Frequently Asked Questions
Bob Aberle | [email protected]
Q474: Aircraft storage racks
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions; that is the only way we can keep this column format going. When referring to published Qs and As (for follow-ups), provide the number as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites are placed in a group, separate from the text, at the end of this column under "Sources."
I have added a feature called "Tips" in addition to frequently asked questions. These hints will be numbered in the same sequence as the questions and answers.
Q474: "With the ever increasing popularity of small 'park flyer size' model aircraft, I find that my basement shop is literally loaded with planes and as a result I no longer have space to store them. Can I purchase a storage rack that would serve my purpose? I have so many favorites that I really want to keep."
A474: At roughly the time this question came in, MA Editor Michael Ramsey received several photos from Bill Bonner, an AMA member who had come up with a neat and simple idea for a model aircraft storage rack.
The photos make it obvious how this rack can be constructed and installed. A detailed drawing is unnecessary because the rack's dimensions will vary depending on the size of your airplanes and the location in your shop or garage.
Bill used ordinary PVC piping and fittings that are common for household plumbing applications. You can find this type of plastic at many places, including The Home Depot, Lowe's, and Ace Hardware.
The two basic support poles are made from 10-foot lengths of 1½-inch-diameter PVC pipe. These two main pipes can be fitted between the floor and ceiling of your shop or storage area.
You will have to figure out how to attach the support posts; it will depend on your particular application. You could use epoxy cement, wood screws, and/or a few pieces of scrap lumber. Regardless of the attachment method, make sure that these poles are carefully anchored in position.
The remainder of the rack uses a bunch of 1½-inch PVC "tee" connectors. You will need two tees for each aircraft to be stored. Space the fittings so that one aircraft clears the next. Slide the tees into position before erecting the two poles (or pipes). A special PVC cement will attach the tees to the posts.
Finally, add the 1½-inch PVC pipe pieces on which the aircraft will rest. These need to be just long enough so that the wings of your aircraft can rest on them.
Bill left his tube supports as is. You could slide foam-type pipe insulation over the protruding tubes to provide extra protection for the models.
Bill made two racks. He estimates that the total cost was approximately $60 and that the entire assembly process took only roughly three hours. The rack on the left holds seven airplanes, and the one on the right has a total of nine smaller models. That's a load of aircraft stored in a small space. An additional suggestion is to support the main rack posts near the midpoint. Heavier airplanes can cause these pipes to bow or bend unless they have extra support. I've already purchased my material for two storage racks. Thanks, Bill, for an excellent idea!
Q475: Erratic voltage and connector issues
Q475: "I know you constantly suggest the use of a digital meter to check things like the motor current and battery voltage of electric power systems. In fact I've found checking voltage to be important because in some cases a rapid voltage drop can be noted. This can indicate that the capacity of the pack isn't sufficient to support the load placed on it.
"Well recently I noted a rather erratic voltage level that resulted in the motor not running properly. Certainly it was not at top power. I thought that either my ESC or battery pack was the problem. But a modeler friend suggested it was my connectors. Does that sound possible?"
A475: Yes it does, and it is an important point to review. Most electric-power modelers take the connectors (such as those going from the battery to the ESC) for granted. Whatever the manufacturer or distributor supplies is typically used at face value. However, there is a definite difference in the current-carrying capabilities of these connectors.
I ran a series of tests and came up with a set of connector recommendations for various current levels. A photo shows the connectors and the acceptable range of current.
- A variety of micro-type connectors accommodate up to approximately 2 amps. Many of those are supplied with the various RTFs that are currently on the market.
- The 2- to 5-amp current range typically accompanies smaller park flyers. This is where our reader friend had his problem.
It turns out he was using a Red JST connector at approximately 8 amps. At this level the connector got extremely hot, at which point the voltage began to fluctuate. Eventually the connector would have melted.
At 8 amps the reader should have used a Deans four-pin connector, in which two pins are connected for one wire. Combining two pairs of such pins allows for even higher current levels.
- The Deans four-pin arrangement can be used in the 5- to 10-amp current range. It would be suitable for larger park flyers. (Editor's note: The Deans Micro 2R Plug is also a good choice.)
- At more than 10 amps you should use the Deans Ultra or the Anderson Powerpole (APP)-type connector that is sometimes referred to as a "Sermos" connector. The APPs can be purchased with heavy-duty pins for very high current applications.
The key is that you must use the correct connector type for the particular application. You can't have a connector that is too large, but you can certainly have one that can't possibly take the load.
Remember this simple rule: if your connector gets hot, replace it with a higher-current-capable connector.
Since I'm on the topic of connectors, I have a bit of advice about soldering wires to the Deans Ultra variety. In the October 2010 column I provided Tip 468, which showed Jon Putnam's handmade Deans Ultra soldering fixture. Recently I was referred to a factory-made soldering fixture that does the same job.
Steve Fileccia of Vigilante R/C is in charge of production, and I've included a photo of his fixture. The two Deans Ultra connector halves are shown plugged together during the soldering process. Most of us keep connectors separated when soldering wires to the pins, and that is what the W.S. Deans Company recommends.
I've included the address of Steve's excellent Web site in the "Sources" section.
Tip 476: Aresti aerobatic diagrams
Mick VanKampen, an AMA member, sent me the following:
"I have been stuck for a while trying to understand aerobatic maneuver diagrams. I couldn't find a good explanation until I finally learned the name of it, 'Aresti' diagrams.
"I found an excellent Web site that tells the entire story. [See 'Sources' for the address.] This may be something that would be of interest to your readers."
I thank Mick for this information.
Air Age has a piece on the same subject—Aerobatics Made Easy—that features John Glezeillis, who is the MA/RC Scale Aerobatics columnist. He frequently provides descriptions of Aresti in his writings. (Editor's note: Check out John’s October 2010 column.)
Aerobatics Made Easy is actually a high-definition, one-hour DVD that teaches you about being an aerobatics pilot. I've listed Air Age's Web site in the "Sources" section. Many educational books and DVDs can also be obtained from the AMA; I've included contact information.
Q477: Clubs for rubber-powered indoor/outdoor scale models
Q477: "I have an interest in the small size free flight, rubber powered, scale models that can be flown indoors or even outdoors in very calm weather conditions. Are there any clubs who specialize in this kind of activity?"
A477: There sure are. Probably one of the most famous rubber-power scale clubs in the country is the DC Maxecuters. As the name implies, its members live in the Washington, D.C., northern Virginia, and southern Maryland area.
The group's Web site, listed in "Sources," contains more than 30 photo files that will keep you busy for a long time. Tom Schmitt, a noted scale modeler, compiled those pages.
The Maxecuters comprises many famous scale, indoor, and micro fliers, such as Don Srull and John Worth. You might enjoy going through the extensive Web site. While there, you can get information about indoor and outdoor scale flying sessions that the club sponsors.
Tip 478: Pemberton & Sons Aviation
A reader sent me information about Pemberton & Sons Aviation, a family operation based in Spokane, Washington, at Felts Field that restores and flies antique aircraft. To date Pemberton & Sons has refurbished or extensively renovated 16 airplanes.
You should look through this outfit's wonderful Web site; its address is in the "Sources" section. Many details that would be suitable for scale models can be seen on these restored aircraft.
Sources
- Vigilante R/C
(248) 421-5132 www.vigilante-rc.com
- Aresti R/C Aerobatics diagrams:
- Air Age
(888) 235-2021 www.airagestore.com
- AMA store:
(800) 435-9262 www.modelaircraft.org/shopama.aspx
- DC Maxecuters Model Airplane Club scale photos:
http://dcmaxecuter.org/photos.html
- Pemberton & Sons Aviation:
http://home.comcast.net/~biplane0
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
