Spektrum DX3r Battery Mod

[BrianG]

I toyed with the idea of using lipos on a UBEC with a custom LVC circuit, but didn't like that idea too much. For one, I already had the batteries, so the mod was "free". Two, if out playing and don't want to stop, I can run down NiXXs lower than I would normally without too much adverse affects, but lipos...

Spektrum says the lower overall voltage doesn't affect range, and that makes sense if everythig was designed for 6v. But if the battery goes as low as 4.5-5v, that's gotta affect the range somewhat I would think. This just makes sure I have a solid 6v no matter what. Even at 1.1v/cell "cutoff", I'd still have 5.5v minimum.

[MetalMan]

Originally Posted by BrianG

I toyed with the idea of using lipos on a UBEC with a custom LVC circuit, but didn't like that idea too much. For one, I already had the batteries, so the mod was "free". Two, if out playing and don't want to stop, I can run down NiXXs lower than I would normally without too much adverse affects, but lipos...

I'm sure you are aware that I'm running Lipo/UBEC in my Nomadio React. TBH, I don't think you could really understand all of the benefits of this setup until you actually use it . No self-discharge, easy charging, super-long runtime (NiMh doesn't always put out what it's rated for...), and the ability to say "my TX runs a Lipo, and yours doesn't!". As for running rechargable AAs too low, my React actually stops functioning at about 4.5v, all the while the vibrate/audible alerts are going haywire. The Lipo is just so much better, with a switch between the Lipo and the UBEC, and an audible low-voltage warning hooked up to the UBEC input.

Originally Posted by BrianG

Spektrum says the lower overall voltage doesn't affect range, and that makes sense if everythig was designed for 6v. But if the battery goes as low as 4.5-5v, that's gotta affect the range somewhat I would think. This just makes sure I have a solid 6v no matter what. Even at 1.1v/cell "cutoff", I'd still have 5.5v minimum.

This makes me wonder - the React runs 4 rechargable AAs stock. Granted, it's not "DSM", but still. And the React is supposed to have a 10x greater output power than the Spektrum radios. Ideas?

[Mike_D]

Brian i just did this to my DX3R and it was really easy. Thanks for the great directions. Now you or somebody needs to figure out how to install a backlight.