Duralite Regulator - Incorrect Output?

[rplumbo]

I have a Duralite 4000mAh pack and a 5.1V regulator. The fully charged pack reads 7.99V. When I plug it in to the regulator and measure the output, it measures 6.00V with no load, and dips to 5.79V under half an amp load.

Should the output of the 5.1V regulator not be 5.1V??

My setup is as follows:
7.2V pack --> JR HD Switch --> Duralite 5.1V Regulator --> Rx (or in this case, my voltmeter)

I have to believe this is a setup mistake.

Thanks!
Reid

[DavidH]

Put a 1.5 amp load on the regulator. The regulator is not loaded enough. Or check the voltage with the regulator powering the system. You will not need a load to do this, just check the voltage at a port on the receiver.
Also the Duralite pack when fully charged should read 8.2-8.4 volts with no load.
With a 1 amp load it should read 7.5-7.7 volts.

If you have a GV1 or GY 601 you can read the voltage for the regulator on the display of those. You can read the voltage when the powered up.

David

[rplumbo]

Wo!

DavidH, you were right! When plugged in to the system the GY611 reads 5.1V! Help me understand this because when with no load on the regulator, the output is 6.0V, with a .5A load, the output is 5.79V, and with a 1.0A load, the output is 5.54V. I don't understand how the system would load it so much that it would bring the voltage to 5.1V. I know the system is not drawing more than 1A nominally.

I don't have a Duralite load tester, I just have a homebrew voltmeter with a 7ohm resistance. The pack under that load ~1amp is about 7.8V.

In any case, you were right. Thanks for the good words.

Reid

[DavidH]

http://www.duralitebatteries.com/tech-acc.html

Q. I took a voltage reading off my regulator output and it was reading too high i.e. 6.9 volts verses 6.0 volts?
A. That is normal. Voltage needs to be tested with the regulator plugged into the receiver and the measurement made with a one amp load. The reading will be taken by plugging the Duralite load meter into the receiver (any open port) and pressing the one amp load button.

It is the 'Switching Style' type regulator (ie. not linear) with surface mounted electronic components and a large heat sink.

The switching style regulator means it needs a load on it to work correctly. All the regulators I have used since Jim Oddino introduced them back in the mid 90's have been switching style.

David