Just got an RC military plane. Can't wait to get this up in the air!



This is a solar powered battery charging thing. Charges the battery fine, but I'm kinda worried about the voltage and amp being to low. Works fine right now though, so I guess I can charge on the field, hopefully!

E-flite at least is a reputable brand, with warranties. It'll do what it's told.

I had that solar charger for awhile. Don't rely on JUST sunlight, you need to plug it in every other day or so when you use it. If your LIPO charger is designed for 5v~ like a cellphone is it'll be fine, I think most of those packs have 10,000 mAh batteries.

Most of those battery packs are pitiful for solar charging... Usually under 1.5W solar panels.
10,000MaH = 10AH
5V @ 1A discharge = 5W for 10H

To recoup that you will need to charge in full direct sunlight for over 33 hours (With 1.5W panel) but likely closer to 45 hours. So figure 75+ hours to recharge from empty using solar...

Single larger panels (6" x 10", backpack ones) are usually 5-7W in max. power output. And it all depends on energy conversion % as well. (average small thin potable panels are 20-24% efficiency)

Expected power (KW) = area (Meters Sq.) x Efficiency (%)
So lets say 4"x8" panel at 25%

P (KW) = (4x2.54)x(8x2.54)/10000 x 0.25
P (KW) = 10.16cm x 20.32cm /10000 x 0.25
P (KW) = 0.2064 x 0.25 = 0.00052 KW = 0.52 W solar generation power.

Remember that this is a nominal W, and full sun can generate higher power, which can be the listed power on panels... The highest solar efficiency is ~50% AFAIK.

Yeah, I'm a treasure trove of useless info..

Oh. Nice plane BTW!

Jarlath wrote:

Most of those battery packs are pitiful for solar charging... Usually under 1.5W solar panels.
10,000MaH = 10AH
5V @ 1A discharge = 5W for 10H

To recoup that you will need to charge in full direct sunlight for over 33 hours (With 1.5W panel) but likely closer to 45 hours. So figure 75+ hours to recharge from empty using solar...

Single larger panels (6" x 10", backpack ones) are usually 5-7W in max. power output. And it all depends on energy conversion % as well. (average small thin potable panels are 20-24% efficiency)

Expected power (KW) = area (Meters Sq.) x Efficiency (%)
So lets say 4"x8" panel at 25%

P (KW) = (4x2.54)x(8x2.54)/10000 x 0.25
P (KW) = 10.16cm x 20.32cm /10000 x 0.25
P (KW) = 0.2064 x 0.25 = 0.00052 KW = 0.52 W solar generation power.

Remember that this is a nominal W, and full sun can generate higher power, which can be the listed power on panels... The highest solar efficiency is ~50% AFAIK.

Thanks for the info! I wasn't expecting the solar panel to work that well either. I'll probably fully charge it before I charge any batteries with it. Thanks again.

P.S: No information is useless. I think, (At least in my eyes) that all information can be of use. You never know when it can help you, and/or others, and what it could lead you to. Just don't spend a lot of time reading/and/or collecting data that is not as important than others..............................I have no idea what I'm saying, but I'm saying it anyway.....lol.

Strato50 wrote:

E-flite at least is a reputable brand, with warranties. It'll do what it's told.

I had that solar charger for awhile. Don't rely on JUST sunlight, you need to plug it in every other day or so when you use it. If your LIPO charger is designed for 5v~ like a cellphone is it'll be fine, I think most of those packs have 10,000 mAh batteries.

Thanks! Yeah, I'll definitely charge it before I take it anywhere. I hope I don't have to call them about warranties and stuff, lol. Thanks for letting me know!

OOOOOH Nice Plane needs some detailing...lol

Airbrushler wrote:

OOOOOH Nice Plane needs some detailing...lol

Thanks. The detailing on it is definitely lacking, I'll likely eventually put some detail on it for sure. I don't really want to make it nice and then immediately crash it though, lol.

Dan10channel wrote:

Airbrushler wrote:

OOOOOH Nice Plane needs some detailing...lol

Thanks. The detailing on it is definitely lacking, I'll likely eventually put some detail on it for sure. I don't really want to make it nice and then immediately crash it though, lol.

LOL this is why we have tanks no crashing

Airbrushler wrote:

Dan10channel wrote:

Airbrushler wrote:

OOOOOH Nice Plane needs some detailing...lol

Thanks. The detailing on it is definitely lacking, I'll likely eventually put some detail on it for sure. I don't really want to make it nice and then immediately crash it though, lol.

LOL this is why we have tanks no crashing

Yea, lol. My grandfather actually went out of his way, to get me this, knowing I liked RC stuff he went to the local Hobby store and I guess he thought I might like this. I even insisted he not get me it, but he laughed and said "Don't worry, It's fine." And got me it anyway. I feel bad for my Grandpa, he has been having some health problems and hasn't been feeling well. I better stop rambling, lol. I hope I don't crash it though....at least everybody will get a good laugh, lol.