Kill Switch
12-31-2014, 12:57 PM
#2
My Feedback: (19)
I've gone to the Tech Aero IBEC on all my gas planes. Gets rid of the ignition battery, provides voltage regulation for the ignition in addition to the kill feature. So far I have found no "down" side to going this route. They work and seem extremely reliable.
http://www.tech-aero.net/ultra-ibec
My larger single cylinder gas engines usually have servo activated chokes but not my twins or small singles. I wouldn't count on the choke or throttle to always be able to kill the engine as I've seen cases where something broke or came loose and neither worked reliably as a kill ... and the engine just kept on running.
http://www.tech-aero.net/ultra-ibec
My larger single cylinder gas engines usually have servo activated chokes but not my twins or small singles. I wouldn't count on the choke or throttle to always be able to kill the engine as I've seen cases where something broke or came loose and neither worked reliably as a kill ... and the engine just kept on running.
12-31-2014, 01:13 PM
#3
+ 2 on the AT IBEC, one of the advantages of the AT IBEC is that if the channel it is on has fail safe then you can set it to fail safe to kill the ignition to stop the engine then the radio will be telling the IBEC to stop the engine when there is a lost of radio link for more then two seconds, I'm not sure if the other kill switches like the Rcxel can do that, I have one on my twin cylinder with a 7 chl Futaba, this receiver only has fail safe on the throttle chl, for that reason I make sure I can kill the engine with a switch via the radio then the radio can kill the engine if it looses the link.
12-31-2014, 01:34 PM
#4
+ 2 on the AT IBEC, one of the advantages of the AT IBEC is that if the channel it is on has fail safe then you can set it to fail safe to kill the ignition to stop the engine then the radio will be telling the IBEC to stop the engine when there is a lost of radio link for more then two seconds, I'm not sure if the other kill switches like the Rcxel can do that, I have one on my twin cylinder with a 7 chl Futaba, this receiver only has fail safe on the throttle chl, for that reason I make sure I can kill the engine with a switch via the radio then the radio can kill the engine if it looses the link.
12-31-2014, 04:25 PM
#7
My Feedback: (19)
As you've pointed out to me before, the Rcexl switch can be easily modified to power the ignition from the receiver battery. You just lack the voltage / current regulation and filtering features of the Tech Aero unit. Many people do this and get by just fine.
01-01-2015, 06:45 AM
#8
My Feedback: (2)
I think the TA switch is a great unit, but it's not like you aren't paying 2 to 3 times the price of an RCEXL switch to get it.
Regarding voltage regulation, most ign. modules sold in the last couple of years now are all good for 8.4v, so they have no need of regulation. Regarding filtering, I'll only comment that there have not been a lot of issues noted regarding problems with the RCEXL switches. None that I'm aware of.
In defense of the TA switch, they are plug and play/brain dead simple for those going with single battery setups. If you can't (or don't want to) do a simple solder job they're still a great plan.
Regarding voltage regulation, most ign. modules sold in the last couple of years now are all good for 8.4v, so they have no need of regulation. Regarding filtering, I'll only comment that there have not been a lot of issues noted regarding problems with the RCEXL switches. None that I'm aware of.
In defense of the TA switch, they are plug and play/brain dead simple for those going with single battery setups. If you can't (or don't want to) do a simple solder job they're still a great plan.
01-01-2015, 08:48 AM
#9
My Feedback: (19)
I think the TA switch is a great unit, but it's not like you aren't paying 2 to 3 times the price of an RCEXL switch to get it.
Regarding voltage regulation, most ign. modules sold in the last couple of years now are all good for 8.4v, so they have no need of regulation. Regarding filtering, I'll only comment that there have not been a lot of issues noted regarding problems with the RCEXL switches. None that I'm aware of.
In defense of the TA switch, they are plug and play/brain dead simple for those going with single battery setups. If you can't (or don't want to) do a simple solder job they're still a great plan.
Regarding voltage regulation, most ign. modules sold in the last couple of years now are all good for 8.4v, so they have no need of regulation. Regarding filtering, I'll only comment that there have not been a lot of issues noted regarding problems with the RCEXL switches. None that I'm aware of.
In defense of the TA switch, they are plug and play/brain dead simple for those going with single battery setups. If you can't (or don't want to) do a simple solder job they're still a great plan.
01-01-2015, 10:52 AM
#11
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I use a kill switch on the ignition. I've combined batteries/regulators and the RCExcel on separate battery. Both work well.
However you do it, it avoids this:-
A successful landing after the 45cc petrol Hurricane would not shutdown, it started snowing and they had to hand the transmitter around for about 40 minutes until it ran out
However you do it, it avoids this:-
A successful landing after the 45cc petrol Hurricane would not shutdown, it started snowing and they had to hand the transmitter around for about 40 minutes until it ran out
01-01-2015, 11:06 AM
#12
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I have both setups just like speedy said. I'm moving to IBEC for all my gas engines. The RCEXL offers a kill switch with BEC or you can modify one of the regular switches.
01-01-2015, 12:05 PM
#13
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I agree guys. There are a LOT of those TA switches sold because of the convenience. Inverse applies as well too I think? If the Excel switch were more readily available with their BEC mod already done at a reasonable price, they'd make a killing with them offered that way.
Red Raider, have you seen an Rcexl switch offered with the BEC mod already done, available somewhere beside Valley View? That's the only place I've ever seen them offered, and can't help wondering if they aren't doing them? Takes a total of maybe 3 minutes to do that mod. You could do a BUNCH of them in an hour if you had them all stacked up in front of you. VV making a killing on them for what they get for them (not a lot cheaper than the TA switch).
Regarding soldering, geez, it's just not that hard to learn, nor are the supplies that expensive. Kinda like building a kit vs. buying an ARF thou I guess. You have the ambition, or you don't.
Cheap by nature, doing that mod the perfect kind of project for me. For what that switch costs, the mod makes it a great value. -Al
Red Raider, have you seen an Rcexl switch offered with the BEC mod already done, available somewhere beside Valley View? That's the only place I've ever seen them offered, and can't help wondering if they aren't doing them? Takes a total of maybe 3 minutes to do that mod. You could do a BUNCH of them in an hour if you had them all stacked up in front of you. VV making a killing on them for what they get for them (not a lot cheaper than the TA switch).
Regarding soldering, geez, it's just not that hard to learn, nor are the supplies that expensive. Kinda like building a kit vs. buying an ARF thou I guess. You have the ambition, or you don't.
Cheap by nature, doing that mod the perfect kind of project for me. For what that switch costs, the mod makes it a great value. -Al
Last edited by ahicks; 01-01-2015 at 12:08 PM.
01-01-2015, 07:52 PM
#14
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I agree guys. There are a LOT of those TA switches sold because of the convenience. Inverse applies as well too I think? If the Excel switch were more readily available with their BEC mod already done at a reasonable price, they'd make a killing with them offered that way.
Red Raider, have you seen an Rcexl switch offered with the BEC mod already done, available somewhere beside Valley View? That's the only place I've ever seen them offered, and can't help wondering if they aren't doing them? Takes a total of maybe 3 minutes to do that mod. You could do a BUNCH of them in an hour if you had them all stacked up in front of you. VV making a killing on them for what they get for them (not a lot cheaper than the TA switch).
Regarding soldering, geez, it's just not that hard to learn, nor are the supplies that expensive. Kinda like building a kit vs. buying an ARF thou I guess. You have the ambition, or you don't.
Cheap by nature, doing that mod the perfect kind of project for me. For what that switch costs, the mod makes it a great value. -Al
Red Raider, have you seen an Rcexl switch offered with the BEC mod already done, available somewhere beside Valley View? That's the only place I've ever seen them offered, and can't help wondering if they aren't doing them? Takes a total of maybe 3 minutes to do that mod. You could do a BUNCH of them in an hour if you had them all stacked up in front of you. VV making a killing on them for what they get for them (not a lot cheaper than the TA switch).
Regarding soldering, geez, it's just not that hard to learn, nor are the supplies that expensive. Kinda like building a kit vs. buying an ARF thou I guess. You have the ambition, or you don't.
Cheap by nature, doing that mod the perfect kind of project for me. For what that switch costs, the mod makes it a great value. -Al
no, I haven't. It may very well be that they are making the mod themselves. You're right about it being easy to do, and I think it's a shame that guys won't do it just because they don't want to learn a new skill. For what it's worth though, I think the tech aero is the way to go.
01-02-2015, 05:20 AM
#16
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Um, no. I didn't say or mean to imply that.
I said it was a good switch. It's plug and play/brain dead simple for those needing a BEC, making it a good option. When I can buy an Rcexl switch for 1/4-1/2 of what the Tech Aero sells for, and modify it in 3 minutes to fit my needs (need BEC, single battery setup), it's impossible for me to justify the TA switch due to what they get for them. Features I don't need do not justify the price. It's like trying to justify an 18 channel radio used only for sport flying. You want one? Go for it!
Point being, with all the discussion of the TA switches, the Rcexl switch remains a functional, cost effective option - that's built by the same people that made your ignition (in most cases). I just like to keep that fact out there. From there, you can make up your own mind.
I said it was a good switch. It's plug and play/brain dead simple for those needing a BEC, making it a good option. When I can buy an Rcexl switch for 1/4-1/2 of what the Tech Aero sells for, and modify it in 3 minutes to fit my needs (need BEC, single battery setup), it's impossible for me to justify the TA switch due to what they get for them. Features I don't need do not justify the price. It's like trying to justify an 18 channel radio used only for sport flying. You want one? Go for it!
Point being, with all the discussion of the TA switches, the Rcexl switch remains a functional, cost effective option - that's built by the same people that made your ignition (in most cases). I just like to keep that fact out there. From there, you can make up your own mind.
01-02-2015, 05:34 AM
#17
Here is what I used on my last build using a microswitch activated by a non-conductive flex rod from a small servo. Total isolation of the electronics which is nice. Radio Shack has the micro switches or you could order them from any electronics supplier. Keeps all the noise from your ignition system from coupling into the receiver circuitry.
01-02-2015, 08:32 AM
#18
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The TA sounds like a very good product, my only question is going with one battery. If you loose the ignition sometimes you can still land the plane without much or any damage if you have two batteries. But, if you loose both I would say you have no chance. What are your thoughts on that.
01-02-2015, 09:29 AM
#19
My Feedback: (19)
You could still use (2) receiver batteries for redundancy. The IBEC only eliminates the need for a separate ignition battery. It should be noted the TA unit also offers current limiting so even a short in the ignition or associated wiring will not shut down the receiver.
01-02-2015, 10:45 AM
#21
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Well in all cases a receiver battery failure would cause loss of control. Redundant receiver batteries would extremely reduce the changes of a complete failure. Many of us have found that quality LiFe batteries and especially the genuine A123 cells are extremely reliable though and coupled with quality switches, heavy power wiring to the switch and redundant connections to the receiver, the chances of a failure with a single battery is extremely rare. I would guess that most people use a single receiver battery up through and including 60 cc sized planes. Certainly nothing wrong with (2) batteries though and it does provide a comfort margin.
01-02-2015, 11:36 AM
#22
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I understand, but I lost my favorite plane because of a single battery failure. Running a 100 Saito. Of course it was a nimh that I charged before flying and it read full charge before takeoff. Charged it again after crash and it read full for about 1/2 hour, then it crapped out. I guess I'm just leary now. However, I can honestly say that is the only battery in lots of planes and lots of years that has ever failed.
01-02-2015, 11:59 AM
#23
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I've been at this hobby for a very long time and have found the A123 batteries far more reliable and better yet, more predictable than any of the Ni chemistry types. And .... I had very few problems with NiCd or NiMh batteries but the A123 / LiFe types are just much more user friendly. I worry more about switches than I do the batteries.
01-02-2015, 06:20 PM
#24
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X2 on Truckracer's last few comments.
I only wish I had found out about A123's earlier, when I was just getting back into the hobby (a few years ago) and looking to replace some really old NiCads. I could have saved myself a couple of pretty nice planes by ignoring advice to go NiMh at the time. Another lesson in bad advice is worse than none. Cost me a lot of time and money to recover from that advice, no matter how well intentioned it was. -Al
I only wish I had found out about A123's earlier, when I was just getting back into the hobby (a few years ago) and looking to replace some really old NiCads. I could have saved myself a couple of pretty nice planes by ignoring advice to go NiMh at the time. Another lesson in bad advice is worse than none. Cost me a lot of time and money to recover from that advice, no matter how well intentioned it was. -Al