Edition: Model Aviation - 2002/09
Page Numbers: 14, 15

Auto Cut-Off Dischargers In time, Ni-Cd batteries can develop a "memory" if they are not discharged before recharging. This memory will keep the cells from charging to their full capacity. Cermark has introduced two new dischargers which tackle this Ni-Cd-battery-memory problem. These dischargers may look similar, but they are designed to handle two different types of battery packs. The Turtle-P (shown on top) is for higher capacity 6.0- to 8.4-volt battery packs and features a connector normally found on park flyer and Radio Control (RC) car battery packs. The Turtle-R is for 4.0- to 6.0-volt receiver packs. It has a universal socket which should accept almost any modern connector. In testing, the Auto Cut-Off Discharger for receiver packs was used with a typical 600 mAh (four AA cell) pack. When the pack was plugged in, the light-emitting diode (LED) indicator lit to show discharging was underway. The pack took just more than one hour to discharge to 3.6 volts. At that time, the LED indicator turned off. While not dangerous, the discharger was warm to the touch. Cermark does warn that these dischargers are not designed for checking pack capacity. Also, using the dischargers on packs larger than recommended can cause the discharger to become dangerously hot, and even melt. Each model of the Turtle Auto Cut-Off Discharger retails for $14.95. Cermark: 107 Edward Ave., Fullerton CA 92833; Tel.: (800) 704-6229; Web site: www.cermark.com Fast Fueler Available from JM Service is this high-quality, aircraft-grade aluminum fueler that was designed especially for large gas-powered models. The Fast Fueler has a capacity of three gallons and can fill a 50-ounce fuel tank in less than two minutes. It is completely sealed, so there is no gas odor. This unit features a self-contained, high-volume air pump, so there is no need for any sort of electric connection—a real safety feature when dealing with gasoline! The Fast Fueler comes complete with a 0- to 15-pound air gauge and two stainless-steel valves. The entire unit is exquisitely TIG-welded and has a sturdy square stock aluminum base which prevents any chance of the unit accidentally tipping. Also included is a large-capacity, cleanable fuel filter. The filler cap and filter cover are sealed with high-quality Buna O-rings. The Fast Fueler is an extremely heavy-duty, well-designed, and finely crafted unit that can handle all your gas-engine-fueling duties safely and efficiently. It was designed by legendary RC Pattern pilot "Jersey Jim" Martin for use in fueling his own fleet of RC Giant Scale Aerobatics models. The Fast Fueler is priced at $350. JM Service, 105 Frenchtown Rd., Shohola PA 18458; E-mail: [email protected] Giant Scale Plug-in Stab Adjuster Kit When most of us trim the pitch of our models, especially those 1.20-size or smaller, we normally add a little up- or down-elevator trim using the transmitter. You can do the same thing on larger models, but it adds drag since the elevator's surface is so large, decreasing overall efficiency. Gator R/C has come up with a solution that can easily be retrofitted to many existing large-scale models, including Almost Ready to Flys. The Giant Scale Plug-in Stab Adjuster Kit makes quick work of trimming the entire stabilizer. Once installed, each half of the stabilizer can be adjusted using adjustment screws. Total adjustment is +/- !/4 inch. Another advantage is that the stabilizer becomes removable, making transporting a snap. Each half is supported by a V«-inch-diameter aluminum tube which fits into an equal length, slip-fit, phenolic socket. The Giant Scale Plug-in Stab Adjuster Kit is lightweight at 2'/2 ounces and retails for $14.95. Gator R/C: 2100 N. Old Mill Rd., Brookline MO 65619; Tel.: (417) 725-7755; Web site: www.gatorrc.com 14 MooaAiMjw M72-6 Lightweight Antenna At just half a gram, the M72-6 antenna from DJ Aerotech provides all the range of your receiver's original antenna while saving weight. DJ Aerotech markets this as the antenna to use for its series of Roadkill kits, but it is a good match for other models in this range. Because of its small size (5 inches long and .185 inch in diameter), it can easily be hidden inside the model! This antenna is designed specifically for 72 MHz receivers and provides the same range as a standard antenna (500 feet or more). When making modifications such as this to your radio equipment, always perform a range check before flying. The M72-6 Lightweight Antenna retails for $10. DJ Aerotech: 719 Fisk St., Piqua OH 45356; Tel.: (937) 773-6772; Fax: (937) 773-9494; Web site: www.djaerotech.com r Twisters, Elbows, and Mufflers Four-stroke engines have many advantages— lower noise, fuel economy, high torque, etc.—but they all seem to have one frustrating thing in common: the exhaust header and muffler stick out at an unsightly angle. There's nothing more frustrating than having to turn a beautiful cowl into Swiss cheese to accommodate a four stroke's exhaust. Performance Specialties has heard these cries and has come up with a great system of angled exhaust headers and mufflers to put the exhaust almost anywhere you need it. The first of these is a series of replacement elbows. They are available in 30-, 45-, 75-. and 90° versions to fit virtually any installation. The more unique solution is the Twister; using this in place of the standard exhaust header gives complete freedom to rotate the muffler through 150° then lock it down in the desired position. These muffler/elbow combinations and the Twister are availableforO.S.70,91,and 120; YS 53. 63,91, 120, and 140; andSaito65,80,91, 100, 120, 150, and 180 engines. These systems do not work with the stock muffler; they only work with the Performance Specialties mufflers. The Performance Specialties muffler with an angled elbow retails for $54.95. A Twister/muffler combo retails for $64.95. Performance Specialties: Box 3146, Gardnerville NV 89410; Tel.: (775) 265-7523; Fax: (775) 265-7522; Web site: www.pspec.com GWS Park Flyer Retracts It's hard to imagine that just a few short years ago there was no such thing as a park flyer. Now we have a multitude of great-flying kits: trainers, sport models, scale, and even ducted-fan versions. GWS has introduced something new to further advance park-flyer technology: Park Flyer Retracts. This easy-to-install system is perfect for semiscale or scale park-flyer subjects and weighs slightly more than one-tenth of an ounce. Each system comes with six-inch landing-gear strut, ultralightweight wheels, and a servo-actuated retract mechanism. All that's left to buy is a submicroservo. You install the retracts by cutting a small groove in the wing just deep enough for the mechanism to fit flush. It is held in place with four screws. Depending on the installation, you may also want to make cutouts in the wing for the wheel and strut. A pushrod will have to be run to each retract. The whole setup can be done in less than 15 minutes. The GWS retract system retails for $9.99. Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com MU
Edition: Model Aviation - 2002/09
Page Numbers: 14, 15

Auto Cut-Off Dischargers In time, Ni-Cd batteries can develop a "memory" if they are not discharged before recharging. This memory will keep the cells from charging to their full capacity. Cermark has introduced two new dischargers which tackle this Ni-Cd-battery-memory problem. These dischargers may look similar, but they are designed to handle two different types of battery packs. The Turtle-P (shown on top) is for higher capacity 6.0- to 8.4-volt battery packs and features a connector normally found on park flyer and Radio Control (RC) car battery packs. The Turtle-R is for 4.0- to 6.0-volt receiver packs. It has a universal socket which should accept almost any modern connector. In testing, the Auto Cut-Off Discharger for receiver packs was used with a typical 600 mAh (four AA cell) pack. When the pack was plugged in, the light-emitting diode (LED) indicator lit to show discharging was underway. The pack took just more than one hour to discharge to 3.6 volts. At that time, the LED indicator turned off. While not dangerous, the discharger was warm to the touch. Cermark does warn that these dischargers are not designed for checking pack capacity. Also, using the dischargers on packs larger than recommended can cause the discharger to become dangerously hot, and even melt. Each model of the Turtle Auto Cut-Off Discharger retails for $14.95. Cermark: 107 Edward Ave., Fullerton CA 92833; Tel.: (800) 704-6229; Web site: www.cermark.com Fast Fueler Available from JM Service is this high-quality, aircraft-grade aluminum fueler that was designed especially for large gas-powered models. The Fast Fueler has a capacity of three gallons and can fill a 50-ounce fuel tank in less than two minutes. It is completely sealed, so there is no gas odor. This unit features a self-contained, high-volume air pump, so there is no need for any sort of electric connection—a real safety feature when dealing with gasoline! The Fast Fueler comes complete with a 0- to 15-pound air gauge and two stainless-steel valves. The entire unit is exquisitely TIG-welded and has a sturdy square stock aluminum base which prevents any chance of the unit accidentally tipping. Also included is a large-capacity, cleanable fuel filter. The filler cap and filter cover are sealed with high-quality Buna O-rings. The Fast Fueler is an extremely heavy-duty, well-designed, and finely crafted unit that can handle all your gas-engine-fueling duties safely and efficiently. It was designed by legendary RC Pattern pilot "Jersey Jim" Martin for use in fueling his own fleet of RC Giant Scale Aerobatics models. The Fast Fueler is priced at $350. JM Service, 105 Frenchtown Rd., Shohola PA 18458; E-mail: [email protected] Giant Scale Plug-in Stab Adjuster Kit When most of us trim the pitch of our models, especially those 1.20-size or smaller, we normally add a little up- or down-elevator trim using the transmitter. You can do the same thing on larger models, but it adds drag since the elevator's surface is so large, decreasing overall efficiency. Gator R/C has come up with a solution that can easily be retrofitted to many existing large-scale models, including Almost Ready to Flys. The Giant Scale Plug-in Stab Adjuster Kit makes quick work of trimming the entire stabilizer. Once installed, each half of the stabilizer can be adjusted using adjustment screws. Total adjustment is +/- !/4 inch. Another advantage is that the stabilizer becomes removable, making transporting a snap. Each half is supported by a V«-inch-diameter aluminum tube which fits into an equal length, slip-fit, phenolic socket. The Giant Scale Plug-in Stab Adjuster Kit is lightweight at 2'/2 ounces and retails for $14.95. Gator R/C: 2100 N. Old Mill Rd., Brookline MO 65619; Tel.: (417) 725-7755; Web site: www.gatorrc.com 14 MooaAiMjw M72-6 Lightweight Antenna At just half a gram, the M72-6 antenna from DJ Aerotech provides all the range of your receiver's original antenna while saving weight. DJ Aerotech markets this as the antenna to use for its series of Roadkill kits, but it is a good match for other models in this range. Because of its small size (5 inches long and .185 inch in diameter), it can easily be hidden inside the model! This antenna is designed specifically for 72 MHz receivers and provides the same range as a standard antenna (500 feet or more). When making modifications such as this to your radio equipment, always perform a range check before flying. The M72-6 Lightweight Antenna retails for $10. DJ Aerotech: 719 Fisk St., Piqua OH 45356; Tel.: (937) 773-6772; Fax: (937) 773-9494; Web site: www.djaerotech.com r Twisters, Elbows, and Mufflers Four-stroke engines have many advantages— lower noise, fuel economy, high torque, etc.—but they all seem to have one frustrating thing in common: the exhaust header and muffler stick out at an unsightly angle. There's nothing more frustrating than having to turn a beautiful cowl into Swiss cheese to accommodate a four stroke's exhaust. Performance Specialties has heard these cries and has come up with a great system of angled exhaust headers and mufflers to put the exhaust almost anywhere you need it. The first of these is a series of replacement elbows. They are available in 30-, 45-, 75-. and 90° versions to fit virtually any installation. The more unique solution is the Twister; using this in place of the standard exhaust header gives complete freedom to rotate the muffler through 150° then lock it down in the desired position. These muffler/elbow combinations and the Twister are availableforO.S.70,91,and 120; YS 53. 63,91, 120, and 140; andSaito65,80,91, 100, 120, 150, and 180 engines. These systems do not work with the stock muffler; they only work with the Performance Specialties mufflers. The Performance Specialties muffler with an angled elbow retails for $54.95. A Twister/muffler combo retails for $64.95. Performance Specialties: Box 3146, Gardnerville NV 89410; Tel.: (775) 265-7523; Fax: (775) 265-7522; Web site: www.pspec.com GWS Park Flyer Retracts It's hard to imagine that just a few short years ago there was no such thing as a park flyer. Now we have a multitude of great-flying kits: trainers, sport models, scale, and even ducted-fan versions. GWS has introduced something new to further advance park-flyer technology: Park Flyer Retracts. This easy-to-install system is perfect for semiscale or scale park-flyer subjects and weighs slightly more than one-tenth of an ounce. Each system comes with six-inch landing-gear strut, ultralightweight wheels, and a servo-actuated retract mechanism. All that's left to buy is a submicroservo. You install the retracts by cutting a small groove in the wing just deep enough for the mechanism to fit flush. It is held in place with four screws. Depending on the installation, you may also want to make cutouts in the wing for the wheel and strut. A pushrod will have to be run to each retract. The whole setup can be done in less than 15 minutes. The GWS retract system retails for $9.99. Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com MU