eFlightWatt is a wattmeter, a data logger, an ESC programmer, and a battery tester in one compact package. It can work in autonomous, "off-line", mode to record the data in flight as well as in "on-line" mode while connected to a computer via a USB cable. In on-line mode, it permits controlling and programming an ESC from the computer as well as testing a battery by discharging it with a constant current.
Flexible start and stop conditions permit recording of up to 50 separate flights. Measurements can be recorded every 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1, 2, 3, ..., or 63 seconds.
Our best in its class eFlightWorks software sports contemporary multi-document windows interface and provides the best real time visualization of the measurement data. The software runs in all Windows versions from Windows 2000 to Vista (Windows 98 version will also be available, followed by Mac and Linux versions).
The wattmeter with 3 in (75mm) long 13GA (2.62 mm2) wires and Deans Ultra connectors weights about 27g (slightly less than 1oz). Its size is 45mm by 30mm (1.77" by 1.2") not including the wires.
- Measurement
eFlightWatt can record:
- voltage from 0 to 42V (up to 10S LiPo) with 0.04V resolution
- current from 10A charge to 60A discharge with 0.01A resolution
- RPM up to 100,000 (requires an optional optical
or magnetic RPM sensor)
- two temperatures from 32F to 257F (0 to 125°C) with 0.2F (0.1°C) resolution (requires an optional thermosensor)
- throttle from -25% to 125% with 0.1% resolution
In addition to these measurements, eFlightWorks software also calculates:
- charge discharged from the battery or charged into the battery, limited only by the battery capacity
- power up to 2500W
If the RPM is recorded, the following values are calculated:
- static thrust developed by the given propeller at the recorded RPM
- power out* (power required to spin the given propeller at the recorded RPM)
- power system efficiency*
*Power Out and Efficiency values are only relevant for steady RPM
- ESC Programming
eFlightWorks offers flexible ESC programming: virtually any ESC, which can be programmed with a transmitters stick, can be programmed via simple menus. Four types of programs are currently implemented: Castle Creations Phoenix and Thunderbird, Cool Running CoolESC, Hacker X-series/Hyperion ESC, as well as two-level menu programming of "generic" Chinese controllers (hexTronik, TowerPro, etc.). Any new ESC programming sequences, for which we get controllers, will be added to future releases of eFlightWorks software.
Users can edit existing ESC programs, create new programs of any of the supported types, and save them into ESC definition files, which can be shared with others.
- Battery Testing
eFlightWorks can control ESC/motor to discharge the battery with a given current, while recording the battery voltage. This way, you can test your batteries without buying any additional "battery analyzers" just by using your existing power system. The discharge power is limited by your motor/ESC and can reach up to 2500W.
- Throttle Playback
eFlightWorks implements throttle playback using either a previous on-line recording or a throttle program script. You can create a "standard flight" throttle program and use it for testing of various motor/battery/propeller combinations.
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