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Radio, battery advice for novice Arducopter enthousiast

Posted by koen.hufkens on September 8, 2011 at 3:21pm

Hi all,

 

I recently ordered an Arducopter kit however, I still need a good radio and battery to make this set complete. However, going through pages of different batteries and having a choice of plenty radios I can't see the forest for the trees. Could anyone give me some solid advice on an entry/mid level radio and a good battery for an arducopter (and where to order them, reliable resellers)?

 

For the moment I don't need much, but towards the future I do forsee a payload on the arducopter so this might influence the choice of a battery to maximize fight time.

 

Thanks,

Koen

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Replies

  • Developer
    Jani Hirvinen September 9, 2011 at 9:11am

    On all original ArduCopters you can use 4S lipos and especially if you have an Hexa kit, you should consider 4S as it gives a lot longer flight times and payloads

  • CyberCrash September 9, 2011 at 12:03am

    Hello,

    you should get the TH9x from Hobbyking for just 54$.

     

    It's a really good Tx and very cheap.

    http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8992__Turnigy_9X_9Ch_Tra...

     

    Then buy 2/3 cheap lipos. I use 2800mAh 30C 4S 14,4V. Instad of using 3S 12,6V lipos I get a lot more power and longer flight time.

     

    e.g.:http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11951__Turnigy_nano_tech...

    or for longer flight time:

    http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...

     

    But check the different connection plug. The most common is the yellow: XT60 (first link). You will need to look for the same plug to put on the copter side. Luckily there are many adaptors on hobbyking...also very cheap. Just look for xt60.

     

    strangely I couldn't find any on ebay.com right now. On ebay.de (Germany) there are many cheap lipos...as cheap as hobbyking.

     

    Then you need a charger:

    something like this: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15437__B6_AC_Plus_Charge...

     

    Then remember always to recharge your lipos in "Balancer" setting. I use the "Storage" setting to reduce the charge from 100% to around 60% so I can store the lipo at its best for a longer time in the cooler.

     

    CyberCrash

  • Jim Phoenix September 8, 2011 at 7:42pm
    I'm in the US, so I bought a 3300 mAh battery from tower hobbies and a good quality lipo charger, plenty of different brands, but just find a good one that is readily available, I ordered from amazon because I'm in Seattle and it was at the house the next day. Also get a battery charging bag and watch the scary lipo videos on YouTube so you don't burn your house down. I store my lipos in the battery bag when not in use.

    Plenty of other newbie things to learn, like take the props off when working on the copter and always turn your tx on first and turn it off last! The Arducopter should always have a signal from the tx or it will decide to fly away in it's own!

    Jim
  • Jim Phoenix September 8, 2011 at 7:09pm
    I'm pleased with my 7 ch futaba. Has all I need for the Arducopter and more than I need for my uav. It's been very reliable.

    Jim

    Www.rofldrone.com
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