Time to replace the battery packs? by more or by better?

[chrisleematt21]

Most of my packs are on the way out I have about 12 and in the height of summer I was averaging 100 flights per week (12 every week night plus about 40 at the weekends). Recently I got a generator which means I can get in even more flights now that I can charge at the field (last couple of weekends I have been getting about 60 -70 flights in)

Previously I was flying in the morning then off home to charge then back again (this is why I had 12 packs).

Now I am trying to decide if I should by another 12 cheapish packs (hayins 20c) or if I should by 6 slightly more expensive packs (possibly higher C rated packs, now that I am making them work harder)?

How many do you guys / girls take to the field?
Do you use the cheaper packs or the more expensive supposedly better packs?

[GIXERMAN]

i have loads of packs, so i can either charge at home. or when i go to events i take less packs but take generator aswell.

if you were happy with your Haiyan pack get the 30c better one and then you will no if they were worth the extra money.

[chrisleematt21]

I have had a few of the hayins die on me and they are not as cheap as they were the 30c ones are now about £80 + delivered

[GIXERMAN]

I have had a few of the hayins die on me and they are not as cheap as they were the 30c ones are now about £80 + delivered

try something else then, there are lots of thread/poles on lipos

[djandyling]

I have 7 sets of 12 cell packs, 4 optipower (1 being the new Ultra 50c rest being 30c), and 3 sets of Turnigy blue. Since I started solely flying my Trex 700L with the 850mx motor my Turnigy packs are starting to swell, they work fine but I don't think they have much life left in them as I am starting to push them with some harder flying were my Optipowers are all OK and they have roughly the same number of flights/cycles being purchased around the same time.

I am going to replace the Turnigy sets with Opitpower Ultra over the next few months. But I had a Optipower pack die last month and never had a Turnigy pack die!

For me 7 flights a session if enough any more and I start making mistakes.

[bigpops]

2x packs and a generator is enough for me. I only have 2 packs (or sets of packs) for any heli I have.

If you want to fly truly back to back, then 2x chargers and PSUs (at least 380W) a 1000W generator, and just 3x lipos.

Charge at home, then:

Fly pack 1
Charge pack 1 @ 3C
Fly pack 2
Charge pack 2 @ 3C
Fly pack 3

By now pack 1 should be finished, pretty much so you can repeat as necessary.

If you can keep them in the car, then 2x deep cycle batteries would do instead of the generator for a finite number of flights.

[chrisleematt21]

2x packs and a generator is enough for me. I only have 2 packs (or sets of packs) for any heli I have.

If you want to fly truly back to back, then 2x chargers and PSUs (at least 380W) a 1000W generator, and just 3x lipos.

Charge at home, then:

Fly pack 1
Charge pack 1 @ 3C
Fly pack 2
Charge pack 2 @ 3C
Fly pack 3

By now pack 1 should be finished, pretty much so you can repeat as necessary.

If you can keep them in the car, then 2x deep cycle batteries would do instead of the generator for a finite number of flights.

Currently I am charging 6 whilst flying 6, its pretty much back to back give or take 5 mins.

[chrisleematt21]

I think I might by 6 more possibly optipowers or turnigy nano tech's not sure which yet as I will be getting a 700 or 800 at christmas. That will give me 3 packs for them and 6 for the 550's.

[bigpops]

Currently I am charging 6 whilst flying 6, its pretty much back to back give or take 5 mins.

Same result, but different method.

Difference is 12x packs are four times the price of 3x packs, which is a huge outlay. £1800 for optipower 50C! For that amount, you could buy the genny, chargers, and the premium lipos and have change.

I suppose you could say that 12 packs should last 4 times as long as the 3x packs will, as they till get four times the cycles for the same number of flights.

I suppose it six of one, half a dozen of the other.

I wouldn't buy the nano-techs though, but that's a personal choice from experience. I've never seen a large (6S 2600 or bigger) that wasn't puffed unless it was almost brand new.
I do buy nano-techs, but only if they have a throw away price point. For example, the 4s 1300s I got for my quad at £7 each.

[chrisleematt21]

Same result, but different method.

Difference is 12x packs are four times the price of 3x packs, which is a huge outlay. £1800 for optipower 50C! For that amount, you could buy the genny, chargers, and the premium lipos and have change.

I suppose you could say that 12 packs should last 4 times as long as the 3x packs will, as they till get four times the cycles for the same number of flights.

I suppose it six of one, half a dozen of the other.

I wouldn't buy the nano-techs though, but that's a personal choice from experience. I've never seen a large (6S 2600 or bigger) that wasn't puffed unless it was almost brand new.
I do buy nano-techs, but only if they have a throw away price point. For example, the 4s 1300s I got for my quad at £7 each.

Yeah £1800 is a bit much. the hayins were 600 at the time but then I had no other option. so long as they last a year (roughly) i am happy.

I've only ever had the smaller nano techs which have been fine perhaps I will stay clear of the larger ones. I have a normal blue one turning up today so I was going to give that a hammering over the next few weeks and see how good it is.

[Hamish]

imho no point getting anything turnigy/nano-tech, just get a few good packs (GensAce, OptiPower, Desire power etc) and you will be good!

[Paz26181]

I use to have loads of lipos for each model but over the last year or so have stuck to 3 lipos for each model and charge more often. Found that works better for me, still get the same number of flight in a day. Investigating in a good charger or multiple chargers rather then lipos should workout cheaper over the years