Lipo Heating

[hanson]

Hi,
With the onset of the colder weather and the dramatic increase in electric heli's this year, I was wondering if anybody has come up with a good system of keeping their lipo's warm whilst at the field to ensure a good performance when it comes time to fly?
I looked at this last winter, however I never really found a good solution. I looked at heated socks, heated cool bags, hand warmers. Anybody out there got a good working solution? Or do most people not bother?

Thanks,

Rich

[Jamin_00]

I never bothered last year but I only had an electric 500 then. Tbh I don't think I will this year either.

I think as long as they at the ambient temp you won't have a problem.

Well I never had any issues last winter.

I will play it by ear but worse case scenario I will just leave the car running and the climate control at 21 deg

That will work.

[waveydavey]

Someone on here converted a little fridge to heat instead of chill. I'll see if I can find the thread. It was Smoothhound or xygax I think.... The alternative Rich is to come up the club, charge the batteries in the hut with the heater on, warm your fingers then go fly after having a nice cup of tea.

Edit : Found it it was Xygax

[hanson]

Thanks for the reply, I noticed big performance drops on mine during the winter, that was only on a 450, I'm not sure if it would be better or worse on small packs or vice versa. Leaving the car running is definately not an option for me.

Rich

[hanson]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the link to the thread, thats the sort of thing im looking for. I'm thinking I might try hot water bottles in a cool box this year, boiling water is not a problem at the club, neither is power really, but I wouldn't know how to safely convert a cool box to a 'hot box'.

Rich

[Dave Rand]

I have a cool/hot box it's quite big but every one at the field puts there bats there. Makes one hell of a difference to performance. Hotter the better :-)

[glen_j]

get one of these 24L LITRE LARGE ELECTRIC 12v 240v COOLER & HEATER BOX on eBay (end time 25-Sep-10 17:55:51 BST)

does hot lipos in the winter and cold drinks in the summer

[hanson]

I have a cool/hot box it's quite big but every one at the field puts there bats there. Makes one hell of a difference to performance. Hotter the better :-)

thats pretty much been my experience as well, the hotter the better

[hanson]

get one of these 24L LITRE LARGE ELECTRIC 12v 240v COOLER & HEATER BOX on eBay (end time 25-Sep-10 17:55:51 BST)

does hot lipos in the winter and cold drinks in the summer

thanks glenj, that could well be just the ticket, have u used one?

[glen_j]

we all share drmblack7's one over winter very similar to the one i linked to

[Jamin_00]

Got a link Dave as that could be the answer.

[Neutrino]

What kind of performance drops are you guys noticing? Must admit i didnt get much flying done last winter. But am planning to this year. Reduced flight times, less oumph? Cheers.

[hanson]

What kind of performance drops are you guys noticing? Must admit i didnt get much flying done last winter. But am planning to this year. Reduced flight times, less oumph? Cheers.

Im not sure it really affects flight times, in fact u may even see increased flight times, due to the fact that the battery is supplying less current at the beginning of the flight.
The drop in performance is in 'oumph' as you put it. Reduced head speed and depending on your packs, possibly to the point of your esc giving you pulsing, suggesting a flat pack. The packs heat up during the flight, by ensuring they are warm to start with, you should be able to get the same performance you see through the summer months. The performance drop is quite significant imo.

Rich

[Rctintin]

This looks a good size and price

Buy 6 Litre Mini Fridge. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

[sacko]

Packs need to be kept at an ambient temp in the winter imo. Without Daves HotBox, I would constantly be seeing the dreaed Align ESC low voltage tail wag..