align 2in1 reg battery voltage

[3dee]

Does ant one know if you can use a higher voltage than the 7.4v lipo to run the align 2in1 reg. as I am thinking of using the 11.1 from my 450 trex. being working on a circuit to drop the volts down from the 11.1v 2500amh lipo down to the 7.4v needed to run the reg. but it made me think if the reg would take more volts anyway. does anyone know of a way to check how much the reg will take.??

[SRH990]

No, the Align 2 in 1 is a linear regulator and can only run with a 2 cell lipo setup, any more will burn it out.

[3dee]

Yes cheers for that Steve I went looking for the answer and found it on an electronics forum so the only way is going to be a resistor in line from the 11.1v to bring it down to 7.4

[moyesboy]

A bit more complex than a resistor in series. The current isn't constant.

[SRH990]

If you want to use a 3S lipo then you will need to use a switching BEC, most of which can cope with inputs up to 30V and more but this will mean you can't use the Align 2 in 1. It would be easier and cheaper to just buy a 2S lipo pack, you don't need a high C rated pack as the actual current draw would only be around 3C at most. If you use a resistor inline to try to drop the voltage into the 2 in 1 then you will probably be able to cook on it

The advantage of the Align 2 in 1 is that it's a linear regulator and dissipates the additional voltage input basically through a resistance, this means it can't drop very much voltage but as there is no switching involved as with a switching BEC then it is very clean in RF terms, i.e. it doesn't cause interference with the radio.

[3dee]

Thanks again for the lesson I will forget the idea and stick to just flying the thing instead of rewiring it. this forum has saved me money and time again. I was going to go to maplins and spend time with resistors trying to save twenty quid now will just go and buy some more 7.4v Li-on's and go fly

[mark lane]

I take it the battery that comes with the regulator is the only one needed to supply all electrics to the heli? or do you need another for the rx and servos etc?

[SRH990]

Yes, the 1900mAhr 2S battery provided is good for 4-5 flights and provides all the power everything needs. The servos get their power from the receiver through the 3 wires, one positive & one negative plus a signal wire to give the servo positional data, the receiver is powered by the lead from the regulator and the positive & negative rails are common so they all see the same voltage. Depending upon the tail servo you are using, most need a step-down to cut the voltage down to around 5V, Align sell one which is small and relatively cheap.

[mark lane]

Great, thanks steve. I assumed this was the case but then wondered because so many people are looking at different options. I am building a 600n and liked the idea of the power source and easy start the reg kit seemed to offer. then i thought it seemed too good to be true that it powered the whole system. This being the case, i'm surprised people don't fit this as a matter of course and then buy a spare lipo for continued use. That would be my train of thouht?

[moonmanflyer]

Yeh i wish they were out when i first got my nitro rex, might fit one later on in the year if i have the spare cash.

[mark lane]

Yeh i wish they were out when i first got my nitro rex, might fit one later on in the year if i have the spare cash.

you must not neglect modding your 600n just because the 500 is on the cards!!

Birds don't like to be neglected you know!!

[moonmanflyer]

you must not neglect modding your 600n just because the 500 is on the cards!!

Birds don't like to be neglected you know!!

The Boss will never get neglected, just a slow down in the MOD programme.
If i didn't have it all set up and running by other means i would deffinately fit to a new heli build.