Heliguy Forum - RC heli forum

Hi, just thought I'd introduce myself here in the Belt CP forum. Well, as the title suggests, I've just added a Belt CP V2 to my fleet. I've only had two flights and unfortunately the second flight came to a premature end....luckily nothing serious. The tail dug into the grass on a heavy-ish landing and the heli began to topple. I killed the throttle immeadiately but I had my first blade strike with the ground. The blades survived with only minor scuffs to their tips but I've bent the shaft that runs across the head between the blade grips (feathering shaft?). Grounded already - Still, two flights and only one (minor) crash is a record my Honey Bee would be proud of!

It's completely stock, and save a few minor set-up tweeks, flying straight out of the box, but so far I'm impressed. Although, if the honey Bee is anything to go by, it won't be long before the mods & upgrades are coming thick & fast.

Anyway, on to the point of this post....My first questions concern the Battery:

1) How do I know when to stop flying 'cos the battery is getting low? On the Bee it was obvious as you loose tail control and need full throttle to even hover, but the Belt seems to just keep going until it's all but dead. Is a battery alarm a worthwhile investment? If so, which one is best for the Belt?

2) How long should the battery take to charge? It's the standard Esky 1800mah lipo being charged with the charger supplied in the box. My understanding is that 1800mah charging at a rate of 0.8A (800mA) would mean a charge time of 2 1/4 hours but both charges so far have been nearer the 3 1/2 hour mark - maybe I'm over-discharging the battery, hence the previous question.

Thanks for any help/advice.
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Belt CP V2
Honey Bee FP
Walkera 4#3B
Blade SR