ISDT FD-200 SMART DISCHARGER
New Products that are
Worth a Closer Look
TERRY DUNN SHARED the following review of the ISDT FD-200 Smart Discharger, available from Buddy RC for $79.99.
LiPo batteries can degrade if they remain fully charged for more than a few days. That’s not a problem if you always fly every battery that you bring to the field, but there are many reasons why you might reach the end of a flying session and still have topped-off LiPos. It is helpful to have a tool in your workshop that can discharge those unused batteries to an appropriate storage level.
Most LiPo chargers have discharge functions that will safely drain a battery. The only problem is that the maximum discharge power is often as low as 10 or 20 watts—a mere trickle. As a result, discharging on a charger can take a few hours for packs with high voltage and/or high capacity. Although it is extremely wise to monitor the process, nobody wants to babysit discharging batteries for that long.
The FD-200 from ISDT is specifically designed for discharging. It can dump up to 200 watts of power, allowing batteries to be drained in a reasonable amount of time. It handles LiPo batteries ranging from two cells (7.4 volts) to eight cells (29.6 volts) of any capacity.
This stand-alone discharger unit is approximately the size of a paperback novel (142 x 100 x 63mm). The battery being discharged provides power for the electronics within. An XT-60 battery connector is integrated into the discharger’s aluminum housing. I made several adapters to accommodate the varied connectors on my fleet of batteries.
A small, printed user’s guide is included with the FD-200. It provides all of the basic information needed to operate the discharger. There is also an informative video on the FD-200 product page on the company’s website. This helpful video takes a deep dive into the features of this unit.
There are two ways to operate the FD-200: manually or via a phone app. The manual option is simple and easy. Two buttons are used to select the number of cells in the pack and the desired discharge current (5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 amps). A row of multicolored lights indicates your selections. The unit automatically stops discharging and emits a loud beep when the battery pack reaches 3.8 volts per cell.
Using the phone app to control the FD-200 requires you to connect with Bluetooth. The app can be slightly quirky, but the basic functions are intuitive and work well. There are two primary advantages to using the app. One is the fact that there are many more options for discharge current. This is especially helpful when discharging low-capacity batteries (less than 500mAh).
The other benefit of using the app is that it provides a wide array of data. It shows battery voltage, discharge current, discharge power, elapsed time, and even the discharger’s operating temperature. If you like to engross yourself in the details of your RC equipment, the app offers plenty of information to digest.
The FD-200 only considers the total voltage of a battery pack. It does not monitor individual cells. You can attach a dedicated voltage meter to the battery’s balance plug if you want to observe the voltage of each cell during discharge, but it is generally unnecessary.
A built-in fan prevents the discharger from overheating. As you would expect, the fan gets loud when it revs up. You always know when the discharger is working! Although it is noisy, the ISDT FD-200 is a versatile and time-saving tool that helps electric fliers care for their LiPo batteries.
New Products from the Modeler’s Mall
Lazy Bee Glider @ $128 + S&H from Andy Clancy Designs
245 S 56th St., Unit 259, Mesa AZ 85206;
Tel.: (480) 498-70239; website: www.
andyclancydesigns.com
People are often surprised by it, but the Lazy Bee loves to soar and glide! It has a low sink rate and good glide ratio, so converting one to a glider is a natural next step. The Lazy Bee Glider from Andy Clancy Designs has a streamlined nose and glides even better. Well-suited for slope soaring, it can also be flown for thermal gliding.
The Lazy Bee Glider is the Original Lazy Bee kit without ailerons plus extra laser-cut parts, plans, and instructions. It still has the Original Lazy Bee wing options. Build the 40-inch wing for slope soaring and windy conditions or the 48-inch wing for thermal gliding and calm conditions.
Smooth Flite Sixteen Gyro @ $295 + S&H from Advanced Radio
Email: sales@boomarc.com; website: www.
boomarc.com
Advanced Radio has built a reputation for quality, innovative, high-end products in the RC industry throughout the last couple of years. With the release of the Smooth Flite Sixteen Gyro, the company has lifted the bar once again.
Based on the Smooth Flite 26 channel expander, its popular big brother, Smooth Flite Sixteen, boasts the same great features plus a few new innovations. The all-in-one 16-channel expander with an integrated gyro is designed for all RC model aircraft, big and small. Features include I/O routing, dual battery redundancy, dual receiver redundancy, downlink telemetry with talk-back technology, auto gain control, and the proprietary Smooth Flite algorithm, making this the only gyro in the world to have two different gyro feels and flying styles in one product.
The black, anodized aluminum case, genuine Amass XT30 connectors, and color touchscreen with braided cable offer quality, while the Smooth Flite Sixteen is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and easy to mount to any size model. Those who have used the larger Smooth Flite system will find the Sixteen easy to set up, and those who are new will quickly pick up the intuitive menu and touchscreen layout.
Compatible with all major radio brands, Smooth Flite Sixteen includes the screen, pin switch, power LED, and three receiver cables. It is available from BoomaRC or any Advanced Radio reseller.
FV-31 Cypher VTOL Super PNP @ $399.99 + S&H from Flex Innovations
313 Seaboard Ave., Unit B, Venice FL 34285;
Tel.: (866) 310-3539; website: www.
flexinnovations.com
The Flex Innovations FV-31 Cypher VTOL is the most advanced and versatile vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and Short Takeoff & Landing (STOL) model aircraft of its type. Two fixed EDFs are mounted toward the leading edge of the wing, while two larger EDF units are mounted to a rotating pod at the rear of the aircraft. This advanced configuration provides total performance versatility, while remaining simple to use and easy to fly.
The FLEXF3 stabilization board offers six unique ways to fly, while being able to choose between any of them during flight. A pilot can select between two Stability Profiles from a two-position transmitter switch (Beginner with six-axis or Advanced with three-axis) and between three Flight Configurations that can easily be transitioned between by moving a three-position transmitter switch (Hover, Conventional, or 45° “Magic” Configurations).
The Cypher is an aircraft that must be experienced to fully understand its easy, yet versatile, entertaining flight performance envelope! Included are four 40-amp 32-bit brushless ESCs with switching BECs, two larger rear and two smaller front Potenza brushless motors, three Potenza DS15 digital servos, and one Soo90 metal-gear standard servo. A Bluetooth module and micro-USB cable are also included. Choose from two factory-applied trim schemes and add a 3S 2,200 mAh to 5,200 mAh 45C or higher LiPo battery, six-plus-channel radio, and serial-capable receiver to explore everything possible!
SOURCES:
Buddy RC
(614) 808-4488
www.buddyrc.com
