Fullsend 6S 6000mAh Li-Ion: Holy Grail of lengthy vary FPV

Lithium-ion or Li-ion batteries typically have a better vitality density than different battery chemistries, together with LiPo. Which means that Li-ion packs can retailer extra vitality in the identical bodily dimension, permitting longer flight occasions and elevated vary. For instance, by comparability, the iFlight Fullsend 6S 6000mAh weighs simply 608 grams, and a LIPO battery with the identical energy weighs 865 grams.

LiIon batteries are additionally favored for his or her stability and longer life span. LiION cells are much less susceptible to swelling or catching fireplace than Li-Po cells. Sadly, they aren’t good. Whereas LiION packs have a max 30-40C discharge charge, LIPO packs can have as much as 200C. A better discharge charge is crucial for racing and freestyling. Not all drones can be utilized with LIION packs; it is best to take a look at it with the AMP drain on the display screen, and in case your energy wants exceed 150A, it is best to keep away from utilizing LiION batteries.

As Li-ION batteries have a decrease backside voltage than LIPO batteries (2.5V/cell vs 3.0V/cell), it’s good to make just a few changes to keep away from all types of warnings in BetaFlight OSD. Underneath the “Energy & Battery” tab, it’s good to change “Minimal Cell Voltage” from 3.3V to 2.9V and “Warning Cell Voltage” from 3.5V to three.1V. Turning on “Common Cell Voltage” monitoring within the OSD tab can be important. It will be greatest should you have been close to dwelling and making ready to land when the typical cell voltage is round 3.0V. Keep in mind that flying and relaxation voltages differ in order that you’ll be left with some security reserve vitality after touchdown.

iFlight Fullsend LR 6S 6000mAh Li-Ion battery evaluation

Disclosure: I obtained this long-range Li-ION pack in a product evaluation collaboration with iFlight. Though the battery was provided free of charge, all opinions on this article stay mine, and the sponsor didn’t affect me.

iFlight’s Fullsend LR LIION battery product vary consists of 6S 8000mAh (12xINR21700-40T), 4S 3000mAh (4xINR18650-30Q), 6S 4000mAh (6xINR21700-40T), and 6S 6000mAh (12xINR18650-30Q), so I used to be stunned to open the package deal and discover inside a 6S 4500mAh/99.9Wh pack (not listed on their web site). Trying to unravel the thriller, I found that airline firms have strict rules concerning lithium-ion packs over 100 wh. Most likely, this is the reason the battery was “mislabeled”. After eradicating the protecting foam contained in the field, I discovered two extra labels, one with 6000mah and one with 4500mah.

The Fullsend 6S 6000mAh LiION pack measures 137*56*38mm and weighs round 610 grams. It makes use of twelve items of high-quality Samsung INR18650-30Q cells related in a 6S2P configuration. Virtually, two 6S 3000mAh batteries are related parallel to double the storage capability. The package deal feels solidly made with good enveloping. The battery claims to supply as much as 35C steady discharger charge. Sure, this isn’t a race pack, not a freestyle, however a cruiser pack.

Being near 14cm (5.5″) lengthy, it could’t be put in on high of any FPV drone. On my nine-inch Chimera 9 ECO, there was sufficient room to put in it, however on my six-inch Volador VD6, I wanted to take away the GoPro mount to create space for the battery.

Technical specs

Efficiency: Anticipated flight time

To guage the true capability of the FullSend LR 6000mAh battery, I discharge it all the way down to 2.6V per cell with a discharge present of 3A (0.5C). At this discharge charge, the pack stayed cool, avoiding vitality wastage. The measured capability was roughly 5880mAh. When charged again, the capability was 6726mah however this worth is extra primarily based on estimation. The FullSEND LR’s measured inner resistance (IR) was round 9-11mΩ/cell.

After the seashore assessments, I put in it on my 9″ long-range drone. The take-off weight was about 1400 grams. You will have two 30cm lengthy velcro straps to safe it to the body. While you fly such heavy birds or race quads with LIION packs with low discharge charges, you’re feeling you might be flying on Jupiter with excessive gravity. In the event you push the throttle degree larger, cell voltage drops considerably, and a low voltage alarm seems on the display screen. After 18 minutes of flight, I landed when the cell voltage dropped to three.1V. Most likely, it nonetheless had vitality left for a further 2-4 minutes of flight. Even half-hour after touchdown, the battery was nonetheless heat to the contact, which by no means occurred with LIPO packs.

I like to recommend not abusing LI-ION packs by over-discharging (under 2.5V/cell) or over-heating them utilizing extreme throttle; you don’t wish to kill your 100-buck battery. In the event you use them correctly, they’ll serve you for a number of hundred flights.

Pricing and availability

The FullSend LR 6000mAh LI-ION pack may be ordered from the producer’s web site for $119.99 (€143,79 from the EU warehouse). In the event you want a good larger capability, the 8000mAh model with INR21700-40T cells is priced at $149.00 (€178,49 from the EU warehouse). Earlier than ordering, I counsel you ask about supply choices, as Lithium batteries over 100Wh are regulated as a hazardous materials in lots of nations.

6000mAh LiION vs 6000mAh LiION: Which is greatest for long-range FPV?

The selection between LiPo and Li-ion batteries is determined by the particular necessities of the drone software, contemplating elements reminiscent of weight, vitality density, discharge charge, and lifespan. Within the desk under, I in contrast a very powerful parameters of the Fullsend 6000 LiION and 6000 LIPO batteries.

Fullsend LR 6S 6000mAh Li-ION: Alternate options

The GEPRC VTC6 18650 6S2P guarantees related efficiency however makes use of a distinct type issue. Regardless of utilizing related Samsung cells, it’s about 30 bucks dearer than this FullSend. One other various could be the URUAV 6000mAh 15/30C 6S Li-ion, which additionally has a extra cubic form. The Lumenier NAV 6000mAh 6S has the identical longish type issue and guarantees as much as 50C burst discharge charge, which is one of the best in its class.

You can also make your personal LIION packs approach cheaper than shopping for ready-to-use ones, however a spot welding machine might be wanted. To make sure one of the best efficiency and reliability, it is suggested to make use of good-quality cells from Sony, Samsung, or Panasonic. One real INR18650-30Q cell is about 5$, and also you want 12 of them to make a 6S 6000mAh pack, so with out calculating the value of welding and wrapping, you possibly can construct it for round $60.