Generator for M600 batts

[licensed pilot]

Mr. Moderator, please don't slam me for asking same question twice (here and in public safety) It doesnt appear too many users visit PS.

For those currently using the M600, what is your field rig for charging batteries? Thanks. (generator output specs?)
Thanks.

 

[Fly Gary]

I've been eyeing this one over at HD for a field unit.

Ryobi Bluetooth 2,300-Watt Super Quiet Gasoline Powered Digital Inverter Generator-RYI2300BTA - The Home Depot

 

[licensed pilot]

I've been eyeing this one over at HD for a field unit.

Ryobi Bluetooth 2,300-Watt Super Quiet Gasoline Powered Digital Inverter Generator-RYI2300BTA - The Home Depot

Thanks Gary. Maricopa PD's UAS Air Support Unit is operational as of today with our dual camera M600. We began working on this last April. 7 FAA 107 pilots. I thought I'd never get done.

Luis Martinez
Chief UAS Pilot
Maricopa Police Department
39700 West Civic Center Plaza,
Maricopa, Arizona 85138

 

[Fly Gary]

Thanks Gary. Maricopa PD's UAS Air Support Unit is operational as of today with our dual camera M600. We began working on this last April. 7 FAA 107 pilots. I thought I'd never get done.

Luis Martinez
Chief UAS Pilot
Maricopa Police Department
39700 West Civic Center Plaza,
Maricopa, Arizona 85138

View attachment 17338

Congrats Luis!

 

[licensed pilot]

Congrats Luis!

How long does it take to charge 6 batts with that generator, Gary?

 

[Fly Gary]

How long does it take to charge 6 batts with that generator, Gary?

Haven't picked one up yet, but would assume it would be the same rate as regular house current. For my I2, I use a 3rd party charger that charges 4 and the same time. Next time I have the KillAWatt out I will see what the draw of all four is. I actually use 2 of them. Have 16 batteries so 8 on the charger is not an issue since we are past the 100+ degree days.

That sounds like the old parent line..... we flew our drones in 110 degrees with a headwind both ways to get that picture.....

 

[licensed pilot]

Haven't picked one up yet, but would assume it would be the same rate as regular house current. For my I2, I use a 3rd party charger that charges 4 and the same time. Next time I have the KillAWatt out I will see what the draw of all four is. I actually use 2 of them. Have 16 batteries so 8 on the charger is not an issue since we are past the 100+ degree days.

That sounds like the old parent line..... we flew our drones in 110 degrees with a headwind both ways to get that picture.....

we flew our drones in 110 degrees with a headwind both ways w/o GPS...

 

[Scoobywrx05]

we flew our drones in 110 degrees with a headwind both ways w/o GPS...

Do any of your cars have power inverters on them? So you could have mobile power and charge while you drive. In household current 1500 Watts is equal to a 15 amp draw roughly. I don’t believe there’s a charger out there for your batteries that will draw that much. If looking into generators, look at the lower wattage Honda gen sets. They are the quietest in the market as far as dB they produce under load.

 

[licensed pilot]

Do any of your cars have power inverters on them? So you could have mobile power and charge while you drive. In household current 1500 Watts is equal to a 15 amp draw roughly. I don’t believe there’s a charger out there for your batteries that will draw that much. If looking into generators, look at the lower wattage Honda gen sets. They are the quietest in the market as far as dB they produce under load.

Thanks. Yeah we r leaning towards a Honda. Just need to figure out what's the fastest charging time for the 6 Matrice batteries....

 

[Scoobywrx05]

Thanks. Yeah we r leaning towards a Honda. Just need to figure out what's the fastest charging time for the 6 Matrice batteries....

The Honda’s in the 1000 to 1200 watt range would be all you would need. Most of those are in around the 60db range which is like people talking. Not very loud at all.

 

[licensed pilot]

Thank you.

 

[DamesNY]

I use the Honda 2000ie.
Although I'd check out harbor Freight's copy of it. Supposedly only slightly louder and Half the price.

Takes @45min to bring a 6 pack back from 25%

 

[licensed pilot]

I use the Honda 2000ie.
Although I'd check out harbor Freight's copy of it. Supposedly only slightly louder and Half the price.

Takes @45min to bring a 6 pack back from 25%

45 mins. for public safety purposes is great. Thanks.

 

[AcesAreWld]

Here is my home and field setup:
The ULTIMATE Inspire 2 battery charger

 

[licensed pilot]

Some set up!

 

[Eric Braun]

The Honda’s in the 1000 to 1200 watt range would be all you would need. Most of those are in around the 60db range which is like people talking. Not very loud at all.

It depends on how many chargers you run. We run 4 chargers so we can have 8 batteries charging on 4 hubs. That's what we need to have a freshly charged set available every time we land. It takes over 700 watts. Add to that chargers for Crystal Sky, controllers and HDMI monitor batteries and you're pushing closer to the max of a 1,000 watt generator than I'd like. A 1200 watt should be OK. But if you'd like to keep the noise down, use Honda's 2,000i generator. It can charge all that and still keep its revs down to a murmur.

 

[Fly Gary]

Mr. Moderator, please don't slam me for asking same question twice (here and in public safety) It doesnt appear too many users visit PS.

For those currently using the M600, what is your field rig for charging batteries? Thanks. (generator output specs?)
Thanks.

After a lot of research I went with a Honda EU2000T1A1 2000 watt inverter. I was leaning towards the cheaper Ryobi but there seems to be some issues on longevity. Normally they are $999 but I found one at the NE Mesa Home Depot for $899. No reason known for the drop in price. Picked up the 3 year add on warranty so will have it fully covered for 6 years.

 

[licensed pilot]

After a lot of research I went with a Honda EU2000T1A1 2000 watt inverter. I was leaning towards the cheaper Ryobi but there seems to be some issues on longevity. Normally they are $999 but I found one at the NE Mesa Home Depot for $899. No reason known for the drop in price. Picked up the 3 year add on warranty so will have it fully covered for 6 years.

Thanks Gary.

 

[ed.matthews4]

A quick note, I use 3 Honda generators for various reasons, a Eu1000i, a Es5500 and an Eu6500I. All of them will suffer from ethanol gelling in the jets if they don't get used for 3 weeks or longer. To prevent this I use 100 Low Lead Avgas. It's ethanol free and can sit for over a year.
If a gen is hard to start, or won't idle unless the choke is used, it's probably suffering from gel in the jet.

 

[licensed pilot]

Gel in the jet... easy to remember.