Frequently Asked Questions
Bob Aberle | [email protected]
Please write in with your questions; that is the only way we can keep this column format going. When referring to published questions and answers (for follow-ups), provide the number as a reference.
Also note that references to addresses and Web sites are placed in a group, separate from the text, at the end of this column under "Sources."
Also included in this column:
- Protruding motor shaft performance issue
- Easy ParkZone motor shaft repair
- Solder-It aluminum solder paste
- Follow-up: receiver low-voltage warning
- Follow-up: reversing brushless motors
- Follow-up: more wireless trainer systems
Q445 — Du-Bro Products' E/Z Wire Bender
Q: I know there have been many wire bending tools on the market for years. But recently I saw an advertisement for a new Wire Bender from Du-Bro Products (catalog No. 480). I'm interested if you have tried this new tool and what you thought of it.
A: I had just seen the advertisement, so I asked Brian Bychowski of Du-Bro for a sample tool. The E/Z Bender Wire Forming Tool is relatively inexpensive, with a street price of $24.95. There are basically two molded plastic parts: a base and a handle. It is suggested that you place the base in a bench vise, or you could attach it to your workbench with two wood screws. This leaves one hand free to hold the wire while the other hand rotates the handle.
The E/Z Bender can form wire sizes from .015 to .045 inch in diameter. Two dies are supplied: one covers wire up to .025 inch in diameter, and the other covers .025 to .045 inch. Depending on which way you hold the handle (face up or face down), you can make perfect Z-bends or any form of single bend suitable for landing gear and similar components. The bender works easily, with practically no physical effort required.
Because it is limited to .045-inch-diameter wire, its application is restricted to the smallest models (indoor/micro up to small park flyers). I like the E/Z Bender very much. Du-Bro will have another version available soon that will accommodate wire diameters from .062 to .093 inch (1/16 to 3/32 inch).
Q446 — Protruding motor shaft performance issue
Q: I recently purchased one of the new micro-size brushless outrunner electric motors. I ran the motor on my test stand and it appeared to have plenty of power. I next mounted that motor in one of my new designs. To my shock the motor ran as if it were laboring (sluggish). Could I have damaged the motor somehow in the process of mounting it in my aircraft?
A: Many of these brushless outrunners have part of the shaft protruding rearward (opposite the propeller end). In some cases the rear-protruding shaft can stick out beyond the motor mounting plate or firewall. If the firewall has no clearance hole or the hole is too small, the shaft can press on the firewall and restrict rotation.
I suggested the reader loosen all mounting screws at least one turn and try the motor; it ran much faster. He then removed the motor and enlarged the firewall hole to provide adequate clearance. Once remounted with sufficient clearance, the motor ran perfectly as it did on the test stand.
Be careful when mounting any motor that has a protruding rear shaft: always check for and provide adequate clearance.
Q447 — Easy ParkZone motor shaft repair
Q: I have a micro/indoor electric-powered model. I recently hit a gymnasium wall while flying indoors. The crash resulted in a broken motor shaft on my little ParkZone Cessna RTF aircraft. Are these shafts replaceable or must I purchase a complete replacement motor?
A: Many modelers network for repairs. Frank Pisano told me that Bob Selman at BSD Micro RC in Missouri sells propeller-saver adapters that fit directly on the 1.0 mm-diameter Cessna (and Citabria) motor shaft. The shaft usually breaks at the start of the threads; you can slip the new adapter onto what’s left of the shaft.
If the shaft is bent rather than broken, you can cut off just enough to remove the bent portion and then slip the adapter onto the good end. Frank also noted that an adapter is available for ParkZone Sukhoi and P-51 motors that has a 1.5 mm-diameter shaft.
Many aeromodelers have found that a GWS 5 x 4.3 propeller works much better than the supplied ParkZone propeller; the GWS prop fits easily on the Selman propeller-saver adapter. BSD Micro RC contact details are in the Sources section.
Q448 — Solder-It aluminum solder paste
Q: I’ve heard that there is a special solder available for use with aluminum. Is this for real? Where can I obtain a sample?
A: It is for real. Solder-It Aluminum Solder Paste has been on the market for years, though relatively few hobbyists have tried it. I located the product at All e RC. Solder-It is claimed to have applications in automotive repair, aviation, model railroading, and RC airplanes and cars. The company confirmed it works well on Li-Poly battery tabs as well as many other applications.
I was impressed by the range of hobby products All e RC carries. Their contact information is in the Sources section; check their Web site for details.
Follow-Up — Q426 (December 2009)
The original question concerned a low-voltage warning when the receiver voltage dropped below a set level. This is particularly important on fuel-powered models or sailplanes that do not benefit from an ESC-provided low-voltage cut on electric models.
I mentioned that on the new Hitec Aurora system the receiver is actually a transceiver and can broadcast a low-voltage warning back to the transmitter, giving a visual display and audible alarm. Jack Albrecht informed me that on the new Airtronics SD-10G system a preset low voltage can be set in the receiver. If that voltage is reached during flight the receiver will cycle the throttle channel (on powered models) or the flap channel (on sailplanes) at one-minute intervals. Seeing that reaction on the aircraft is your warning to land quickly. So, although that system doesn't transmit a warning back to the ground, it provides an effective in-air warning.
Follow-Up — Q431 (January 2010)
I made an error in that column. To reverse the rotation of a brushless motor you need to swap any two of the three motor wires once. Swapping two wires a second time returns the motor to its original rotation. I neglected to state that only one swap is required, which prompted a lot of corrective feedback—thank you to those who wrote in.
One more note: several ESC brands now provide an accessory cable and software that lets you select features, including motor reversal. Castle Creations’ Castle Link cable and software work with almost all of the company’s controllers and allow you to reverse motor rotation via software, without touching the motor wires.
Follow-Up — Q435 (March 2010)
This question involved several new wireless trainer systems that eliminate the traditional trainer cable between instructor and student transmitters. I mentioned two systems previously and have since learned of a third: the BY eDesign TeachMaster. I don't have hands-on experience with it, but it appears easy to use and has interesting features. A user’s manual is available as a PDF on the BY eDesign Web site.
Sources
- Du-Bro
(800) 848-9411 www.dubro.com
- BSD Micro RC LLC
(417) 358-9521 www.bsdmicrorc.com
- All e RC
(480) 456-4300 www.allerc.com
- Airtronics
(714) 963-0329 www.airtronics.net
- Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939 www.castlecreations.com
- BY eDesign
+33 685 393 486 www.by-e-design.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
