Any reason not use the T600 BEC+ regulator on a nitro heli ?

[kgfly]

I recently learned that nitro pilots here in Australia are paying $80 to $180 for their Rx voltage regulator and I am struggling to understand why.

The stock Align unit that ships with the TRex600 (K10336A) is $24 and seems to have much the same features and a 3A rating AND comes with a step-down regulator for the tail servo. It is used on a 50-size heli (T600), apparently without a problem AFAIK, so it must be up to the load of those size servos.

Heck you can even get 3A switchable 5V/6V UBEC for $14, although that doesn't have the fuel-gauge and switch-harness that comes with the K10336A.

So someone please educate me, why would I pay $180 for a Fromeco Arizona regulator when it appears I can do the job for $24 from Align?

Note these are A$ prices and the Arizonas might be cheaper in the US, but then so will the Align unit.

BTW - I am not going from electrons to fossil fuels, this question came up in discussion and I thought I would tap into the HF brains trust for an answer.

[DebianDog]

I run the Duralite regulator with built in HD switch in all my Nitro and Gas birds (Around $60). Why?

• Large heat sink.
• Full RF filter in and out
• Rated at 7.5 amps but tested at 10 amps.
• Switching Style' type regulator

The heavy duty (HD) switch itself is a multi pole design which has proven to withstand vibration better than the standard single pole switch. If the switch or wiring between the switch and regulator were to fail regulator stays in the on state until you unplug it from the battery.

When I am flying a $2000 camera on a $3000 helicopter I do not want a failure of a $20 regulator or $5 switch to be the cause. ;)

But mostly because it is designed for use with the DURALITE system. Because once you spend the money you never have to worry about them again. One charger with auto cut-off, get done flying plug all your heli's and radio into one unit. Done. No problems no muss no fuss.

Like all things you can buy "off brand" and get the same or maybe better or maybe worse.

The Arizona Regulator is only $65 U.S. and is of the same quality

[Finless]

Kgfly, I would use the Align one too! It's cheap.... BUT you gotta watch it. It is only 3 AMP and some of the higher powered digital servos and with a 611 gyro and servo will be to much for it. I have already heard of some Trex600 guys having problem with the Align one shutting down for a split second when they were running the new JR or Airtronics 94758 servos. They are power hungry servos!
I have had no problem with 9252's or the Hitec's like what I am using 6975's. So you absolutely can use the align regulator just be sure the servos you use will not over power it.

BTW if you look at some of the PRO's Trex600's like the Szabo's you will see they are running duralite regs!

Bob

[kgfly]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I suddenly realised there is one extra servo on a nitro bird (eHeli: 3 swash + rudder, Nitro: 3 swash + rudder + throttle) so this would naturally mean more load even if everything else was identical.

The Duralite regulators are rated at 7.5A and include a well regarded switch so I can see why they would be more expensive than a 3A unit. I guess the switch in the Align unit has yet to show its durability given they have only been out for a few months. I imagine the typical vibration environment in a nitro would be worse than for an eHeli and hence require a more expensive switch to achieve an equivalent reliability/lifetime.

It also looks like the price differential is only 3x in the US vs 7x here so there is less incentive to be creative.

[DebianDog]

No actually I know of several people that have had the 3A BEC fail.
I suspected mine as well. I just upgraded to the Align 6A one. (K10364TA) $17 So it is Align Cheap too :)

and like someone told me. "If there was not a problem why make a 6 Amp one" ;)

The fins do NOT make the placement as easy either.