PatMc

Posted by buster prop on 08/06/2011 20:12:55: Does anyone else do this and if not, why not? Something similar for the reverse weight reasoning. I've successfully used the bec from redundant brushed esc with a 2s lipo in a small glider. It was lighter with more capacity than using a small 4.8v nimh battery. Edited By PatMc on 08/06/2011 22:22:03

Posted by leccyflyer on 06/06/2011 13:38:42:  OTOH the Frsky modules state categorically that the TX antenna should be vertical. AFAICS that's only stated in the range check procedure instructions. Since the model will be virtually level with the Tx at this time the orientation will be for best signal. There doesn't seem to be any recommendation for when the models in flight.

Posted by leccyflyer on 06/06/2011 11:34:59: What is the source of the correct transmitter antenna orientation photo above? There's nothing that I can see in the DX-7 manual that instructs users to tilt the antenna so that the tip is vertical. It's not peculiar to Spektrum/Futaba or even 2.4GHz. What Tim's diagram shows applies to all frequencies. It just that with the shorter aerial it's easier with 2.4 to tilt it significantly. Tilting to the side would be just as effective & possibly slightly better than as shown for the Futaba. Some of the continental pizza box style 27 & 35MHz Txs had/have the aerials on ball sockets to allow a degree of tilt so that they're near vertical but more importantly never pointing at the model.

I think the irony might have been missed. I had in mind that both fuselages could be printed in the first issue & it wouldn't be seen as a mistake.

Next free plan should be a NA F-82 spread over 2 issues.

I think it would be simpler just to have two motors concentrically mounted, the front one with a hollow shaft & bearings to take an extended shaft from the rear motor. Both sets of windings fixed of course.IIRC it's already been done.

It's built into some ESCs & effectively provides a tap of the correct voltage (usually 5v) to supply the Rx & servos from the higher voltage motive battery. Thus eliminating the need for a separate 4.8v or 6v Rx battery. PS I don't type as fast as Pete. Edited By PatMc on 02/06/2011 21:08:06

Posted by Allan Bowker on 02/06/2011 14:15:49: The US based FliteTest videos are good too, they are also working with HK. You are joking aren't you ? They are embarrassingly bad - for example :    I wonder if Scott's opinion of Turnigy motors will change now.

Delta peak should be set between 5mV & 10mV for nimh's. Also to avoid detecting false peaks some chargers are programmed to ignore a peak that occurs too soon. If your battery was nearly fully charged this could have occurred or the peak could have been under 10mV. Any overcharging causes the cells to heat up, even quite moderate currents will cause the electrolyte to boil up & vent gas. It can then be virtual thermal run-away situation.

Posted by Ed Darter on 31/05/2011 21:56:22: I'm not sure Pat! The model was flown once with no problems at all. Have had a couple of aborted charges over the last month or so where weather wasn't good enough and thats been it..... Ed, are you saying that you're charging again without having used the batteries ?If so it seems that you're treating them like pre-Eneloop nimhs that would have self discharged a significant amount whereas the Eneloops will have lost very little charge. In which case I agree with Chris & Tim that overcharging is the most likely cause of the problem.  

Posted by Richard Harris on 31/05/2011 00:16:22: @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); Chris, I have never seen the Kanga Cub, have you a photo? I remember having a conversation with someone about Col Bowden, when he passed away someone had all of his models and drawings. I wonder whether they will ever surface one day, seems a shame for them to be kept in a drawer some where. He even built a free flight autogyro, as far as I am aware there was only ever one photo taken of it, whether he was successful I have no idea. A clever chap but didn't have a good eye for a pretty model! Rich @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);Richard, here's scan from the late Phil Smith's catalogue of plans. I think his son is still selling them.   IMO Bowden's designs don't in general have much merit. Apart from being ugly they were old fashioned in many ways when they were produced. I think the best that can be said about them is that they were practical in an agricultural sort of way. Personally I don't think they did much to further the hobby.

Technical details for Eneloop direct from Sanyo. Ed, I'm no sure whether you're saying this happened during charging or in use.

Never mind Twitter a quick Google makes it clear who the retailer is. Another retailer is selling at the same price & specifically saying that their's are "unboxed" but stating which leads they come with including all the leads Pete was missing.

Richard, I think Slough model shop list them. Try a search for the Kavan snakes. Just found this. I think it's what you're after. Edited By PatMc on 24/05/2011 09:48:27

Richard, have you looked at the inner cable of any plastic snakes ? Some types are hollow. Kavan gold snakes for instance are 3.2mm dia but the inner is 2mm & hollow to take .8 mm wire . The snakes supplied with Reichard kits have a similar size inner cable. Here's a link to the Kavan catalogue . If you download it & look at page 20 you'll see what I mean. With any luck your LMS might have them or similar in stock. Edited By PatMc on 23/05/2011 22:37:32

Bob, I usually use cyano & micro GF to secure snake ends but if I use epoxy it's with masking tape. Also if I'm film covering a veneered foam wings with a GF bandage centre joint I cover the bandage with a layer of masking tape first. Sticking film direct to GF bandage is never satisfactory but it's fine on masking tape.

Posted by kc on 20/05/2011 16:38:18: This has been an exemplary discussion, but I still think David was right originally ..... snakes do need support in practice. It's what works.  kc, the explanations I've given were not just reached from theorizing. In practice supports are not needed for the reason David originally suggested.  Posted by Peter Beeney on 20/05/2011 22:43:35: Pat, I certainly accept what you say, and it undoubtedly works for you. I would not argue with that. However I’m sure that’s fine all the time the servo lines up with the exit point, line of sight, so that you can keep the snake taut, but I thought one of the advantages of using snakes was that they would go round corners, such as a right angle turn and running up the fin on a t-tail, Peter, if snakes are kept straight they will have less wasted end play under normal pressure than if they are curved. Remember that the amount of play is the dependant on how tight the inner fits in the outer. It is the result of the sideways movement that the inner can make within the outer when it's easier for it to move that way than against it's load. With a curve it's easier for the inner to bend within the outer & the friction is greater than with a straight run. A straight run of the same length cable will potentially have the same amount of play but it will usually only with excessive pressure. It doesn't matter whether it's straight or curved any intermediate support will make no difference.  Personally I'd never use snakes with a significantly curved run for any control needing minimum slop. A friend of mine used to have a large thermal soarer (IIRC 140" span Medicine Man) that had the AMT mounted half way up the fin driven by a snake through 90 degrees. The model was very well built but up elevator control always had be given a touch of down to return to neutral & vice versa for down but sometimes it needed a bit of juggling to get back to the same trim. I think that he eventually incorporated a spring to bias the movement to up elevator. Recently I saw a pair of Hurricanes built from the old Mick Reeves kits which had a single central servo operating the ailerons via snakes buried in channels in the foam wings. The amount of slop was frightening.

Congrats, DF. Best wishes to mum & Mollie.  Now you'll have to re-spray that cushion pink & get used losing a lot more sleep.  Pat.

The wings, general appearance, span & layout remind me of "Windy Ain't It". However the tailplane & rudder shapes are different also the cockpit was just behind the wing TE on Windy.

For small parts I scan at 288dpi then position the parts to fit on a 4 x A4 canvas at 72 dpi in Paint Shop Pro allowing for printer margins. Print at 25% scale onto A4 size label paper, cut roughly around each part & position stick onto balsa sheet to get the least waste with correct grain orientation. There are several brands of A4 label papers such as Decadry etc.