Radio Control: Electrics
REGULAR READERS will recognize the above opening as my regular closing! No-this is not a zero-length column. It just seems that some readers never get to the end of a column because, while most of my incoming mail comes directly to me, some comes to me via the Model Aviation editorial office. The good folks at MA do forward my mail sent there, but you can get faster answers by using my home address above. Besides, it'll save the folks at AMA HQ some work! 'Nuff said. Charger modification. This is a follow-up on the snafu which occurred in my article in the September issue. As you can imagine, a number of folks have contacted me about the "Mods to DC/DC Super Charger" article that appeared in the September 1987 issue of MA-complete with a major built-in error. That error-mislabeling in two places in Figure 4, page 83-was corrected in two places in the October 1987 issue, namely in the "Letters to the Editor" column and in my regular column.
Radio Control: Electrics
KRC's eighth annual Electric Fly-while now history-doubtless remains real-life vivid in the minds of those who attended and participated. It is hard to forget that sheer inner joy that comes packed as part of this growing, high-caliber affair. The 1987 meet, held the weekend of September 19 and 20, was a grand success in its own particular ways. Here are some highlights of that wonderful weekend: First-some firsts. This year's meet was the first ever to be nearly weathered out. While some previous years saw the chance of precipitation, this one was different. After seven consecutive years of good weather, this one faced what threatened to be a major weather disaster. It had rained off and on for several days prior, and the intended field-that of the nearby Buc-Le Aerosportsmen club in Quakertown-was underwater. By late morning of Friday, September 18, it was clear that the field-"borrowed" for its large size-would not be usable.
Radio Control: Electrics
MORE on the Leisure Amptique. The December 1987 column discussed this model in some detail and offered some photos, and if you're thinking about building the plane you may want to review that issue. Some time has passed since that was written, and now there are five Amptiques flying locally, and several more made an appearance at the '87 KRC Electric Fly. From seeing these (and flying many of them), I can now offer some further thoughts on this very fine model. First, accumulating experience is reinforcing some of the observations made previously. This includes the fact that the kit's provisions for cooling the motor and batteries have proven inadequate in general, and the motor battery is routinely quite hot after a flight. All local Amptiques have been outfitted with additional airscoops and enlarged air exits. Also, the fuselage former in front of the battery must be opened up to allow more free air passage to the battery area. If you're not sure about the thermal condition of your motor battery following a flight, take the wing off and feel it, and if it's hot, let it cool before charging again.
Radio Control: Electrics
MORE photos and somewhat less text than usual are features of this month's column-this 'cause I have an abundance of the former, and less of the latter is needed! Fuses and connections. There is what I consider to be a risky situation existing with some Electric products and installations. It has to do with fuses. In particular it's the lack thereof! In the early days of my Electric endeavors, the only readily usable fuses were the round glass cylindrical ones. These fuses and their associated holders were quite bulky and, for small models, quite heavy. Also, at the time I did not see much value to fusing, so I didn't. Well, things change!
Radio Control: Electrics
FOLLOW UP. My September/October 1987 columns offered information on how to modify the Astro Model 102 DC/DC Super Charger. The modified charger features current-regulated performance, i.e., the charge current, when set, remains relatively constant over the duration of the charge cycle. The modification also allows the charger to be used when connected to an automobile electrical system with the auto engine running-something not possible to do with any degree of safety with any other type of charger, otherwise. Reader response to this offering has been quite positive and also quite inquisitive. Here are answers to some popular questions.
