Q-109: I worry about my battery pack failing during a flight, causing
the crash of my aircraft. I realize that any single point failure could stop my
RC system from operating and controlling my model. I heard that there are
devices that allow for redundant (more than one) battery pack to power the same
RC system. Can you shed some light on this?"
A-109: I’ve seen several so-called redundant battery schemes throughout the
years. The idea behind it is that you can use two battery packs, feeding them
through a control device and then into your single RC system aboard your model.
I received a sample of such a product recently, and it is being passed on to one
of the <I>MA<P> columnists for a more detailed review. The device is made by
Quest Engineering and Development of Phoenix, Arizona, and it is called the
Smart-Fly BatShare. You can find a description of it at
www.Smart-Fly.com.
As you can see in the photo, the BatShare is small, measuring 1-1/2 inches long,
3/4-inch wide, and 1/4-inch thick, and it weighs 0.5 ounce. Its size and weight
would make it suitable for almost any size model.
There are two input cables to which you plug in two separate battery packs. The
packs should have the same voltage (number of cells) but can have different
capacities. In practice, power is drawn equally for both packs, and the
available capacity is the sum of the two.
The BatShare continually monitors both battery packs and will switch to the one
with the higher voltage. There are two output cables that go to your RC
receiver. One can go to an unused channel port.
The unit is rated at 12 amps input current per cable, or a total of 24 amps for
the two inputs. It is claimed that the voltage drop is only 0.47 volt at 6 amps
and 0.55 volt at 12 amps. Two LEDs provide a monitoring function for both
outputs.
The BatShare sells for $54.95. Quest Engineering has several other specialty
items to offer, so check out the Web site.