[NSRCA-discussion] E-power

[Rex LESHER]

Yep,  Don is right on the money...  I hate to admit it, simply because he can use it against me at a later date....
I kind of like my system of using the colors, but I'm thinking now that I'll do away with the Red bands...
When I charge, I'll place a Green band on the pack before putting it in the case...    I'll just check the voltage
with the "Really Expensive"  voltmeter  I bought especially for that purpose, BEFORE I put the pack in the plane...
Funny how it takes only one potentially EXPENSIVE mistake to wake a guy up!!!!
What it boils down to is simply the fact that you can have all these foolproof systems, but if you don't adhere to
the discipline of using them, these things WILL happen.

Rex
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Reaville<mailto:dkrev at shaw.ca> 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 10:40 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] E-power


  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<mailto:trexlesh at msn.com> 
    To: NSRCA Mailing List<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> 
    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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