Should i use lipo in devo 10?

So there's just a linear voltage regulator in the Devo 10 that takes the voltage down to 5V?
Are there no other parts of the tx that use higher voltage?
What is the lowest safe input voltage? 5V + vreg drop?

I'm currently using a 2.5 Ah 3S, but like the idea of using a 2S pack with even higher capacity.

PhracturedBlue wrote: the Devo10 really doesn't need any more than ~5V to run. If you use Alkaline or NiMH, it is a bit better since you can drain them way down and live with a large voltage drop without damaging the batteries, and so they do provide additional longevity (though it would be better with 2 4-packs in parallel. LiPo batteries don't do well being over-discharged though, so it doesn't make any sense to use a 3S to me.
I use both 2S and Eneloop in my Devo transmitters, and don't really have a preference for one vs the other. I will note (for the nth time) that the Devo power circuit is not very robust, and I have seen it burn out on several radios, even those running standard AA batteries (like my Devo8). I'm not quite sure why, but I think I flaky power switch can trigger the power FET to blow. Anyhow, you can make your own choices, but I woul recommend to either stick with NiMH, or use a 2S lipo.

Would this be a good choice of battery for the Devo 10? My 2000mAh Eneloops seem to be getting a little tired (Only lasted a few minutes after charging them overnight in the Devo 10) and my iCharger 206B can do LiFe batteries!

This one should fit with plenty of space to spare: bit.ly/29Y5iIh . There might even just be enough room to squeeze two of them in the battery bay.

Ok, i tryed a 2200mah 2 cells battery and the tx works ok, but what can be done for the "can not save" thing? I mean most of the time i have to change something, add something, put some trims etc. How can this problem be solved? Or is the 2 cell battery only usefull when you know you won't be doing any changes? Because if that is how it works then it is not much help, each time i have to try or change something i need to plug a 3S battery or Alkaline or NiMH. Anyone has found a better solution?

You need to edit tx.ini, and set batt_critical to a lower value.
I think the default is about 10500 (mV).
Set it to the lower limits of a 2-cell pack, say 7500 (7.5 V), and you should be fine.
batt_critical can not be edited in the tx gui, you have to do it from a computer over USB.
Do not edit with Notepad, use Notepad++ or some other proper editor.

Thank you very much. I did that, and it works just fine. I wouldn't have found myself that batt_critical is responsible for that message. I thought it had something to do with actuall hardware limitations and not a voltage warning. Thank you.

Now i only need to find a 2 cells battery that is a better fit than the one i am testing now.

Here's maybe a dumb question but why would I even consider using a lipo over standard Eneloop batteries? What advantages do lipos have? And what are the disadvantages?

I've been thinking about doing this...

Pros:

1. Lighter weight
2. Long operating time
3. High potential charge cycle count
4. You might have one lying around

Cons:

1. Must remove to charge, or alternatively mod charge circuit
2. Non-standard voltages

Another alternative is to make a mod to the USB so NIMH batteries can be charged when connected to USB. Note this mod is specifically for the Devo 7e, and I'm planning to try it on my 6s as the requirements are the same. I will test it on a 12e when I get chance, and I believe it will be ok...but YMMV!

Thanks! I have to remove the Eneloop batteries to charge them, anyway, so that's not really a con. The non-standard voltages seems to be a big problem. I've seen people talk about using 2S and 3S. Also, as the Tx stands around quite a lot, wouldn't a Li-Fe battery perhaps be better?

My LiFe battery works really well, far better than the Eneloops I was using previously.

That's what I thought might be the case. What voltage rating are you using? Do you have a link to the battery you use?

I use the Turnigy nano-tech 1500mAH LiFe 3S 9.9v Transmitter Pack.

I use this: www.aliexpress.com/item/ZOP-Power-7-4V-2...lug/32609492845.html
2S 2200 mAh - you could easily fit two of them in a Devo10 for a total of 4400 mAH!
$10 each.

Thanks. But, isn't the voltage a bit low?

As there is a 5V (and 3.3V) linear voltage regulator, the 2.4V difference from 2S Lipo minimum voltage is enough.
The LM1117 need a minimum of 1.2V difference to do its thing. Anything above that goes off as heat, which of course may be nice during winter

Great info. Thanks. I'm learning a lot about electronics (and flying) through this hobby!

Has anyone tried either 2 or 3S of a DIY 18650 pack?

Has anyone tried this? I have 2 laying around and they have protection circuits.

www.aliexpress.com/item/ETC-Hot-3-Pcs-Op...ack/32717794935.html

Would be easy to fit that into the TX... Don't have to worry about overdischarging them. Of course you'd never want to run them dead anyways because the system would cut out.

This thread hasn't got any new messages since long time, i hope there is still some interest in finding the best solution for DEVO battery,

At the moment, i am using a ZOP 2S 2200mah LiPo battery. The problem is, it is only good for a day's flying. Actually i have two of those, and both perform similarly, and not very good i must say. Anyway, i was thinking of purchasing a 2s LiFe battery. It must be a 2s not a 3s Life, as i have modified the battery compartment to fit an extra 5volts bec with a switch, that turn on-off an internal signal amplifier. The DEVO's needs combined with the amplifier needs, allows for about 1-1,5 hour of flying when set to 100mw.

The benefit of a LiFe battery is that it can be discharged without problems. But will DEVO work ok with a 2s Life? As far as i know, they have a nominal voltage of 6,6Volts. That means that they can easily get below 6volts. Will DEVO still be able to work ok with that little voltage? Has anyone esle been using a 2s LiFe in the DEVO 10? 3s look like a much safer and logical solution, but it just won't fit in the compartment.

I use 6 x AA Nimh (Taranis battery) in my Devo 12e instead of 8 x AA batteries. I had to edit tx.ini for battery alarm and battery critical to suit 6 cells AA and it works perfectly. So your choice of 2s LiFe should be good. I think I tested and the 12e works ok down to about 5v.