1 or 2 battery packs

[arne997]

I am a newbee and just bought a 550!

What is the reason for buying 2times 3s battery packs instead of a single 5s or 6s pack?

Looks like most people are using 2 packs but I think it sounds easier just charging one single pack?

Has it with weight and size to do?

BR

[concept1]

Cost, is the main reason, not only the packs them selves but a charger to charge a 6s pack is more then a 3 or 4s charger, if you crash and damage a pack busting a $80-100 3s pack is better then a $230 6s pack

[ke6d]

I am a newbee and just bought a 550!

What is the reason for buying 2times 3s battery packs instead of a single 5s or 6s pack?

Looks like most people are using 2 packs but I think it sounds easier just charging one single pack?

Has it with weight and size to do?

BR

The 6S pack may be difficult to fit into a stock frame.

[ianjh123]

I used 2 x 3S packs to start, but have since bought a charger to handle 6S packs. A 6S pack is lighter than the 2 x 3S equivalents for the same cell size (by a little bit), and I have had no problem mounting in the plastic and now the Readiheli Custom frame. I would never go back to 2 packs. But getting the charger and balancers was an expensive exercise. Luckily I have never damaged a pack in a crash.

[oppie]

I used 2 x 3S packs to start, but have since bought a charger to handle 6S packs. A 6S pack is lighter than the 2 x 3S equivalents for the same cell size (by a little bit), and I have had no problem mounting in the plastic and now the Readiheli Custom frame. I would never go back to 2 packs. But getting the charger and balancers was an expensive exercise. Luckily I have never damaged a pack in a crash.

ianjh123, I just set up the CF frame from RH and next want to get a single battery setup. What battery did you use and what charger did you get.
thanks
Don

[Pinecone]

One reason is, you can use the 2 x smaller packs in other models.

You can fly the Hurry with 2 x 3S 2000-2500 packs. You can also use thos esame packs one at a time in a Trex 450.

You can fly the Hurry with 2 x 3S 3000 -3300 packs. I use the same packs individually in a couple of ducted fan jets.

But if you are only flying the Hurry, 6S is fine.

[ukgroucho]

Also - depending on pack choice and frame layout - having one pack 'up' on the front battery tray and one inside the body may help to move the weight of the packs 'higher'. Moving the weight up so that it is nearer the line of the tail boom (and the head) will make the heli less bottom heavy so it will roll more easily. Better for aerobatics but less stable if you are learning to hover.

[ianjh123]

oppie, I answered your question by PM, but for everyone else, I'm using an e-station 902, which can handle up to 12S charging (I have charged 2 6S in series with it). I also have the e-station balancers, which can provide cell voltage to the charger to be displayed. My current batteries are Hextronics 4100mAh 6S packs. I'm not impressed with these (dying after about 70 flights), and had more luck with the Truerc 4000mAh packs (about 100 flights before dying) I had before. I think A123 may be next in 8S.

[modelholic]

Any one have any experience with 5S packs - this seems to be the cut-off for most baseline chargers. I would like to go to single packs but my charger only does to 5S. I was thinking of 5S 3700 or higher.

[kgfly]

5s will be less efficient since lower voltage means higher current for the same power and losses are proportional to the square of the current (P=I^2R). You are likely to be stressing the pack more and hence potentially it will have a shorter lifetime, although there are many variables there. For these reasons it is more common to go to higher voltage rather than lower.

With all the new helis targetting 6s as the sweet spot and so many great new chargers around, although it represents another expense, it might make more sense to upgrade your charging solution to support 6s. You might find this summary useful.
Integrated Balance Chargers
===========================
These offer simplicity and convenience with the balancer and charger combined
in the same case. Simpler, more convenient, take up less bench space and
easier to transport.

--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Brand Model Chemistry Balancer Input Output Price (USD) Notes
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
FMA Cellpro4S LiXx only 2s-4s dc 50W/4A $75 Excellent, simple, hugely popular, great value
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Bantam eStation BC6 multi 2s-6s ac/dc 50W/5A $170 Proven high quality. Integrated ac/dc power supply is great
Hyperion EOS0606iAD multi 2s-6s ac/dc 50W/6A $150 Integrated ac/dc supply but not as good as the BC6
TP TP610 multi 2s-6s dc 80W/10A $130 New model from respected TP brand
Maxpro X6 multi 2s-6s dc 100W/5A $140 New brand, good user comments so far
Bantam BC610 multi 2s-6s dc 200W/10A $180 Same great charger as the BC6 but 200W/10A (dc input only)
Hyperion EOS0610iNET multi 2s-6s dc 250W/10A $170 Most bang for buck in terms of features+output power
Hyperion EOS0610iDUO multi 2s-6s x 2 dc 180W/10A each $270 Very handy if you discharge packs in pairs
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Bantam eStation BC8 multi 2s-8s dc 150W/7A $270 Proven high quality
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Chargery 1010B multi 2s-10s dc 200W/10A $240 New brand, good spec.s, no user feedback seen so far
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
FMA Cellpro10S LiXx only 2s-5s x 2 dc 300W/10A $190 New model with good pedigree but yet to see user feedback
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Graupner Ultra DUO 50 multi 2x-7s x 2 ac/dc 360W/10A $530 Very impressive beast, but expensive. Integrated AC power supply
for up to 120W max output power, else run it off DC to get 180W/10A
per port or 250W/10A on a single port. Appears to be two independent
channels, each with its own display and controls.
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------



Non-integrated charger+balancer combos
======================================
This is the older style where the balancer is an add-on accessory to the charger.
Less convenient since it means more boxes, more cables, more things to configure,
store and transport.

--------- -------------- -------------- ----------------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Brand Model Chemistry Balancer Input Output Price (USD) Notes
--------- -------------- -------------- ----------------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
TP 1010C multi 210V 2s-10s dc 220W/10A $300 Top performer, hugely popular in US
Hyperion EOS1210i multi 2 x LBA10 2s-12s dc 180W/10A $240 Good value
Bantam eStation 902 multi 2 x PB6 2s-12s dc 200W/9.9A $400 Proven high quality
MEGA POWER Infinity 960SR multi 1 x LCB12 2s-12s dc 180W/10A $200 Good value, great LCD
--------- -------------- -------------- ----------------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------

Notes
=====
1) "multi" means at least: NiCd/NiMH/Pb/LiPo/LiFe
2) "LiXx only" means at least: LiPo/LiFe

A BC610 for under $200 delivered would be an excellent option. An EOS0610iDUO gives you the ability to independently charge two packs at the same time, which if you are as tired of baby-sitting charging lipos as I am, is very appealing. In all likelihood you will also have to budget for a new DC power supply as well.

[modelholic]

Thanks - very helpful info.