Will Anderson Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Had a search around the forum and couldn't find much about IC field boxes. As I had some scrap plywood and other materials kicking around I thought I'd give it a go. I copied the design from one that is widely sold in RC shops. It's pretty rough but it's just an experiment that I may make changes to before I take more time to do a final one. Iv'e still to make dividers to hold the radio and starter in place and cut the 2 main uprights to fit a strong handle but it's getting there.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Anderson Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 Thanks. It's 9mm and it takes a decent size screw on it's edge. And it's free as well I did notice the weight starting to creep up, luckily the field I'll be flying from is only about 100yds from the car park. Edited By Will Anderson on 09/03/2019 18:17:31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Fisher Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Mine is probably much heavier than yours Will but I don't have to carry it as I made a sort of wheelbarrow which it fits on. The wheel can easily be slid off complete with the "forks" and the legs fold up so that the "barrow" sits flat in the car. I only have to lift the field box into and out of the car and when on its barrow there is provision to hold a model securely for starting and I don't have to kneel down when so doing. Originally my starter battery was one from the car which had enough oomph to run my model starter, glow plug and fuel pump. This was later changed to a motor cycle one which was much lighter. Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bennett Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Cutting the corners of the side pieces at 45 degrees (to match the slope of the power panel) will save a few ounces and remove sharp edges, as will tapering the two main uprights almost to a point where, presumably, there'll be a handle made of broom handle or something similar. Further compartmentalisation can, of course, be with thinner ply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Anderson Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 Malcolm, I did start out with a 7ah motorbike battery but it's quite old and probably down on performance, so I opted for a new 7ah sealed battery that's about half the weight. I did consider an electric pump but some research found many are not very reliable so decided on the hand pump. Allan, I will be cutting the corners at 45 degrees but not totally flush with the power panel. I'll leave them a bit proud to offer the panel some protection from knocks etc. Doc, I like the idea about alloy tubing for the handle. I think have some in the shed that should be suitable. Cheers for the input guys. Edit: now what can I fit inside the tubing? Edited By Will Anderson on 09/03/2019 22:42:33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Out in my old shed I have a collection of field boxes. Everyone lighter than the previous one. I now use a couple of glow sticks, a small starter powered by a 6 cell nicad, a light plastic fuel pump and a 1 litre fuel can. All in a small light box mainly of 1/8" ply. Even lugging that 200 yards is a pain so a very light folding sack trolly helps. Of course at over 80 one might expect the need for lightness but even people giving nearly 20years have learned that it is a long drag up a gentle slope with a heavy tool box and they need to sit down for ten minutes to recover. I bet you are looking for lighter alternatives soon. Edited By Peter Miller on 10/03/2019 08:15:51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 You will soon be looking for an old golf trolley to mount this on! Meanwhile fuel proof all the internal joints whilst still accessable and consider fitting a 'drip tray' under the fuel container to catch spills - maybe the cut off part of a another polythene bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 2 Jubilee clips, 1 at each inside end of the alloy tubing Will Stops the tube sliding out from the box Ask me how I know why? Edited By Denis Watkins on 10/03/2019 08:59:25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Very similar to my field box, made from plans in the mag a long time ago [only 1/4 ply though ] and getting lighter as no lead acid battery needed now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 here's my current box...£10 from b/q......I also started off with a home made box and a car battery....now use a smaller gel cell.. ken anderson...…. ne....1....box dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Anderson Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Posted by Denis Watkins on 10/03/2019 08:57:23: 2 Jubilee clips, 1 at each inside end of the alloy tubing Will Stops the tube sliding out from the box Ask me how I know why? Edited By Denis Watkins on 10/03/2019 08:59:25 Did it involve sore toes? J D 8, Your box looks taller and has more room above the fuel can for the pump. I mav use this in version 2. ken, I was thinking of using a plastic ammo box but didn't think having fuel and electrics in a confined space is a good idea. I suppose it would be ok with the battery disconnected during transport Thanks to all for feedback Edited By Will Anderson on 10/03/2019 11:18:09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Anderson Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Posted by Peter Miller on 10/03/2019 08:14:48: Out in my old shed I have a collection of field boxes. Everyone lighter than the previous one. I now use a couple of glow sticks, a small starter powered by a 6 cell nicad, a light plastic fuel pump and a 1 litre fuel can. All in a small light box mainly of 1/8" ply. Even lugging that 200 yards is a pain so a very light folding sack trolly helps. Of course at over 80 one might expect the need for lightness but even people giving nearly 20years have learned that it is a long drag up a gentle slope with a heavy tool box and they need to sit down for ten minutes to recover. I bet you are looking for lighter alternatives soon. Edited By Peter Miller on 10/03/2019 08:15:51 Peter, at 53 I'm a mere slip of a lad. Hopefully, wisdom will kick in and I'll have a lighter solution before I need a sit down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hargreaves - Moderator Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Bit reluctant to say this if you've just bought a new SLA battery Will but....dump the SLA battery & replace it with a small 3S Lipo to power your Power panel glow driver & use a 3S LiPo (2200 is fine) for your starter (attached directly to the starter). Less weight, more power....gotta be good... Personally I'd ditch the Power panel altogether & use either an NiMH glow starter or (better still) a 2V SLA battery like this **LINK** (or maybe the 5Ah version). More weight saving.....a smaller fuel bottle perhaps? a 1 litre can will get you many flights on that 46 glow motor...keep the bulk supply in the car... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I recently read an item in Amateur Photographer about how photographers buy more and more camera bags trying to find the perfect one. How true! Been there...doing that. Possibly done that!?? Seems to be the same with aeromodelers and flight boxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 A few years ago the BMFA reported a terrible accident where someone was badly burnt about the face when opening a sealed plastic tool box that had glow fuel vapours inside which were ignited accidently by the electrics ( I hope i remembered the facts correctly and I hope he recovered OK ) Anyway the advice was not to use sealed flight boxes that contain fuel and electrics ........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Berriman Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Here is my set up glow and electrics, separate starter with own Lipo, and glow plug battery box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Things that I am absolutely going to do to my field box (one day, maybe) 1) ditch the heavy 12V 7Ah gel cel and attach an old 3s lipo direct to the starter motor 2) add some way to hook the starter's lipo back to the glow driver and pump 3) chuck an extra glow stick in What I will probably do in reality, is use it exactly as it is for years before it falls apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Nigel R, I converted an old starter to 11.7v lipo. Excellent. Edited By cymaz on 12/03/2019 06:48:16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Never been a fan of the open style or caddy type box, so for my 40th birthday (22 years ago now!) my wife bought me this field box kit.. I like to keep everything out of sight and closed away when not in use, so it serves that purpose exactly. Stops everything getting wet if caught in a downpour as well. Sliding tops to containers for tools and spares. A nice sturdy product from the now defunct JB Aviation. Would be easy to reproduce something similar with modern laser cutting or whatever, but as far as I know nothing's available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 That's a rather neat unit C8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redex Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Not sure if it has been done before, but could a field box be the subject of a future 'How To' article in RCM&E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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