30 Dec 2010 Posts: 872 Location: Latvia / UK
|
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:30 pm
Post subject: Re: Need to understand batteries |
|
|
| carr52 wrote: | Howdy from SC
I'm sure everyone here has heard this before but I would like to know some more about batteries. Like what does 15C and 1C and stuff like that mean. Heck an old fart like me I'm doing good to check email and get it right. I tried to send a picture the other day and ended up sending it to myself. Go figure. I get the mah part. The higher the number the longer it will last. Oh well. Thank you for the help folks.
Tom |
Not quite ...
S = Voltage by cell count. ie 2S = 7.4V, 3S = 11.1V, 4S = 14.8V ... based on nominal voltage per cell.
P = how many cells in Parallel ... usually most of use 1P - that is all cells are in series.
mAh = storage capacity of the pack and this determines run time based on amps draw of load.
C = This is a combination number of charge / discharge amps against capacity and ghives the maximum amps pack can do without terminal damage ... ie lets take a standard 450 pack .. 3S 1P 2200mAh 30C
This then gives a 3 cell 11.1V, no parrallel cells, 2200mAh capacity and 30C discharge rating. The max amps it can supply in theory is :
30 x 2200/1000 = 66Amps .... for short burst. ....
Yes - I know why can't they just keep it simple !!
For charging - I always look at the capacity of the pack, here it is 2200mAh which is same as 2.2A/hr ... so a safe charge rate is 2.2A, at the S size of 11.1V.
You can in theory charge at much higher rate - but that a) gives less overall charge and capacity, b) can shorten life of the pack. But is useful on the field if you want one last flight out of a pack ....
I'm no expert on LiPo ... and I'm sure another will correct or add to what I put here ...
My advice to anyone starting with LiPo ... get a reasonable charger such as the B6 or similar ... it takes all the guesswork out of these packs. _________________ If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:26 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks folks, so from what I get from all this information is a slower longer charge is better and LiPo batteries are easy to ruinif you dont treat them right. I know they aint cheap so you can bet I'm gonna treat mine with love and care. Thanks again everyone for the help.
Tom |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:51 am
Post subject: Where to buy batteries |
|
|
I was wondering if anyone knew a good site to buy batteries for the mcx and the msrx. A lot of places have them on back order or not at all. Thanks all.
Tom _________________ Esky Big Lama
Blade-MSR-X, Blade-MCX, Blade MCPX,
Xieda-9958, E sky-Nano
DH 9100, Alot of Syma's
Novus 125 FP |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
nick_onelove Extreme 3D


Joined: 01 May 2011 Posts: 827 Location: Mendocino County, CA, United States 21 years old
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:12 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
This is all I can find currently:
http://www.rcplanet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VNR1584&click=107101&Click=106800&gdftrk=gdfV23720_a_7c1734_a_7c7524_a_7cVNR1584
E-Flite has their own 150mAh, 25C batteries out now too, but they never seem to be in stock lately. _________________ Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:10 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
Thats great. Thanks Nick. These things are hard to find at a decent price. Thanks again. Now I just need to find a charger that can charge more than one at a time. E-flite use to include a 4 port charger in the msr original. I might have to make a run back into the city to the hobby shop. Hate going into town.
Tom _________________ Esky Big Lama
Blade-MSR-X, Blade-MCX, Blade MCPX,
Xieda-9958, E sky-Nano
DH 9100, Alot of Syma's
Novus 125 FP |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:00 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
Good morning all. Was just charging an eflite battery on the usb charger and decided to stop and check the voltage on it. The light hadn't gone out on the cable yet to show it being done but checked anyway. Tester showed 4.5 volts. That can't be good for the battery can it? Voltage that high I mean.
Tom _________________ Esky Big Lama
Blade-MSR-X, Blade-MCX, Blade MCPX,
Xieda-9958, E sky-Nano
DH 9100, Alot of Syma's
Novus 125 FP |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
tombo242 Extreme 3D


Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 3633 Location: Santo Estêvão, East Algarve, Portugal. 76, but still feels 18.
|
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:47 am
Post subject: |
|
|
No way should it be that high Tom. 4.2V max is the correct high charge level.
Tom. _________________ Keep Smiling  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
carr52 Extreme 3D

Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 168 Location: South Carolina
|
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:56 pm
Post subject: |
|
|
Howdy folks, Tom here. Not that I dont believe the manual but I'm the curious type. Some youtubers say to charge your batteries at 0.3 amp if it's a 200 mah battery. The manual for the MCPX says to set it at 0.7 for the 200 mah. I understand "normal" batteries but lipo batteries are different. What a good setting to use so as not to hurt the battery. Thanks.
Tom _________________ Esky Big Lama
Blade-MSR-X, Blade-MCX, Blade MCPX,
Xieda-9958, E sky-Nano
DH 9100, Alot of Syma's
Novus 125 FP |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
pjdog Extreme 3D

Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 1732 Location: Hudson, Florida, USA
|
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:21 am
Post subject: |
|
|
a 200 mha charge @ .2. A 1800 mha charge @ 1.8.
Jack |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|