Glider electronics for newbies

[Obi-Wan B.O.B.]

Almost a complete newbie here so help me out. Links are even better. Links to pick up everything in one spot will get you bonus points.

Am I understanding correctly that I can hook a 1s LiPo straight to my receiver (currently a Spektrum AR410) to power the receiver and a couple 5g servos? What about heavier servos? Do I need a BEC? Will the connector from a 1s LiPo just go into the receiver or will I need to change the end/get an adapter?

Some of the reasons I ask this is because the 1s LiPo’s I’m finding are 3.7 volts and the Spektrum AR410 says it operates from 3.5-9 volts and most 5g servos ask for 4-5.5 volts.

Thanks in advance.

 

[flyboa]

Yes, a 1s LiPo will power the receiver and a couple servos. That's how I have been running my gliders for years.

 

[danskis]

@Obi-Wan B.O.B. - You can use a 1S battery - try to get one over/around 350mah. I've got servo connectors soldered to my batteries. Be care full to connect it correctly to the receiver. You may find a 2S about the same size and weight. You should be OK with those servos. Servos should work on that voltage but torque and speed go down. You don't need a BEC.

 

[Obi-Wan B.O.B.]

Thanks, guys. Just kicked in an order for a couple and I have some spare servo leads, a soldering iron, and I’m not afraid to use them. 😄

 

[cdfigueredo]

My Rx can't be powered by a 1S lipo, so i use this: https://valuehobby.com/3a-ubec.html

Specifications:

• Input voltage: 5.5V-26V (2-6S LiPO)
• Output voltage: 4.75V-5.75V
• Continuous output current: 3A
• Burst current: 4A (20s)
• Dimensions: 26x12x11mm
• Weight: 5g

Powered by a 25C 350mAh 2S 7.4V LiPO
https://valuehobby.com/25c-2s-350mah-lipo.html

 

[Obi-Wan B.O.B.]

My Rx can't be powered by a 1S lipo, so i use this: https://valuehobby.com/3a-ubec.html
View attachment 227021

Specifications:

• Input voltage: 5.5V-26V (2-6S LiPO)
• Output voltage: 4.75V-5.75V
• Continuous output current: 3A
• Burst current: 4A (20s)
• Dimensions: 26x12x11mm
• Weight: 5g

Powered by a 25C 350mAh 2S 7.4V LiPO
https://valuehobby.com/25c-2s-350mah-lipo.html

Well, my 1s 3.8v LiPo’s showed up yesterday. Even if I could use them, I have another issue: My charger requires the second “data” wire from the battery to charge and these little guys I picked up don’t have that additional lead.

So far I haven’t built anything that I can’t use a 2s or 3s for ballast on so it’s not an issue yet. Thanks for the tip and link, CDFigueredo.

 

[cdfigueredo]

Well, my 1s 3.8v LiPo’s showed up yesterday. Even if I could use them, I have another issue: My charger requires the second “data” wire from the battery to charge and these little guys I picked up don’t have that additional lead.

So far I haven’t built anything that I can’t use a 2s or 3s for ballast on so it’s not an issue yet. Thanks for the tip and link, CDFigueredo.

You are wellcome.
I tried to powered my Rx with 1s battery once and beside it turned on, at the time i plug 2 servos on it, the servos started to fail. So i used this UBEC and it is perfect!