Vic8

I have wanted to dip my toe into Electric Flight for a couple of years and although I tinkered at the edges I have now got around to applying myself fully. I have a DB Barnstormer 63 inch wingspan partially built which I intended to power with a glow engine, the fuselage is fitted with full length engine bearers and a ply former at the nose. I have experience of a glow 72inch Barnstormer and think that my 63inch Barnstormer fitted with an electric motor will suit my relaxed style of flying. I am aware that 4Max stock all the parts necessary for an electric Barnstormer and I would like to know if anyone can advise how best to fit the electric motor mount into my existing fuselage, as in the photo's.

Some time ago, at a club sale, I bought a set of Balsa USA plans which turned out to be a fresh and crisp copy of the original kit plan. As it has turned out, I have no use for the plans and thought to sell them on, however, I am concerned that it may be illegal to copy model aircraft plans and therefore it would mean that they cannot be offered to anyone else. I have searched the internet and read that a copy of a plan cannot be sold, or even given away. Can anyone please advise.

Posted by Phil Green on 04/03/2015 13:48:04: Posted by Donald Fry on 04/03/2015 13:01:01: I have just measured the resistance of a new OS type F plug. It has a resistance of between 0.3 and 0.4 ohms. Thats the cold resistance, the resistance when heated will be much higher. One thing to watch, most power panels use PWM to control the current. A cheap digital multimeter doesnt like this at all and can mis-read alarmingly. An averaging dmm or an analogue meter is better for reading modulated current. Cheers Phil A valid point and one I should have considered in light of the replies above, who checks the checkers. I have just carried out the same test using 3 stand alone analogue ammeters, ranging from the cheap and cheerful to what I consider to be an accurate instrument. Each ammeter was connected in series between the positive battery terminal and the positive input to the power panel. The readings are; 1A, just less then 1A and almost 0.7A. With my initial findings of 0.8A the average of the results make it 0.85A battery drain. I wonder if I have really got to the bottom of the matter. Thanks to you all.

Posted by Donald Fry on 04/03/2015 13:01:01: I have just measured the resistance of a new OS type F plug. It has a resistance of between 0.3 and 0.4 ohms. Applying ohms law this would then be drawing 3ish amps with a 1.2 volt (nominal) nimh battery. This feels about right to me, about 5 watts With regard to your setup I thought power panels supply 12 volts to the plug, but pulse the supply so that the plug gets the correct wattage. The voltage/current you quote does not seem high enough. Are you sure that your measuring kit is giving a good reading when I think it is dealing with a rapidly pulsing supply. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Yes both you and Simon Chaddock are correct hence my posting. Any measurement taken is only as good as the equipment used, however the readings are as seen by lining up the needle with the mirror underneath. Long gone are the days of using kit with an indate calibration certificate, no matter, even with a 20% error rate there is 1A in the circuit from the battery to the plug. Perhaps the topic will produce a definative answer as to the current drawn by a standard plug. I have just finished making further enquiries and have been told that my readings may be skewed because of the way the power panel creates the glow plug voltage (pulses). However, in the experience of the gentleman I was speaking to he said that due to the voltage wave (my words) he thought that 0.8A was a good possibility. Furthermore, he has the use of a producing a set voltage from a lead acid cell and finds that at 1.5v a plug will take 1 - 1.5A.         Edited By Vic8 on 04/03/2015 13:46:21

Following an encouraging response to my posting regarding power panels for a flight box I have decided to have a dedicated power panel for glow plug voltage only. In the event of needing a starter to crank over the engine, that again will be a dedicated power supply. My power panel has a 12v supply. In order to determine a suitable capacity of 12v SLA battery that would be required I measured the current that was needed to fire up the glow plug. I connected up my test leads to the various bits and measured 1.22v AC at the plug and a current of 0.8A flowing from the battery. The AC voltage is not an issue however I was surprised at how much current was passing through the glow plug. Is 0.8A a ball park figure for the average standard glow plug, I do not expect the power panel`s internal resistance to have much influence. Thanks

I intend to buy a power panel with glow supply to fit into a flight box. As I understand it, glow plugs are either 1.5v or 2v and not happy at all if subjected to a voltage in excess of the 1.5 or 2v. I have seen many glow panels with a knob to increase current and again I understand it, to apply an an increase in current an increase in voltage needs to take place. Therefore, it is possible by turning the current knob the 1.5v or 2v will be increased, leading to an unhappy glow plug which will throw a sulk and fail prematurely. Or, yet again, have missed the plot. the 1.5v plug will require and increase in volts. increase has to be in current needs an increase . any increase in the will blow if subjected to . are voltage conciCan someone please tell A friend has a power panel that supplies a sglow plug voltage of 1.5v or 2v which he has been using for years. The . for with glow supply, the panel may soon have to be replaced and Mainlink haveI have looks like it will soon have to be replaced mainlink

After giving my starter (Thunder Tigre) a bit of a fettle it occured to me that starters are only rated in volts. Amps or Watts are not mentioned. How do us mere mortals gauge how powerful a starter is before buying, or, have I missed the plot. Out of interest I may obtain an ammeter and measure the current when my starter is working hard .

Can someone recommend a book on learning how to fly radio control model aircraft. I cannot find the time to fly as often as I would like and being able to "read up" on what I should be trying to achieve and what actions on my part have created the un-wanted control, CAUSE AND EFFECT, will be a great help. My friendly but small club do not have a qualified instructor and although I conduct myself in a safe and responsible manner with adequate take off`s and landings, I really do need to try and improve. For example; when to mix rudder and ailerons or when to cut the engine to achieve a 3 point landing.

Many thanks.  Regards. Vic Edited By Vic8 on 15/12/2013 15:31:56

See photo. Many year ago I bought a set of; plier operated snap on, snap off clamps made by Genasco. Although the clamps are not suitable for balsa they are very handy for other materials. I have a project going that calls for many small clamps to be applied and having more of the Genasco clamps will be very handy. I have searched the internet but as to be expected, all reference to Genasco is history. Does anyone know if this tool continues but under another name. Thanks.

Posted by Vic8 on 14/12/2013 11:18:39: I am convinced that an article on gyro`s for fixed wing models was in recent edition of RCM&E. I have looked through the 2012 index but cannot find it. Somewhere (?) in my pile of magazines I feel sure that I will have the relevant copy of RCM&E, however much building time will be saved if some considerate person can please let me know which year/month I should be searching for. Thanks, Vic8 Edited By Vic8 on 14/12/2013 11:39:57 Thanks to you both. John, I have found the article, page 108. Tim, the link is very informative. Regards Vic

I am convinced that an article on gyro`s for fixed wing models was in recent edition of RCM&E. I have looked through the 2012 index but cannot find it. Somewhere (?) in my pile of magazines I feel sure that I will have the relevant copy of RCM&E, however much building time will be saved if some considerate person can please let me know which year/month I should be searching for. Thanks, Vic8 Edited By Vic8 on 14/12/2013 11:39:57