How are you mounting your batteries?

[Chris Sexton]

I am trying to plan my batteries.  I have several sets from other birds of various sizes.  I want to run something big like a set of Gens Ace 5300s and they fit but I am lost on how to strap them down. They are taller than the opening.

My Hyperion 4200s fit a bit better, I am able to strap them down.  I am leaning toward buying some volts "stick" packs and trying those...

How are you guys mounting your batteries? What size batteries are you running?

[Ross Lawton]

Hi,

I am running 2x 4300mah 5s OptiPower Batteries in my E6, they are installed individually at the moment and connected in series using EC5's and a series adapter cable. I am considering changing to the 6.5mm bullets to cut down on the excessive wiring but i like the EC5's for reducing the chance of any battery short-outs.

I have velcro strips on the carbon base plate and also velcro strips on the batteries, and also some large rubber sided battery cinch straps from Scorpion to strap the batteries down. with the velcro and straps there is very little chance of the batteries shifting during flight.

hope this helps.

[Matt Botos]

I've created 12S stick packs from two 6S packs. This makes insertion and removal very easy.

You can either heat shrink wrap them together or use some sort of bracing material like I did. I double side taped a strip of plastic to the bottom of both batteries and then attached the two batteries in the center with coarse velcro. You'd be surprised how rigid the pack is once finished.

Battery size -
I've used everything from 3850 - 5000 mah.
5000 are too heavy, the weight of a 5000 has too much of
an impact on disk loading to be worth while. 4400mah seems to
be the sweet spot.

Matt

[Chris Sexton]

I've created 12S stick packs from two 6S packs. This makes insertion and removal very easy.

You can either heat shrink wrap them together or use some sort of bracing material like I did. I double side taped a strip of plastic to the bottom of both batteries and then attached the two batteries in the center with coarse velcro. You'd be surprised how rigid the pack is once finished.

Battery size -
I've used everything from 3850 - 5000 mah.
5000 are too heavy, the weight of a 5000 has too much of
an impact on disk loading to be worth while. 4400mah seems to
be the sweet spot.

Matt

Did have to add length to the balance charger leads or just leave them hanging out the end for charging?

I am not affraid to shrink wrap, I even cut a small brace out of a thin peice of alluminum, but I stopped when it looked like I might have to tamper with the battery wirering.

[Darren Lee]

I am running pairs of Gens Ace 6S 3300s in my E6 and just made them into stick packs the other day.  Used a balance extension on the rear pack and extended the main leads as well.  4" wide clear heat shrink holds them together and provides all the stiffness needed without any bracing.

[steffgiguere]

I think 5300 might be a bit heavy. I will fly 12S 4500.

[devilfish]

I've created 12S stick packs from two 6S packs. This makes insertion and removal very easy.

You can either heat shrink wrap them together or use some sort of bracing material like I did. I double side taped a strip of plastic to the bottom of both batteries and then attached the two batteries in the center with coarse velcro. You'd be surprised how rigid the pack is once finished.

Battery size -
I've used everything from 3850 - 5000 mah.
5000 are too heavy, the weight of a 5000 has too much of
an impact on disk loading to be worth while. 4400mah seems to
be the sweet spot.

Matt

5000mAh to heavy even on a E7?

Regards

[Matt Botos]

Its not that they are too heavy.... you can use any size battery you want and it will fly fine for most people. I am just trying to help people optimize their helicopters with the appropriate size batteries.

The point I am getting at is that overall weight of the helicopter will affect the flight time as well as wear and tear on the components. A 5000 mah pack will automatically consume more amperage and create more heat than say a 3850 pack because it is heavier by a large margin. It consumes more amperage only because a heavier overall helicopter weight translates into higher disc loading!
Some machines need 5000 mah packs because they are heavier to begin with, the E7 does not need 5000 mah batteries to achieve long flight times as it is very light to begin with.
With more weight, you will require more head speed to get the helicopter to respond quickly. More head speed means more amperage consumption! With a lighter helicopter you can get the helicopter to respond quickly with less head speed.

I hope that makes sense!

Thanks,

Matt

[devilfish]

Thanks Matt!

Reason I ask is that I plan is to use the E7 for som FAI flying practise ( yes FBL is allowed in my class ).
And on my old RAVE 700 flybar I needed 5000mAh lipos for a complete run, both hovering and the flying schedule.
But then again the rave whas heavier the the E7..

Regards

[Matt Botos]

Give the 5000's a try and if you find yourself with a bunch of room then you always have the option of going with 4400's.

[Jean-Luc Bolduc]

The Gens Ace 5300 are the same size as my Hyperion 4500's . I just use longer straps, like Scorpions.
They fit fine.

[Chris Sexton]

Well I ultimately decided on (2) Hyperion VX G3 4200mAh packs that I used balance charger and lead extensions to make my own stick pack. I already have the 4200s from my X5 and 550 and the 5300 fit the 550 perfectly.
Being as the 550 is a 6S bird, it doesn't seem to mind the extra weight, albeit very little over the Hyperions.

I went with the Hyperions as a stick pack because they just fit the frame better and as Matt said, they go in and out very easily.

Thanks for the input guys!

[Branden Wheaton]

I have a battery tray with the N9 canopy thumb screws that I am working on. I will post pictures when I am done and how to make it if it works out.

[Sjohn]

Seeing there are different sets of batteries that you guys use, can you please tell me what are the ideal sets for E6 and E7 setup? and can batteries for E6 used for E7 or will they be too light/lack of power?

[Darren Lee]

I am running 12S 4000mAh packs in my E6 and plan on using them in E7 configuration as well.  They are on the heavy side for the E6 but it flies well.