Newbie question

[Major Bladebreaker]

I bought a DN 1350 Mah, 20 C Li-Po and plan to run it on a Helimax Axe CP. It has a 380 brushed on it as well as a small tail rotor motor. The ESC is not sophisticated enough to have an auto-cutoff, so I'm wondering how much flight time I would have on the battery before I began over-discharging the Li-Pos? Can anyone help me figure this out? Thanks!!

[Jermo]

I'd suggest you buy a battery monitor. It connects to the battery and gives you a visual/audio indication that the batter is at a low state so you know to land. There are several available..
Jermo

[Major Bladebreaker]

I think most monitors plug into the ESC? The Axe has an all-in-one board so I'll need other options. Thanks!!

[Jermo]

I wired mine into the battery connector (deans). It reads straight from the battery. That's how most i've seen connect.
Jermo

[Major Bladebreaker]

Aren't there two ends? ...meaning it has to connect into the line to the ESC? Anyway, what brand would you recommend and where do I get it? Thanks!

[Jermo]

There are several, I can't really suggest anything specific since the one i'm using is very hard to get. There is a guy on the forums here that can make them and several available commercially. Post in the 450 forum if you have a 450 and see what's available. It would be nice if someone local to Italy can help you out. If you are handy with electronics you can make one.
Jermo

[Pinecone]

No, it connects directly to the battery to read battery voltage. It just activates a visual and/or audible alarm when the pack gets low. Efliernz on theis forum makes very nice ones.

The other option is something like the Dimension Engineering voltage guard which will actually reduce power, but two things. 1) It will be hard to setup on your all in 1. 2) Do you really want to lose power while flying a heli? :) That is why most people do not set a low voltage cutoff.

[SinxarKnights]

Ha, that is a good point Pinecone. I was just thinking about having an auto-cutoff. I could see it now, 50ft up and a hard drop into the ground.

Would you have to get a different low voltage alarm if you switched to a higher voltage battery? Or are they adjustable?

[Jermo]

most are adjustable.
Jermo

[Pinecone]

Efliernz sells both fixed and adjustable ones. And most helis are setup to fly on a given pack voltage, switching voltage is not just popping in a new pack, so there is a bit more to the conversion.