AeroBird Challenger Charger Problems

[flynColorado]

My aerobird challenger wont keep a charge for more than 3 mins. I bought a new battery and got the same results. I have confirmed my charger is set on the correct setting. Has anyone else had this problem or know how to fix it?

Thanks

Safe flying

[rwhite0604]

Are you sure that you are plugging the charger in first and then the battery? I had the same problem at first...

[ajoksch]

I had a similar problem when I upgraded to a larger battery for my park zone Stryker, and with my Cox P-51. I have found that if I unplug the charger after it showes fill charge, wait 30 seconds, and plug back in. I can get a better, longer lasting charge. I am told that this conditions the max charge, and after a while the battery will accept the charge the first time. I also run the battery down a little more after the ESC shuts me down, as Ni-Cds seem to have a memory. Good luck.

[rwhite0604]

That's Actually how I had my first crash which resulted in a broken Tail Horn... The engine shut off after very little time and I thought my plane was defective... I then discovered that the peak charger must be plugged in without the battery first, THEN plug in the battery pack. I've been very successful since then.

[aeajr]

I never thought of it as I always plug the charger in first, then the pack, but having the pack connected then plugging in the charger might change how the charge cycle works.

If you have a discharged Aerobird Pack and an Aerobird Charger, one where the plane shuts the motor off, it should take you about 40 minutes to charge the pack at 1.2 amps. If the charge time is much less than that, try charging the pack at 600 MAh for a cycle or two then take it back up to 1.2 amps and see if it does better. It will take longer but the pack may need to be conditioned.

BTW, one of the first skills I teach new electric flyers is how to fly their planes in a glide so, if the motor shuts off, this is a non-event and should not cause a crash. Get it high, then power back till the motor shuts off. Now glide around and get used to flying the plane with the motor off. You can power back up and climb again, then power off and glide.

Do this till it feels comfortable and natural. Then get into the habit of landing with the motor off so that a motor loss does not create a problem. ;)

This is a good skill to learn AND will give you very long flights. :D