mayan
Legendary member
It seems to beep even though it doesn’t reach the battery set limit...
Hobby Newbie Learning Diary; Family Included!
- Thread starter mayan
- Start date
PoorManRC
Master member
I appreciate that. I've been under a LOT of stress lately! We might end up being Homeless, without a Miracle....
The Support from you Guys is priceless!!
They monitor the individual cells, so make sure they're all above the minimum and not jyst the total. The voltage sags when you give full throttle, so what you see on the ground will be different to what the alarm sees in flight. The crappier or more worn out the batteries are, the more voltage sag you get.It seems to beep even though it doesn’t reach the battery set limit...
Also, they're programmable. You can adjust the level at which the alarm sounds. If you think it's too high, turn it down a bit.
FDS
Elite member
Also if you have not got a sufficiently high discharge pack for the motor load then it can dip into the red, for example a 25C 800mah is actually outputting less than 25A, as C is measured at 1000mah, if you have a peak motor load of 25A and a few servos on then you could easily be sagging the cell voltages enough to pip the alarm.
If you have a cell checker that can look at the IR (Internal Resistance) of each cell you can get a much better idea of what the pack condition is like. Lipo chemically degrades over time, eventually the IR increases to a point where it impacts performance and heavy use can accelerate the process.
If you have a cell checker that can look at the IR (Internal Resistance) of each cell you can get a much better idea of what the pack condition is like. Lipo chemically degrades over time, eventually the IR increases to a point where it impacts performance and heavy use can accelerate the process.
Hai-Lee
Old and Bold RC PILOT
Just to clarify any potential misunderstandings about battery capabilities and any possible unintentional misuse which could be dangerous to some I will post a little info on battery capacity and "C" ratings.
A battery capacity is generally expressed as a function of the discharge current achieved over a measured time. The battery is first fully charged and then discharged to what is considered as zero capacity.
The "C" rating is a measure of the recommended absolute maximum continuous discharge current to which the battery can be subject on a regular or continuous basis without severe and permanent damage.
With a battery labelled as 800mA 25C the capacity is 800mA and the "C" rating is the 25C, (25 times the battery capacity).
The 800mA means that the battery can supply 800mA continuously for a period of one hour before being depleted, (assuming the battery was fully charged at the commencement of the discharge).
The 25C means that the maximum recommended discharge current is 25 times the capacity which is (25 x 800mA), 20000mA or 20Amps. The "C" rating is a discharge rating and is NOT a charge current rating!
The "C" rating is independent of the terminal voltage!
I hope this clarifies matters!
Have fun!
A battery capacity is generally expressed as a function of the discharge current achieved over a measured time. The battery is first fully charged and then discharged to what is considered as zero capacity.
The "C" rating is a measure of the recommended absolute maximum continuous discharge current to which the battery can be subject on a regular or continuous basis without severe and permanent damage.
With a battery labelled as 800mA 25C the capacity is 800mA and the "C" rating is the 25C, (25 times the battery capacity).
The 800mA means that the battery can supply 800mA continuously for a period of one hour before being depleted, (assuming the battery was fully charged at the commencement of the discharge).
The 25C means that the maximum recommended discharge current is 25 times the capacity which is (25 x 800mA), 20000mA or 20Amps. The "C" rating is a discharge rating and is NOT a charge current rating!
The "C" rating is independent of the terminal voltage!
I hope this clarifies matters!
Have fun!
mayan
Legendary member
Calling all Fellow Pilots!
Went flying two days in a row and spent 2/3 of last nights shift editing the videos to be able to get your honest tips and pointers.
So please pretty please feedback these flying sessions.
27-11-2018 : Family Flying Day
28-11-2018 : Flying with a friend from work
P.S.
The other 1/3 was spent on building the wing of the modified TT that I am working on.
More to come soon...
Went flying two days in a row and spent 2/3 of last nights shift editing the videos to be able to get your honest tips and pointers.
So please pretty please feedback these flying sessions.
27-11-2018 : Family Flying Day
28-11-2018 : Flying with a friend from work
P.S.
The other 1/3 was spent on building the wing of the modified TT that I am working on.
More to come soon...
Good progress!
Two comments:
1. I don't know if you do this, but in case you don't, always check the wing tips after a hard landing, and straighten them if they're bent. One tip bent down a bit makes a big difference to the planes's trim.
2. Your plane looked a bit twitchy at times. Are you using the dual rates. Once you have your plane properly trimmed, you should use the low rates for take off and landing or any other time things become difficult. Before launch, use a checklist (in your head): control surfaces moving correctly, wing tips straight, rates on low, etc.
All you need now is more time in the air. It was great seeing your family out there.
Two comments:
1. I don't know if you do this, but in case you don't, always check the wing tips after a hard landing, and straighten them if they're bent. One tip bent down a bit makes a big difference to the planes's trim.
2. Your plane looked a bit twitchy at times. Are you using the dual rates. Once you have your plane properly trimmed, you should use the low rates for take off and landing or any other time things become difficult. Before launch, use a checklist (in your head): control surfaces moving correctly, wing tips straight, rates on low, etc.
All you need now is more time in the air. It was great seeing your family out there.
mayan
Legendary member
You are right on the first movie it was twitchy somewhere around 10:10 you could clearly see that it was pulling left very hard. I straightened out one aileron and things got better still tried trimming here and there. Unfortunately I don’t have the low / high rates thing setup ;(. So I am always on high rates.
You need to figure out how they work. They're quite important. Sometimes, there are derault settings, like 60%, so with your stick pushed fully to the side and back, you should have maximum angle on your ailerons and elevator. Hold it like that while you operate each dualrate switch to see if either or both teduce the movement. If they don't, you have to find out how to program them.
PoorManRC
Master member
Except for the "usual" N00B bumps and bruises, that looked GOOD!!
You have one thing I definitely need... A KID to go chase the Plane!!!
I'm not going to give flying advice, I still don't know enough myself!!
@d8veh - what are good settings for dual rates, high and low? Sweep and Expo.... I'm close.
You have one thing I definitely need... A KID to go chase the Plane!!!
I'm not going to give flying advice, I still don't know enough myself!!
@d8veh - what are good settings for dual rates, high and low? Sweep and Expo.... I'm close.
The
Some planes are so docile that you don't need to use dual rates. Dual rates should only really be used if your plane is already trimmed. I've seen planes that were so far out of trim that the low-rates didn’t leave enough movement to get the plane flying straight, so you have to be a bit careful. I would normally use 60% on the low-rate and 100% on the high-rate as a starting point. After the first flight, I'd change it to exactly how I wanted the plane to fly, but you need some experience to do that. Obviously, if your plane is too lively in responding to controls, you need to reduce throws, assuming that you have the G-spot right.
In the old days, we disn't have these luxuries. If your plane was too lively in the first flight, your only option was to reduce the total throw using the holes in the horns. The dual-rates gives you the option to have a lively plane for when you feel safe (nice and high) and a docile one when things became tricky, like landing and take off.
It takes a bit of practice to be able to operate the dual-rates switches, as you'll find out, but if you take off on low rates and keep them on until you're nice and high, you have all the time in the world to switch them over to have some fun and test your skill. As a beginner, your brain will be too busy to figure that out when you're on your own. Having an experienced flyer with you for your first flights makes a massive difference because he can coach you in these things, and most important, he can trim the plane out for you, so that you know it will all work properly.
There's not an exact answer. I differ in opinion from HL in that I say you wouldn't miss expo. It's optional. Some people like it, and some don't. It's not as important as the dual rates. Many of the cheaper transmitters don't even have expo. I never had it until I'd been flying for 10 years.
Some planes are so docile that you don't need to use dual rates. Dual rates should only really be used if your plane is already trimmed. I've seen planes that were so far out of trim that the low-rates didn’t leave enough movement to get the plane flying straight, so you have to be a bit careful. I would normally use 60% on the low-rate and 100% on the high-rate as a starting point. After the first flight, I'd change it to exactly how I wanted the plane to fly, but you need some experience to do that. Obviously, if your plane is too lively in responding to controls, you need to reduce throws, assuming that you have the G-spot right.
In the old days, we disn't have these luxuries. If your plane was too lively in the first flight, your only option was to reduce the total throw using the holes in the horns. The dual-rates gives you the option to have a lively plane for when you feel safe (nice and high) and a docile one when things became tricky, like landing and take off.
It takes a bit of practice to be able to operate the dual-rates switches, as you'll find out, but if you take off on low rates and keep them on until you're nice and high, you have all the time in the world to switch them over to have some fun and test your skill. As a beginner, your brain will be too busy to figure that out when you're on your own. Having an experienced flyer with you for your first flights makes a massive difference because he can coach you in these things, and most important, he can trim the plane out for you, so that you know it will all work properly.
Last edited:
Hai-Lee
Old and Bold RC PILOT
Here I definitely disagree with @d8veh . I started on old school radio gear and gas powered balsa models what seems a lifetime ago.
There was no expo back then and even dual rates was unknown/rare. The learning curve was not only VERY steep but also horrifically expensive. Many newbies fell by the wayside due to the cost alone, (i was one).
This time around I started with a cheap poor quality 6 channel which was not even truly suitable for model aircraft usage. Yes it had dual rates but that was all. I managed to get enough airtime between crashes to be able to learn to fly my models. (i persisted as it was not going to beat me this time)!
After quite a few more crashes i upgraded to a newer Radio with expo and the like. My crashes almost ceased totally overnight. When I experimented with expo my flying became very precise again seemingly overnight. I can still fly well without expo and at full high rate but that is just for my own satisfaction and enjoyment.
Others at my club noticed my rapid skill advancement and requested that i assist a few of the other newbies get flying properly. As a single example there is a lovely older chap who has hand tremors. He was desperately trying to learn to fly but he was an extremely erratic and nervous flier. I helped him setup his Tx properly and added a level of expo for him. First take off was so different to the past efforts that you would have thought he had been flying for years. His example was not the sole example. He now builds monstrous Balsa models which he flies beautifully every week. He recently started building a large Balsa P51 and has been honing his skills on our clubs version of a combat flying wing! His evolution happened in around 6 months!
As a result I am now training and advising newbies and all are started with expo and advised that they can reduce the setting or even remove expo when they can fly properly. Many do reduce the expo considerably but always leave an amount programmed.
When it comes to newbies, (myself included in the past), overcontrolling is a serious issue. ANYTHING that can help them gain airtime and hence flying experience early is a gift and should be used. I am not a gifted pilot BUT I am a hard working pilot with a lot of airtime. I have endured the disappointment of failure and try to avoid it in those I teach.
That others have learned to fly without expo is good for them, and that they still fly without expo is their personal choice. As the VAST majority of those using modern radio equipment use expo and some manufacturers and even user forums now specify expo settings I believe it should be used especially for the inexperienced or those who may have some malady like hand tremors or the like.
As a committee member of my club I have a responsibility to uphold safety. Expo, its use and its misuse are part of our training now along with other features such as failsafe and the like. NO NEWBIE at our club is allowed to solo without his setup being checked and this includes his expo settings.
Expo is a personal choice and it can assist with overcontrolling issues. To ignore expo for a newbie could almost be considered a safety issue. Experienced pilots are fully responsible for their own actions and failings but a newbie is relying upon the best advice to allow them to fly ASAP and as safe as possible.
The above is the basis of my disagreement.
Just the way it is at my club and my personal experience as an instructor!
have fun!
There was no expo back then and even dual rates was unknown/rare. The learning curve was not only VERY steep but also horrifically expensive. Many newbies fell by the wayside due to the cost alone, (i was one).
This time around I started with a cheap poor quality 6 channel which was not even truly suitable for model aircraft usage. Yes it had dual rates but that was all. I managed to get enough airtime between crashes to be able to learn to fly my models. (i persisted as it was not going to beat me this time)!
After quite a few more crashes i upgraded to a newer Radio with expo and the like. My crashes almost ceased totally overnight. When I experimented with expo my flying became very precise again seemingly overnight. I can still fly well without expo and at full high rate but that is just for my own satisfaction and enjoyment.
Others at my club noticed my rapid skill advancement and requested that i assist a few of the other newbies get flying properly. As a single example there is a lovely older chap who has hand tremors. He was desperately trying to learn to fly but he was an extremely erratic and nervous flier. I helped him setup his Tx properly and added a level of expo for him. First take off was so different to the past efforts that you would have thought he had been flying for years. His example was not the sole example. He now builds monstrous Balsa models which he flies beautifully every week. He recently started building a large Balsa P51 and has been honing his skills on our clubs version of a combat flying wing! His evolution happened in around 6 months!
As a result I am now training and advising newbies and all are started with expo and advised that they can reduce the setting or even remove expo when they can fly properly. Many do reduce the expo considerably but always leave an amount programmed.
When it comes to newbies, (myself included in the past), overcontrolling is a serious issue. ANYTHING that can help them gain airtime and hence flying experience early is a gift and should be used. I am not a gifted pilot BUT I am a hard working pilot with a lot of airtime. I have endured the disappointment of failure and try to avoid it in those I teach.
That others have learned to fly without expo is good for them, and that they still fly without expo is their personal choice. As the VAST majority of those using modern radio equipment use expo and some manufacturers and even user forums now specify expo settings I believe it should be used especially for the inexperienced or those who may have some malady like hand tremors or the like.
As a committee member of my club I have a responsibility to uphold safety. Expo, its use and its misuse are part of our training now along with other features such as failsafe and the like. NO NEWBIE at our club is allowed to solo without his setup being checked and this includes his expo settings.
Expo is a personal choice and it can assist with overcontrolling issues. To ignore expo for a newbie could almost be considered a safety issue. Experienced pilots are fully responsible for their own actions and failings but a newbie is relying upon the best advice to allow them to fly ASAP and as safe as possible.
The above is the basis of my disagreement.
Just the way it is at my club and my personal experience as an instructor!
have fun!
PoorManRC
Master member
@d8veh and @Hai-Lee .........
Two very different viewpoints of the same subject!!
I think I'm glad that I'm entering Flight now. I think FM would have driven me nuts!!
It was bad enough with Buggies and Trucks, with CRYSTALS, flags, TX surrender..... and even THEN, sometimes we'd get our signals crossed!!!
Ahhhhh....... The 80's...
I see Exponential as a means of softening my shaky fingers, off center. Dual Rates, I consider a Godsend!!! I like the idea of instant mode switching.
So....? 60% is a good starting low rate?
Hai-Lee
Old and Bold RC PILOT
@d8veh and @Hai-Lee .........
Two very different viewpoints of the same subject!!
I think I'm glad that I'm entering Flight now. I think FM would have driven me nuts!!
It was bad enough with Buggies and Trucks, with CRYSTALS, flags, TX surrender..... and even THEN, sometimes we'd get our signals crossed!!!
Ahhhhh....... The 80's...
I see Exponential as a means of softening my shaky fingers, off center. Dual Rates, I consider a Godsend!!! I like the idea of instant mode switching.
So....? 60% is a good starting low rate?
As I told you early on. Listen to ALL advice, and then do your own thing in your own way! Aids such as Expo etc are not compulsory but they are convenient for the inexperienced and the like.
As advice I gave it, as an order it should NEVER be considered!
Have fun doing it the way you want!
PoorManRC
Master member
mayan
Legendary member
Hey there everyone,
What have you all been doing lately? What have you been working on? Building? Flying? Crashing?
It's been awhile since I have been writing on the forum and it's not because I am a snob, was super loaded with work... On my spare time I have been working on a modification to the FT TT to give me a different flying experience and look. Working on it hard for a long time I finally proud to post about the experience and share the modification with the community. Let me know what you think: SpiTTT (TT w/ a Spitfire Twist).
What have you all been doing lately? What have you been working on? Building? Flying? Crashing?
It's been awhile since I have been writing on the forum and it's not because I am a snob, was super loaded with work... On my spare time I have been working on a modification to the FT TT to give me a different flying experience and look. Working on it hard for a long time I finally proud to post about the experience and share the modification with the community. Let me know what you think: SpiTTT (TT w/ a Spitfire Twist).
This.
I read that the best predictor of success is not a high IQ but a strong will. I suspect most of us here are smart, but it is those who just will not quit who win at this hobby.
Similar threads
