The Kiwi pass through regulator is a regulator that is designed specifically for helicopter use. The Kiwi can be thought of both a regulator and a Power Buss type unit. Designed for use with any battery with a Voltage under 10 volts. It is recommended that a battery no higher than 8.4 be used with the Kiwi due to its designed purpose. Before you purchase a Kiwi it is strongly recommended by Fromeco that you read Fromeco's Kiwi PDF document found here. Kiwi PDF You will need Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or higher to view this document.
The Kiwi is designed to help pilots squeeze every last inch out of performance from there servos at higher voltages. It is also the perfect unit to allow for the unregulated Cyclic control voltages using a LiFePO4 battery pack such as the Iron Corps, and Iron Corps Extreme A123.
Kiwi at a glance
Kiwi Regulator
Deans input
4 Ports, usable at either Raw Battery Voltage, or Regulated at 5 volts
5 Male/Male JR jumpers for connection to RX, 1 jumper for Switch
Designed for use on batteries 8.4 volt and lower, Please readKiwi PDF, for warnings and clarification on unit installation
Perhaps the perfect regulator for modern helicopter flight systems.
You have a 2.4g Rx and high voltage usable (HV) servos (eg JR8717's): The Kiwi regulator will provide raw battery voltage to the receiver and associated servos (typically three cyclic servos) and a regulated 5V supply for up to four other outputs (typically tail rotor and throttle). Because the receiver receives voltage directly from the battery, a low voltage brown out state is very unlikely, and no possibility of a reset due to the regulator. And it has a fail safe switch built in! Use A123 type packs (eg the Fromeco 1200mA Iron Corps) for a 'kinder' voltage to your HV servos. Or use a LiIon or LiPo pack for even faster servo speeds and torque.
Hey, what is I am still on 72MHz (and so my receiver can only handle 6V max)? Unlike any other product, the Kiwi can be installed to provide a 5V regulated supply to the receiver (along with tail rotor and throttle) and allow unregulated voltage to be passed to up to four other servos (typically the three cyclic servos). And yes, you can still use the built in failsafe switch! Again, use A123 type cells for a 'kinder' voltage to the 8717's.
What if I fly on 2.4g or 72MHz and don't yet have HV servos? The Fromeco Arizona is still the regulator of choice (giving up to 6V regulated to the receiver and servos, except tail rotor which receives a 5V regulated supply).
So, in summary, the Kiwi regulator has a built in failsafe switch and if you are running HV servos will work with 72MHZ today (5V Rx supply) and 2.4g tomorrow (unregulated battery voltage supply to the Rx). Use A123 type cells to prolong cyclic servo life, or Li Ion/LiPo for blistering performance.
My recommendations: 1200mA A123 type cells (Iron Corps) in a 50. Use JR8717 cyclic servos. Typically 2-3 flights between charges, and charge in 15 min. On a 90, use either the 2400mA-h IronCorps phosphate cells, or 2300mA-h IronCorps Extreme (with A123-brand phosphate cells) and charge every 3-4 flights.
IronCorps Extreme is capable of delivering big currents with little voltage drop, and can be charged in 15 minutes from flat. Their nominal voltage is 6.6V, which is much safer for the JR8717's than an unregulated LiPo pack.
