Battery question

[sfninerfan69]

As regards to flight batteries and such what are the rules about getting larger longer flight time batteries. Is it voltage (i.e.: as long as they are both 11.4, or 2200 vs 3300) or is there more to it?

[fhhuber]

As long as voltage is the same, the main issue is weight. A secondary issue might be size.

3S 2200 mah 20C will be lighter and smaller than 3S 3300 mah 20C

3S 2200 mah 20C will be lighter (usually) and smaller (usually) than 3S 2200 mah 30C

A real increase in capacity or C rating will increase battery size and weight.

Note that the ratings need to be looked at with a bit of skepticism...

Many planes can carry 20% to 50% larger batteries without much issue.
Some don't have much problem with double battery size and weight.
Some can not handle the weight and a few have no way to reasonably make room for a larger battery.

Actual results vary quite a bit.
More weight means you need more power just to stay in the air. So double capacity does not mean you get double the flight time.

[sfninerfan69]

Thanks for the info

[StormyDog1962]

You can increase the Mah amount on occasion so think of Mah as a fuel tank, the higher the number the more fuel. However as fhhuber has mentioned there can be a weight penalty so putting a larger battery may not translate into extended flying as the Motor has to work harder to keep the plane airborne thus using more electrons. We test our planes to use the battery which gives the best all around performance and flight time. Throttle management is the largest factor when determining flight time as a Full Throttle flight will obviously not last as long as a half to 3/4 flight with varying degrees of throttle. Can one go from an 1800mah to a 2200mah with no problem, sure but trying to go from a 2200mah to a 5000mah might be an issue.