Frequently Asked Questions

Author: Bob Aberle

Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/11
Page Numbers: 91, 92, 94, 96

Frequently Asked Questions

Bob Aberle | [email protected]

Depron foam sheet material

PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions, since that is the only way we can keep this column format going. When referring to already published Q/As (for follow-ups), provide the FAQ number as a reference.

Note that references to addresses and Web sites are now placed in a group, separate from the text, at the end of this column.

Q373: "I see many references to a thin, lightweight, foam sheet material called Depron. It is my understanding that material such as this is used for the construction of micro/indoor models, as well as 3-D type aircraft.

"Where can I purchase this material and what type of cement would you recommend?"

A373: I reviewed the ParkZone Cessna 210 Centurion and Citabria for the AMA's e-zine, Sport Aviator. After doing that, I designed two new models that would use the RC and power systems removed from the Cessna.

To keep the airplanes' weight at less than 1 ounce, I resorted to using thin (2mm) Depron-foam sheet material. But I had a problem, as the reader is, in locating a reliable supplier.

After networking with some of the experts in this area, I learned about a company in Atlanta, Georgia, called RCfoam. One of its primary products is Depron foam sheeting, which is available in 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 6mm, and 9mm thicknesses. The 2mm Depron was perfect for my 25- and 28-gram designs (Micro POC and Nano Impulse), which were posted on the August and September 2008 RC Micro World online magazine.

The sheet size for the 2mm Depron is 15 x 39 inches. You must purchase a minimum of 10 sheets, for $26 plus a shipping charge of $11. With that number of sheets, you can build many airplanes. Or you could share an order with a friend.

My shipment arrived in three days and in perfect condition. When you are on the RCFOAM Web site, look around at some of the other products the company offers, including carbon rods and tubing.

I found that foam-friendly cyanoacrylate and accelerator works the best for cement. It sets almost instantly and does not appear to harm the foam. I’ve successfully used the Pacer Technology Products, namely the ZAP-O Odorless cyanoacrylate cement (item PT-25) and ZAP Foam Safe Kicker accelerator (item PT-28).

Q374: “This isn’t a question but it relates to many questions that you have answered on glow to electric power system conversions over the last few years.

“Just the other day I accidentally stumbled over a neat service that Hobby Lobby International offers, titled ‘Glow To Electric Conversions.’ I suggest you check out this site and then share the info with your readers.”

A374: I have to admit that I was unaware of this service to modelers and immediately looked it up. It is a questionnaire titled “Glow Powered Airplanes Converted to Electric Power,” and it consists of 10 questions that best describe what you have in a glow-powered model and what you need to fly that same airplane with electric power.

You supply such information as your model’s name, if it is a kit, wing area, current flying weight, current glow engine being used, and type of airfoil. Then you are asked what kind of battery you want to use and what type of performance you expect from the airplane once it has electric power.

When you finish the questionnaire, you click on “Submit.” Then a staff of experts at Hobby Lobby respond to you with exact recommendations for motors, ESCs, propellers, and batteries.

This service applies to Hobby Lobby products, but it is interesting to see what the manufacturer did to both promote its products and help the modeler. Electric power has certainly come a long way!

Q375: “I read your review of the Airtronics RDS8000 digital spread spectrum RC system that appeared in the July 2008, Model Aviation. Right after that I purchased one of these systems and it is everything you said it was, but I’m still having a problem. The instruction manual tends to jump right into advanced type information leaving the basic stuff for the ‘intuitive’ modeler.

“Do you think Airtronics could come up with a brief ‘Quick Start Guide’ that one could keep in a field kit for fast reference? Something that covers the basic and most used functions?”

A375: Having written a “Quick-Start Guide” for RC models for the AMA, I knew exactly what this reader was trying to find. I contacted the product-support people at Airtronics and asked if they could come up with a several-page guide.

What was needed were simple procedures for naming a model memory position and how to easily select a memory slot for a particular model when at the flying field. Sometimes even the most basic commands can be forgotten, especially if you don’t use them that often or if you fly several different brands of RC equipment.

The Airtronics RDS8000’s computer system is divided into a “Basic” portion and an “Advanced” menu. Navigating between the two is not exactly a direct process. This was the item that the reader got hung up on.

The people at Airtronics liked my suggestion and acted on it in a matter of days. That “RDS8000 Quick Start Guide” is now posted to the Web site.

The document is four pages; the first is a cover page, and the second and third contain all of the important data. I printed a copy of those pages off the Web site, placed them back to back, and had the document laminated; you can get this done at a local Staples or Office Max. I keep that in the map compartment of my car for quick reference at the flying field.

The fourth page contains service and support information.

I didn’t look, but it is possible that other RC manufacturers offer similar guides. If so, please write in and tell me, and I will gladly include that info as a follow-up.

Q376: “I have a TV camera that I plan to install in my RC model aircraft. It requires 12 volt DC to operate this camera. But the problem is my model’s power system only provides 7.4 volts. Is there some kind of an accessory that can boost the voltage up to what I need for the camera?”

A376: I’m sure there are several devices on the market that will do what you want. I like to refer readers to Dimension Engineering because it offers so many different gadgets for the RC modeler. This reader might be interested in the company’s AnyVolt, Micro Universal DC-DC Converter.

This device costs $19.95 plus shipping and handling and weighs only 3 grams. It is a miniature step-up or step-down switching-type DC-to-DC converter. It can operate in the voltage range of 2.6 to 14.0. It can also handle up to 0.5 amp (500 mA). That should be enough current for many accessory applications.

Voltage adjustment is made by inserting a screwdriver into a potentiometer control on the side of the unit. This device is protected thermally, for overcurrent and from short circuits. You can tell from the photo on page 92 that the AnyVolt is very small.

When you are on Dimension Engineering’s Web site, scan the other products it offers.

Q/A 332 Follow-Up: In the January 2008 column, I highly recommended Ken Myers’ wonderful Ampeer newsletter, which concentrates on all aspects of electric-powered flight. Unfortunately I listed an incorrect area code (810) for Ken, who lives in Michigan. The correct telephone number is (248) 669-8124.

Ken reminded me recently that the Ampeer is $15 for an annual subscription only if you want to receive a mailed paper copy. Those with PCs can look up any back issue or receive a current issue for free.

Q/A 349 Follow-Up: In the June 2008 column, I wrote about installing and repairing model-aircraft hinges. A reader wrote in that when one of his strip aileron hinges was damaged (or installed improperly), he cut off all three hinges and cut new slots next to the old ones. It might be slightly drastic, but it works and it’s fast.

In addition, Gerry Yarrish, the senior technical editor at Model Airplane News, posted a video about hinge installation to the magazine’s “On the Flightline” electronic newsletter. The Web site for this is quite long.

Sources: