[NSRCA-discussion] Advice on battery checkers

[Gordon Anderson]

Thanks Rex and Derek for the comments on my Maestro.
 
The Maestro is more than a battery testing device but that is its main function
. It does test the battery with no load and with a user programmable load, it
then calculates and displays the packs internal resistance. It has programmable
alarms points and two difference voltage profiles you can configure.
The Maestro also measures the pulse width going to a servo from your receiver,
it will drive your servo and you can use it as a data logger.
There are lots of good options available for battery testing, I think the most
important thing is to pay attentions to your flight packs condition with some
kind of load applied to your pack when you test its voltage.
If your interested in the technical details its completely "open source", all
the technical details including a technical description,  schematics and source
code on on m web site. I designed and built this as my entry in a Circuit Cellar
design contest sponsored by Atmel. 
 
--Gordon, www.mstart2k.com

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From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Rex
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 3:34 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Advice on battery checkers


I have the very first one ever made!   I'm Special!  lol
I've been using it for about four years...  It is a very cool tool.
I urge anyone interested to browse through the manual.  It's a really
good "at the field" diagnostic tool!  I check my gimbals all the time by 
simply plugging into the appropriate channel in the receiver and moving the
stick...  Watch the reading on the screen and presto chango, I know if things 
are okay or not!  It is programmed for many different uses and simple to use...
Single button operation.  It doesn't get any easier than that!
 
 
Rex








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il.com
To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Advice on battery checkers




I do have the serial interface but haven't needed to use it since Gordon
programmed mine with what I needed at the time I purchased it.  Changing
parameters in the interface is very straightforward.


On Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 11:50 AM, Pete Cosky <pcosky at comcast.net> wrote:


That really looks like a cool device. 
 
Do you have the serial interface as well? If so how easy is the configuration?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Derek  <mailto:derekkoopowitz at gmail.com> Koopowitz 
To: General pattern  <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> discussion 
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 2:23 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Advice on battery checkers

I would go with Gordon Anderson's Maestro - I've been using it for a while now
and love it.  I check my batteries every flight but unfortunately that isn't a
guarantee against battery failure either.  :-(  I had my ProLine go in after I
checked the 4 cell Nicad (5.56v and under load of 5.01v).  
 
Gordon's website is:
 
http://www.mstar2k.com/


On Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 10:56 AM, Gray E Fowler <gfowler at raytheon.com> wrote:



Since it appears my new plane crash was due to a "new" battery failure or some
kind of high drain, it is time to get back into the habit of checking the
stinkin' batteries before every flight. This is a habit I had early on, but 8
years in pattern and no battery problems made me lazy. I used to have that
cheapo $19.95 hobbico Expanded Volatge reader or some such, but what is out
there that I really should be using for my new $2000+ airplane?   Please let me
know what you guys think! 




Gray Fowler
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer
Radomes and Specialty Apertures
Technical Staff Composites Engineering
Raytheon
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