[Tyler2]

I just got a 7.4V lipo and Castle Creations BEC regulator for my plane and as this is the first time I have used lipo as a reciever pack am not sure what I should be setting the regulator out put to. Should it be set to exactly 6.0V or a little bit more?

Thanks

[waylander]

Set it to what you want. The bec should hold that voltage.

[Tyler2]

Thanks for the reply. I understand that it should hold the voltage, I guess my question is what is the max voltage that I can put into the reciever? When I put the battery tester to it at 6.0V it was showing 5.8 under load, which is in the red on my tester and the battery tester reads green at about 6.3V under load, so can I put in a higher voltage in order to get the needle in the green? Or will this damage the electronics?

Thanks

[Ken Currell]

Originally Posted by Tyler2

Thanks for the reply. I understand that it should hold the voltage, I guess my question is what is the max voltage that I can put into the reciever? When I put the battery tester to it at 6.0V it was showing 5.8 under load, which is in the red on my tester and the battery tester reads green at about 6.3V under load, so can I put in a higher voltage in order to get the needle in the green? Or will this damage the electronics?

Thanks

Use a proper multimeter to check the real voltage under load. A battery checker might not be that accurate.
I really wouldn't worry about the small voltage drop you have. As long as the drop is above 4.5 volts it should be fine.

If you want to go higher than 6.0 volts you should check the specs for the voltage range on all the servos and especially on the receiver.
Most servos are OK at 6.0 volts.
Some receivers can't handle 6 volts.
I have several PCM receivers that are in that category.

Note that 6 volts usually means 5 nicad cells which is about 6.75 volts or a bit more fully charged.

[BigBreeze]

You could set it to about 6.2 or so and don't worry about it. You won't notice anything in flight though. Just make sure your Rx and Servos can take 6V. I use two 6.0V Draganfly Regs and 2S 1500mAh Lipos in my Yak for 2 years, never had one issue, and my surfaces are lightning fast. I think the voltage sags slightly to 5.8 for a moment as I fully deflect all surfaces on 3D rates, but it's no biggy to me. A little less voltage is just prolonging equipment life in my opinion. Like Ken says, 5cell nimhs are well above 6 V on a full charge.

[Tyler2]

Ok thanks for the responses. I was running a 5 cell Nicad before so maybe I will bump up the voltage a tiny bit.

Thanks

[Ken Currell]

That slight bump in the voltage is a bit easier on the regulator but everything is a trade off.
What is easier on the regulator is harder on the receiver.
I don't think you will really notice much difference.

Upgrading the servo wiring (if you haven't done it) would probably be more effective.

[moo]

I don't think it it matters to the receiver at all. I do know your servos will wear out faster (but you need the control authority and gears are cheap).
most likely that you could burn the servo motor out if you go with too high a voltage (some robotics servos are designed for 7.2V or 7.4V)

[Ken Currell]

Originally Posted by moo

I don't think it it matters to the receiver at all. I do know your servos will wear out faster (but you need the control authority and gears are cheap).
most likely that you could burn the servo motor out if you go with too high a voltage (some robotics servos are designed for 7.2V or 7.4V)

7.2 volts will definitely fry my Multiplex PCM receivers.
I have a dead one that somebody tried to run on a 5 cell pack.
It fried as soon as the power was turned on.

The newer Multiplex receivers are OK on a 5 cell pack.

All the Futaba and JR is likely OK.

[moo]

Some Spectrum receivers are designed for 7.4V, with two (2) Deans connectors for high current servos.