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Cell Checker

Discussion in 'CineStar FAQ - Tips and Tricks' started by Tabb Firchau, Jul 16, 2012.

  1. Tabb Firchau

    Tabb Firchau Administrator
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    Just wanted to share this tip which has saved me many times in the field. I usually keep several of these cell checkers with me on jobs. One in my pocket, one velcroed to my transmitter, and one with my camera operator. They always come in handy when you are in the middle of no where wondering if a battery is charged or not. If you are using a radio system that does not have live voltage via telemetry it gives great peace of mind to plug in a voltage meter prior to takeoff!

    http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6589__Battery_Monitor_2_6S.html

    Tabb
     
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  2. Arthur Vieira

    Arthur Vieira Flight Squad

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    That's a great tip Tabb, I use a simpler version, also from HK, with my video TX battery. Saved me many times.

    I would like to recommend this cheap OSD. I've installed one between my battery and my TV on the ground station. With this setup we know the voltage of the TV battery all the time.

    http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=19369
     
  3. Tabb Firchau

    Tabb Firchau Administrator
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    Great idea Arthur...I just have a voltage monitor wired into my groundstation but your nice OSD version would be much neater. I will add one to my next order.

    Best,

    Tabb
     
  4. Nick Kolias

    Nick Kolias Moderator
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    Arthur, that's a clever idea.

    Something I've been doing is to add a very small voltage monitor to the input connector of the gimbal, downlink and other components which gives both visual and audio feedback about the connected battery. The LED's go from solid to flashing as the voltage drops and when the batt gets to 3.3v/cell it sounds a buzzer so you know it's time to pull it. They are super light and small enough to heat shrink directly to the connector so that you always have quick battery status at a glance at all times.

    Battery-Alarm-for-2-4-Cell LiPO

    [​IMG]

    Tabb, those little cell checkers look ideal. I've been using larger watt meters to check voltage but I like your idea better. Thanks for the tip!

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Sergei Kozin

    Sergei Kozin New Member

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  6. Marc BRACELET

    Marc BRACELET Active Member

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    Personally, i use this (On Board) configuration with my Cinestar...I have two Lipo sensor for my two 6S Nanotech 8000mA, and with the FrSky Sensor Hub i have exactly all the information of my 12 cells on the RC Screen :cool:

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
  7. Guilherme Barbosa

    Guilherme Barbosa Distributor

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    that voltage reader is super cool marc do you mind sharing the link
     
  8. Gary Haynes

    Gary Haynes Administrator
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    The first two photos (blue led readouts) are part of the FRSky Tx/Rx setup. The lower two are the Rx end. HobbyKing has these on their website.
     
  9. Marc BRACELET

    Marc BRACELET Active Member

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    Hi Guilherme, you can have this telemetry in USA if you want, the owner of this shop is really really kool... Aloft Hobbies

    Best.
    Marc
     
  10. Guilherme Barbosa

    Guilherme Barbosa Distributor

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    ok thanks I though was just a voltage reader by itself...
     
  11. Guilherme Barbosa

    Guilherme Barbosa Distributor

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    so this is a telemetry only,or you use the RX/tx from the radio through it?
     
  12. Gary Haynes

    Gary Haynes Administrator
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    Guilherme I think it is a standalone telemetry system. Quanum makes something similar but this looks pretty sophisticated at a reasonable price. Hopefully Marc can give us more information.
     
  13. Marc BRACELET

    Marc BRACELET Active Member

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    Yes Guilherme and Gary, you can use it as a simple stand alone cell checker if you want, it have a pretty little OLED screen and you can clearly read on it...:cool:
     
  14. Duane Bradley

    Duane Bradley Active Member

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    I have this one as well. Came with a really cheap hex frame I bought last year. Crazy loud!! Where did you get it Sergei? I've been wanting to pick up a few more of them.
     
  15. Gary Haynes

    Gary Haynes Administrator
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    Amazon.com search on LiPo Alarm. Lots of choices.
     

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