Optipower Backup Guard

[Planehazza]

Just getting back to this subject a bit. I have a gasser that is all HV and powered directly from a 2S LiPo. If I use an Ultra Guard will I have issues with it coming on just due to the natural slow drop in voltage of the LiPo or was that just with LiFe that it was kicking in?

So far I have only used them with BECs but I am thinking about moving one to this new heli and replacing it with a buffer pack on the (electric) heli it's on now.

I don't think it will work with LiPo very well. With LiFe, I had to wait for the voltage to drop at settle at 6.6 before flying, otherwise it would alarm in flight

[cyclo]

The latest UltraGuard with updated firmware have no issues working with Rx packs/lipos. I use a 2S Rx pack on my 7HVs backed up with UltraGuard with no problems.

[10x]

I bought a early version which played up with my life pack so Andy put new firmware onto it for me...problem sorted. I have just put a new one on a setup with 2s lipo for the rx and contacted Andy before I bought it to
see about the firmware issues on the early units. His e-mail back to me confirmed that the later units are no problem with lipo or life batteries..

[trillian]

I bought a early version which played up with my life pack so Andy put new firmware onto it for me...problem sorted. I have just put a new one on a setup with 2s lipo for the rx and contacted Andy before I bought it to
see about the firmware issues on the early units. His e-mail back to me confirmed that the later units are no problem with lipo or life batteries..

I wonder how to tell if it's the earlier version, I have a feeling the ones I have are not the latest.

[cyclo]

Initially I had one of the older UG with the old firmware... The old ones had the white LED light wires soldered on the circuit board. The ones with the newer firmware had a socket on the board in which you can plug in the white LED lights. I read that there is an even later version that allowed firmware to be programmed in the board without the need to send it back.

[Planehazza]

Hmm, might investigate having mine sent off for firmware updates...

[10x]

The latest UG I bought has a micro USB socket on the top right corner....

[trillian]

The latest UG I bought has a micro USB socket on the top right corner....

Neither of these have a micro usb socket but the one with the external LED does have a little connector attaching the LED lead, it's not hard-wired on. So maybe I'll just try it and see what happens.

[Mark_T]

If it helps, the update for the RX Lipo/LiFe handling was available from around early May this year, so if you bought before then it will probably need an update.

Even after then there was undoubtedly older stock still in the retail channel for a while.

[10x]

Looks like Ultra Guard will have a brother shortly to protect your BEC and model....
Optipower - OPTIPOWER BEC GUARD

[Dan22]

Could anybody tell me how to charge the lipo on my Optiguard, using a PL6 and a standard balance board, (not MPA) so i can charge from balance lead only.
The pack hasn't been used for a while, so i need to put some juice into it before going out flying.
I have read a previous post saying i have to change the settings to FMA on the PL6, but i don't know how to do this.

Thanks,
Dan.

[Mark_T]

I'm not sure that you can do a balance wires only charge with a PL6, using a standard FMA balance board, that is a feature of the PL8 which they didn't put on the PL6.

How low is the pack anyway?

[Dan22]

I'm not sure that you can do a balance wires only charge with a PL6, using a standard FMA balance board, that is a feature of the PL8 which they didn't put on the PL6.

How low is the pack anyway?

Thanks Mark
The pack is flashing red but after 5 flights it hasn't got sufficient charge to hold its own after flight pack is removed.
I think its faulty as it won't register on my lipo checker!

Dan.

[Mark_T]

I think its faulty as it won't register on my lipo checker!

It is just a normal 2S pack, so as long as your checker works with 2S then it should show up OK.

[Dan22]

It is just a normal 2S pack, so as long as your checker works with 2S then it should show up OK.

Yes, standard 2s that comes with optiguard, my other bug registers on the checker so the lipo must be goosed.
I will try another 2s battery to make sure the rest of the optiguard still works.

Thanks,
Dan.