ULTRA Guard 430 Backup

This is a pre order for the ULTRA GUARD 430 . Delivery is expected early February 2014. OPTIFUEL is building a highly respected reputation for developing products and accessories for the model enthusiast which now covers brands such as OPTIPOWER Ultra Guard 430 a new intelligent concept in model flight safety. ULTRA GUARD 430 is a small lightweight easy to install smart landing system designed to restore total backup control allowing you to land your model safely following a main power failure. A welcome new development and additional safeguard is the easy to fit Ultra Guard high intensity LED Flash Alarm.. The device is plugged into a free port on your RX or FBL system and when you power up the device waits, monitors the system set voltage, then arms at that voltage less 0.5V. The device is then armed and monitoring the system voltage and the state of the buffer pack. If the buffer pack needs topping up it will do that and balance it from the main packs or RX pack and stop when it gets to a nominal 8.1V. The device samples the system voltage every 2mS and if the system voltage drops below the armed set voltage then the buffer pack steps in if the system voltage recovers it drops out, this is seamless. The device when working can and does indicate locally that its operational and if it is charging or not but this is not able to be seen at distance. A separate external high intensity LED can be fitted that shows you are on the buffer pack, this is an option and these can be cascaded if required. The device works across 4.6V to 8V. The combo version (the board and buffer pack) are bound together by clear shrink wrap as is the super combo version (inc LED system). The total weight is <39g inc LED <35g ex the LED. All parts can be purchased separately. The device can go to storage charge if its not going to be used for some time. 

Frequent Asked Questions

Can I use the Ultra Guard 430 with a BEC?
Yes you can but you need to be aware that this is a safely device and will cut in if your BEC fails. Some BEC do not like a back feed voltage so do not test the unit leaving the BEC connected and pulling the main flight battery leads off as this will back feed the BEC. Isolate the BEC to test by removing the BEC leads. Do not reset until the UG430 is switched off. This way it will relearn the system voltage and set below it.

What voltage will the ULTRA Guard work over?
The minimum voltage it will set at is 4.8V and set to 4.3V the maximum is 8.7V and set to 8.2V

My Ultra Guard get quite hot is this usual?
There parts get hot during charging. The temp with around 65°c is nothing to worry about. The board has an over-temp protection of 80°c. However it also depends a little bit on mounting position and environment temps. The board is absolutely fine. Nothing to worry about. 

But, if the BEC fails and the Ultra guard takes over, isn't there the potential issue of it supplying voltage "backwards" to the ESC through the RX/FBL unit via the throttle cable since the connector bus on the FBL unit is common and can be powered from any port? I'd really hate to fry a $200+ Castle 120HV ESC. The FBL unit in question is the Spektrum AR7200BX.
Under normal circumstances the UG430 sets below the BEC voltage by 0.5V so no damage can be done as its a lower voltage than the BEC output. If the BEC fails you loss everything anyway so you will crash the UG430 will allow the model to be auto rotated down safely with no damage. 

The LED appears to be on all the time?
This might occur on the earlier UG430 with no diodes on the LED, this is caused by leakage voltage when the set voltage is above 7.2V. We can upgrade the firmware and supply a modified LED if this happens just call us.

My Ultra Guard LiPo is only 90% charged is this right?
Yes, the maximum charge is 90% or 4.2V this is correct.

Can I use more than one LED on the Ultra Guard 430
Yes you can cascade them.

Will the Ultra Guard work with the YGE ESC?
Yes it will work fine.

Will the Ultra Guard work with a LiFe pack?
In theory yes but the LiFe pack and LiFi packs do have a voltage drop issue on load and this might trigger the UG430 into operation. We are working on this and a revised firmware will become available to cope in April May please call the factory for advice.

Will the Ultra Guard work with a LiPo direct on the system no BEC or regulator?
Yes it will. One thing to bare in mind is that if your RX LiPo is older or of poor quality the voltage migh drop very soon on load to a lower set point than the no load voltage. This might switch on the UG430, this would not damage anything but this is the reason.