Radio Control: Electrics
TWOFERS time. This month, we're gonna explore two topic areas. The first is a discussion and comparison of several "large" motors. There's comparatively little information readily available on this subject, and I hope that this coverage will prove useful to those considering moving up in power system size. Then, "Basic Electricity, Part 2" will pick up where last month's installment ended. (This is a continuing short course aimed at simplifying all that confusing science stuff!) Large motors. It's no secret that most folks who first try their hand at Electric do so with comparatively small-size power systems. This makes lots of sense, because it's the lowest-cost way of finding out just how much fun Electric can be. These smaller systems are by far the easiest to charge, and there's nothing "small" about the performance they can provide, either.
Radio Control: Electrics
CHARGE! This month's column is going to address one of the most-often-asked-about topics: charging. In particular, we're gonna see how to make a charging system that will handle most popular motor battery packs. The system presented here is very simple, reliable, and inexpensive. It can be built by nearly anybody and requires no soldering, special tools, or instruments. All material can be purchased at Radio Shack, your hobby shop, and hardware or auto parts stores. It's based on something you probably already have: an Astro, Leisure, or similar charger. In addition, we'll use this "how to" to see how some of the past lessons in "Basic Electricity" can be applied to real, working Electric hardware. Let's get on with it!
Radio Control: Electrics
ELECTRIC EVENTS now planned include the following: International Electric Fun Fly: June 22-23, 1985; Ontario, Canada. Site is about 55 miles from Niagara Falls. Contact Vic Walpole, 102 Admiral Road, Ajax, Ontario L1S 2P1, Canada. Also, contact Vic if you want to join an Electric association. An opening symposium on Electric propulsion is in the planning stages. Third Annual Boeing Hawks Electric Fly-In: Saturday, June 29, 1985 at Kent, WA. Contact Bernard Cawley, 210 37th St. S.E., No. 43, Auburn, WA 98002. Prizes for longest flight, most aerobatic, smallest airplane, others. An Electric Clinic, conducted by Mitch Poling, is tentatively scheduled.
Radio Control: Electrics
MANY modelers use the trunk of their car or the back of their station wagon as a hangar and maintenance depot when they're at the flying field. Electric fliers have a rather special need, when it comes to such usage, and I want to talk about it this month: charging connections and accessories at the car. There's been quite a bit of interest shown by readers in my March column. Among other things, that column pictured and discussed a wiring installation I made to my auto battery. You may recall that I wrote of running heavy cabling directly from the battery to the rear of my station wagon 'cause that's where I fly out of! One column photo showed the connection scheme at the battery end.
Radio Control: Electrics
MORE Electric writing: I want to open this column with a hearty "atta boy" and best wishes to Flying Models magazine and author Mike Charles, who introduced a new column on Electric commencing with the June 1985 issue. This addition brings the total Electric column count to five-or 100% of the popular monthly magazines our hobby is blessed with. It has been personally very interesting to witness the steady growth of Electric interest over the decade wherein three magazines, including MA, have installed dedicated columns in less than two years.
