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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros >> Radio Manufacturer Direct Support >> Smart-Fly (Quest Engineering) Support Forum >> Questions on choosing the correct hardware
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Questions on choosing the correct hardware - 7/16/2007 9:42:55 PM   
JayGull


 

Posts: 123
Joined: 1/24/2003
From: Duncan, SC, USA
Status: offline 		In regards to the Smart Fly product line, which I am just recently familiar with, I have a few questions I need help with please. I am finishing up a 118" B-25 that will utilize 14 servos. I like the idea of running 2 batteries for redundancy and the idea of eliminating y-harnesses for all of the dual servo configurations, plus I want to run a single receiver.

1. Are the PowerExpanders overkill for just these basic needs?
2. I read that the servo outputs are filtered, are they also amplified for long leads?
3. What would be the recommended PowerExpander for this application? I don’t believe I need the Equalizer functionality.
4. What additional hardware will I need, switches, battery configs, regulators, etc.

Thanks for any help on my newbie questions....

Jay
       Post #: 1

RE: Questions on choosing the correct hardware - 7/16/2007 9:52:29 PM   
rrritchey


 

Posts: 627
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Jay,
Let me know if I do not answer your questions completely.

1) For a plane that size I do not think a PowerExpander is overkill.
2) The servo signal outputs are filtered and buffered/amplified. The output voltage on the servo signal wire is 5V and each servo on a channel has its own signal buffer/amplifier.
3) For your application I would recommend the PowerExpander Pro. You did not say if you want to run NiCd/NiMH or lithium batteries.
4) This depends on your battery choice. Let me know and I will try to expand on this.


_____________________________

Robert Ritchey
Owner, Smart-Fly

(in reply to JayGull)
       Post #: 2

RE: Questions on choosing the correct hardware - 7/16/2007 9:57:08 PM   
JayGull


 

Posts: 123
Joined: 1/24/2003
From: Duncan, SC, USA
Status: offline 		That was quick, thanks.

Glad to hear they are buffered and amplified. I didnt see that documented anywhere. I prefer to run NiCd's at this point. So I guess a recommendation of size would be good as well running through the expander. So how would I set this up with switches, regulators, etc?

Thanks again!

Jay

(in reply to rrritchey)
       Post #: 3

RE: Questions on choosing the correct hardware - 7/16/2007 10:03:42 PM   
rrritchey


 

Posts: 627
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Jay,
You have two ways to go on switches with the PowerExpander Pro. You can run a failsafe switch and plug the batteries directly into the PowerExpander. The single switch will turn both batteries on/off and you are protected against a broken wire on the switch. The downside is that with a failsafe switch, any failsafe switch, it draws a very small amount of current from the batteries when off, about 5mAH/Day. If you are going to store the plane for a week or longer we suggest you unplug the batteries. If you prefer mechanical switches without this issue then I would suggest you look at our SuperSwitchHD 2Pak. This has 18ga wire and Deans Plugs on both ends. It wil minimize the voltage drop between your battery and the PowerExpander. I would not suggest regulators for 5-cell packs.
Let me know if you have any more questions.


_____________________________

Robert Ritchey
Owner, Smart-Fly

(in reply to JayGull)
       Post #: 4

RE: Questions on choosing the correct hardware - 7/16/2007 10:56:00 PM   
JayGull


 

Posts: 123
Joined: 1/24/2003
From: Duncan, SC, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks again. The information has been very helpful. I will look into the SuperswitchHD as I dont want to have to worry about unplugging the batteries. In regards to the regulators, I have always heard it was wise to run these on 5 cell packs due to voltage spikes. Is this not the case using the power expander?

For the reciever, do you run a heavy gage lead from the expander to the battery input on the reciver for power?

Jay

(in reply to rrritchey)
       Post #: 5

RE: Questions on choosing the correct hardware - 7/16/2007 11:03:29 PM   
rrritchey


 

Posts: 627
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Jay,
Batteries absorb current spikes better than regulators. The only reason to run a regulator on a 5-cell pack is if your receiver is sensitive to more than 6.0V. The PowerExpander regulates the recevier voltage down to 5.0V. There are two
power leads (which are also channels) that connect the receiver to the PowerExpander. These do not need to be heavy gauge since they only supply the receiver with power.
Let me know if you have any other questions.


_____________________________

Robert Ritchey
Owner, Smart-Fly

(in reply to JayGull)
       Post #: 6

RE: Questions on choosing the correct hardware - 7/17/2007 12:43:48 AM   
JayGull


 

Posts: 123
Joined: 1/24/2003
From: Duncan, SC, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for all of the info!

I will be tryng this soon.

Jay

(in reply to rrritchey)
       Post #: 7

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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros >> Radio Manufacturer Direct Support >> Smart-Fly (Quest Engineering) Support Forum >> Questions on choosing the correct hardware
Page: [1]





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