Using an RC Watt Meter | Quick Tip | Motion RC

Many time pilots ask if they can change a prop, motor or esc in an RC aircraft and if that aircraft will perform. A watt meter will answer your questions and let you know for sure if your upgrades will work. A necessary tool for any electric aircraft RC pilot. Links below:

#rctip #wattmeter #gtpower

[charlesrestivo]

Just came across this .Giving props to James .Simple and easy to understand

[kArchipelagos]

Thanks man for those abbreviations meanings. I'm going through about five videos trying to find the most obvious thing a person would need to know. They want to talk about how it's got a rubbery feel and just weird stuff, everything but the data. It's been so long since I bought it I threw away the documentation and I never really wanted anything but the voltage until recently. I subscribed because you're a logical.

[rusack]

Watt meters are also a great tool to keep an eye on pack health as they age by keeping an eye on voltage drop under load. As already mentioned by others, I always set up my models with a watt meter making sure I stay within motor maximum amp draw as well as making sure the chosen ESC has enough headroom above maximum draw from the motor as they also must provide power to the receiver and servos and possibly landing gear and lights, etc.

[jeffhenderson]

Good stuff James. I’m looking back like 5 years ago and knew nothing batteries or voltage meters. THANK GOD for the percentage (% left in the battery) Indicator.
So, if you had done this video I’d still have all my original batteries! LOL!
Thank you guys for putting this together.

[kikikiss]

You can use the watts to choose right motor.
Every motor has limit of the output(watt).
If you don't consider maximum output of motor, it will burn.

[paulhatcher]

I too, have always had one, but haven’t took it out of the box. I will most certainly have to get some ends soldered on and try using it.

[victorrcjets]

This will definitely help out a lot of new pilots wanting to experiment with this different power Systems. typically when you're running up an EDF you will see peak watts and amps vs what we call settled watts and amps this is after it's been running for a while. Your Peak is a voltage Spike that is what the resistors are for ways to help prevent overloading you're esc.

[FL_Engineer]

I've seen a few vids on these but this is the clearest explanation

[yodecaf]

This is very helpful. Being new to RC Planes, I didn't understand how much the prop's effect on my plane would be and never knew how to figure out what ESC to buy when building ARF's.

[NoAgendaFPV]

I have one of these and never noticed the bottom left corner cycles through peaks. I have had a few cases i wanted to check what my peak Amp-draw was, but wouldn't be able to see it while running so didn't try it. Just learned I can run the device then go back and look at the peak before unplugging. Thanks!

[laurenceboag]

That was great! It answered some important questions for me. Thanks!

[jeffjackson]

Great video. I’ve never used one of these and it was nice seeing one in action.

[mountaindewdude]

Hi James! Thanks for this video! It looks like this watt meter is far superior to the watt meter that I've been using for quite a few years. I'll be looking for this GT Watt Meter, for sure!

[DadsRCHangar]

I have one of these, but not used. This was really a great tip. Did not know about watts per pounds. Really a eye opener. I will have to go and play with mine.

[stephenthomas]

Thank you, James. Great 411 for the Knowledge Blog. Best, LB

[garyvale]

I just bought this meter and package instructions are not clear what exactly is the 3 pin slot on the " source " side of the meter is used for ? ....thanks

[darkofc]

👍😊 Happy New Year James and motion RC crew !

Excellent job - you just saved me a lot of explanations ..👊

If that was your plan - I like the one point at the time approach ..

Nice follow ups would be balancing and thrust measuring (to have all in one place for newcomers ..)
(more complex items - correlation between kv, V, blade counts, ducting etc, - could be in some future "Advanced" series ..)
P.S.
I am also forever grateful to gooniac, Herb and 4stripes for my initiation on this subjects ..

[MrdHrst]

Ordered one 😀
If there is enough space in the plane, you could just put it in there and check the maxima after the flight.

[gerardpayne]

Good video, thanks. Does anyone know if you can charge the battery through the wattmeter so you can measure the Ah going into the battery? Will the meter show negative numbers in this case or do you have to reverse the source and load?

[Electron_master]

Hey, can I use it for 60v battery in an EV scooter where the max battery volltage is nearly 68V.