Author: Bob Aberle
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/06
Page Numbers: 83,84,85
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Frequently Asked Questions

Bob Aberle | [email protected]

Transmitter cases

Also included in this column:

  • Don’s Hobby Shop
  • CBA II software update
  • Stripped glow plug threads

Please write in with your questions, since that is the only way we can keep this column format going. When referring to published Qs and As (for follow-ups), always provide the number as a reference. References to addresses and Web sites are now placed in a group, separate from the text, at the end of this column under “Sources.”

Q400: “I have noted for a long time that most RC system manufacturers offer protective cases for their transmitters. They seem to be on the expensive side so I was wondering if it was worth the price to add some protection for my RC transmitter. Bob, do you use a case yourself?”

A400: Until this past year, I never used a case to transport my RC transmitters. On some occasions I’ve taken as many as three transmitters with me to the flying field. I never had a problem until last June.

I had returned from a flying session at the SEFLI (Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island) club field and was pleased with the flights I had put on my new Horizon Hobby E-flite DHC-2 Beaver. As I unloaded my car, I noticed that the lawn sprinkler was not turned on. I carelessly placed my new Airtronics RDS8000 transmitter on the hood of my wife’s car and went over to turn on the sprinkler control. Soon I heard a loud crash and realized that the transmitter had slipped off the hood and fallen on the concrete garage floor with the control sticks facing downward. The left-side (throttle/rudder) stick assembly was hopelessly damaged.

I sent the transmitter back to Airtronics for repair. It was returned in a week, and the price was certainly fair, considering that my stupidity caused the problem. A short while later, a box came from Mike Greenshields of Global Hobby (which is distributed by Hobby People). In it was a transmitter case designed to fit my Airtronics RDS8000 transmitter. The note with the case said that I better use it so I don’t damage my transmitter again.

I have used that case and have since purchased three others for my primary RC transmitters. The container intended for an RDS8000 is the Flight Leader Aluminum Case for a single transmitter; it’s catalog item 404101 and the price is $39.95. The soft-rubber insert provides plenty of protection. It also helps keep switch settings in the correct positions. Since these cases are often custom-made for each transmitter, you would be best off buying your case from your transmitter’s manufacturer.

Don’s Hobby Shop

Q401: “For quite a few years you published a quarterly column in Flying Models known as ‘Bob Aberle’s RC Digest.’ In that column you mentioned numerous small accessory items that normally might not get much magazine attention. Recently I looked up the Web site for Don’s Hobby Shop of Salina, KS and found under the 'Accessory Section' literally loads of interesting items for the general modeler. I would suggest you mention this in your column.”

A401: In effect, MA provides the same service that I did years ago with the "Digest." In the front of every issue is a two-page section called "Worth a Closer Look." It contains brief editorial picks to alert the AMA membership of new products.

Then at the rear of each issue is a section called "Modelers Mall." It also introduces you to new products but is based on information that the manufacturer or dealer provides.

Even though this column’s format is basically questions and answers, I encourage readers to write in with suggestions and even provide new-product information that may not be readily available to everyone.

I went to Don’s Hobby Shop’s Web site and then to the accessory section. I was pleasantly surprised. It took me a half-hour to scan through a variety of hobby goodies that had many and varied applications. I urge you to do the same!

A few products caught my attention. The first is Wire Bundle Keepers. Their purpose is to attach such things as cables, control rods, and antennas to the inside of your fuselage. This helps eliminate clutter and prevents loose wires from jamming up servos.

The second item is a deflection meter, or throw meter, that attaches to your model’s control surface and then provides a reading in degrees as the surface is actuated. This could prove helpful when setting dual-rate control-surface positions.

The third item is an optically isolated “kill” switch that allows you to kill, or cut off, your aircraft’s engine from a spare channel on your RC receiver if your throttle servo malfunctions. You could use the retract switch on your transmitter if it were available.

CBA II software update

Q402: “I have been using the West Mountain Radio CBA-II battery analyzer and tester for some time and with excellent results. I recently learned from a local flyer that West Mountain Radio now is offering, free, new Version 2.0 software for the CBA-II. Do you have any experience with this revised software?”

A402: Del Schier of West Mountain Radio contacted me and made me aware of the new CBA II (Computerized Battery Analyzer) Version 2 software update. It is free to all existing CBA II owners, who can download it from the company’s Web site.

There are many advantages to using this new software. It is more efficient with lower computer CPU usage, has faster current ramp-up, provides more accurate temperature readings, and features user-editable and recallable battery-test profiles and new graph styles in watt-hours and minutes, to name a few.

I used the Version 2 software for a couple of days before including the info in this column, and there was one feature I found to be profoundly thoughtful. While running a discharge test on your PC, you can click on the “standby” box in the upper right corner. The test will continue, but your graph is suppressed so you can use your PC for other functions.

I was surprised when a club member told me that he didn’t perform many discharge tests on his batteries because it tied up his PC for hours at a time. That doesn’t have to happen.

While on this subject, I’ll stress again the need to regularly test your RC transmitter batteries. Whether they are the traditional Ni-Cd or NiMH or the new Li-Poly packs, these packs should be tested. The same thing applies to your four- and five-cell airborne RC receiver/servo batteries. You can’t assume that battery cells will go on working forever.

The current success with 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum radios has led some modelers to feel that these systems are invincible. That is not the case; all transmitter and receiver batteries should be tested regularly.

Testing batteries isn’t as important with electric power. In most cases, if you have a bad cell or a pack with minimal capacity, the model won’t get off the ground. If it does, it won’t stay in the air for long. Being able to fly is a “self test” for these kinds of batteries. However, you can still run discharge tests on these batteries if you want.

In addition to this Version 2 upgrade, West Mountain Radio has put considerable development time into a new “PRO” version. This full-featured software is intended for the professional user. I won’t tell you how much this PRO version software costs, but it isn’t going to be cheap.

The PRO software lets you program automatic-duty cycle testing, regulate constant power discharging, access temperature graphing with a recovery time option, and even place user notes on the graphs. It has more features that you can read about on the Web site.

MA’s “The Battery Clinic” columnist, Red Scholefield, has this new PRO version software and will be reporting on his experience with it. Look for his coverage in a future issue of the magazine.

Stripped glow plug threads

Q403: “I have an expensive glow fueled engine and I hate to admit it but in the process of replacing a burned out glow plug I ended up stripping the threads. I can no longer install a glow plug in this engine. So essentially it is ruined and can no longer be operated.

“I know there are repair techniques available in the automotive industry, what recourse do I have for my model engine?”

A403: You have to look at those small classified advertisements that are published on the last few pages of several popular model magazines. I found an ad in the December 2008 Model Airplane News, page 131, that was titled “Stripped Glow Plug Threads.” To my surprise, longtime engine expert Clarence Lee offers this service.

The fix usually involves installing a Heli-Coil stainless-steel insert. The hole in the top of the engine’s cylinder head is enlarged and rethreaded. Then the insert is placed in these new threads, and the glow plug goes into the insert. Clarence offers other services in the area of engine repair.

Sources:

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.