Optipower Backup Guard

[RcRotaryMadness]

Does it protect the rc gear from a bec over-voltage failure? Thats the key feature i'd like to see.

[Mark_T]

Does it protect the rc gear from a bec over-voltage failure? Thats the key feature i'd like to see.

It looks like it just has a single output connector rather than pass-through so I don't think it is going to be able to do that.

If I've read correctly elsewhere, neither Castle nor Kontronik recommend using the Scorpion BUG, is this going to be any different?

[acidla]

This works completely different to the Scorpion back up guard. That only outputs 5.2v or something small when your main packs fail.

This unit is a smart unit that learns your set BEC voltage upon power up and automatically adjusts to suit by 0.1v I believe. So if you have your internal BEC set to 6.0v I think this sets itself upon power up to 5.9v. Then it gets activated as it monitors the system every 2ms. So even if you BEC gets put under hard load that it would drop below this for half a second it will kick in to help and that kick out when the voltage recovers. This is what the Scorpion can not do.

It also has some smart features like charging and self storage mode and what not but all the details will be out soon and a review will be up on helituning.com before they are released.

Im sure there are 2 versions, with and without the LED system and that one is with which is a little bit more expensive than the one without.

And it will be shrink-wrapped Im told

That's cool mate! Thanks for providing more info.

[OPTIANDY]

Guys, this product was to be launched at the Toy Fair at the end of the month but like many things creept out a couple of weeks before we intended. The OPTIPOWER ULTRA Guard 430 is an intelligent device, it is voltage sensing, chargers itself, can go to storage charge and its default is armed.

The device is plugged into a free port on your RX or FBL system and when you power up the device waits, monitors the system set voltage, then arms at that voltage less 0.5V. The device is then armed and monitoring the system voltage and the state of the buffer pack. If the buffer pack needs topping up it will do that and balance it from the main packs or RX pack and stop when it gets to a nominal 8.1V. The device samples the system voltage every 2mS and if the system voltage drops below the armed set voltage then the buffer pack steps in if the system voltage recovers it drops out, this is seamless. The device when working can and does indicate locally that its operational and if it is charging or not but this is not able to be seen at distance. A seperate external high intensity LED can be fitted that shows you are on the buffer pack, this is an option and these can be cascaded if required. The device works across 4.6V to 8V. The combo version (the board and buffer pack) are bound together by clear shrink wrap as is the super combo version (inc LED system). The total weight is <39g inc LED <35g ex the LED. All parts can be purchased separately. The device can go to storage charge if its not going to be used for some time. All data will appear on the website over the weekend cost is Combo £29.99 and Super Combo £39.99. These will be in the shops in early February after the Toy Fair and have been in flight tested by top UK and Euro pilots.

This is a safety device to help in the event of a BEC fail or RX pack fail or connection fail it is not intended to be used as an RX pack in itself. Its a high performance, light and intelligent solution designed and built in Europe to OPTI specifications. Feel free to ask any questions you want.

Andy

[acidla]

How it holds up when having power hungry servos, as the Align ones?

[Planehazza]

Guys, this product was to be launched at the Toy Fair at the end of the month but like many things creept out a couple of weeks before we intended. The OPTIPOWER ULTRA Guard 430 is an intelligent device, it is voltage sensing, chargers itself, can go to storage charge and its default is armed.

The device is plugged into a free port on your RX or FBL system and when you power up the device waits, monitors the system set voltage, then arms at that voltage less 0.5V. The device is then armed and monitoring the system voltage and the state of the buffer pack. If the buffer pack needs topping up it will do that and balance it from the main packs or RX pack and stop when it gets to a nominal 8.1V. The device samples the system voltage every 2mS and if the system voltage drops below the armed set voltage then the buffer pack steps in if the system voltage recovers it drops out, this is seamless. The device when working can and does indicate locally that its operational and if it is charging or not but this is not able to be seen at distance. A seperate external high intensity LED can be fitted that shows you are on the buffer pack, this is an option and these can be cascaded if required. The device works across 4.6V to 8V. The combo version (the board and buffer pack) are bound together by clear shrink wrap as is the super combo version (inc LED system). The total weight is <39g inc LED <35g ex the LED. All parts can be purchased separately. The device can go to storage charge if its not going to be used for some time. All data will appear on the website over the weekend cost is Combo £29.99 and Super Combo £39.99. These will be in the shops in early February after the Toy Fair and have been in flight tested by top UK and Euro pilots.

This is a safety device to help in the event of a BEC fail or RX pack fail or connection fail it is not intended to be used as an RX pack in itself. Its a high performance, light and intelligent solution designed and built in Europe to OPTI specifications. Feel free to ask any questions you want.

Andy

Cheers Andy, I'll be getting one of these!

[OPTIANDY]

Acidla,

It will work OK but bear in mind these devices are not designed to replace your BEC or RX pack for general use they are designed as a safety device to allow you to land if your BEC fails or RX pack runs out. One of the reasons for the optional external LED is that if you are running a nitro and/or RX pack you might not be aware that the RX pack has failed and you are on the buffer pack. With BEC you generally know you have an issue as the servos stop working so the U430 picks up and the main blades loose drive.

Regards
Andy

How it holds up when having power hungry servos, as the Align ones?

[philipjdall]

First thing I notice is price, lot more than scorpion one which is £21 unless it is better spec or does a lot more.

I find it harder to remember to switch them on!

[Rob Barnes]

What can I say Andy "Superb" to say the least I will be fitting these as soon as they come out. Thank you!

[OPTIANDY]

Cost

I find it harder to remember to switch them on!

It is more costly than the Scorpion device but it is much more intelligent as well so cannot be compared on price alone. The Combo which is the near equivalent is £29.99 and its default is always ON so you do not have to switch it on plus it charges if needed in flight and it multi-voltage.

Andy

[acidla]

Acidla,

It will work OK but bear in mind these devices are not designed to replace your BEC or RX pack for general use they are designed as a safety device to allow you to land if your BEC fails or RX pack runs out. One of the reasons for the optional external LED is that if you are running a nitro and/or RX pack you might not be aware that the RX pack has failed and you are on the buffer pack. With BEC you generally know you have an issue as the servos stop working so the U430 picks up and the main blades loose drive.

Regards
Andy

Cheers Andy,

Yes i know its not designed to replace the Bex/Rx.
Nice feature the external LED. Half hour ago i was thinking where to mount the LED on my nitro heli At the skids it would be well visible i believe.

[philipjdall]

Very impressive andy. Will be fitting these in my larger models for sure.

Scorpion has been a waste of time for me as I always forget to turn them on.

Thanks for all you very informative posts.

[OPTIANDY]

Phil, The LED is so bright (3 of them 135 degree viewing angle) you will see it a mile off. Steven Gerard and Nick Maxwell drove that modification during flight testing. Steve uses an RX pack and the switch over is so seamless he did not know he was on the buffer pack! Nick tested extensively and came to same conclusion when not using BEC.

Very impressive andy. Will be fitting these in my larger models for sure.

Scorpion has been a waste of time for me as I always forget to turn them on.

Thanks for all you very informative posts.

[yuppyflyer]

I'll be trying some of these in my 700's for sure, the self charging and switchless operation have me sold!!

[Alex Hawtin]

Awesome! Just when I need a back-up guard