Dual Switch Setup

[Bubba]

I have always used the Duraite battery setup. Because it is simple and it gives you the redundancy. But to keep things interesting, and add a little spice to things. I have decided to try and venture into new territory for me.

I am using a dual battery setup comprised of the following:

2 - 2100ma NiMh 6.0v Packs
2 - Fail Safe Switches w/ Independent Charge Leads
2 - 6.0v Voltage Regulators

My question is! Can I run both Rx packs on one 6.0v Voltage Regulator? Or will I need 2 regulators, one for each switch?

Oh, here is a picture of my switch! The switch it self is quiet impressive.

[Lt. Dan]

Bubba, to retain the redundancy of a dual battery setup, run two regulators plugged into two different slots on your rx. Redundancy is lost as soon as the battery paths reach a common point.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Bubba, to retain the redundancy of a dual battery setup, run two regulators plugged into two different slots on your rx. Redundancy is lost as soon as the battery paths reach a common point.

I thought about that, but then I got into thinking! "It always gets me in trouble"

What are the chances of the regulator going belly up 9 times out of ten it is usually your switch or your battery pack.

Reason being that I am using a 9 channel Rx and as of right now all my channels are spoken for. Not to mention if I have to plug in an extra regulator.

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Bubba

I thought about that, but then I got into thinking! "It always gets me in trouble"

What are the chances of the regulator going belly up 9 times out of ten it is usually your switch or your battery pack.

Reason being that I am using a 9 channel Rx and as of right now all my channels are spoken for. Not to mention if I have to plug in an extra regulator.

I've seen regulators go bad and suck down a battery rather quickly.

If you have no free channels, just put your second battery on a Y, it can be plugged into any channel.

[Bubba]

I think I have found my answer!

Smart-Fly Dual-Battery Turbo Regulator Info.


.

[Kelly W]

Before you ever consider using two regulators and plugging them both into the same input device, make sure to contact the regulator manufacturer... I've been told some voltage regulators really don't like that configuration unless the outputs are very well matched.

[WarriorDriver]

On my giant scale stuff, and jets, two batts, each into its own switch, then its own reg, then into different holes in the RX.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Kelly W

Before you ever consider using two regulators and plugging them both into the same input device, make sure to contact the regulator manufacturer... I've been told some voltage regulators really don't like that configuration unless the outputs are very well matched.

Thanks Kelly

I talked to Robert Richey from Smart Fly! I told him, OK give it to me like it is!
This is what he had to say:

You are correct, plugging two regulators into the same device will almost always result in one regulator supplying most of the current and one battery will go down faster than the other battery. For this reason the TurboReg has dual transistors regulating the current but the control circuit is common to both so that they share current and reduce stress on the regulator overall.

I plan on running some test of my own when the unit arrives. It has got my curiosity sparked!

[amit]

excuse my ignorance - I am still learning here.
I understand about using 2 battery packs incase one fails.
Why is everyone here always using duralite batteries?
As a EDF flyer, the gold peaks 3300 and 3700 mah are the best Nimh
batteries. Dont people in rc jets use these batteries for the receiver ever?

Bubba, how do you like that turbo regulator? I may get one myself instead of the duralite one.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by amit

excuse my ignorance - I am still learning here.
I understand about using 2 battery packs incase one fails.
Why is everyone here always using duralite batteries?
As a EDF flyer, the gold peaks 3300 and 3700 mah are the best Nimh
batteries. Dont people in rc jets use these batteries for the receiver ever?

Bubba, how do you like that turbo regulator? I may get one myself instead of the duralite one.

I like the fact that it is dual so I can use it as part of a redundant system and really have a redundant system from the battery all the way to the Rx.

As to why everyone is always using Duralite batteries. I do not think that is the norm these days. It was so at one point but now there are quiet a few options out there.

I experimented with most of them, and I have to say that I am partiall to the Duralite setup. For me it is the ARF drop and go system of batteries.

Just a few of the top:
Fromeco
Troy Built Models
No Bs Batteries

[amit]

thanks bubba for links!

I like the package with adjustable regulator and 5 batteries for 443 from fromeco. Anyone have experience with them?

The voltage meter and load testers from no bs batteries look good too!
Just confused. Which amp load to select

[Nony]

So now you reach a point of commonality at the receiver....of course we all know that receivers never go bad ...never go bad...nevver ggo badddd

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Nony

receivers never go bad ...never go bad...nevver ggo badddd

That is what the Futaba Rep. told me
However I think it works that way if you chant it 3 times and click your heels like Dorothy did in the wizard of OZ

[Bubba]

This is what I ended up with:

Dual Battery Super Rocker Switch w/ LED

2 - 2150 Series Sanyo 4/5 'A' Rx 6.0v Packs
Best used in a Parallel Pack system with dual switches to cut voltage drop relative to impedance and improve total flying capacity. Small footprint light weight and heavy duty 22g leads

• Single cell dimensions: .67 x 1.69in
• Total pack weight, inc 22g connector: 6.2oz
• Internal Impedance: 25 mOhms

Smart-Fly Dual-Battery Turbo Regulator
It has dual battery inputs with isolation between the two batteries. In case of a failure of one battery the other can continue to supply power. The TurboReg has dual regulation elements for redundancy and dual power out connectors. All power input and output connectors are Deans UltraPlugs to handle the high current the TurboReg is capable of handing.

The TurboReg’s output voltage is continuously adjustable from 5.2 volts to 6.5 volts and can supply 17.5 amps continuous current when the input voltage is 8.4 volts and the regulator is set to an output voltage of 6.0 volts. The TurboReg uses a computer-grade brushless fan to provide active cooling of the regulator.

The TurboReg also has failsafe operation with the remote on/off switch. The switch actually turns the failsafe regulator on and off and does not carry the system load current. If the switch or wiring between the switch and failsafe regulator were to fail the regulator stays in the on state until you unplug it from the battery.

• Size: 2-3/4 x 2-1/4 inches
• Weight: 2.9 oz
• 17.5 amps with 8.4 volts in and 6.0 volts out.
• Dual Battery Inputs With Battery Isolation
• Continuously Adjustable Output Voltage: 5.2-6.5 Volts
• Individual Charge Leads
• Failsafe operation with remote on/off switch
• Computer Grade Brushless Fan

[wildnloose]

For those that are still looking...check this out...

http://www.tech-aero.net/

I like the single switch, dual regulator one...

[Jet-1A pwr]

This could be used for your next set up. DPSI-BIC


Double power supply including regulated voltage for receiver, servos, ignitions and applications of all kind, which need 5.5V (and respectively between 5 volts and 10 volts- *on request)
Conforms to all manufacturer specifications for RC receiver sets by providing a stabilized voltage
Continuous constant servo power using constant power supply
2 (3*) cell LiIon / LiPo / LongGo batteries usable
5 (6-7*) cell NiCd / NiMH batteries usable
Electronic failsafe on/off switch with additional connectivity of an external switch
Up to 20 amps peak current load capacity / 3 amps continuous current with 2-cell LiPo batteries
IVM (Intelligent Voltage Monitoring) – including acoustical state indication for five different battery types (programmable)
Programmable user language (German / English)
Cable less system, i.e. all connections are pluggable and therefore exchangeable
High-quality plastic housing including bracket for the battery connectors
Reliable recognition of damaged servos or push-rods (e.g. raised current consumption)
Reliable recognition of defective and aging batteries (by displaying all parameters in plain text)
Three double-sided printed circuit board assemblies for highest part density and therefore small dimensions
Generously sized heat sink for efficient heat dissipation
Weight is only approximately 2.45 oz (70 grams)
German quality product (manufactured inhouse at EMCOTEC)

[Lt. Dan]

That looks pretty slick!