The upgrade trail! (now with videos)

[Olie]

Well I finally went out and bought a decent charger as I was sick of the crappy one that comes with the RTF kit.

I snaped up a Swallow advance 2 (AC/DC) And while I was there enquired about getting a better battery. Apparently the largest you can get for my super cub is a 8.4v 1200mAH.

Well I was slightly dissapointed.

Until I started looking into LiPO's and came across this:
Dual Sky 1000mAH 7.4v LiPO.
Connector JST Male
Capacity 1000mAh
Weight 55g
Size (mm) 68x35x11
Cont Current 16A
Max Current 30A (30 sec)

As compared to my Ni-MH
1200 mAh
8.4V
65 x 35 x 30
100g


So would this make a worthy upgrade?

or is it not suited for what i want.

linky:

http://www.modelflight.com.au/dualsky_lithium_lipo.htm
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited ]</span>

[SuperRoo]

About the only problem you may have with the LiPo battery in your plane is that the LiPo's need a specific (3v/cell) voltage cutoff. Without the voltage cutoff you run the risk of damaging the LiPo's.

I'm sure the Cub will have a voltage cutoff circuit in it, but I'm pretty sure this would be setup for nicds or nimh packs.

If you can afford it and fit it in the Cub, look around for a higher capacity lipo pack. Maybe something around 1500 - 1700mah. This will give you about 50-70% more run time.

[Olie]

My Other idea is that the battery housing is wide enough to run 2 side by side, wired in parallel. Should give 2000mAh.

I could go for the 11V version, but not sure how much my esc/motor will enjoy that.

[remotebandit]

Hey Oli , that 8.4V pack you got with the plane , is that a sub C pack , actually looking at the dimensions , probably more a AA x 7 Pack .

[Olie]

Its a Sub-C pack

[SuperRoo]

I think the biggest pack you can run in the SC is 9.6v so the 11.1v lipo will probably make it smoke.

For around the same price as the Dualsky pack there is a couple of packs on Ebay you could look at too. Dont no how you'd go for size though.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-DURAKING-OEM-LIPO-BATTERY-7-4v-2000mAh-15C-30C_W0QQitemZ120145375510

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SANYO-Li-ion-18650-2350mAh-7-4V-Battery-pack-Deans-JR_W0QQitemZ230155646325

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Dualsky-1700mAH-7-4v-lipo-pack-13C_W0QQitemZ330149832887

[Olie]

Cheers RC_Nuts.

That sanyo looks about the right size. the other 2 are too long.

[Olie]

Ok After lots of reading around it seems that the standard esc will happily run 11.1v with teh change of a jumper.

I'm off to buy me a Lipo and some new props!

[SuperRoo]

That thing is going to screeeeeeem with a 11.1v lipo in there.

I recon we're going to need some footage of this thing in the air with this setup.


e107_files/public/520_movieorban.gif
<span class='smalltext'>[ 520_movieorban.gif ]</span>

[Olie]

Well it was up in the air today.
OMFG
70 degree's on climb into quite a wind.
kept the throttle at about 50% and down to 30% when going with teh wind.
on Nimh:
cimbed... eventually, Once up there it got hammered by the wind. Battery lasted not long at all with the wind.

What I picked up today was:
Flight Power Evo 25 1800mAh
Flight Power V-Ballencer

$165 later... !lmao

So future upgrades are:
Airlions (fairly easy mod)
New Radio
Brushless

!lmao

I'm addicted!
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Mon Aug 06 2007, 06:51PM ]</span>

[Olie]

So here are two sneek peeks

My Larger 1200mAh NiMH Pack:

http://i121.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid121.photobucket.com/albums/o235/Olie1584/MVI_0920-1.flv

With LiPo Power (had to get a better grip on it as it wast trying to get up in the air)
http://i121.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid121.photobucket.com/albums/o235/Olie1584/MVI_0924-1.flv
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Mon Aug 06 2007, 08:22PM ]</span>

[Olie]

Well in a lapse of concentration today I managed to score myself a new toy:

http://www.modelflight.com.au/spektrum/spektrum_pic/spektrum_dx7_b1.jpg

Should be here on Friday ready for the weekend. !amazed

[stone]

LoL,cool bananas.

[Olie]

http://www.youtube.com/v/OE5k4DoM9tM

LOL

Gets up in the air nice and fast :D
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Tue Aug 07 2007, 07:15PM ]</span>

[Olie]

some more videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TCf1FJvm5I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BL2xSsW5d4

[remotebandit]

Whoaaa nice radio olie

[Olie]

Only had about 5mins of run time before a huge massive gust of wind snaped my wing clean in half, managed to get it down okish with minor damage.

need a new wing now.