| What happened to that mosquito snarl that always | | | | an 11.1v Li-Po. This information, combined with the |
| seemed to accompany the sight of model airplanes? | | | | prop type and weight of the plane gives you all the |
| The answer is they're going electric and silent. Li-Po | | | | data needed to calculate the final thrust output of a |
| (Lithium Polymer or Li-Poly) batteries are rapidly | | | | given motor. |
| becoming the standard power source for electric | | | | The amperage rating of Li-Po batteries is rated in |
| model airplanes. Li-Po batteries are smaller, lighter and | | | | milliamp hours (mAh). This technical term describes |
| hold more power than their predecessors (Nickel | | | | how long the Li-Po will provide electrical power in |
| Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hydride). There are three | | | | much the same way that the size of the fuel tank |
| specifications that need to be taken into | | | | on a glow powered airplane will dictate how long the |
| consideration when making a Li-Po battery purchase | | | | engine can keep running. Typical electric RC model |
| for your electric model airplane. | | | | airplane flights can last 20%-50% longer when using |
| The voltage of the battery will tell you how powerful | | | | Li-Po compared to other batteries. The larger the |
| it is, the amperage rating will give you an idea how | | | | mAh rating, the bigger and heavier the battery will |
| long it will last, and the burst/constant power rating | | | | be. This is a major factor to take into consideration |
| will tell you how quickly the power will discharge. A | | | | when putting together any electric RC model aircraft. |
| major difference between Li-Po batteries and others | | | | Li-Po battery burst rates describe the output |
| available for RC model airplane use is that it is much | | | | characteristics of the battery. Burst rates tell you |
| easier to mistreat the battery thereby creating | | | | how much power the battery is safely capable of |
| unsafe situations the consequences oc which can be | | | | discharging in one big burst. This number is often |
| dramatic. Li-Po batteries can be very dangerous if | | | | higher than the constant power rating. Once the |
| you don't follow all of the safe handling procedures | | | | burst of energy has been discharged, the constant |
| set out by the battery manufacturers. | | | | power rating tells you where the power output will |
| In most cases, Li-Pos used for model airplanes come | | | | settle down to. |
| in two voltage ratings ratings; 11.1v and 7.4v. The | | | | Li-Pos come with very strict safety guidelines that tell |
| rating dictates how many volts the battery will | | | | you how to care for them. Charging rates, charging |
| discharge to your brushless RC motor. Electric RC | | | | times, and damaged battery disposal procedures just |
| model aircraft motors themselves have ratings that | | | | to name a few. Damage to your RC electric model |
| relate to this voltage discharge specification. The | | | | airplane can be avoided by following these guidelines. |
| voltage of a Li-Po battery is directly tied to the RPM | | | | Properly matched brushless motors and Li-Po |
| output of a brushless motor in that a motor rated | | | | batteries can provide hours of clean and quiet flying |
| for 1000kvm will rotate 1000 times per minute for | | | | enjoyment. Take the time to understand everything |
| every volt it receives from the battery. In other | | | | that's involved with a Li-Po setup and you will have |
| words, a 1000kvm motor is capable of 7400 RPM | | | | more fun and more time in the sky with your electric |
| when using a 7.4v Li-Po, and 11,100 RPM when using | | | | model airplane. |