Advice on RC plane and batteries

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BABAR

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my grandson turns 11 this week. Was looking at getting him

Hobbyzone Sport Cub S

I had the super cub (I was an adult when I got it, really easy to fly, forgiving to crash.). Wish they still had it.

Anyway, was looking for recommendations not just on the plane (this looks good) but also on what batteries (can I do better than just to get the
E-flite 1S LiPo Battery 25C (3.7V/150mAh)
 
Here's an eBay listing for a 250 mAh version:
https://tinyurl.com/y5ghywyh
As for field charging, you get MORE FUN per hour by having several batteries, charge them all up the night before. It takes 20- minutes to an hour or more to recharge depending on the charger, so field charging is not very practical, unless you pay to get a multi-charger that can charge 4 or 5 at a time (I have really good one that is very adjustable, by HiTec but it's pricey. Chinese knockoffs cost about $45-50). Like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/HTRC-X4-Mi...975377?hash=item340b7c0091:g:CygAAOSwpI9bdaNL
s-l400.jpg

Oddly, I can't find the original HiTec version of this listed (might be discontinued,I got mine 5-6 years ago). That type is nice in that the charge rate can be adjusted (HiTec's 100 mAh to 500 mAh IIRC), and displays the voltage and charge rate on an LED digital display for each battery. Also it can be powered both by 120V AC as well as 12V DC.

Here's a basic one at a very good price, $11.99. Not adjustable, no display, just an LED light for each cell being charged (this kind of charger usually shows a red LED when charging and green when charged, and stops charging, but this one may not be that way. Some light up red when charging and STOP being lit up when charge is done, saves power on the source battery but can be aggravating). USB powered. For field charging you can use a Battery Bank as shown in the photo. But still charge them all up beforehand, and only field charge if you want to make more flights than you have pre-charged batteries for. https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Port-Par...488687?hash=item41f02f096f:g:c9EAAOSwLXNbvQ8q

s-l1600.jpg
 
Last edited:
Here's an eBay listing for a 250 mAh version:
https://tinyurl.com/y5ghywyh
As for field charging, you get MORE FUN per hour by having several batteries, charge them all up the night before. It takes 20- minutes to an hour or more to recharge depending on the charger, so field charging is not very practical, unless you pay to get a multi-charger that can charge 4 or 5 at a time (I have really good one that is very adjustable, by HiTec but it's pricey. Chinese knockoffs cost about $45-50). Like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/HTRC-X4-Mi...975377?hash=item340b7c0091:g:CygAAOSwpI9bdaNL
s-l400.jpg

Oddly, I can't find the original HiTec version of this listed (might be discontinued,I got mine 5-6 years ago). That type is nice in that the charge rate can be adjusted (HiTec's 100 mAh to 500 mAh IIRC), and displays the voltage and charge rate on an LED digital display for each battery. Also it can be powered both by 120V AC as well as 12V DC.

Here's a basic one at a very good price, $11.99. Not adjustable, no display, just an LED light for each cell being charged (this kind of charger usually shows a red LED when charging and green when charged, and stops charging, but this one may not be that way. Some light up red when charging and STOP being lit up when charge is done, saves power on the source battery but can be aggravating). USB powered. For field charging you can use a Battery Bank as shown in the photo. But still charge them all up beforehand, and only field charge if you want to make more flights than you have pre-charged batteries for. https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Port-Par...488687?hash=item41f02f096f:g:c9EAAOSwLXNbvQ8q

s-l1600.jpg
Great help! Thanks.
The plane comes with 150 battery. Will the 250 be larger and or heavier and or burn out the motor?
 
I'd vote for a proper trainer, rather than the Cub.. (It's also recommended for 14yrs & older)
I'd vote for something larger, as this think will require indoor flying or very calm days.
Join a flying club to learn properly & with an instructor, rather than your back yard..

When i was an avid flyer, we saw parents bring their kids to fly, they started out OK, but quickly lost interest, or were more interested in crashing.
We also encouraged 12yrs or older
When I was flying, park flyers were becoming the 'new thing'. We had a lot of people show up with model #2 or #3, as they crashed the first one or two, and realized they did need more help than what the manual & youtoob shows.. Also , these new flyers were flying into things; houses, cars, trees, etc.. and were starting to give the R/C hobby a bad name..
 
Great help! Thanks.
The plane comes with 150 battery. Will the 250 be larger and or heavier and or burn out the motor?
The 250 will be a bit larger (longer mostly), and a bit heavier. But the Cub can probably fit it easily. Possibly need a touch of tailweight added if the battery is ahead of the CG.

No, it won't burn out anything. as it is providing 3.7 volts for 67% longer, not increased volts or current. If you used a two-cell 7.4V battery, then that would burn the servos and probably receiver and probably the motor. I've used 200 to 250 mAh Lipos in my own models.
 
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