Regulated Rx Flight Pack

[chipbury]

I need to buy a new receiver battery for my Moskito.

Any thoughts on wether i should go down the route of a voltage regulator and a LiPo (or Li Ion etc) battery.

I like the idea of getting several flights without having to charge at the field.
I have looked at the Duralite/Fromeco/Align regulators which all seem to have pluses and minuses according to some threads on these forums .

Are these systems easy to use as i don't want to over complicate matters?

I am not too bothered about the expense (but would like to use my Prodigy 2 charger) as any setup would be transferred to a 50 size when i wreck/grow out of my Moskito.
I am using a 401/9254 tail set up and will be upgrading the other servos to something better soon (probably digital) if this has any bearing on the choice.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[robgt]

The Duralite stuff is quite old now... but still works!

Fromeco have two offerings - the dual output version is great and has a built in step down for the rudder servo. They also have a single voltage version, and being a fromeco unit, I would guess it also does the job very well.

The Align 2 in 1 is a clever little unit. Single voltage output with a glow lead clip and a remote switch to control it all. You can buy an inlive step down for the rudder servo for under a fiver too.

Just recently, BobJ told me that the 2 in 1 may have a problem on 35Mhz and Align are looking into it. Having said that, it could be isolated to G3 receivers (used with 14MZ Txs) - there are people using 35mhx sets without issues, but then again, there are people using 14MZ without issues too... so not sure whats going on there.

I have the Fromeco dual output regulator on my Vibe 90 and it works well.
I have the Align 2 in 1, with Align inline step down on my 600n (first flight tonight...) and will be fitting the same Align setup on the Knight 3D this/next week.

I'm using Spektrum radio gear though.

Cheers,
Rob

[Tris]

If you want to use your charger then that rules out the duralite package (you have to use their battery and charger)

Fromoco works great and they now do a single, varable output regulator which ive used.

I think the choice is to use an Align switching regulator for £20ish (maybe with possabile noise problems) or heaver duty, better quality single output fromoco for £35. With the align its a good idea to step down the voltage for the tail, with the fromoco you can set the reg at 5.1V and not bother until your at a point in your flying where you want the extra power to the servo's.

With either you can use what ever LiPo/LiIon 2s pack (although fromoco do sell a very nice, and safe, 2600Mah LiIon pack). You can also get also get the pin flag upgrade for the fromoco (£6ish) to eliminate problems with switch failure.

Cheers
Tris

[Goto10]

Where did you buy the Align 2 in 1 & inline step-down from if you don't mind me asking? Sounds good.

[robgt]

I got my 2 in 1 regulators from Skyline models, but most places sell them.
My Inline step downs came from Real Raptors.
Cheers,
Rob

[Goto10]

Now the proud owner of a 2-in-1 & stepdown, neat unit, cheers for info
Bought both from Real Raptors, delivered next day, good service.

[chipbury]

How do you control the voltage to the glow plug?
Is it switched from the Tx or done on board the heli somehow?

[Goto10]

How do you control the voltage to the glow plug?
Is it switched from the Tx or done on board the heli somehow?

You can see a little remote switch in the pic below, on this is the on/off switch (left) - top right of the unit you can see a little round micro switch, this swtiches the glow output on. The LEDs at the bottom indicate battery health.