Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Batteries & Chargers => Topic started by: SimonCornes on September 20, 2021, 11:36:05 am
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Ive just unboxed this combo after 15 years or so in storage and bonded it with the rx. So far so good although I am getting a bit of drop out of channels which I don't understand - my propulsion and rudder channels are plugged into an Action mixer then 3 servos just to prove it all works.
I have 4 AA Duracells in the Tx right now but can anyone recommend a charger for 4 x AA's ? I've tried a number of plugs and the outside diameter seems to be about 4.5mm but the inside - measured with a digital calliper - is about 1.5mm.
Any suggestions?
I may need a new Rx battery as well as, whilst it looks okay and I charged it over the weekend, it came in a boat I bought last week so I don't know how old or good it really is and it might be that that's causing my servos to work intermittently?
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Hi Simon, I never use rechargeable batteries in my planet transmitter at 4.8v it is too close to minimum failsafe
voltage the Tx requires I use alkaline batteries at 6v they last a long time.
I buy in bulk from Screwfix.
John
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My rechargeable duracells in my Spectrum TX
are 6v fully charged and seldom drop below 5.2V
after a good couple of hours at the lake.
I have a Fusion charger that will charge Tx on a reversible DC plug and rx pack on a rx plug.
Ned
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Hi Simon, I never use rechargeable batteries in my planet transmitter at 4.8v it is too close to minimum failsafe
voltage the Tx requires I use alkaline batteries at 6v they last a long time.
I buy in bulk from Screwfix.
John
Thats an interesting point John. Well I have rechargeable batteries and I have Duracells so I'll see how I go on with either. I've found a 4.8V charger but I expect it will charge to higher than that so I'll see what voltage is shown on the transmitter. I actually used the system for the first time this morning, just to see that it worked as it hadn't been out of the box for 15 years for more! Its all fine and bonded with the rx. I notice that when you switch on sometimes only the rudder servo is working or sometimes only the motors - I am using an Action mixer - but if you give it a minute our two everything starts to work. I don't know if thats normal with Planet? I did orange check - walked down the hall waggling the sticks and there ws no range problem. I must admit that as its going into a tug I worry about range with that short aerial and the rx probably being below the waterline. What are your thoughts on that? I saw a very interesting You Tube video yesterday on making a smoker. I think I may well got down that route rather that shelling out £40 odd for one!
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My rechargeable duracells in my Spectrum TX
are 6v fully charged and seldom drop below 5.2V
after a good couple of hours at the lake.
I have a Fusion charger that will charge Tx on a reversible DC plug and rx pack on a rx plug.
Ned
Thanks Ned, I have my pack charging in a wall socket charger right now so I'll see what voltage they come out at when in the Tx. I've just picked up a 4.8v charger with the correct plug so whether they'll charge to over 4.8v I don't know!
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Hi Simon, range check, I have used my Planet T5 for years all over the lake with no range problems at all.
John
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Thanks for that reassurance John, much appreciated!
I’m just used to radios with great aerials protruding above deck level!
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The only one now using the long aerial is Paul Brassington for his subs, everyone else uses 2.4 systems.
You don’t have to worry about christals.
John
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Well that’s worth knowing as my club frequency is 40.875 and I’ve just bought another receiver Crystal! No clashes then, that’s good. I was at All Electric at Kidsgrove yesterday and he’s getting me a rx pack for my F14 so I’ll soon have more radios than I know what to do with!! Still haven’t bought speed controllers though. Mulling it all over!!