Ultimate Guide to the HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop: Your Go-To Indoor FPV Drone for a Thrilling TinyWhoop Experience

Introduction to the HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop

The HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop is not just another indoor FPV drone; it’s a compact, high-performance quadcopter designed specifically for enthusiasts who crave adrenaline-fueled flights in tight spaces. This drone combines durability, precision, and power in a lightweight frame, making it the ideal choice for both beginners and experienced pilots looking to push the limits of indoor flight. In this article, we will explore every aspect of the HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop, from its advanced brushless motors to its flight controller and camera system, ensuring you have all the information needed to make an informed purchase decision.

Key Features of the HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop

1. Brushless Motors for Enhanced Performance

The HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop comes equipped with high-quality brushless motors, which offer several advantages over brushed motors commonly found in other indoor FPV drones. Brushless motors provide increased power, longer lifespan, and greater efficiency, allowing for smoother and more responsive flight control. These motors are specifically tuned for high-thrust-to-weight ratio, ensuring that the Petrel 85 Whoop can handle sharp turns, quick accelerations, and stable hovering with ease.

2. Advanced Flight Controller for Precise Navigation

At the heart of the HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop is a sophisticated flight controller that supports multiple flight modes, including angle, horizon, and acro (manual) mode. This versatility makes the drone suitable for pilots of all skill levels. The flight controller is equipped with an F4 processor, providing fast and accurate calculations that enhance flight stability and control. Additionally, the integrated Betaflight firmware allows users to fine-tune their flight parameters, ensuring a customized flying experience that meets individual preferences and skill levels.

3. Robust Frame Design for Durability

The HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop features a robust yet lightweight frame constructed from high-quality carbon fiber. This material choice not only reduces the overall weight of the drone, enhancing flight agility, but also provides exceptional durability, making it resistant to crashes and impacts. The ducted design around the propellers further protects the motors and propellers during indoor flights, reducing the risk of damage when flying in tight spaces or through obstacles.

4. High-Definition FPV Camera for Crystal Clear Footage

Equipped with a high-definition FPV camera, the HGLRC Petrel 85 Whoop offers a crystal-clear live video feed, allowing pilots to navigate through challenging environments with confidence. The camera features a wide-angle lens, providing an expansive field of view that captures every detail during flight. Additionally, the camera supports low-latency video transmission, ensuring real-time responsiveness and reducing motion blur, making it ideal for high-speed racing or precision flying in tight indoor spaces.

HGLRC Petrel 85Whoop is a four-axis 2S brushless motor indoor FPV beginning drone, suitable for indoor or outdoor light flying,
New SPECTER 10A 5-in-1 integrated flight control which integrated 4-way ESC、flight control、image transmission and ELRS receiver
With RunCam nano4 lens, the picture is clear and sharp:
Onboard 400mw analog video transmission, up to 48CH, stable and efficient;
The drone is equipped with a new 1202.5-11000kv brushless motor as standard, with strong power, and it is equipped with Gemfan 1610 two-blade propeller for silky flight;
Lightweight, It is about 50g, single battery lasts about 5 minutes;
In-line motor, more convenient without welding;
Onboard SPl ELRS3.0 receiver (optional), built-in antenna, external tbs receiver, customized miniature T-shaped antenna, reducing weight;
Recommended use: 2S: 450mAh-550mAh high-voltage battery, the drone battery plug is XT30 plug

Note: SPI receiver does not support D (D250, D500), F (F500, F1000), Full Res (100Hz Full Res, 333Hz Full Res), if you use ELRS TX modul, if you can’t get the frequency up, please set the Tx modul PacketRate option to 50HZ-500HZ, and you cannot set the mode starting with D/F

Drone parameters:
Frame: Petrel 85Whoop frame
Flight controller: SPECTER 10A AIO MCU: STM32F411 GYRO: ICM42688
Built-in receiver: SPI ExpressLRS2.4G
Built-in image transmission:0-RCE-25-100-400mW (adjustable)
Onboard ESC: continuous current: 10A peak current: 13A (10s)
ESC protocol: Dshot600, Oneshot, Multishot;
ESC firmware: Z_H_30/(Bluejay)
Flight control firmware: HGLRCF411SX1280 V2
Flight control input voltage: 1S-2S 3.7v-7.4v (Lipo)
Mounting hole: 25.5X25.5mm.M2
Motor: SPECTER 1202.5-11000kv motor
Propeller: Gemfan2015 two-blade propeller
ELRS version weight: 48±1g
TBS version weight: 50±1g

Shipping list:
1x Petrel 85Whoop drone
8x Gemfan2015 two-bladed propellers
1x (accessory pack)

 

 

 

Understanding the Causes of LiPo Battery Failure in FPV Drones

LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries are the lifeblood of FPV drones, powering everything from the motors to the electronics that enable your quadcopter to soar through the skies. While these batteries are essential for high-performance flying, they are also delicate and prone to failure or premature death if not handled correctly. In this article, we’ll explore the various causes of LiPo battery failure, helping you to extend the lifespan of your batteries and ensure consistent performance during your flights.

1. Overcharging and Overvoltage

One of the most common causes of LiPo battery failure is overcharging. Charging a LiPo battery beyond its maximum voltage—typically 4.2V per cell—can cause significant damage. Overcharging can lead to the swelling of the battery cells, increased internal resistance, and, in extreme cases, thermal runaway, which can result in fire or explosion.

• Prevention: Always use a quality balance charger with built-in safety features to prevent overcharging. Ensure that you never exceed the recommended charge voltage for your specific LiPo battery.

2. Overdischarging

Overdischarging occurs when a LiPo battery is drained below its safe minimum voltage, typically around 3.0V per cell. Discharging a battery too low can cause irreversible chemical changes within the cells, leading to a loss of capacity, increased internal resistance, and eventual failure.

• Prevention: Use a low-voltage alarm or set your drone’s flight controller to warn you when the voltage drops below a safe threshold. It’s also advisable to land your drone as soon as the voltage drops to around 3.5V per cell under load, giving you a buffer to avoid overdischarge.

3. Physical Damage

LiPo batteries are particularly vulnerable to physical damage, which can occur due to crashes, punctures, or rough handling. Any damage to the battery casing can lead to exposure of the internal cells, which may result in swelling, leakage, or short circuits.

• Prevention: Always inspect your batteries after a crash or rough landing. If you notice any dents, swelling, or other signs of damage, it’s best to safely dispose of the battery rather than risk using it. Protect your batteries with soft cases or padding during transport and in your drone.

4. High Current Draw

FPV drones, especially those built for racing or freestyle flying, often draw high currents from their batteries. While LiPo batteries are designed to handle high current loads, drawing excessive current for extended periods can cause overheating, swelling, and a decrease in battery lifespan.

• Prevention: Ensure that your battery’s C-rating (the measure of how much current the battery can safely deliver) matches the demands of your drone’s setup. Avoid pushing your batteries to their limits during every flight, and consider using batteries with a higher C-rating for demanding flying styles.

5. Improper Storage

Improper storage is a major factor in the premature aging of LiPo batteries. Storing LiPo batteries fully charged or fully discharged for extended periods can cause capacity loss and increase the risk of swelling.

• Prevention: Store your LiPo batteries at a storage voltage of around 3.7V to 3.85V per cell. Use a balance charger’s storage mode to set your batteries to the correct voltage before storing them in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing batteries in hot environments, such as inside a car or near direct sunlight.

6. Poor Charging Practices

Charging LiPo batteries improperly can lead to a range of issues, from reduced capacity to complete failure. Using incorrect settings on your charger, charging at too high or too low a current, or using a damaged charger can all contribute to battery failure.

• Prevention: Always double-check your charger settings before plugging in your batteries. Charge your batteries at a moderate rate (typically 1C, where C is the battery’s capacity) unless you’re confident that a faster charge won’t harm the battery. Regularly inspect your charger for wear and tear, and replace any damaged components.

7. Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, humidity, and exposure to water can also lead to LiPo battery failure. High temperatures can cause the battery cells to swell, while cold temperatures can reduce capacity and increase internal resistance. Exposure to moisture can lead to short circuits and corrosion.

• Prevention: Fly and store your batteries within their recommended temperature ranges. Keep them dry, and avoid flying in rainy or excessively humid conditions. If you suspect that a battery has been exposed to moisture, allow it to dry thoroughly before use, but be cautious as the internal damage may have already occurred.

8. Age and Usage Cycles

Even with the best care, LiPo batteries have a finite lifespan. Over time and through repeated charge/discharge cycles, the chemical composition of the cells degrades, leading to reduced capacity, increased internal resistance, and eventually, failure.

• Prevention: Monitor the performance of your batteries regularly. If you notice a significant drop in flight time or increased swelling, it may be time to retire the battery. Keeping a log of your battery usage can help you track the number of cycles and predict when a battery is nearing the end of its useful life.

Read More About Lipo Batteries by clicking the link below:
https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-guide/

Checkout our Frames Collection by clicking the link below:
https://thefpvproject.com/product-category/frames/

1S = 1 cell  = 3.7V
2S = 2 cells = 7.4V
3S = 3 cells = 11.1V
4S = 4 cells = 14.8V
5S = 5 cells = 18.5V
6S = 6 cells = 22.2V

For example, we call a 14.8V battery a “4-cell” or “4S” battery.

LiPo battery is designed to operate within a safe voltage range, from 3V to 4.2V. Discharging below 3V could cause irreversible performance loss and even damage to the battery. Overcharging above 4.2V could be dangerous and eventually cause a fire.

However, it’s advisable to stop discharging when it reaches 3.5V for battery health reasons. For example for a 3S Lipo, the max voltage is 12.6V, and you should land when the voltage reaches 10.5V (at 3.5V per cell).