2 in 1 regulator ? [Archive]

wnafly

07-25-2007, 12:39 AM

will the 2 in 1 voltage regulator from align work with 9255 servos? They say 4.8 volt usage but so did the 9252 servos on my 600e and they work fine. :dontknow the specs. on the regulator say:

input voltage: DC 7.4V 2 cell lipo batt.
Output Voltage: DC 5.8V
Max. Continous Current: 6A

i have a 5.1 volt step down reg. for the 9254 tail servo
thanks for your support

Mercuriell

07-25-2007, 03:40 AM

wnafly

07-25-2007, 03:15 PM

that looks like the one on my 600e, the one i want to use for my nitro uses a 1900 mah lipo that came with it and has a clip for the glow plug, i like the idea of doing away with the external glow plug igniter, could i take the 5.1v step down regulator and put it between the regulator and receiver so i can power all servos including the tail? i really appreciate your answers, this is like going back to school. :? :)

Mercuriell

07-25-2007, 05:15 PM

You can but I think the dual stepdown might have better current carrying capability and as the 2 in 1 is rated at 6A this might give a bigger safety margin. Try it with the single way step down that comes with the kit but maybe order the above dual stepdown for the future - its only $5 !!

yoadrian

08-25-2007, 04:43 PM

I'm new to helis, and even more so to nitro powered ones. If I run a 5 cell AA Ni-MH receiver pack to all my electronics which should put me right at 6V (1.2v x 5) would that be a problem in any way, decreased life expectancy etc? My GY401 gyro is connected to a S9650 tail servo which is also rated for 6v.

Mercuriell

08-25-2007, 05:51 PM

Depends what servos you are running - most are OK on 6 V - the 9254/5/6 are generally considered not. The 9650 is a little slow for a tail gyro.

RTDillon

08-25-2007, 09:09 PM

They WILL work but would probably have a reduced life expectancy - general recommendation is NOT to use them on 5 cell NiCd which peak up to nearly 7V - a steady 5.9V from a regulator probably not too bad - there are a few people with hundreds of flights usage on 5.9 but safer to stick a dual stepdown lead between the 2 in 1 and the Receiver - you'd be pretty peeved to burn out your servos esp if the heli crashed and burned on the way!!

http://www.helikraft.com/ALIGN+RC/All+Items/ALIGN+RC/K10381A/5.1V+Two-way+Step-down+Voltage+Regulator+K10381A.html
Be very careful putting the step down between the regulator and the receiver. If the stepdown device is not rated for enough current it could burn open...no battery! Putting the step down between the regulator and the receiver would force all of the heli current thru it, not just the tail servo current.

Alfred

08-25-2007, 09:48 PM

I have got the Stepdown cable as it is cheaper then I could make it myself.
No way is it good for more then 1A as the physical size of the diode is just too small.
If you want to regulate all the voltage going to the RX from the Regulator down to 5.1Vdc, then I suggest to go to Tandy or what ever Electronic shop you have over there and ask them for a power diode that is good for 6A.

Alfred

08-25-2007, 09:53 PM

Here is a quick googled link:
http://www.futurlec.com/DiodesPower.shtml

Choose any of the 1st three of the top of the page and live happily ever after.

Finless

08-25-2007, 09:54 PM

WOW... ok some data here.

A 5 cell nicad is nominal at 1.2 per cell that is true. In truth when it is fully charge it's putting out almost 7V. This is WHY manufacturers do not want you using 5 cell on servos not rated for what they call 6V. Now the regulators put out a constant 5.8 to 5.9. Considering a fully charged 4 cell nicad puts out about 5.4 then 5.9 is really not that far off and in fact will work well on 4.8V servos. i have yet to see one die prematurely running of a regulated 5.8V.

Now you do not want to trust a single step down (a diode basically) to run all your electronics by putting it between the 2 in 1 and the RX!!!! IT doesnt have the Amp rating... The Align step down is a 1 amp diode!!!
If you really dont want to run 5.8 to your 4.8 servos for some reason then the proper way to do it is run a 4.8 nicad pack or run a 5V regulator (like a duralite) off a 2 cell lipo. OR just get a 4.8v 6amp BEC.

Bob

kraaijer

08-25-2007, 10:02 PM

Use the stepdown only between the gyro and your rudder servo... Nothing else!
Other wise you'll fry the diode and have no power anymore. Guess what happens next...

Finless

08-25-2007, 10:05 PM

Actually Align does make a dual step down that is 5A and they describe it going between the 2in1 and the RX.... BUT I wouldnt trust it! Why would you put a fuse between your power and the entire radio system? If it fails YOUR DEAD.

There are plenty of other ways to do this right and personlly I would worry about running the 9255's on a regulated 5.8V

Bob

Mercuriell

08-26-2007, 02:42 AM

Be very careful putting the step down between the regulator and the receiver. If the stepdown device is not rated for enough current it could burn open...no battery! Putting the step down between the regulator and the receiver would force all of the heli current thru it, not just the tail servo current.

As Bob says (and I did specify dual stepdown) Align do make this http://www.wattsuprc.com.au/product_detail.asp?pid=K10381A and recommend it for placing between BEC (sorry Skiddz!) and Rx - I don't know about the reliability of diodes - don't see why they should be more unreliable than any other link in the chain but you can get 5.1V BECS (eg the Fromeca Arizona) or else use a 4 cell NiCd. I have been very happy with the 2in1 which is a 6A regulator and glow O/P.

kraaijer

08-26-2007, 08:11 AM

Diodes ar actually very reliable components. I've never seen one go when used within specs...

Besides, BEC's use 'm too, except there's a switching unit involved to stabalize and regulate output. This beefs up de V to increase the 3V difference the regulator's need, then steps down again to the regulated output.

Finless

08-26-2007, 01:47 PM

Yes I agree diodes are pretty darn realiable but I dunno I am just not comfortable putting something between my bat and the entire radio system just to drop voltage unless it is a proven Reg or BEC. It's just me I am sure but I aint going to do that myself.

Bob

rcmarty

08-26-2007, 11:28 PM

So what's the final verdict on this unit ?
I've heard some good and bad.

Need to silicone/hot glue the wires coming out of the unit.
Keep away from the receiver , i've heard there a bit noisy. (im on spectrum)

How long / flights is the 1900 mah pack good for ? I'm also considering making up a 2s2p pack with the 1200 evo's (i bought 2) , this would give me 2400mah on board.

I've built up my 600e without and align electronics due to the reports of flaming esc's , bec's cutting out , etc.

I like the idea of the 2 in 1 system , but i must admit from all i've read about align electronics, i'm not in a rush to go out and buy one. I currently have a 6v 7.5a duralite reg on my 600n running off a 1200 evo 20 lipo. I'd like to have some monitoring of the voltage levels for an indicator/guideline for safe flights, the glow igniter would be cool also.

These have been out for a bit now and hopfully there are enough people to get a fair evalutation.
My 600n has 9451's , 401/9254 , gv1 , 4131 th ,

Thanks , martin :)

kraaijer

08-27-2007, 02:52 AM

I don't see how they can be noisy. The circuit uses filters to get rid of noise. You can have about 5 flights with the 1900 pack, as long as you don't have to start like 10 times or so since the glow driver will consume quite a bit out of the pack.

It's easy to use, and I like the idea of pressing a button and the glowdriver starts. No attaching cables and stuff...

Sofar I had no problems with it. No glitches at all either.

I know of other people that use the 2 in 1 to their total satisfaction.

Up to you...

Taffage

08-30-2007, 04:12 PM

Hi all,

I live in the Uk and have been advised by my local model shop that the UK distibutor has stopped selling the 2 in 1 regulator due to a number of heli's going down because of it, including the guys that owns them.

kraaijer

08-30-2007, 05:25 PM

Can you please elaborate your statement Taffage? Heli's going down because of it? Because of what... what's wrong with them.

Works great for me, you just have to keep an eye on the lipo ...

Taffage

08-30-2007, 09:07 PM

Can you please elaborate your statement Taffage? Heli's going down because of it? Because of what... what's wrong with them.

Works great for me, you just have to keep an eye on the lipo ...

Hi,

I can't elaborate much, I was simply told not to use it by the model shop owner and had this backed up by 2 members of the flying club. They apparantly have failed causing power loss and have been recalled by Skylinemodels the UK dealer.

Filby

08-30-2007, 09:10 PM

Ive seen these on 6 helis now that would have done over 200 flights in total and there hasn't been a problem. AND thats without hot gluing the wires.

JonesE

08-30-2007, 10:57 PM

Just installed one on my raptor 50 titan last night. Before this setup I had never had a glitch with regular nimh packs. Took it out for a test fly and almost CRASHED atleast 2 times because of a lock out.

kraaijer

08-31-2007, 03:58 AM

I seriously doubt that the 2 in 1 could cause a lock-out... The only thing I can imagine going wrong with the 2 in 1 is having problems starting the engine en pushing that glow driver button a lot. That consumes a lot of power. Going up with not enough electrons left in them lipo's and you're doomed.

I've been using it for 2 months now with about 50 flights or so. No problem...

As said before, I would like to know wat is wrong with them. Aparrently there's a shop that's been taking them of the shelve, but nobody knows why.

For me it's not enough that people report a glitch. Glitches can happen due to a lot off things.

Alfred

08-31-2007, 05:54 AM

Well so far I have just hovered the R50 in the backyard with the new 2 in 1 setup. I am hoping to get a flight this weekend.
What I have done is loaded it up with a 2A load and then wriggled the sticks like crazy and checked with a Voltmeter if the Voltage would go below 4.Vdc, while at the same time checking for heat build up on the Regulator.
It passed with flying colours. The reason for the change is that I am going to a Spectrum setup soon. On a test, the 2700mah NiMh failed miserable.
The fully charged pack managed in just seconds to have low voltage peaks under 4Vdc.
Not good.

Dflyer

08-31-2007, 07:35 AM

@kraaijer

When i bought one of the first 2 in 1's from Align i experienced some lock outs to ! Afterwards i checked all the solder points and resoldered some of them. Then i've put some ferrite rings onto the leads going into the receiver, since then i didn't have anymore problems with the 2 in 1. I also put some ferrite rings on each servo lead !

Grtz,
Dirk