SECURE MSS12 PORTABLE SOLDERING STATION
FREQUENT MODEL AVIATION author Fitz Walker shared his review of the Sequre MSS12 Pro portable soldering station. Here is what he had to say:
A soldering iron is one of the key tools of any RC modeler’s workbench. Although not a glamorous item, having a good, reliable soldering iron is always appreciated when it is needed, and having a portable soldering iron that works well is even more welcome.
Sequre has several options for portable, battery-powered soldering irons in its inventory, including the new MSS12 mini soldering station. It features adjustable temperatures, a wide-input voltage range, and replaceable tips of various shapes. The unit includes a compact carrying case that holds everything but the battery. You also
get a small stand with a cleaning sponge.
Two core pieces make up the station: a metal-cased control box with an OLED dot-matrix display and a lightweight, pen-style soldering handle. The power cable is removable and plugs into the rear of the control box. This cable has an XT30 connector that is also compatible with EC-3/IC-3 battery connectors.
The display screen is slightly on the small side at 0.91 inches wide, but it’s easy to read in all lighting conditions. A single knob on the right of the display serves two functions: It can be rotated to adjust parameters such as the tip temperature (up to 842° F) and can also be used as a pushbutton to select and enter values and modes.
A multitude of options are available in the setup menu. You can select Celsius or Fahrenheit, the default power-on
temperature, sleep settings, display brightness, low-voltage alarms, and a host of other features that you didn’t know you needed.
The pen is modular with a simple pull-out heating element that needs to be removed to fit in the case. Replacement elements with a variety of tip shapes and sizes are available from Sequre. A motion sensor in the handle detects movement if the unit goes to sleep from nonuse.
One impressive feature of the soldering station is the wide variety of batteries it can use—anything from 3S to 4S LiPos or items that can supply a voltage from 12 to 25 volts, such as a car battery, power supply, etc.—making it a great iron to use at the field.
In my testing, I utilized the same 3S and 4S LiPo batteries that power my airplanes, although I usually prefer to use 4S. The 3S battery worked equally well, although the heating time was slightly slower. The MSS12 heats up to working temperature quickly.
The $59.99 Sequre MSS12 has been a handy soldering solution for both my workbench and at the field. I had no trouble soldering various types of battery connectors and large-gauge wires. The utility of being able to use common flight battery packs that are already in my inventory has me not missing my old AC-powered soldering irons. It comes up to temperature extremely fast and is easy to see and set tip temperature values.
New Products from the Modeler's Mall
Bowers FlyBaby @ $4,180 + S&H from CARF-Models Trading LLC
Tel.: (207) 329-7713 or (217) 840-2535;
website: www.carf-models.com
The full-scale Bowers FlyBaby is a homebuilt sport airplane from the 1960s that has been built in many different variants by aviators around the world. One of the latest builds in the US is by Jim Katz, which triggered an idea with CARF-Models to build a large-scale FlyBaby model.
The 1/2-scale CARF-Models FlyBaby has a 165-inch wingspan and weighs between 24 and 28 kg (52.9 to 61.72 pounds), depending on the engine. With a 150cc to 180cc two-cylinder, four-stroke engine, it can safely be built at approximately 25 kg (55 pounds).
Every component is a composite sandwich part. The front of the tail area is ultra lightweight and strong enough to hold a heavy, powerful engine. All parts have a scalelike, fabric surface structure, with visible stitching on the ribs and the cockpit area of the fuselage that imitates wood. The wing and stabilizers are connected with self-sufficient carbon-fiber tubes and do not need full load-bearing flying wires, which are only flexible dummies for a scalelike appearance.
The strong, carbon-fiber landing gear features stainless-steel axles. Foam and air tube tires are available, as well as a scalelike tail gear with a 60mm wheel. The two-part cowling is split in the same manner as the full-scale aircraft and can be easily removed without taking off the propeller or silencers. A wooden pilot seat, instrument panel, and stick are included. An optional full-body, 1/2-scale pilot is offered separately.
Control the aircraft with five easily installed high-torque servos. Various motor domes, for placing engine electronics, throttle, choke servos, a fuel tank, or fuel pump inside, are optionally available. The FlyBaby comes in either the ivory and blue scheme of Jim Katz’s airplane or as a yellow and maroon ARF replica.
UMX P-51D Voodoo BNF Basic with AS3X and SAFE Select @ $149.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby
Tel.: (888) 959-2307;
website: www.horizonhobby.com/e-flite-1/
The UMX P-51D Voodoo BNF Basic with AS3X and SAFE Select replicates the famous Reno Air Races racer with striking detail, impressive handling, and outstanding performance! The most affordable and easy-to-fly P-51 racer yet, Voodoo features a more powerful 2S- and 3S-compatible ESC and motor with a four-blade propeller and works with the Spektrum DXS transmitter that is included with many RTF E-flite models, or pair it with a full-range, five-plus-channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2-compatible, AirWare-equipped transmitter for real-time flight battery voltage telemetry.
Featuring the exclusive Spektrum AS3X and SAFE Select technologies, the UMX Voodoo can be flown in more places and smaller spaces. Fixed landing gear with a steerable tail wheel makes it easy to taxi, take off from, and land on smooth surfaces, or leave the landing gear off for more speed and vertical performance, with easy hand launches and grass landings. Completely factory assembled and constructed with advanced EPS material for a lightweight yet durable frame, the racer is ready to fly right out of the box and factory finished with the unique and iconic Voodoo trim scheme.
QuikFire Fuel Balancer and Filter @ $24.95 + S&H from J&L Power Products, Inc.
Tel.: (262) 628-3506;
website: www.jlproducts.net
The QuikFire is an all-in-one fuel balancer, filter, and tee for an instant start and constant fuel supply during the most aggressive flights, removing two fuel line connections but adding only 14 grams, making it a surefire enhancement to any airplane.
Holding 1/4-ounce of fuel at the engine, the QuikFire mounts to the outside surface of the motor box, inches away from the carburetor inlet, and smooths out fuel demand and irregular fuel surges from extreme flight.
For use with gasoline engines only, the 7/8-inch diameter, 2-inch length QuikFire Fuel Balancer and Filter features a replaceable automotive-style filter. A review article with video is available at www.flyingrc.net/quickfirervu.html.
