I've been testing different batteries on my 400 sized quad. With GoPro but without battery it weighs about 950g running 9" props (larger won't fit) on 980kv motors. Either 10" props or slightly higher kv motors would be better (punch outs are rather moderate) but it's what I have at the moment. Size and weight of the battery thus make quite a difference in performance.
I have two 3S 35C 3300mAh/3400mAh Lipos at about 280g each which give me about 10-11 min. of flight with ok performance. I also tested a 3S 25C 2200mAh at 150g (edit: it's 190g) which gave me almost 9 Min. with much better performance. So the reduction in weight almost makes up for the missing third in capacity while obviously delivering better performance.
My fourth battery is a 3s 10C 4000mAh at 250g which doesn't prolong flight time at all but is horrible in performance (even though HK argues that 10C in their Multistar series is more than enough for a multirotor.)
Now I wonder where the sweet spot is? Should I shop for even smaller / lighter batteries (like 3S 1500mAh) or would a massive 3S High-C with 5200mAh turn things around? Or should I even go for a 4S and if so either a lighter or larger one (performance obviously beeing improved by the extra cell)?
Lokking forward to your thoughts / experiences with this...
I have two 3S 35C 3300mAh/3400mAh Lipos at about 280g each which give me about 10-11 min. of flight with ok performance. I also tested a 3S 25C 2200mAh at 150g (edit: it's 190g) which gave me almost 9 Min. with much better performance. So the reduction in weight almost makes up for the missing third in capacity while obviously delivering better performance.
My fourth battery is a 3s 10C 4000mAh at 250g which doesn't prolong flight time at all but is horrible in performance (even though HK argues that 10C in their Multistar series is more than enough for a multirotor.)
Now I wonder where the sweet spot is? Should I shop for even smaller / lighter batteries (like 3S 1500mAh) or would a massive 3S High-C with 5200mAh turn things around? Or should I even go for a 4S and if so either a lighter or larger one (performance obviously beeing improved by the extra cell)?
Lokking forward to your thoughts / experiences with this...
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