2 Batteries for Receiver as Backup

[KarbonBird]

Just wondering how to have a backup power supply for the RX using 2 7.2V LiPo batts. I have seen one product that is supposed to do this (Gemini??) but saw some negative comments on it so I am keen to find out if there are other options out there.

[Billybuck]

Best to wire a BEC directly to the connection of the ESC to the main battery. Watch this finless vid.

http://video.helifreak.com/?subpath=finless/generic&filename=bec101.wmv

[KarbonBird]

ESC on a Gasser?

[Peter]

Why bother with a " backup" battery ?? Just use a larger one to start with , or parallel the 2 you have .. or charge it after a few flights , or fit an o/b generator ...

next you'll want back up servos , just in case ..........

[magasser]

Just get a Arizona Regulator & Fromeco 5200mAh lion battery and fly all day with piece of mind I do on my 2 gassers
Or as Peter said get a an o/b generator ...

Hi Pete heheheheh


Patty

[rbort]

For less than the weight of a battery (4oz), you can install an infinite battery also known as a Jewel generator and make your original battery a "backup" battery. Generators give you the freedom to fly at any time without having to have planned and charged, and to fly as long as you want on the field without having to ever think about the on-board battery any more. So, as long as your TX doesn't beep low battery (9v alarm), you're flying!

There is nothing better than flying around all day long and watching your battery monitor pegged in the green zone. You can't really appreciate the value of a generator unless you've tried one. Ask many who have one, none will fly without now and wonder how they managed without in the past.

Batterys also work, and you can always put a bigger battery in for longer run times, but you still have to charge and maintain them. It would the same argument as why not put a bigger battery in your car and remove the alternator. Just plug it in overnight so you can drive it to work the next day. Would you do that? Not really? So why not install the same system in your heli and be done with battery worries just as you don't think about the battery in the car? Its the same idea!

-=>Raja.

[KarbonBird]

I explored the generator option some while ago but unfortunately there is no easy installation for it on a GSR260. Some people have done it, but it requires cutting the aluminium frame, installing belts and pulleys etc which I am not keen on doing at this stage.

I bought a Powerbox Gemini today and 2 x 2500 Lipos. Looks to be a good setup.

[rbort]

Hi Karbonbird:

OK I understand where you are coming from. I'm sorry I don't have a mount for a GSR, I try to make mounts for the most popular machines and its hard to have a mount for every model out there. In this case definately go for the 2nd best option and I'm sure you will do fine.

-=>Raja.

[Rickard]

A easy way to use 2 battery packs, like i use on my big plane is to use a multiplex 9 IPD DS RX that have two battery ports.

I use two 2700 packs on my plane with 2 sepatate switches, and i can see on the battery checker when i only swith one pack on the diods go down to yellow when i move all servos together.

But with both switched on i get steady green when stiring the sticks around, as i remenber the RX use the main pack until voltage drops then the second kicks in.

So if a switch should fail, the other pack will continue to work.
It also have a programmable failsafe, and i have used it on both 6S heli as methanol and gasser helis without a glitch.