ALTHOUGH THIS COLUMN is intended for the Scale
Aerobatics aficionado, this month’s discussion will be for all
giant-scale pilots and builders alike. I will focus the discussion on
batteries, regulators, receivers, and redundancy. When setting up
your aircraft, it is important to pay particular attention to these key
areas, to ensure success at the flying field.
Furthermore, I will use my 33% Hangar 9 Sukhoi, 35% Hangar
9 Extra 260, and 40% Thunder Tiger Extra 260 as examples, with
the use of Li-Poly batteries, and write about why I have set up
each model as I have. Without further hesitation, let’s begin.
Hangar 9 33% Sukhoi: Choosing the right battery system can be
difficult for a 33%-scale model, since a balance between
redundancy and weight must exist. It is true that only one battery
can be used on this type of model, but using two batteries is best in
case one pack fails. A 33% aircraft is not cheap to build, but I
recommend using two batteries whenever possible.
I used a total of six JR DS8711HV servos throughout my
Sukhoi. I did that so I could install two 7.4-volt Li-Poly batteries
directly into the airplane without using voltage regulators (to
regulate the battery voltage down to 6.0).
I’ve also used two 2000 mAh batteries for the Spektrum
AR9100 PowerSafe receiver (which is ideal for high-current
applications) and a 2000 mAh battery with a regulator on the
ignition. Since I use the Sukhoi only for extreme flying and flight
demonstrations, I wanted to obtain maximum voltage and speed
from each of the servos.
If you are using a model for IMAC (International Miniature
Aerobatic Club), regulate the voltage down to 5.9 or 6.0; you want
to experience constant voltage throughout the flight and not have
the servos react differently.
Remember that when the voltage decreases, the servo’s speed
and torque change. Let’s say that a 7.4-volt Lithium battery reads 8.4 volts when freshly
charged. After several flights, the voltage of the battery might decrease to 7.6.
The pilot might feel (and should) a difference in the way the airplane responds
between the first and last flight. By regulating servos down to 5.9 volts, the “feel” of the
model will be consistent from flight to flight (given that you are using a 7.4-volt Lithium
battery).
Success at the flying field
October 2009 125
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Aerobatics John Glezellis
Also included in this column:
• 33% Sukhoi
• 35% Extra 260
• 40% Extra 260
Above: The Extra’s battery pack is plugged into the voltage regulator, which is plugged into
the PowerSafe receiver. A switch is also plugged into the voltage regulator. If the switch fails,
it does so in the on position, to ensure that power is supplied throughout the model.
Left: A Spektrum AR9100 nine-channel PowerSafe receiver is used with two 4000
mAh Li-Poly batteries, two Spektrum VR6010 regulators, and four remote satellites,
for ultimate redundancy.
My extreme Freestyle and demonstration airplane—Hangar 9’s
35% Extra 260—uses two Spektrum 4000 mAh batteries to
power the receiver.
10sig4.QXD 8/21/09 1:25 PM Page 125
Hangar 9 35% Extra 260: On a typical
35% model that uses seven to nine highvoltage
servos, it is safe to use one 4000
mAh receiver battery. However, on my
Extra I am using an AR9100 PowerSafe
receiver and two 4000 mAh batteries for
the receiver and a 2000 mAh battery for
the ignition.
I am also using eight JR DS8711 digital
servos for all control surfaces and a JR
DS8231 digital servo for the throttle.
On this airplane I am using the
Spektrum VR6010 voltage regulators,
which are unique. I plug a soft switch into
the voltage regulator, but if the switch
fails, the regulator will remain in the on
position.
I am using a total of four remote
receivers on my 35% Extra 260. I found
that it is best on this model to have one
remote receiver mounted in the rear
126 MODEL AVIATION
The VR6010 regulator has a cooling fan
mounted on the top of the case. When in
use, the regulator can become very warm.
Installation of a voltage regulator on a 35% Extra 260. The battery is
plugged into the regulator, which is plugged into the DA-100
engine’s ignition. A switch is plugged into the regulator, to turn the
ignition on and off.
The PowerBox Royal Spektrum unit can connect two receivers.
This shows only one receiver, since a JR R1221 unit can connect four
satellite receivers.
turtledeck, one on the bottom of the
airplane behind the canopy, one mounted
near the wing tube on the bottom of the
aircraft, and one mounted in the front of
the model.
When setting up my airplanes, after the
initial test flights I use a Spektrum Flight
Log. With this unit, after a flight and
before turning the receiver and transmitter
to the off position, the user can check
system voltage, see antenna fades, see
frame loss, and see how many holds were
experienced in-flight by plugging the
Flight Log into the Data port on the
PowerSafe receiver.
When choosing the best locations for
your remote satellites, it is best to look into
some factors with your Flight Log. If you
are experiencing 50-100 antenna fades in
one flight per receiver, leave the remote
receiver where it is. However, if you are
experiencing more fades, move the remote
receiver and take note of whether an
increase or decrease in fades has occurred.
You should have fewer than 20 frame
losses in a given flight. Frame loss is the
simultaneous antenna fades on all attached
receivers. A hold occurs when 45 frame
losses occur right after the other. If you see
this, tamper with how the antennas are
directed so it doesn’t occur.
Thunder Tiger 40% Extra 260: On a
typical 40% model that uses nine to 13
high-voltage servos, it is safe to use two
4000 mAh receiver batteries. On this
model, I am using a total of 10 JR DS8711
servos on the control surfaces and a JR
DS8231 digital servo on the throttle.
I am using the PowerBox Royal
Spektrum 12K Combo unit with my JR
R1221 receiver. Because of the multiple
remote receivers, I found that there was no
need to use a second R1221 with the
PowerBox Royal unit. However, I do
utilize all other features that the Royal has
to offer.
The PowerBox Royal is neat if you are
using two receivers—particularly either
the Futaba FASST system or any 72 MHz
system—because you can plug two
receivers into it. If there is a radio issue,
the Royal will switch to the second
receiver within 60 milliseconds. When it
comes to performance and reliability, it
doesn’t get any better than that.
When programming the model using
the PowerBox, you can adjust the center
and endpoints of up to five channels and
up to four servos per channel. With the
LCD screen, you can see what each servo
is drawing in terms of current, to ensure
that minimal (if any) binding is occurring.
Also with the LCD screen, you can
view the battery voltage, both regulated
and unregulated, as well as how each
receiver performed (if the PowerBox
switched from receiver one to receiver two
throughout the flight). Regarding voltage,
the end user can actually select whether a
model receives 5.9 or 7.0 of current.
Always build your model in the most
redundant way possible. If you are a
competition pilot, every point counts when
it comes to making the podium. Minimize
the chances of error on behalf of the
airplane by ensuring that you have the best
possible setup.
Redundancy in terms of battery power
and receivers are a must to keep you doing
what you enjoy most: flying!
Until next time, fly hard! MA
Sources:
Hangar 9
(800) 338-4639
www.hangar-9.com
Spektrum
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
10sig4.QXD 8/21/09 1:38 PM Page 126
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 125,126
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 125,126
ALTHOUGH THIS COLUMN is intended for the Scale
Aerobatics aficionado, this month’s discussion will be for all
giant-scale pilots and builders alike. I will focus the discussion on
batteries, regulators, receivers, and redundancy. When setting up
your aircraft, it is important to pay particular attention to these key
areas, to ensure success at the flying field.
Furthermore, I will use my 33% Hangar 9 Sukhoi, 35% Hangar
9 Extra 260, and 40% Thunder Tiger Extra 260 as examples, with
the use of Li-Poly batteries, and write about why I have set up
each model as I have. Without further hesitation, let’s begin.
Hangar 9 33% Sukhoi: Choosing the right battery system can be
difficult for a 33%-scale model, since a balance between
redundancy and weight must exist. It is true that only one battery
can be used on this type of model, but using two batteries is best in
case one pack fails. A 33% aircraft is not cheap to build, but I
recommend using two batteries whenever possible.
I used a total of six JR DS8711HV servos throughout my
Sukhoi. I did that so I could install two 7.4-volt Li-Poly batteries
directly into the airplane without using voltage regulators (to
regulate the battery voltage down to 6.0).
I’ve also used two 2000 mAh batteries for the Spektrum
AR9100 PowerSafe receiver (which is ideal for high-current
applications) and a 2000 mAh battery with a regulator on the
ignition. Since I use the Sukhoi only for extreme flying and flight
demonstrations, I wanted to obtain maximum voltage and speed
from each of the servos.
If you are using a model for IMAC (International Miniature
Aerobatic Club), regulate the voltage down to 5.9 or 6.0; you want
to experience constant voltage throughout the flight and not have
the servos react differently.
Remember that when the voltage decreases, the servo’s speed
and torque change. Let’s say that a 7.4-volt Lithium battery reads 8.4 volts when freshly
charged. After several flights, the voltage of the battery might decrease to 7.6.
The pilot might feel (and should) a difference in the way the airplane responds
between the first and last flight. By regulating servos down to 5.9 volts, the “feel” of the
model will be consistent from flight to flight (given that you are using a 7.4-volt Lithium
battery).
Success at the flying field
October 2009 125
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Aerobatics John Glezellis
Also included in this column:
• 33% Sukhoi
• 35% Extra 260
• 40% Extra 260
Above: The Extra’s battery pack is plugged into the voltage regulator, which is plugged into
the PowerSafe receiver. A switch is also plugged into the voltage regulator. If the switch fails,
it does so in the on position, to ensure that power is supplied throughout the model.
Left: A Spektrum AR9100 nine-channel PowerSafe receiver is used with two 4000
mAh Li-Poly batteries, two Spektrum VR6010 regulators, and four remote satellites,
for ultimate redundancy.
My extreme Freestyle and demonstration airplane—Hangar 9’s
35% Extra 260—uses two Spektrum 4000 mAh batteries to
power the receiver.
10sig4.QXD 8/21/09 1:25 PM Page 125
Hangar 9 35% Extra 260: On a typical
35% model that uses seven to nine highvoltage
servos, it is safe to use one 4000
mAh receiver battery. However, on my
Extra I am using an AR9100 PowerSafe
receiver and two 4000 mAh batteries for
the receiver and a 2000 mAh battery for
the ignition.
I am also using eight JR DS8711 digital
servos for all control surfaces and a JR
DS8231 digital servo for the throttle.
On this airplane I am using the
Spektrum VR6010 voltage regulators,
which are unique. I plug a soft switch into
the voltage regulator, but if the switch
fails, the regulator will remain in the on
position.
I am using a total of four remote
receivers on my 35% Extra 260. I found
that it is best on this model to have one
remote receiver mounted in the rear
126 MODEL AVIATION
The VR6010 regulator has a cooling fan
mounted on the top of the case. When in
use, the regulator can become very warm.
Installation of a voltage regulator on a 35% Extra 260. The battery is
plugged into the regulator, which is plugged into the DA-100
engine’s ignition. A switch is plugged into the regulator, to turn the
ignition on and off.
The PowerBox Royal Spektrum unit can connect two receivers.
This shows only one receiver, since a JR R1221 unit can connect four
satellite receivers.
turtledeck, one on the bottom of the
airplane behind the canopy, one mounted
near the wing tube on the bottom of the
aircraft, and one mounted in the front of
the model.
When setting up my airplanes, after the
initial test flights I use a Spektrum Flight
Log. With this unit, after a flight and
before turning the receiver and transmitter
to the off position, the user can check
system voltage, see antenna fades, see
frame loss, and see how many holds were
experienced in-flight by plugging the
Flight Log into the Data port on the
PowerSafe receiver.
When choosing the best locations for
your remote satellites, it is best to look into
some factors with your Flight Log. If you
are experiencing 50-100 antenna fades in
one flight per receiver, leave the remote
receiver where it is. However, if you are
experiencing more fades, move the remote
receiver and take note of whether an
increase or decrease in fades has occurred.
You should have fewer than 20 frame
losses in a given flight. Frame loss is the
simultaneous antenna fades on all attached
receivers. A hold occurs when 45 frame
losses occur right after the other. If you see
this, tamper with how the antennas are
directed so it doesn’t occur.
Thunder Tiger 40% Extra 260: On a
typical 40% model that uses nine to 13
high-voltage servos, it is safe to use two
4000 mAh receiver batteries. On this
model, I am using a total of 10 JR DS8711
servos on the control surfaces and a JR
DS8231 digital servo on the throttle.
I am using the PowerBox Royal
Spektrum 12K Combo unit with my JR
R1221 receiver. Because of the multiple
remote receivers, I found that there was no
need to use a second R1221 with the
PowerBox Royal unit. However, I do
utilize all other features that the Royal has
to offer.
The PowerBox Royal is neat if you are
using two receivers—particularly either
the Futaba FASST system or any 72 MHz
system—because you can plug two
receivers into it. If there is a radio issue,
the Royal will switch to the second
receiver within 60 milliseconds. When it
comes to performance and reliability, it
doesn’t get any better than that.
When programming the model using
the PowerBox, you can adjust the center
and endpoints of up to five channels and
up to four servos per channel. With the
LCD screen, you can see what each servo
is drawing in terms of current, to ensure
that minimal (if any) binding is occurring.
Also with the LCD screen, you can
view the battery voltage, both regulated
and unregulated, as well as how each
receiver performed (if the PowerBox
switched from receiver one to receiver two
throughout the flight). Regarding voltage,
the end user can actually select whether a
model receives 5.9 or 7.0 of current.
Always build your model in the most
redundant way possible. If you are a
competition pilot, every point counts when
it comes to making the podium. Minimize
the chances of error on behalf of the
airplane by ensuring that you have the best
possible setup.
Redundancy in terms of battery power
and receivers are a must to keep you doing
what you enjoy most: flying!
Until next time, fly hard! MA
Sources:
Hangar 9
(800) 338-4639
www.hangar-9.com
Spektrum
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
10sig4.QXD 8/21/09 1:38 PM Page 126