Lipo Battery Questions?

[jlepri]

I am flying a Piccolo Fun with an 8 cell NiMH Battery packs that are just about shot.  I am considering upgrading to Lipo's.  After reviewing the forum I concluded that it is best to go with 1000-1200 Lipo (2 cell) for a standard setup (piccolo plus with 310 motor).  Is this a correct setup that will give me enough power.  

Also, I am still on the long learning curve to hover and spend most of the time bouncing across the floor.  How best to monitor the voltage of the lipo packs so that I don't kill the cells.  I know there was some discussion on the IKARUS forum awhile back on a home made device that would light an LED when the voltage dropped below a point.  How are most people monitoring?

Thanks

[_Buzz_]

I flew your set-up successfully for about 12 months using 1200mAh lipos and the 310 motor, but make sure it's the 310G not 310L. The 310L is for higher voltages. I was hovering and doing a little forward flight so voltage checking wasn't an issue because the Piccolo stops flying BEFORE minimum voltage is reached using that set-up. Here in the UK there is a lipo voltage warning unit costing only £2.99 ($5.50 approx) so I'm sure there is something similar over there. The next upgrade would be to go to a brushless CDROM motor...far more power and more duration. I was flying mine to 27 minutes on 1200 lipos.

You should also be using Radd's lessons, which are normally available from Dream Models website, here http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html  but Radd informs me it's down at the moment so just for now you can find them here on my temporary space.
http://www.btinternet.com/~bejay_uk/Raddsflyinglessons.html

Good luck

[jlepri]

Thanks for the reply.

My concern with the low voltage warning was since I am still learning on the floor (trying to keep the Heli in the Box) I can easily drain the battery below hovering speed with out knowing.  I will shop for a warning device.  

Looks like 2 cells 1200 lipos are the ones for me.  

Thanks.

[davidcollins001]

Buzz, where can you get a lipo warning device for £2.99?

jlepri, 2 cells will be fine even just scooting around on the floor, you will know when to stop. I did  the same when I was learning with the 310 and 2cell lipo.

[_Buzz_]

David, it's a unit  by J.Perkins...I actually got mine from Nitroflight Models in Rotherham...my LHS.

http://www.nitroflight.com/#1X0

On the left hand panel, go to "electrical" then "batteries" and scroll to the bottom of the page.

The unit in question here is actually for 3 cells, but I believe there is an equivalent for 2 cells too although I'm not sure Nitroflight do it.

They work great too, I have them on 3 of my planes, a katana mini, a yak 55 and Jenny's Magister. The extra bright led is easily visible in the air.

[davidcollins001]

Thanks

[_Buzz_]

David, just found them on Sussex Models site in the lipo battery section. They do 2,3 and 4 cell versions at £2.98 each.

[nnranger]

I've successfully flown a Pic Fun on a 2 cell 1200mAh lipo for over 2 years.  I get between 15-20min out of them before it gets heavy and doesn't want to fly.   Just my 2c worth, FWIW

[edarter]

A friend of mine flies his ECO picc on 2 cell 1200's with the G310 and gets 10+ minutes without any issues. When I went to 2 cell 1200's I also made the jump to Brushless home made CD ROM motor, it was quite a culture shock to go from 7 cell nimH lasting 7 minutes to 2 cell LiPo and brushless lasting 25 ! but what a blast it was, gives you far far more stick time to learn with per pack.

[edarter]

Buzz - where were they on the Sussex site ? the only ones I can find are £12 !

Cheers

Ed

[_Buzz_]

I can't find them now either..they were the  same as this http://www.nitroflight.com/erol.html#631X2599 but 2/3or4 cell types...not switchable...different models.

Give 'em a ring or e-mail....see if they still have them.

They have them here
http://www.jperkinsdistribution.co.uk/list.php?subcat=29&cat=EnErG%20and%20EnErG-Pro%20lipos%20and%20accs&Navmain=Batteries/Chargers

Scroll down the page.

[edarter]

Cheers Buzz !