[NSRCA-discussion] E-power

[Dave Reaville]

Hi Rex et al

Yep sadly this has happen to me as well. Hard lesson when you have a World Class, multi- FAI Canadian Champion on the sticks trying out your plane and you inadvertently load up a set of used packs. ARGHHH! (Lets just say it wasn't one of my best weeks of RC memories and leave it at that.)  Totally preventable.

You need a system that provides checks & balances to ensure that you don't find yourself in this situation as it's hard on batteries, planes and nerves :-). For a time I was using a method (from Chad Northeast) that had the leads wrapped together to indicate a charged set. Once unwrapped for use in the plane they are left that way until they are recharged.  This method works well for 10S setups and those running separate 5S packs that had both leads at the same end. It did work well for me but I have since gone to the new FP F3A pack's that, through weight reduction design, has the leads at opposite ends of the pack. 

I agree with Don A. that the voltage check is the only real assured way to confirm pack state. You have to come up with a routine that confirms the voltage prior to flight. I wrote a K-Factor article years ago on the CATT process I use before takeoff. Controls, Antenna, Trims, Timer helps me negate any "issues" with these items once airborne. So I now need to come up with something that includes the battery state.

As my canopy is the last thing to go on (switch is inside for that ultra clean look :-) maybe something simple like ABC for Aircraft - (wing attachment bolts?), Batteries (both the RX and main pack voltage check) before Canopy... I don't know for sure but something like that as we humans need all the help we can get. 

Food for thought,

Dave

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rex LESHER 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 8:02 PM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] E-power


  Been there, done that...  Most of us have, and won't admit it.. lol
  I finally got two colors of bands to place around the packs...  Green and Red.  When I get done charging, I place a Green
  band on the battery.  After I fly, I place a Red band around the pack...  I was thinking about how clever I was...  Right up
  until I flew a pack the other day that didn't seem to have much power.  It had a Green band on it!!!  Green means go, right?
  Some dumby got lazy and didn't follow procedure....   New Rule!!!   "ALWAYS CHECK VOLTAGE BEFORE FLIGHT, NO MATTER WHAT."
  I still use the color bands, but now the voltage gets checked anyway!  With multiple packs, it's easy to get confused  which pack is
  which.  Especially when you are preheating the packs in cold weather!  I got out of the habit of checking the pack voltage because I'm using
  the TP1010 charger, which displays voltage...   Bad habit, if you're not taking it off the charger and putting it in the plane.
  Just for you Don, MINE DEFINITELY TOOK MORE THAN 5200+.  All I will say is that the 5300's have more than 5300!
  I'm just wondering which pack you did that to?  lmao

  Rex
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