Radio Control: Electrics
Bob Kopski 25 West End Drive Lansdale, PA 19446
This column
This column announces two electric meets, discusses reader response, reports an ECS input, notes a couple of new products, updates progress on the E-Motion and a recommended economy power combo for it, and revisits the Astro 110D charger.
Upcoming meets
- 1996 BCRCC (Burlington County Radio Control Club) Electric Fly
Date: May 18, 1996 Location: Club field in Hedding, NJ (near Burlington; easy access from the NJ Turnpike and other main roads) CD: Bill Bowne, 307 Colorado Tr., Browns Mills, NJ 08015 Tel: (609) 893-1095 E-mail: CAPTBOWNE@AOL.COM Notes: Open flying plus some low-stress events; portable field rest facilities will be available.
- Ninth Annual LVRCS Electric Fly (Lehigh Valley Radio Control Society)
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, June 8–9, 1996 Location: LVRCS field near Easton, PA CD: Mike Stewart, 107 Taft Terrace, Washington, NJ 07882 Tel: (908) 689-6981 Notes: Typically a fly-for-fun meet with optional E-events. Nearby motels make it easy to make a weekend of it.
Reader outreach and E-club list
Several months ago I invited E-clubs (or clubs with E-interest) to write in to be included in an "E-club list" as part of an Electric Connection Service special feature, and I also asked readers for feedback on what they like or dislike about this column and E-columns in general.
Response trickled in slowly and was disappointing overall. The club invitation drew the least response; I still plan to present the list in a near-future issue. Reader feedback on column content was more generous and broad: some requested specific future subjects, others suggested no change, and a number asked for more beginner material. Several readers felt some material was too technical, while others liked the technical depth.
The most common request was for more beginner information. I will add more beginner-oriented content where appropriate. Sincere thanks to everyone who wrote—your comments help shape the column.
Reader note — Tim McDonough
Tim McDonough enjoyed the '95 KRC meet (particularly the SR symposium and night-fly) and is now interested in connecting with E-fliers in Illinois and the Midwest. He’s looking for E-meets to attend in 1996 and hopes to organize an E-meet in central Illinois in 1997. Readers in that general area who are interested should contact him:
Tim McDonough 127 South Oakland Rd. Springfield, IL 62707 Tel: (217) 523-8625 E-mail: tpm@inwnet
Tim also supplied a sample No Noise T-shirt available direct from him or from Kirk Massey of New Creations R/C in Willis, TX (Tel: (409) 856-4630). Shirts feature E-flying slogans such as “Say NO to Glow.” Prices: $16 (L, XL) and $17.50 (XXL). Tim offers a club discount for orders of 10+ shipped to one address.
Product samples and new items
- Modelair-Tech H-1000 MK II belt-drive housing (redesigned): Added mounting ears for more mounting options. (See previous columns 6/95 and 7/95.) My drive will be used in a large Clancy Lazy Bee.
- New Modelair-Tech plan sets: Senior Playboy and Foote Westerner — each about 630 sq. in., intended for mild-to-moderately-geared .05 engines; suitable for sport or competition (including Limited Motor Run and Texaco).
- Lowwatt (Modelair-Tech): An all-stick design for Speed 400 motors and six cells. Truly all-stick (no sheet parts, ribs, or formers) using 5/8 x 1/4 sticks. Plans $8; kit forthcoming (~$24.95). Aimed at low-power systems; will continue into a Stick Scale series (~200 sq. in.).
- Megawatt (Modelair-Tech): A 1,300 sq. in. T-tail electric designed for belt-drive products and several-hundred-watt power systems, including systems based on the low-cost DeWalt 14-volt motor. Estimated weight 7–8 lb. Rolled plans $23; kit in development.
Modelair-Tech is one year old — congratulations to Bob Aberle and Tom Hunt. Contact: Modelair-Tech, Box 12033, Hauppauge, NY 11788-0838; Tel: (516) 979-1475. An updated catalog should be available shortly.
E-Motion update
E-Motion remains a work in progress. I built two variations of the original semisymmetrical 400-square-inch design (6–10 cells) and plan further adjustments for both structural and flight characteristics. I’m not ready to share plans yet; when the design is finalized I’ll pursue a construction article or other approach to plans availability.
Flight testing: To date I’ve logged 137 flights (6/24–12/31/95) using a variety of power systems. The design intent was broad compatibility with most small 6–10-cell systems. Flying weight has ranged from 43 to 57 ounces.
I’ve flown power systems from the low-cost, lower-performance Master Airscrew 2.5:1 on six cells up through the high-performance Aveox 1409-2Y on 10 cells. All installations were geared and used folders.
Recommended economy power system for the E-Motion
One noteworthy, moderate-performing, cost-effective system I recommend is based on a “car” motor:
- Motor: Kyosho Mega 360 Monster Reverse
- Batteries: 10.7 Ah SCRC pack
- Drive: Leisure 3.8:1 radial gear-drive set
- Prop: Sonic-Tronics 13 x 7.5 folding prop
- ESC: Flightc SP BEC ESC
Result: The E-Motion with that installation weighs about 51 ounces and flies very well. It won’t climb vertical, but climbs aggressively and delivers a fully satisfactory flight envelope. Average flight time for mildly aerobatic flights (power on/power off and everything in between) is about 15:04 (launch to landing) in a variety of conditions. This combination offers a surprising amount of flying, low cost, and longevity. It remains a work in progress; comments and test data from others who try this setup are welcome.
Astro 110D charger
I reviewed the Astro 110D in the January 1996 column. I received an early evaluation unit last summer and continue to be impressed. Some of my and others’ observations were passed to Bob Boucher at Astro, and several improvements have been made in production units:
- Longer power input leads (previously too short)
- Fixed intermittent errant display readings (a contact problem)
- Corrected overheating failures experienced in very hot climates with large motor packs and deeply discharged car batteries
My older evaluation unit lacks these upgrades, yet it still performs well for me.
Note: The Astro 110D list price has increased from $159 to $179. This is due to market-driven rises in Power MOSFET costs, which affect chargers and speed controls.
Final notes
Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope (SASE) with any correspondence for which you’d like a reply.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
