Its getting cold ! WKM IMU till -5 C

[BorisS]

Guys are you planning of getting your WKMs winter ready, by some home keeping the IMU warm. As far as i remember at -5 degrees the IMU performance will reduce. Considering the wind from flying an outside temp from -1 -2 will already be -5 or more on the IMU. I was thinking of installing some heating foil around the IMU, but not sure yet if its worth the effort and how it might affect the IMU.

Boris

 

[Droider]

Morning Boris.. I have just finished my F450 build and to protect theIMU from the cold I am going to encase it in Armaflex insulation for the winter.. Not sure how cold its going to get thius year but last year the coldest I flew in was -12 with my Gaui..

Have you see data anywhere about cols temperature affecting the iMU?

Dave

 

[BorisS]

Hi Dave,

without any prior question I think to remember that some DJI guy in the RC groups forum mentioned that people should take care when flying in these temps. So i just wanted to go sure if I notice that WKM is performing badly because of temps below -5 C, i already have a solution at hand and dont have to start searching than. I guess the anti vibration gel mounts in the IMU get harder and dont isolate the vibration as good anymore.

Boris

 

[BorisS]

Think about some chemical hand-warmers that i could strap to it. Probably the easiest way without any current going though it that might again influence the IMU. I remember those that are reusable by boiling them after usage, thus bringing the energy back into them

 

[BorisS]

somthing like this

http://www.werbeartikel-discount.com/index.php/cPath/22_330

but i am gonna look for a brit flag

 

[BorisS]

can one of you from experience say how much loss they get on their lipos in the winter time. 10 % 20 % less flight time ? I know it might be different for different kinds of lipos just interest to hear some thoughts on this.

Thanks

Boris

 

[RTRyder]

can one of you from experience say how much loss they get on their lipos in the winter time. 10 % 20 % less flight time ? I know it might be different for different kinds of lipos just interest to hear some thoughts on this.

Thanks

Boris

The big limiting factor for me is how long it takes for my fingers to get stiff from the cold which is usually less than it takes for the battery to discharge. I find 5 to 6 minutes is my limit and the batteries generally will go a minute or two more at least so I can't really say what percentage is. I can't fly with gloves, just doesn't work for me. I do have a Raydiowarm which works OK but I find it limits the movement of my hands so that isn't ideal either but it's better than freezing my fingers without anything for protection. If you keep the battery packs warm right up to the moment you connect them they don't seem to lose too much duration over warmer weather, it does minimize the loss due to cold.

Ken