the 20% rule, when do you measure?

[Delarado]

So, Im noticing more and more recently that no matter what I do with my heli, the battery seems to come out at about 14% left if I measure it as soon as I land.

What seems to change is whats left after about 10 minutes of the pack resting, I had one go up to like 34% earlier just from sitting there.

When should I be measuring and looking for 20%? Am I overusing my packs?

[r4nd0m]

I always check prio and after a flight, if the pack has discharged itself from sitting there I adjust my flight time ... I most of the time come in at 23% however my charger tells a different story (shows less) - generally speaking works for me so far ...

my packs dont change their state if I check lets say 5-10minutes later either

[waveydavey]

Mine recover a bit but not as much as you are seeing. I would just watch what you put back in, work out how much you should be using per flight leaving 20% and adjust your flight times accordingly. Take into consideration any changes in headspeed and the weather/temp for the day.

[LaurenceGough]

It's all dependent on how much mAh you put back in when charging. Make sure you do not put over 80% of the packs capacity back in.

[Mark_T]

When should I be measuring and looking for 20%? Am I overusing my packs?

The only time that matters is when you measure what you put back into the pack while charging (use about 95% of that number).

At other times you are not 'measuring' capacity, you are taking a voltage reading and that will vary considerably between the point when you come off load and when the voltage settles about 5 or 6 mins later.

This is why these little 'capacity' meters are so misleading.

If you want to use one then get into the habit of checking say 10 mins after a flight when the voltage has settled, then compare to what you put back in and calculate what that really means.

[Helimaddan]

So, Im noticing more and more recently that no matter what I do with my heli, the battery seems to come out at about 14% left if I measure it as soon as I land.

What seems to change is whats left after about 10 minutes of the pack resting, I had one go up to like 34% earlier just from sitting there.

When should I be measuring and looking for 20%? Am I overusing my packs?

Always used my charger, measuring at field is to hit and miss to many variables effect voltage and mah put back in is the best way to know what you are using

[Delarado]

yeah I paralell charge so havent been monitoring that much, ill fly them next time and charge one by one.

Thanks for the responses guys - much appreciated

[Mark_T]

yeah I paralell charge so havent been monitoring that much, ill fly them next time and charge one by one.

You don't need to do them one by one all the time though, just calibrate your capacity meter by testing a pack that has been used, but has rested for say 10 mins, then compare the test result with what you actually put back into the pack, that way you have a good idea what the real capacity is for that particular reading on the tester so in the future you can interpret your tester readings for that pack a little better.