Duralite Review

[Racer38]

This is my First review for the Forum. An attached word document is also available for download.

Please let me know what you think. This is a pre release and I am awaiting a response from Duralite with anything I might have missed or any clarifications.

Thanks Craig

ARTICLE:

Duralite Batteries Product Review 10/11/2004

Being relatively new to the RC Helicopter hobby I am always asking questions about whats out there for new and improved products. I attended the BlackSheep FF last month and had a great time. One thing I noticed about the Heli Crowd is that everyone is always ready to jump in and give a hand, regardless of your skills and abilities.

I watched a lot of the 3D guru’s fly on Saturday and noticed that they were flying all day without charging batteries, I though they might be just changing out RX packs, so I asked around. Well I found out that they were using the new Lithium Ion Batteries, and it appeared that Duralite was what most of the flyers were using.

I spoke with a few of the pilots and asked for opinions, I mainly heard the same thing, get the 4000mah packs regardless of what I am flying. When I got home from the FF I went to the Duralite web site to see what they had to offer. (http://www.duralitebatteries.com/ )
I opted for one of the package deals that they offer.


He-pkg2
Helicopter Package 60 - 90 size (7.2 oz*)
Ideal for 60 - 90 size helicopter using Digital servos.
1 - #7404 - 4000 mah 4 cell 7.4 volt pack**
1 - #21007 - Charger 1@7.4 volt output w/DC Cable only
1 - #54051 - Regulator - 7.5 amp, 5.1 volt
1 - #21908 - A/C Adapter 800 mah
1 - #43051 - Digital Load Tester .5, 1 & 1.5 amp load
** specify flat or square pack
PRICE: $ $226.75 US

This seemed to be the best bang for the buck! I also purchased a second battery pack, and an additional regulator at 5.1 volts. I also decided since I was upgrading all my batteries to purchase the TX pack for my 9Z.

#136TXC9Z - 1300 mah - 6 cell - 11.1 volt pack
9Z Futaba Transmitter Battery COMPLETE WITH CASE
Ready to Install
PRICE: US $116.95
I placed my orders online and then gave them a call a day or so later to ensure the order was in the system, it was and I was told about the problems at the Florida plant due to the Hurricanes. They were running a little behind due to not having power for a few days.
I received my order after no more than 3 days which was a surprise to me. It was like an early Christmas! The battery packs are a bit heavier than the stock NiCad packs I had been running and since I am flying Raptor 50’s I was a bit concerned, but the Heli’s handled the additional weight without a problem.
I followed the instructions and charged all of the batteries, the one thing I forgot to get was a TX charger. If you use anything but a Duralite charger you will void your warranty and this makes sense since virtually no one warranties batteries. I tend to live on the dangerous side and I really wanted to use my new TX pack so I charged it with my Triton charger on the lowest amp setting for the Li-on batteries. It charged the pack to 12.56v, I do not recommend this to anyone and I know I am taking a chance but I really wanted to use the pack. I will be purchasing one of the Duralite multi-chargers as soon as the funds are available.
Now that both Heli’s were charged and so was the TX it was time to spend the day at the field. I flew approximately 9 full tanks on my Raptor 50 and checked the batteries with the Duralite load tester after each flight. The batteries dropped voltage very slowly and my final voltages were 7.08 on the RX pack and 10.96 on the TX. Stop fly voltages on the RX packs is 6.9 volts and the TX is 10.8v. I’m sure I could have put a few more flights on the packs and it looks as though I would have to charge the TX before the RX packs just because the 9Z is a power hog. Your flight times may vary depending on how hard you fly, I’m not into 3D yet, so I’m sure the battery voltage consumption is a bit higher for heavier use. This still equals out to 4 or 5 times more than a stock NiCad pack.
When I got home from the field I put everything on charge so I could check for any discharge tendencies sitting static for a week. I rechecked the voltage the next weekend and was happy to find that there was no change at all in the voltage reading after sitting for a week.
I am not going to get into all the technical data on the batteries, regulators, and chargers. You can get all the info you ever wanted to know straight from the Duralite web page.
I am going to talk a bit about product support.
I managed to crunch up one of my heli’s while practicing Auto’s. When I got home I was dismantling the remains and accidentally cut off the charging lead from one of the RX packs. I figured no problem I would just solder the lead back on and it will be good as new. (NOT) I tried to do a voltage check via the charge lead and to my surprise I got no reading at all. I tested the lead going to the switch and it showed a correct voltage reading. I went to the web site and did a bit of reading and found that I probably had damaged the charge safe circuit on the battery pack. I called up Duralite and explained the situation and was told it would probably cost about $10.00 for the repair and they would e-mail me a RMA form to include with the pack so I could send it back. They also thanked me for fessing up to my mistake I guess some folks tend to fib a little, but my philosophy is like this, if you’re gonna be dumb be tough!
I’ll update the review when I get the pack back and let everyone know how long it took and what the final fee was.
My dealings with Duralite has been nothing but Top Notch, their products are also top of the line in my book.
If your ready to do some upgrades to your RC stuff I highly recommend Duralite you wont be sorry !


Craig Gagner
Alias Racer38

[WillJames]

Interesting Review Craig. I most like the ease of use and charging, safety and reliability of failsafe switches and redundant and charge safe/cell balanced packs. :lolol

[Racer38]

Thanks for the comment Will, I was hoping to get a little more feed back, but the Poll is doing well. Shipped my RX pack off this morning hope it doesnt take too long to get it back.

If anyone has any comments please let me know, and if you have suggestions on articles or reviews send em my way ..

Thanks

Craig

[Clintstone]

I have been very pleased with my Duralite products and I have been helping them test some new products so look for an entire Duralite system in the Furture. The products are wonderfull but the people behind the products are tops also. Thanks Duralite for your hard work.

[Racer38]

Here is an update to my review:

I sent my battery pack in for repair, this is the one I cut the charge jack off of and shorted out the charge safe circuit.

Anyway, it took less than 2 weeks and it cost me $17.35 to get it repaired, I'm guessing 6 days were spent in the mail USPS Priority, and six days to get repaired. Not too bad at all.

I am extremely happy with the performace of the batteries, I havent flown more than 6 flights before a recharge but I know I can get at least another 4 or 5 before it hits the no fly voltage.

Thanks for Reading.

[Bonsai]

I switched to duralite because I was charging at the field everyday and was burning up NIcads...I was buying a new RX pack every 2 months...Since I switched I never charge at the field...I do moderate 3D and I get 8 flights out of my machines running all digitals..I just installed my TX pack yesterday and flew 4 flights..when I got home it wouldnt even take a charge..still to full...worked on a set up for my extreme for about an hour and when i tried to charge I got a dim light....I recieved a bad 4000 pack from the company and called them..No problem the gave me a RTA # and I recieved a new pack in the mail the next day..Now thats service..I consider Duralite's to be the best upgrade I have ever done.. Their Product is Top Shelf and so is their Support..
Dean

[Mbuemi]

so i ordered this package too - you need a differnet charger to charge a TX battery?

[Racer38]

Yes you need to get the bigger charger, it has 3 flight pack plugs and one tx pack plug. Its worth it. I now havea 14mz radio so I sold my stuff with my 9Z.
Look around you may find a used one for sale.

[Wayne]

Guys:

I'll open up a bees nest here but... The duralite batteries are fine. The regulators have problems. I can type a list of people who have crashed directly as a result of noise problems on the regulator with the 14MZ radio system or failures caused by the regulator failing with the "heavy duty fail safe switch".

Jack at Duralite was great on the phone, but it still cost me the price of a wreck. Again, I'm not whining but they need to strain relieve the wires that go into the regulator the same way fubata or JR does on servos. Right now, the wire is soldered into the circuit board, and is left hanging. We just can't do that if we expect high reliability circuits. The folks that have crashed build well and don't have stuff blowing up all the time, either.

Be safe please! I took both my regs out and sent them back, and I won't use them again until they straighten them out.

Wayne

[rcheliflyer]

I've considered the Duralite's but for me the pro's are not enough to switch
over from tried and true ni-cads.

Cost, new sysyem and chargers .
Added compexity, regulator, charging and weight considerations etc.

With the ni-cads they are inexpensive enough to change every year,
I slo charge and fast charge at a low rate occasionally at the field if needed,
usually need a break anyway and have more than 1 heli to fly.
At FunFly's there is a lot to do and see, plus other people flying and I usually fly fewer flights during the day than I would at home.

Then again Duralites do have a lot of consistent power available for a long time,
maybe in my next heli ? ;)

[Clintstone]

I have always fastened my wires back to the regulaor with velcro and I have never had a problem with the wires pulling off the boards. I spoke to Jack today and Duralite is going to start strain relieving the wires in the regulator so they can in no way be pulled from the outside directly against the Board. I am not insinuating that anyone that doesnot install something as I do is wrong. There are many ways to do things and I get lucky sometimes just ask HC. Anyway all of the units in stock and all the new units from Duralite will have this new feature implimented.
I would also like to comend Wayne for realizing he had a problem and having it tested. I had an optical sensor fail yesterday that I built over a year ago and I know I put it together good but a wire broke. Anything mechanical can have a problem , I sure take alot for granted when all my stuff works.