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The new Astro Flight Super Whatt-Meter-II has the ability to operate below 4.00 volts. To do this, you plug in a typical four cell RC receiver pack to the added cable. That’s all there is to it. Also the current resolution has been increased (see text). Note that APP connectors have been retro-fitted. |
Q-72: Last month in FAQ-065 you talked about the fact that the popular Astro Flight “Whatt-Meter” would not operate below 4.0 volts. You referenced a modification that would permit such use. You also said the following: “Hopefully if enough people show an interest, Bob Boucher of Astro Flight, might offer in the future a meter specifically for this application.” Well I have good news, Astro Flight just announced a new version of their meter. Would you please verify that fact?
A-72: Well that’s progress for you! I’m sure Bob Boucher was working on this for a while, but the coincidence is amazing. I just contacted Bob, and he immediately shipped me one of his new Astro Flight Super Whatt-Meter-II (P/N 101).
The meter is shipped with the Astro Flight Zero-Loss connectors which are excellent. But since they are not standard in my shop, you will note that I replaced them with APP connectors. Consider using adapters that will bridge the cap from one brand connector to another. You will also notice an extra cable exiting from the meter case. That is the new addition. When you want to read below 4.00 volts you attach a standard four-cell receiver battery pack to this cable. After doing that the meter will read voltage almost down to zero.
In this same modification Bob also improved on the resolution so that instead of the meter reading current to 100 mA the new version reads to 10 mA. Now one meter will handle all your needs, even when it comes to parking lot and indoor micro flying. For more details and price information look up this website: www.astroflight.com. When the home page comes up, click on the photo, “Digital Peak Chargers”, then select Super Whatt-Meter.