Zippy FlightMaxx

[WJCJR1]

I recently placed an order from HobbyKing for 21 batteries. A few gentlemen needed some batteries at the airfield and threw their order in with mine and we saved nearly $100 if we had ordered all separately.


In all the order was placed for

(15) 3S 2200mAH 25C FlightMaxx These batteries are for our Super Cub, T-28's and F4U's.
(6) 4S 4000mAH 20C FlightMaxx These batteries are for the Deuces Wild.
This is my second experience in ordering batteries from HobbyKing and I have yet to see any reason to not order batteries from HobbyKing. My previous order was a handful of 4S, 2150mAH, 20C, Rhino batteries. The Rhinos and now this larger order of Flightmaxx batteries have all arrived balanced perfectly at exactly 3.85V per cell and all charge to a very balanced 4.20V per Cell with an occassional cell bouncing back and forth between 4.20 and 4.19V.

I am more-over impressed with the amount of money that can be saved by waiting a few days to get your product. If you can resist the urge for instant gratification from grabbing a battery off a shelf and paying 3X the price this is the way to go. Both orders I have placed with HK were placed over a weekend and arrived the following Thursday or Friday. To get that turnaround you must request the EMS (Express shipping) and yes it's expensive but it is nothing compared to the money you save. Regular shipping is 7-45 days and Express has been like I quoted 5-6 days.

So if you are looking for batteries HobbyKing is the distributor I have chosen to go to.

About Battery longevity I have many flights on my Rhino 4S batteries and they are strong as ever, estimate 30-40 flights each battery. These Rhinos I use right to their capacity rating and never once have they crapped out on me and pulled an early LVC as I have recently felt with an E-Flite battery of approximate same age/use.

I will report back on the performance of the FlightMaxx batteries, so far all looks real good.

Wayne

[WJCJR1]

I ran the larger 4S 4000 mAH batteries today in the Decues Wild and the Apprentice. I am very impressed with their capacity right from the box and ability to carry and deliver voltage.

On the Deuces Wild I got an 8 minute flight and had an end voltage of 15.29V Starboard battery and 15.32V Port battery. The 15.29V is the battery that runs the BEC on the ESC so this could be the reason for thsi difference and even then it is minimal and awesome. I am believing with better throttle control :laughing: I could get 10 minute flights no problem.

For the 3S 2200 mAH couldn't be happier yet! These are great batteries. My son beat his Super Cub today like nuts, lots of WOT, loooping etc and the battery held up very well with solid 15 minute flight times and some voltage to spare. On the T-28 tonight I got 12 minute flights pretty good going at it too and got down with 11.17V and 11.38V, 3rd flight with a Tenergy battery was 10 minutes and the end voltage was 11.30V. I received 2 minute longer flights with the FlightMaxx batteries and I was aerobaticing it with regularity on all three flights. The Tenergy batteries do have MANY MANY flights on them and their capacity may be shrinking indeed but I was very impressed with the FlightMaxx batteries right from the box.

I look forward to roasting these batteries hardcore this summer and seeing how they hold up long-term. But for now I'd say folks go get them they're cheap, don't sag voltage, balance near perfectly and deliver the capacity.

Wayne

[ATIS]

Wayne, your numbers seem incorrect... a 4s lipo is only 14.4 volts and at charge right off the charger would only be a high 15.8 to 16.4 volts...15v max. Same issue with the 3s lipos, that voltage is waay to high for an after flight voltage. 10.5volts would be good. How much mah went back in?

[WJCJR1]

4S off the charger os 16.80volts, 4.20V per cell.
3S off the charger is 12.60V, 4.20V per cell.

Wayne

[ATIS]

understood but that still seems high. My 3s after a hard flight are in the 10.3-10.6v range.

I never checked my 4s.

[WJCJR1]

Note: These numbers are static and not under load, I have never seen other than a power analysis battery reading under load, I only test post flight voltages static to make sure I am well above the 3.0V per cell. If I were to test underload the numbers would be much less. I took these measurements with the WattsUp Meter, it is not a calibrated piece of equipment but accurate I do believe it is.

I do usually run my batteries further down but never did hit LVC here. For the 3S flights with the T-28D I was really trying to just get a few quick flights in at dusk so I did not have fully charged batteries for a week. Next week will be busy for me and it is unclear the next time I get to fly. Some people charge batteries and let them be for weeks and no issues ever other people not so lucky, if it can happen to someone it'll happen to me so I keep my batteries in storage at 11.0V-11.75V range.

Also with the 4S flights with the Deuces Wild I wanted to leave plenty of juice in the can in case I had landing issues. This was my first flight at the airfield, can't wait to get there again. Is a challenge though carrying this Deuces Wild, the Apprentice, Super Cub and T-28D in my Malibu. Not to mention my son and all the supporting gear and training box etc etc. :)

Wayne