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Load Testing, BECs, and Switches
We recommend that you always load test your power system using at least a
1.5amp load before every flight. Several companies make inexpensive load
and voltage testing devices. These will determine if your battery pack has
the capacity required to fly your setup. The XtremeLink
®
receiver’s STATUS
LED should remain solid green during such a load test. If you find that the
STATUS LED is turning solid orange during a load test, try removing the
switch from the system and see if that corrects the problem. If so, replace
the switch and try the test again.
Battery Eliminator Circuits (BECs) are great for small aircraft where loads
are very light. However, beware of ANY “linear” regulators, even the so
called “high current” versions. “Switching” regulators are far more reliable
and generally do not get hot or change output voltages with heat or load.
BECs built into Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) must have enough
current capacity to properly power the XtremeLink
®
receiver. We have seen
many controllers that will not work. These are easy to spot as the
XtremeLink
®
receiver’s STATUS LED will immediately turn solid orange, or in
worst case conditions, cause the receiver to reboot over and over again.
Although switches make it convenient to turn our R/C systems on and off,
they can be the cause of system failures. Even heavy duty switches typically
have a .2 volt drop across them when brand new. As switches age they
oxidize, and constant vibration wears the metal contact plates. We have
seen ¾ volt drop with a heavy duty switch after one season of flying.
Charge, Charge, Charge!
You can never have a flight pack that is too full. We recommend “topping
off” your flight packs between flights. Often times you don’t fly back to back
flights and there is ample time to do this, especially when using A123 flight
packs where a “top off” could literally be just a few minutes.