Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S topics include two meet announcements, followup on a motor mount, some photo detail on the "emphasis" function discussed last month, a Mega-motor substitute, and a developmental slow charger for "large" packs. Dick Miller sent me an announcement for the Bassett/Brown Commemorative meet June 28-29 near Reading PA. The meet is sponsored by the Cocalico Prop Dusters and is a one-design event for the Miss Philadelphia OT. There's lots of activity planned, and many opportunities to compete, including an Electric option. Write to Contest Director Paul Ahnert, 442 West Marion, Lititz PA 17543.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S COLUMN is dedicated to Electric RC newcomers. I'll first provide some information for beginning modelers who choose to start in Electric, then I'll give some information for experienced model builders who are considering trying Electric. It is impossible to cover all possible beginner considerations in a single column, so I'll try to hit the high spots in the hopes that everyone can get off to a good start in this rewarding aeromodeling specialty.
How To Do It: Large Pack Slow Charger
The rapidly growing interest in Electric-powered aeromodels brings diversity of model size and type, as well as increased use of wide-ranging cell counts in the motor batteries. It is not uncommon to find batteries ranging from a few cells to 20 cells or more on the flightline of any meet. It is also not uncommon to find high-tech, high-capability fast chargers on the flightline. But what's missing seems to be "slow" chargers for the higher-cell-count packs. Two slow-charger versions are shown. They are basically the same simple, easy to use, inexpensive design; one version has adjustable output. The design is a constant-current charger that outputs a fixed current value independent of the cell count (up to the design limit). One can charge 1-22 cells with no significant effect on the chosen current value over the cell-count range - a very convenient feature.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S COLUMN is devoted to beginning Electric modelers - which includes beginners in aeromodeling as well as aeromodelers beginning in Electric. We will present an overview of Electric power, what it has to offer, and some suggestions for getting more information about this relatively new and very appealing aspect of our hobby. Electric is almost self-defining, just like "Gas" and "Rubber"-one of several common power sources for model flight. This column is primarily focused on RC Electrics, but the basic power source is fully applicable to Free Flight and Control Line. Electric can be flown indoors and out, and can power models ranging in size and weight from tiny one- or two-ounce craft to 20-plus pounds' worth of Giant Scale. There is no aeromodel type I know of that cannot be flown with Electric power.
Radio Control: Electrics
This month's topics include a new E-product, a connector use warning, and how to make an end-of-charge beeper. John Sermos, the modeler behind Sermos connectors, has just announced an addition to his well-regarded and much-used connector product line. (Sermos connectors are widely used on motors, speed controls, chargers, and so on.) It's an economy connector version, selling for $1.80 for a standard 4-pack (two connector pairs). This is about half the price of the "high-end" Sermos connectors. It is simply a standard Anderson part and uses the same basic interchangeable plastic housing and contact assembly found on familiar Sermos connectors, which are custom-manufactured for John by Anderson. Anderson sells the basic version of this connector under its own trade name (Anderson Powerpoles) to the electrical and electronics industry. Anderson Powerpoles are sometimes used by modelers, believing that they are the same as Sermos-brand versions, but such is not the case.
