Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
DON’S HOBBY SHOP LITHIUM-ION RECEIVER BATTERY
Specifications
Price: $37
Chemistry: Lithium-Ion
Capacity: 2,600 mAh
Connectors: One JR/universal style
Charge rate: 1C maximum (.5 to .8 recommended)
Weight: 3.5 ounces
Dimensions: 2.75 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and .75 inches tall.
Lithium-Ion, Lithium-Polymer, Nickel-Cadmium, Lithium-Iron Phosphate, Nickel Metal Hydride, A123 … wow!
Those are all battery chemistries that can be used with airborne receiver systems. A description of each, and a discussion of the relative merits and drawbacks of each, would consume several pages, but because we don’t have that much room, the subject at hand will be a flight report about a Don’s Hobby Shop Lithium-Ion receiver battery.
Lithium-Ion is a stable technology and is in use in a variety of devices—from laptops to cordless drills to electric toothbrushes. Although Lithium-Ion doesn’t charge as quickly as some battery chemistries do, the hard-case batteries don’t suffer from puffing or crash damage the way Lithium-Polymer batteries can, while still packing the high-voltage output of a Lithium-Polymer battery.
A 2S (two cells in series) Lithium-Ion battery pack is suitable for either high-voltage or regulated airborne power systems. High voltage (HV) means that all of the components—the receiver or ignition, servos, and any accessories such as retracts, kill switches, or other powered devices—are rated for 7.4 volts. This is important because if you are powering a glider with high-voltage wing servos for example, but you’re using electric spoilers such as those provided by E-flite, you would have to regulate the entire system, or use an inline step-down to reduce the voltage to the spoilers.
Lithium-Ion chemistry can also be used as an ignition battery for a gasoline engine. Again, you need to ensure (by carefully examining the specifications of the ignition unit you intend to power) that the unit is capable of operating at the fully charged voltage of a Lithium-Ion pack, which is roughly 8.4 volts, as is a fully charged 2S LiPo. Inline voltage reducers that contain a diode to decrease the voltage are available from a number of hobby retailers.
I charged the pack on the iCharger Duo at approximately 1.5 amps (slightly above 0.5C) and the charger output indicated that the battery was shipped at 50% charge, which is the normal storage voltage. I installed it on a new Redwing 30cc Edge to power the ignition of a DLE-35RA. I verified with the included manual and the DLE website that it was rated for up to 8.4 volts so the battery was connected to a heavy-duty switch, then to an optical kill switch, then to the DLE ignition.
After three flights, I again charged the battery and found the ignition to be using an average of 235 mAh per 12-minute flight. My conclusion was that I could fly all day on one charge and be near the recommended storage voltage. The math works out to 11 flights, but even with a safety margin, I knew I had plenty of capacity to fly the five or six flights I would likely make during a summer flying day.
I was curious about the current delivery capability, so I installed a regular receiver in place of the power-safe receiver I had installed. I then put in a five-cell nickel pack for the ignition and powered the receiver with the Lithium Ion pack.
After three hard flights, flying 3-D with HV Savox servos, I found a current consumption of approximately 345 mAh per flight. At no time did I notice any sag or blowback, meaning I was still getting full performance out of my servos.
The Don’s Hobby Shop Lithium-Ion receiver pack is lightweight, and packs its advertised punch. I also noticed that the pack will fit in narrow fuselages, where traditional Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride packs might be cramped. All you need to keep in mind is that you need a Lithium-capable charger and high-voltage components or a regulator to use this pack or ones like it.
Don’s Hobby Shop: 1809 S. Broadway, Salina KS 67401; Tel.: (800) 972-6273; website: www.donshobbyshop.com
EAA OSHKOSH THE BEST AIRVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
The EAA was founded in 1953 by Paul and Audrey Poberezny. In September of that year, the organization held its first fly-in, which drew 21 airplanes. Since that time, the fly-in, known as AirVenture, has hosted numerous aircraft and many aviation luminaries.
Today, the number of aircraft in attendance reaches roughly 10,000, and there are approximately 500,000 visitors. It can easily be described as the mecca for aviation in the US and each year, many people travel from around the world to attend.
AirVenture draws varying types of aircraft—everything from warbirds, vintage aircraft, homebuilts, seaplanes, and ultralights can be seen. The weeklong event provides hands-on instruction, air shows, talks, and a whole lot of flying.
Drawing from a 60-plus-year-old photo archive, authors Jim Busha and Hal Bryan bring readers amazing photographs, along with stories and some of the history of the EAA and AirVenture.
Anyone who has ever attended the fly-in or has always wanted to experience it will appreciate this 224-page book that is filled with 240 color photos. EAA Oshkosh The Best AirVenture Photography retails for $24.99.
Quarto Publishing Group: 400 First Avenue North, Ste. 400, Minneapolis MN 55401; Tel.: (612) 344 8100; website: www.quartoknows.com
Lanzo Bomber @ $80 (original size) + S&H from Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino CA 92402; Tel.: (909) 885-3959; website: www.bhplans.com
One of the most popular aircraft flown in Society of Antique Modeler (SAM) competition, the Free Flight Lanzo Bomber was designed in 1938 with a 96-inch wingspan. It is now flown in several events and scaled in nine sizes.
Bob Holman Plans now offers the Lanzo Bomber with CAD-drawn plans and laser-cut parts in a short kit. The builder supplies the standard sheet and strip, wire, and covering material.
The pictured Bomber uses an original McCoy .28 ignition motor for power. In SAM Limited Engine Run events, it gets 35 seconds of power and needs a total of 8 minutes to make a max. The Lanzo Bomber is available as ½A size up to a 96-inch wingspan. It also makes a great electric-powered, sport flyer model and is an easy aircraft to use to learn to fly.
RAM 198 and RAM 199 LED Strip Lights @ $24.95-$29.95 + S&H from RAM, 229 E. Rollins Rd., Round Lake Beach IL 60073; Tel.: (847) 740-8726; website: www.ramrcandramtrack.com
RAM introduces the RAM 198 and RAM 199 LED strip lights, which can be added to any model aircraft without the hassle of assembly. These highly visible navigational lights help maintain orientation day or night. Installation is fast; just stick them on—no soldering!
Durable and long-lasting, the RAM 198 and RAM 199 LED strip lights are available in red, white, or green. The RAM 198 lights go up to a 36-inch span, weigh 20 grams, have more than 60 LEDs, and operate on a two-cell LiPo battery at 15 mA per 10-minute flight.
The RAM 199 lights span up to 72 inches, weigh 33 grams, have more than 100 LEDs, and operate on a three-cell LiPo at 100 mA per 10-minute flight.
18MZ WC 18-Channel 2.4 GHz Radio System @ $2,999.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Ste. #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.futabaRC.com
Futaba’s new 18MZ WC 18-channel radio system is nothing short of truly remarkable. The “WC” refers to Christophe Paysant-Le Roux, the 2015 F3A (RC Aerobatics) World Champion, who used a Futaba 18MZ when he won. His collaboration with Futaba was instrumental in the design of this latest version of one of the company’s most advanced systems.
With more pilots tracking model data, the 18MZ WC’s software has been updated with a wealth of critical telemetry data, including voltage, altitude, servo information, GPS, rpm (optical, magnetic, and brushless motors), and two types of temperature sensors. Compatible with FASSTest, FASST, and S-FHSS equipment, the radio system can also be used with T-FHSS protocol and all of the Futaba T-FHSS receivers.
The 18MZ WC, available in airplane and helicopter versions, includes a built-in 0.3-megapixel digital camera to capture aircraft identification pictures, a 3,500 mAh LiPo transmitter battery, a full-color touch screen, and a high-voltage R7008SB receiver.
Featuring 32-character user and model naming, airplane, helicopter, glider, and motor glider programming, 13 wing types, eight swashplate types, three tail types, four vibration-warning options, and failsafe on all channels, the 18MZ WC comes with a tool kit, neck strap, and a transmitter case.
Venom P3 Professional Battery Charger @ $199.99 + S&H from Venom Power, 14028 N. Ohio St., Rathdrum ID 83858; Tel.: (800) 705-0620; website: www.venompower.com
Venom Power, a worldwide leader in rechargeable batteries and charging solutions for UAS and model aircraft, announces the release of the P3 Professional Charger for DJI Phantom 3 batteries.
Designed to charge, cycle, or storage charge up to four DJI Phantom batteries at once, the P3 Professional was developed with consumers and light commercial users in mind. Featuring a space-saving, four-bay design, the charger has four independent 100-watt power supplies and twin high-performance cooling fans to keep it functioning under the most demanding conditions.
Equipped to handle the charging needs of every Phantom 3 transmitter and your mobile devices by way of two convenient USB ports and a DJI transmitter charger port on the front of the charger, the Venom P3 Professional Charger works with all models in the Phantom 3 family and includes charge leads for the Phantom Professional, Advanced, and 4K.
Xiro Hardshell Backpack and Handheld Gimbal @ $129.99-$149.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Ste. #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.xirodroneusa.com
Accessorize and carry your Xiro Xplorer multirotor with the new Xiro Handheld Gimbal and Hardshell Backpack!
The backpack is the ultimate in comfort, protection, and transportation, and was designed with far-ranging fliers in mind. The outside is made of hard plastic, while foam cutouts for the Xplorer, battery, radio, and accessories line the inside.
With the .33-pound handheld gimbal, you can take videos with amazing shot stabilization wherever you go. This holder allows you to carry an automatic image stabilizing gimbal and simultaneously view your image on a mobile device.
Katana KMR 250 ARF/BNF racing quadcopter @ $259.99-$459.99 + S&H from Atlanta Hobby, 6110 Parkway North Dr., Cumming GA 30040; Tel.: (678) 513-4450; website: www.atlantahobby.com
Atlanta Hobby is thrilled to announce the release of its Katana KMR 250 racing quadcopter. A game changer in racing, the Katana is an all-carbon-fiber 250-class airframe that is fast and lightweight, making it perfect for first-time racers or seasoned professionals.
The Katana KMR 250 features a revolutionary power distribution board that makes it quick and easy to assemble. With switchable front and back lights, a lost model alarm, and ample filtered power ports for various FPV equipment, the quadcopter features 20-amp OPTO ESCs, 2204-2300 high-performance Twister brushless motors, a 700-line CCD camera, a built-in 5-volt 3-amp BEC, and an Acro NAZE 32 flight controller.
The fully built BNF version includes a Diversity Race Receiver and an Immersion RC 200 milliwatt 5.8 GHz Race band video transmitter. A complete line of replacement and optional parts is available on the Atlanta Hobby website.
KDEXF-UAS55HVC ESC for Electric Multirotor (UAS) Series @ $118.95 + S&H from KDE Direct, 20760 Carmen Loop, Ste. 140, Bend OR 97702; Tel.: (360) 818-4215; website: www.kdedirect.com
KDE Direct’s new UAS HVC series of ESCs brings to life the next generation of technology for UAS and multirotor operation.
Compatible with 3S to 12S LiPo battery (55-volt maximum) power systems, the KDEXF-UAS55HVC ESC includes an all-aluminum 6061-T6 case for cool-running temperatures and rugged construction, allowing the ESC to be used in a wide range of harsh environments and applications.
Preloaded with the latest firmware, it includes regenerative braking, temperature-controlled synchronous rectification, dynamic timing and startup power, increased drive and throttle frequency resolution, and motor synchronization. In addition, this ESC series includes active anti-spark circuitry, which protects the integrity and lifespan of the critical connectors during each initial plug in and system power up.
Tuned and optimized for the KDE Direct XF Multi-Rotor Brushless Motor Series, the KDEXF-UAS55HVC ESC is a simple plug-and-play operation and includes 200°C 13 AWG silicone-wire power leads and 14 AWG silicone-wire motor leads with dual 4.0mm-diameter and 3.5mm-diameter 24K matching bullet connectors.
Mini Hand-Launch Glider Ruby @ $169.95 + S&H from Hobby Club, Box 6004, San Clemente CA 92674; Tel.: (949) 425-1362; website: www.hobbyclub.com
Hobby Club is happy to introduce the new Mini HLG Ruby. With a Kevlar fuselage pod utilizing carbon-fiber reinforcement strips and a carbon-fiber tailboom, the Ruby’s one-piece wing is joined and reinforced and made from high-density blue foam, vacuum-bagged with “disser-type” skins, and a combination of fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon-fiber threads that are crisscrossed at 90° for torsional strength. All components are lightweight, but strong.
The Ruby has a 1-meter wingspan. Its length is 795mm with a ready-to-fly weight of 130 to 150 grams. The Mini HLG Ruby uses ailerons, elevator, and rudder for control, with precut aileron servo pockets.
The complete package, available upon request, includes micro servos, a battery pack, and a receiver.
