So I made an adapter to turn two 3s batteries into one 6s battery and flew it. Holy crap it's fast
LoneRCRanger
Well-Known Member
I think if you Parallel wire it, the voltage remains the same (11.1V) but the Amps double. So, he wouldn't fry the circuit board but would extend his range and flight time. I would think, also, that the added weight would affect aerodynamics and lift capability. Same power and motor speed but the added weight would affect lift and altitude. Of course, I'm a computer programmer and not an electrical engineer.
Mactac
Member
All the parts in the drone are rated up to 6s (24.9v), except the motors. I'm using an FT48X vTx, a betaflight F3 all-in-one PDB/FC/OSD, an 1177 camera (powered from the 5v from the vTx) and armattan 30A esc's. So, that means that everything should be OK with the voltage except theoretically the motors.. but motors are usually OK with higher voltage than rated, so I chanced it.
No mods at all.
Mactac
Member
No, I built the adapter to work in series, which means it adds the voltages together - you can see in the video because I measured it! It didn't fry the boards because most boards these days are rated for 5 or 6s.
Mactac
Member
Oh also - I forgot to mention... I typically run this quad at 4s - I have a ton (20+) of 4s packs and 3 3s packs, I only ever use the 3s packs for testing & bench stuff, so they have been a bit of a waste.. until now!
Maybe I need to try 2 4s packs for an 8s quad? I'm sure there would be smoke if I did that
ChuckBridges
New Member
The way batteries work is as stated. If you wire them in series, you double the voltage, but the amps remain the same. If you wire them in parallel, you double the amps, but the voltage remains the same. In the RV word, two 6 volt batteries in series will provide you with more capacity than 2 12 volt in parallel. The only chance taken with in series is your components. Most will accept a higher voltage without any problems. Some components though can be particular. They may take the increased voltage for some time, but stressing the components over time is a recipe for failure. I do have 3 journeyman certificates in electronics ( Electronics, Telecom Network, Telecom Electrician) so I do have a background and experience in this field.
All in all, the parts are yours. The fun and the risk is yours. Have fun fly safe!
All in all, the parts are yours. The fun and the risk is yours. Have fun fly safe!
Mactac
Member
I appreciate your input, but I don't quite understand your point - I did wire them in series, and the voltage did double. It shows all this in the video. I'm not sure why you are talking about parallel - did you perhaps misread my post?
The components can definitely take the voltage (they are rated for it, except the motors)... I know this stuff as well (electrical engineering here). There really isn't any risk other than for the motors (and a low risk on those), so I'm at a loss for what you are saying.. . or maybe I am misunderstanding something in your post? I'm confused.
The motors are generally OK, except when you get into a current draw problem (which I don't as you can see the current draw in the video)
Last edited:
ChuckBridges
New Member
I am just stating that components can fail if you put too much voltage through them. If they are rated for double the voltage, then all is good. I find that with the investment I have made into my Q500 4K, experimentation is not on the table. Plus, the Q500 4K uses a proprietary connection. Adding a second battery is not an option.
I was expanding on battery theory for those who read the forum who might not have our background in electronics. You have stated that the components are rated for the voltage, but the motors were not. This is what I was referring to. Sorry if I was not clear. If you don't, as you say, get into a current draw problem then all is good. Did the extra weight affect your battery life, or did you get near double the time? I enjoyed the video you posted. Those racer type drones look like fun, but I don't have the flying experience to try them yet (Or, the wife's approval... even more important).
As was asked, please keep us apprised as to the longevity of this experiment. It looks like fun.
I was expanding on battery theory for those who read the forum who might not have our background in electronics. You have stated that the components are rated for the voltage, but the motors were not. This is what I was referring to. Sorry if I was not clear. If you don't, as you say, get into a current draw problem then all is good. Did the extra weight affect your battery life, or did you get near double the time? I enjoyed the video you posted. Those racer type drones look like fun, but I don't have the flying experience to try them yet (Or, the wife's approval... even more important).
As was asked, please keep us apprised as to the longevity of this experiment. It looks like fun.
Mactac
Member
The battery weight definitely made a difference. My plan is to try and pick up a cheap 1300mAh battery (I already have one other 3s 1300), and try that. On a quad this size, the extra weight makes a big difference in terms of power/weight ratio because they are already so light. The flight time should not (and did not) change, as the mAh capacity will be the same - it's just the voltage (and therefore RPMs of the motors) that is changed, so the time using 2 batteries in series would be the same as using just one, assuming the throttle is used the same.
I build all my quads, so I have them apart almost every time I fly to repair them, so I'm not overly concerned about having to fix anything.. it's part and parcel with running race quads
ChuckBridges
New Member
Racing quads certainly look fun, but there is the investment. Money and time. Being newly retired, I needed a hobby to keep me from going slowly insane. I also am post-concussion, so concentration is limited right now. Maybe in the future I can try building my own, but right now I am limited on how much time I can concentrate before a migraine comes on. The Q500 4K, being ready to fly, was the best option for me. I have read everything online that I could (Can't concentrate on books, instant migraine). I was lucky that the manual was online. I have to go about 25 minutes outside of town to fly but there I have a great time.
Have a good one
Have a good one
Mactac
Member
Race quads are definitely a money-sucker, and they are also a time investment . They are built to crash, but even then you're always breaking frames, motors, vTx's, etc etc. Almost everyone I know keeps a stock of parts... Having said that, I like the repair aspect to it - it's really satisfying to get everything running up to snuff again. But it does mean that you need multiple quads - I take 3 or 4 out with me every time I fly.
I hear you on the traveling - I live in an urban environment, so I have to drive 45-60 min to get anywhere that I can fly legally... it's definitely a time investment - and in winter it's tough because it's too dark to fly after work.
the Q500 sounds like a really fun quad - enjoy!!
QuadKid
Noth'in Like a Flat Top
Just some info on a RTF Racing Drone. I bought this Walkera F210 (3D model but not necessary), this thing is virtually indestructible !
When I first got it I slammed into a telephone pole at 30-40 mph then it spun around and went face first into a solid brick wall, thought for sure it was toast!
Walked over dusted it off and it flew no problem for maybe another 5 flights. Then it started acting up falling out of the sky inadvertently. Trouble shot it back to the power board and 2 plugin's for the ESC's were cracked. Long story short absolutely simple to replace and cheap, everything is plug in components, no soldering required. took 2 hours to do a complete strip down, replacement and build back.
Love this thing, sells for $399 RTF watch for sales all the time @ $349
Also got the Rodeo 150, fast dependable but not as durable.
When I first got it I slammed into a telephone pole at 30-40 mph then it spun around and went face first into a solid brick wall, thought for sure it was toast!
Walked over dusted it off and it flew no problem for maybe another 5 flights. Then it started acting up falling out of the sky inadvertently. Trouble shot it back to the power board and 2 plugin's for the ESC's were cracked. Long story short absolutely simple to replace and cheap, everything is plug in components, no soldering required. took 2 hours to do a complete strip down, replacement and build back.
Love this thing, sells for $399 RTF watch for sales all the time @ $349
Also got the Rodeo 150, fast dependable but not as durable.