Electric Retracts - Modifying existing Air/Servo-operated Retracts
It's called "screw jack controller", believe it or not! It's about half way down the page if you paste in the link below.
http://www.smservices.net/acatalog/L...del_Units.html
Hope this is some help,
Richard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2oViHbOuDY
I havent seen anything that can compete with what Tom came up with originally as far as cost.
If it wasnt for the programing of the controllers, anyone could do it
The Cessna landing gear is impressive! Thanks for the video.
Richard,
Thanks for the link to SM. I contacted them and unfortunately (for me anyway) the unit is for end points only. Great for this thread's topic of landing gears!
Cheers, Nigel
Just an update on our progress.
Boards: I just got two of the dual layer boards from China 2 hrs ago. Here's a pic of one of them, and I must say I'm very impressed with the quality we got. We're going to fab up this board for the second prototype (I ordered 3 more motors to make a set of stronger retract units). My programmer has made more changes to the board design, however. The second generation board we'll be making is half the size of this one (and therefore half the cost). I'll be meeting with him in Norman, OK on Tuesday. I'm going there myself for and electronics course, and won't be back til May 25th.
Software: We've updated the electronics code to get rid of some troublesome software bugs we were having. I'm hoping to try the new program in my Cessna on June 12th, where we'll be flying it in Denver for a few days for testing. I hope to work on the project later this spring after my class lets out.
Staggerr
Just found this chinese electrical gears: http://easytigermodels.com/index.php...roducts_id=171
Assuming from the look and the cables running to each gear it seems to have no limit switches and is likely based on the same idea as being discussed here.
Could of cause also being simpler and just timer related.
Anything usable from the controller front yet ?
I'm about to modify a pair of mechanical retracts with the geared motors.
But I can use it only with a matching controller.
Those china PCB seems strange to me.
They seems not to contain the controller or the motor driver.
Or is this a deception?
I would rather suggest doing a simple 1/2 channel controller with controller and driver on board.
Peter
Here's a pic of the version 1 board assembled:
Peter
Peter
And I like the idea of 'pressure' bearings installed but at what two points?
When I'm done with these babies, I'll be back for the electronics, which won't be difficult for me, my friend's an electronic engineer.
Thanx
And should anyone else have missed the DIY spot like I did, check out Tom's forum at: http://www.laureanno.com/RC/E-Retracts.htm
John
(video taken with iphone so quality is hokey... but it gets the point across).
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Gvh_WvmFw[/youtube]
Guys if you are in need of electric retracts at Down And Locked we offer conversions for most all brand's of retracts on the market old, new, air or mechanical, If interested take a look at www.downandlocked.com and visit the FAQ or feature's page for a full description of what these offer and how they work. Then give us a call or email we would love to hear from you. Thanks Mitch Stott
I thought this was a DIY Retract thread. Looks likeyou "took" the fellas idea and exploited it man! Shame Shame...
NOTE: this guy's web site shows at least 2 years of manufacturing retro fits for ANY brand retract, and an up-front post to backlog wait with a gaurantee not to charge/bill until ready for shipment.
John
I see it's been almost one year since anybody has posted about the DIY E-Tracts. I, like many here, have no problem with the mechanical side of the hobby, but electrical stuff quickly overwhelms me. I’m good with an iron as long as I’m told “pin A in hole B then solder”.
Down and locked looks to have a nice product, but it’s frustrating not to be able to get an idea on pricing without making contact. Gosh, how hard would it be to give half a dozen examples and the cost???
edit; E-mailed D&L. $350 average cost to mod my exsisting retracts! To rich for my blood
So, What has been the progress on the electronics to control the screw jacks? It sounded like good thing coming and we are left hanging.
Thanks!
Ken
Rich