Smart-fly power expander with regulators
#3
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
ORIGINAL: Chris Smith
For those using Smart-Fly power expanders, do you use seperate regulators with dual 5-cell batteries (Nicd, Nimh) such as their Turbo Reg?
Or is the power expander alone ok?
Thanks,
Chris
For those using Smart-Fly power expanders, do you use seperate regulators with dual 5-cell batteries (Nicd, Nimh) such as their Turbo Reg?
Or is the power expander alone ok?
Thanks,
Chris
If you have any other questions about Smart-Fly equipment Robert has a forum here on RCU You can email him from his web site www.smart-fly.com.
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
Not sure I agree with some of the statements here. You can use regulators with the power expander when using 5 cell Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh batteries if you are not comfortable with unregulated 5 cell voltages . The only issue with using regulators is that it is almost impossible to get them balanced so only one battery will be supplying current unless it fails and then the power expander would switch to drawing from the other pack. The choice is yours. Take a look at the connection diagrams on the smart fly website.
Marty
Marty
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
Hi Chris,
I use the power expander and the reg. I use 2 x 5 cell nicads and have no problem. Batteries draw approx even. You have to check your servo,s and other electronic devices in the aircraft as this will determine wether you need a reg or not. In my case i run Futaba 9255 servos in my FB MB339, they do not like over 5.5 volts. If you are using say JR8511 then fully charged 5 cell pack say 6.9 volts approx is ok. Hope this helps
I use the power expander and the reg. I use 2 x 5 cell nicads and have no problem. Batteries draw approx even. You have to check your servo,s and other electronic devices in the aircraft as this will determine wether you need a reg or not. In my case i run Futaba 9255 servos in my FB MB339, they do not like over 5.5 volts. If you are using say JR8511 then fully charged 5 cell pack say 6.9 volts approx is ok. Hope this helps
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
ORIGINAL: afterburner
The only issue with using regulators is that it is almost impossible to get them balanced so only one battery will be supplying current unless it fails and then the power expander would switch to drawing from the other pack.
Marty
The only issue with using regulators is that it is almost impossible to get them balanced so only one battery will be supplying current unless it fails and then the power expander would switch to drawing from the other pack.
Marty
Chris, you're right about one thing, it's good stuff! Every plane I have (worth anything) has complete smart-fly sytems installed.
#9
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
The Super and Turbo regulators are actually only one regulator with dual heavy duty inputs and outputs. That is why the batteries stay balanced. If you take 2 regulators and match the voltage you will see a difference in the battery voltages after a few flights.
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
ORIGINAL: C2_Hobbies
Not true. As a dealer and user of Smart-Fly, I use both Super and Turbo regulators and the voltage of both batteries is almost identical (within .1 volt) at the end of the day. I plug in 2 IC4 C-volts in to the charge jacks on the regulator so I can see the voltage pre-regulated at all times.
Chris, you're right about one thing, it's good stuff! Every plane I have (worth anything) has complete smart-fly sytems installed.
ORIGINAL: afterburner
The only issue with using regulators is that it is almost impossible to get them balanced so only one battery will be supplying current unless it fails and then the power expander would switch to drawing from the other pack.
Marty
The only issue with using regulators is that it is almost impossible to get them balanced so only one battery will be supplying current unless it fails and then the power expander would switch to drawing from the other pack.
Marty
Chris, you're right about one thing, it's good stuff! Every plane I have (worth anything) has complete smart-fly sytems installed.
Marty
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
That is true Quist, not one documented case of a SUper or Turbo reg failure. Not to say it won't happen in the future, but two seperate regulators could also fail at the same time.
He builds great stuff, very heavy-duty!
He builds great stuff, very heavy-duty!
#14
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
Thanks for the discussion. If I didn't think the servos needed regulators I might not worry about them. The concern is regulator problems, overheating etc. But I'll take that chance to insure the servos operate properly.
I'm using 2 JR 8411s and 4 Futaba 9155s. What should the voltage be regulated to assuming 36-48 inch HD leads?
I realize that's a tough question but I've heard the 8411s will last longer with regulated voltage.
Thanks,
Chris
I'm using 2 JR 8411s and 4 Futaba 9155s. What should the voltage be regulated to assuming 36-48 inch HD leads?
I realize that's a tough question but I've heard the 8411s will last longer with regulated voltage.
Thanks,
Chris
#17
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RE: Smart-fly power expander with regulators
ORIGINAL: Chris Smith
Thanks for the discussion. If I didn't think the servos needed regulators I might not worry about them. The concern is regulator problems, overheating etc. But I'll take that chance to insure the servos operate properly.
I'm using 2 JR 8411s and 4 Futaba 9255s. What should the voltage be regulated to assuming 36-48 inch HD leads?
I realize that's a tough question but I've heard the 8411s will last longer with regulated voltage.
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks for the discussion. If I didn't think the servos needed regulators I might not worry about them. The concern is regulator problems, overheating etc. But I'll take that chance to insure the servos operate properly.
I'm using 2 JR 8411s and 4 Futaba 9255s. What should the voltage be regulated to assuming 36-48 inch HD leads?
I realize that's a tough question but I've heard the 8411s will last longer with regulated voltage.
Thanks,
Chris
Running a regulator will be fine with NIMH or Nicad but make sure it is set to 5.7 volts or lower. The diode protection in the power expander will give you a .5 volt drop.
You will also see a voltage drop over a 48 inch lead.