Retrofitting a LiPo into an Esky Tx

[Solitaire]

Recently, HobbyCity made available a 1450 mAh LiPo specifically for a Tx that takes 8 AA's in a row. www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9787&Product_Name=Turnigy_1450mAh_3S_11.1v_Transmitter_Lipoly_Pack

I was tired of changing out conventional AA's in my Esky Tx and haven't found any happiness with the NiMH. The voltage indicator never went over half way even with those fully charged.

I thought I'd attempt to retrofit my Tx with the HobbyCity LiPo...easy as pie. Dump out the 8 AA's and find the existing red and black wire connections at the top of the battery tray in the Tx.

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[Solitaire]

Find a Futaba servo extension from your parts supply and cut off the male end. You need to keep the female end. Keep the red wire long, cut the black wire a bit shorter and cutoff the white wire completely.

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[Solitaire]

Strip a quarter inch off each of the red and black servo extension wires and tin them both. Then attach the red wire to the solder point on the Tx and the black wire to the opposite solder point. Tuck the wires into the clips from the AA battery connections and add a little nailpolish to hold in place. I also added some nailpolish to the side of the compartment as a strain relief. Pardon my crappy solder job...I can barely see that far, let alone do up a nice solder. WTH, it holds.

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[Solitaire]

Now just connect the LiPo to the Futaba connector (observing polarity) and tuck it into the battery cavity. There's lots of room for the connectors and balance lead. I added a small piece of fuzzy velcro just to help keep the door snug. A piece of foam would do the same. Note...that's only one side of the velcro, just as a filler.

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[Solitaire]

Note the LiPo only fits Tx's that have 8 AA's side by side, although I have read where some Futaba owners have modified their battery tray to fir the HobbyCity LiPo.

I only did this modification last week, so I haven't got any figures on battery duration. I'll edit this post once I need to recharge.

[dubehigh]

NIIIICCCCEEE

[Dave]

Good info Bob can't wait to see how long it will keep the charge.

Dave

[19000rpm]

Very nice sol.

Happy landings