How To Do It: Large Pack Slow Charger
The rapidly growing interest in Electric-powered aeromodels brings diversity of model size and type, as well as increased use of wide-ranging cell counts in the motor batteries. It is not uncommon to find batteries ranging from a few cells to 20 cells or more on the flightline of any meet. It is also not uncommon to find high-tech, high-capability fast chargers on the flightline. But what's missing seems to be "slow" chargers for the higher-cell-count packs. Two slow-charger versions are shown. They are basically the same simple, easy to use, inexpensive design; one version has adjustable output. The design is a constant-current charger that outputs a fixed current value independent of the cell count (up to the design limit). One can charge 1-22 cells with no significant effect on the chosen current value over the cell-count range - a very convenient feature.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS include meet announcements, some industry and new product info, and some reader reactions to topics past. Gordon Wheeler (5 Old Farms Lane, Cazenovia NY 13035-9444; Tel.: [315] 655-9068, Fax: [315] 655-3824) of the Voltaires Club (Central NY) wrote to tell us of this year's Annual Electric Fun Fly July 19-20. Last year's meet drew attendance from six states - it's a good one. Ken Myers (1911 Bradshaw Ct., Walled Lake MI 48390; Tel.: [810] 669-8124; E-mail 102575.3410¢ompuserve.com) sent info on the 1997 Mid-America Electric Flies-back-to-back meets July 12-13. This is really one big happy affair, with each day sponsored by a different cooperating club: the Electric Flyers Only, Inc., and the Ann Arbor Falcons.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS include new product info, reader reaction, more on the Mega/Mayhem motors, and some especially gratifying "special" reader input. Larry Sribnick, head modeler at SR Batteries, has announced the availability of videotapes from the 1996 SR Symposium. The Symposium, held the last several years on Friday of the annual KRC Electric Fly weekend, has featured numerous guest speakers presenting varied Electric subjects to an always-packed room. Because of the high interest level, Larry has produced four hours of the 1996 proceedings on two two-hour tapes.
Radio Control: Electrics
This month's topics include a meet announcement, some new products, the '97 SR Seminar program, an overlooked speed control problem, and some interesting reader input. The Eleventh Annual DEAF Fly-In will be held October 4-5 at the Dallas (TX) RC Club Field in Seagoville. This meet offers some AMA events (610, 612, and 618) plus some fun-fly pursuits including "lightest RC Electric to fly 10 minutes," seven-cell lifting, and maybe an AULD (All Up, Last Down). For more info contact contest director Greg Judy at (817) 468-0962 or 75267.224¢ompuserve.com. You can also contact Frank Korman at (214) 327-8411 or FranKorman°cccd.edu. The Dallas Electric Aircraft Fliers website is http:/web2.airmail.net/warner1/deaf/.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS include more on flight use of car motors, discussion on motor brushes, and continuing discussion of motor battery charging from the auto battery. Several recent columns included discussion of the discontinued Kyosho Mega motor and the newer Magnetic Mayhem replacement. I don't normally use car motors but in this case I have found very nice performance when combined with a suitable gear drive, prop, and cell count. While the subject motors do have replaceable brushes, I still consider 'em "throwaways" because they have bushing bearings - not ball bearings.
