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05-27-2010, 07:50 PM | #1 |
RCC Supreme Contributor
I am: Rob B
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Batteries!
OK Guys;
This is an odd story – with a message… I had a GREAT LONG WEEKEND of flying! That came close to tragedy… I took out two planes (Fun One and P51), Two flights on the Fun One and I fired up the P51. I had a Great first flight and half way through the second flight I had a ‘Glitch’ – the P51 was out some 600 yards at 200 feet and I lost all control. As it dove to the ground I suddenly regained control and was able to bring it home. I went back to the Fun One for another two flights… At home I checked and tested everything – the battery was a little low so I cycled it and in the morning it came up fine. Off to the field I go with the Fun One and P51 – once there, on a hunch I checked the battery it was dead… the P51 stayed in the car and I flew the Fun One for four flights. Once home I confirmed the battery to be dead (it was only ten years old) and replaced it. – The P51 will fly again! After due consideration I rechecked my Fun One after sitting for two days it had 1.4 minutes of reserve power! I don’t know how old this battery is but it got replaced too! So; the lessons – 1. watch your batteries! 2. put a sticker on a new battery with the date of purchase (our memories aren’t what they used to be), 3. If you are using a battery cycler (like Accutec) be aware that they have a ‘Trickle’ charger to keep them hot after charging. This is great, but it masks a defective battery that cannot hold a charge. If you are concerned about a battery take it off of the charger for 24 hours to ‘Cool down’ and then do a load test to see how much charge it has. You may be surprised. Happy Landings!
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05-27-2010, 08:22 PM | #4 |
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I am: Flyboy 1 (Eric K)
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Re: Batteries!
Bought a tower pro battery level indicator off eb*y for less than $5 mailed! It has various LEDs to say when it's safe to fly. It gets plugged into any spare channel of the receiver and mounted anywhere visible with 2-sided tape. A must for my Raptor 30 (after I almost lost it with a dead battery just before liftoff)!
I've had batteries last over 10 years but others that didn't last 2. Age usually is not bad for them but inactivity is. Cheers |
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05-27-2010, 09:22 PM | #5 |
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Re: Batteries!
Have to agree with Jeremy - 10 years is way too old. I replace mine after 4 years but I don't fly jets like Jeremy so my needs aren't quite as demanding.
But geez 10 years!.... I would think for peace of mind let alone safety and to preserve your toys that you would consider replacing a battery sooner than that. |
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05-27-2010, 09:48 PM | #6 |
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Re: Batteries!
They must be Energizer.lol
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05-27-2010, 10:12 PM | #7 |
RCC Supreme Contributor
I am: Rob B
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Re: Batteries!
Yes, you are all correct, 10 years old is too much.
But, the planes were working, and I have a fleet of some 6-10 AC and I rotate through them and the battery packs get moved around and that is how they get forgotten and that is why I Suggest that you lable the battery packs ... Lots of excuses but no reasons. Learn from other people's mistakes - because you'll never live long enough to make all of the mistakes yourself. I came close to loosing TWO AC this week, and they both will be flying Saturday. THAT; is not a bad thing.
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05-27-2010, 10:15 PM | #8 |
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Re: Batteries!
My batteries sometimes get long in the tooth too, but that is one of the reasons I always check 'em with my voltmeter prior to each flight, just to be sure there are still enough electrons available, and knowing Bruce, he may well be exagerating a teeny bit, just for effect.
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05-28-2010, 05:10 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Batteries!
Quote:
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