Futaba 4PL Batterypack

[Maarten]

So after reading the forums and search around a bit, I decided to buy the Futaba 4PL. It seems to be a more then decent transmitter for a beginner. However one question remained unawnsered for me:

Is there a battery pack for the 4PL, without me having to completely modify it? Or is it simply wiser to just use AA batteries?

Wondering what you guys use to power up your 4PL

[DRV KRAWLER]

Originally Posted by Maarten

So after reading the forums and search around a bit, I decided to buy the Futaba 4PL. It seems to be a more then decent transmitter for a beginner. However one question remained unawnsered for me:

Is there a battery pack for the 4PL, without me having to completely modify it? Or is it simply wiser to just use AA batteries?

Wondering what you guys use to power up your 4PL

I have never found a battery from what seemed to be a reliable source. I have contacted others with no return information. So, I have conceeded to just running the AA pack. Batteries seem to last for a time without replacement. I will be watching if anyone has a better suggestion or a quality replacement.

[natskiboy]

Taken from here: Futaba 4PL 2.4 GHz S-FHSS Radio Review « Big Squid RC

Best Hop-up-
The rechargeable 2 cell 1900 mah LiFe battery sold by Hobbico. Sets ya back $35 bucks but is worth every penny. Trust me on this one. Seriously

[Bc Paints]

I use a Hyperion 2 cell 1450 mah life pack just had to put the right plug on it and change the settings on the radio for low voltage cut off, I've charged it 3 times since I got the radio when it first came out and use it at least once a week, hope this helps

[Maarten]

Thnx for the replies guys. Now I now what I got to order!

[ninja turtle]

Originally Posted by natskiboy

Taken from here: Futaba 4PL 2.4 GHz S-FHSS Radio Review « Big Squid RC

Best Hop-up-
The rechargeable 2 cell 1900 mah LiFe battery sold by Hobbico. Sets ya back $35 bucks but is worth every penny. Trust me on this one. Seriously

i agree 100%. one charge on that life battery last longer then changing out 3 full sets of aa batteries.

id say if you have the 4pl this battery should be a no brainer

[Stormin2u]

I commit the ultimate insult I use rechargeable AA batteries.

[OKJeepin]

Clue me in...is this just a plug and play battery for the 4PL? No need to change the plug?
Can you charge lithium iron phosphate batteries with a Onyx 235 charger?

[ninja turtle]

Originally Posted by OKJeepin

Clue me in...is this just a plug and play battery for the 4PL? No need to change the plug?
Can you charge lithium iron phosphate batteries with a Onyx 235 charger?

yup, plug and play. only thing you need to change is the cutoff on the 4pl. and yes the onyx 235 has life option.

[Tgreer]

Fill me in on what you change on the radio to run that life pack? Also were is a good place to buy that life pack?

[ninja turtle]

Originally Posted by Tgreer

Fill me in on what you change on the radio to run that life pack? Also were is a good place to buy that life pack?

turn on radio, menu, system, batt: N5/L2, thats it. i bought mine off of towers site.

[OKJeepin]

Originally Posted by ninja turtle

yup, plug and play. only thing you need to change is the cutoff on the 4pl. and yes the onyx 235 has life option.

Originally Posted by ninja turtle

turn on radio, menu, system, batt: N5/L2, thats it. i bought mine off of towers site.

Thanks Leonardo!!

[ninja turtle]

Originally Posted by OKJeepin

Thanks Leonardo!!

glad i was able to help.

[Maarten]

thnx for the info guys!

[AreCee]

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

I commit the ultimate insult I use rechargeable AA batteries.

I'm with you. 4 AA 2200mah NiMH batteries I get for $6.75. They seem to last forever before requiring a recharge.

[YJ_Driver]

Originally Posted by AreCee

I'm with you. 4 AA 2200mah NiMH batteries I get for $6.75. They seem to last forever before requiring a recharge.

I went this route too because my ICE charger doesn't support LiFe and I'm not ready to replace it. To charge it I put a barrel jack on the RX wire of my very old Futaba Tx/Rx charger (designed to trickle charge NiCd) so I can plug it into the back of the 4PL. At 50mA it takes a very long time to charge, but then it lasts a long time too.

[ninja turtle]

i started out using duracell rechargeable aa batteries and i could only get 20-25 min. tops so i switched to regular duracell aa and they would last about an hour, maybe a little longer. with my life battery i charge it about once every 3-4 weeks.

[Super]

Originally Posted by ninja turtle

i started out using duracell rechargeable aa batteries and i could only get 20-25 min. tops so i switched to regular duracell aa and they would last about an hour, maybe a little longer. with my life battery i charge it about once every 3-4 weeks.

How many hours do you think that is? It's not uncommon for me to run my trail rig for three hours or more in an afternoon.

[ninja turtle]

Originally Posted by Super

How many hours do you think that is? It's not uncommon for me to run my trail rig for three hours or more in an afternoon.

i would guess you could get a solid 6-8 hours, maybe more.

[Super]

Cool, Thanks.