Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S discussion will cover some new E-products seen at KRC '98, and will discuss some aspects of economy Electric. A photo illustrates a new mounting plate for Speed 400-type motors from Stitzer Model Design, 113 William St., Centre Hall PA 16828; Tel.: (814) 364-9530. This is a nicely fabricated aluminum plate, notched and drilled and ready for the motor to be tie-wrapped to it. The plate is then held to wooden bearers with screws as shown. I misplaced my pricing info, but you can get in touch with Sam Stitzer for full details.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S column discusses reader mail, The Electric Connection Service, Electric "niche" areas of interest, and a personal Electric Wish List. Late News: The Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego announces the Second Annual "Mid-Winter Electrics" February 12-14. Contact Charlie White, 4420 Ladera St., San Diego CA 92107; Tel.: (619) 223-8903, E-mail: charliew@adnc.com for more information. Each issue of MA is immediately followed by a flurry of reader letters that lasts about two weeks. This mail brings not only reader reaction to what has just appeared, but often to long-past column content as well. It seems that each new issue triggers some readers into writing-about anything!
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S column offers some special battery, charging, and discharging stories. It seems that every couple of years I manage to run my auto battery down while charging my motor packs. This happened again a few weeks ago, but it was not exactly a surprise this time. My car had warned me a few times with some sluggish starting sounds, which I ignored. This was the original battery in my '96 Voyager minivan, and the fact that the battery lasted more than two years, given the way I use it, is something new. Previous OEM batteries failed after just a few months of deep-cycle use-the kind of use a battery is likely to have with lots of motor-pack charging. I do not know if the car maker has upgraded the battery specification, or as follows below.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S topics include information on a commercial version of the End of Charge Beeper, an End of Charge Beeper upgrade, and some comment on tiny E-RC. The End of Charge Beeper (March 1997 column) was being considered as a potential product. (The EOCB is a simple device used in conjunction with your present motor battery charger to audibly signal when the charger has shut down.) I'm happy to announce the availability of a ready-built version. The product name is Lil Beep! and is available from New Creations R/C, Box 496, Willis TX 77378; Tel.: (409) 856 4630. The price is $19.95.
Radio Control: Electrics
Amazing and very much appreciated - that's what the slow but steady growth in Ni-Cd battery technology over the last two-plus decades has been. My first floundering E-flights occurred 1972-73 - when just about nothing for E-power was available at any hobby shop, including batteries. This was a time of "do it all yourself" with a struggle! I remember struggling to rewind Radio Shack and other toy motors to make them (somewhat) more suitable for the flight task at hand. And I recall the exasperation of trying to fit unwilling gears and a suitable prop to them. Then there was the small, light, homemade super-regen receiver and Adams actuator. And I still see myself trying to power the whole works with an old receiver pack comprised of four button cells that had to be charged overnight in classic manner. (There was no such thing as high-rate charging then.)
