And now. . a dissertation of the "Technical features" of the Emcotec unit.

The first thing you notice when reading the Emcotec instruction book is that this is a COMPUTERIZED unit, with memory, programming, and a few things going on inside the box. There is a ton of "stuff" programmed into this unit, all controlled by a small 8-bit microprocessor.

First off you have to TELL it what kind of battery packs you are using, so that it will know how to react to the packs voltage levels. This is accomplished by letting it "learn" what voltage the packs are (follow the instructions). Then, later on, it will give you audible warnings if you have gotten to a low level of the packs capacity (voltage), if you have gone below a "threshold" voltage with either pack while flying (as during a very heavy load with 3/4 drained packs) or if a fault occured in some way while the switch was on. There are no buttons to push, or lights to observe. . just count the "beeps" and refer to the manual for what fault they indicate. The way I see it. . if the unit is beeping, you have a problem, and it's time to take a look at things. .

Then, there is the adjustable voltage regulator level, 4.8 5.2, 5.5 or 6 volts are all set by using shorting strips on two small plugs (as per the instructions). This voltage level is for both the recievers AND servos, and micro-processor controlled.

Next is the LDO feature. LDO stands for "Low Drop Out", and refers to the design of the voltage regulators that gives only .3 volts of "dropout" between the input voltage and the actual regulated voltage, whereas other regulator designs can take .7-1.5 volts. An example of this would be using a 5-cell NiMH pack (As I do). Fully charged I'd have 6.8-7.1 volts or so, but with a standard dropout regulator, I could expect to see less than 6 volts if I went much below 6.6 volts. With the LDO circuitry, the voltage will stay stable down to about 6.25 volts, if the unit is set for 6 volts. Emcotec recommends 5.5 volts for the setting with 5-cell packs, and claims the performance difference is minimal. BUT, you know how modelers are. . I set it for 6 volts and left it there.

Then there is the "Electronic" switch. Basically, the switch carries ZERO current. . the batteries feed directly into the box, and the switch energizes/de-energizes the voltage regulator circuitry. The switch uses a "logic pin". Slipped intot he black hole, the unit is off. . .remove the pin from the hole and the power is kept OFF until the pin is re-inserted into t he RED hole. The same is true going the other way . .If, by chance, the pin falls out of the Red hole while you are flying, UNLESS it is re-inserted into the black hole the unit remains ON. Basically, the pin insertion sets a logic HI, or logic LOW, enabling the computer inside the Emcotec box to either supply power or shut the power off.

The unit is semi-sealed, with only pins for the connectors exposed. The entire casing for the unit is a heat sink, to slough off heat buildup from current and voltage regulation. It's advised to NOT place receivers or other items on top of the Emcotec box, and to give at least 3/8" clearance on top and bottom for air to circulate around the unit and provide cooling. I left the Emcotec box on for an hour with all servos running (about 1.5-2 amps draw maximum), and the box never got warm to the touch. When under flight loads, though this will change. Emcotec also advises to NOT rigidly mount the unit, but to let it "float" if possible. I used 8 soft rubber grommets and #8 decking screws to mount the unit to the mounting bracket I made.

Every signal wire is amplified to the servos, and every channel is isolated from the others, so no feedback is (theoretically) possible.

The Emcotec unit can handle 6 channels with 4 servos each, 2 channels with 2 servos each, and 4 channels with 1 each, for a combined total of up to 32 servos on individual plugs.

Maximum sustained current draw is rated at: 5.5 volts, 6-cells, 8 amps for 15 minutes continuous. . . .5.5 volts setting, 6 cells, 56 amps for 10 seconds. Lower cell count, and higher regulator voltage (say. . 5 cells and 6 volts setting) will increase the time-span for these loads, because the voltage regulators will not be working as hard. I imagine that on 5-cells, and set for 6 volts, you could run 12-15 amps continuous for 15 minutes and probably get away with 56 amps for 20 seconds. No one is EVER going to load this unit that hard, though.

Lastly, the unit weighs about 8 ounces, including switch. It comes with ALL receiver-box connector wires (12 pigtails), the switch, and two plugs for connecting the wires form the batteries. What it does NOT come with, however, are mounting grommets and screws, which would be a nice touch.

This unit is designed to work well with any 5-cell NiCad or NiMH pack, and the dual cell Lithium packs now available, OR equivalent voltage Nicad/NiMH packs of 6 or 7 cell count. Battery packs of less than 6 volt capacity (such as 4-cell NiCad packs) are not listed as compatible with this unit. . and no voltage regulation will take place because the packs have insufficient voltage capacity.

Here is a website address for the Emcotec series of products in ENGLISH: http://www.rc-electronic.com/html/en.../englisch.html