ORIGINAL: Puff The Magic Dragon
I have been modeling since 1974. I'm not losing anything, I scratch build 80% of my planes, (Instant Gratification, I don't think So) I also have some ARFs. I still paint my planes. It is just painful for me to kneel on the ground to start & adjust Nitro engines. I took a fall while working on a Motor Grader & totally mess up my back. I'm a Retired( Not By My Own Choice) professional Mechanic. As far as working on my own car, unless you invest the money into the scan tool, you can't figure out whats wrong with it, unless you drive a dinosaur. You can start swapping parts and hope you hit the right part. The days of shade tree mechanic are gone. Just like changing your own oil, it's a lost cause. By the time you buy the parts, find a place to recycle your dirty oil, add in your time, your losing money. Do you check all your fluid levels when you change oil, do you vacuum the car, get a free car wash, and be done in 20 minutes all for 30 bucks. As far as my charger goes, it will charge any battery out there, from Lipos to my car battery. I use it to cycle my transmitter batteries, flight pack batteries, yes I still use them on larger Electrics
If your back is bad, how do you load your car/truck? Don't your EP planes land on the ground like glow engines and need to be picked up?
I have a bad neck and suffer headaches after I look up 15 minutes at my plane. I try to fly bigger planes and at a distance so I can look straight. It doesn't stop me. I start my planes on a table or on the tailgate of my truck, who bends over anymore? Puff, I know you are a seasoned modeler, that name / song dates you! I wasn't trying to insult you. But a sore back is no excuse to give up glow. An airplane stand fixes that instantly. You can switch to combat planes and hand launch them.
I have a 2005 F-150 and I do change my oil at a savings, it holds 7 quarts. My kids wash my truck, clean my planes, cut the grass, do the dishes, and fold their own clothes for their cell phone service. I do my own brakes, $25 a set, instead of shelling out $400 and having work done that I didn't need. I do my own work so the stupid Jiffy lubers don't over tighten my drain plug, or forget to oil my filter gasket, or worse, forget to get the old one off the block! I get to see what my truck looks like underneath, catching problem signs early. Pistons are pistons, I can replace them just like a 350 Chevy but with today's oil, I'm expecting 200,000 miles of service or more. Dinosaurs are great cars, but today this truck's sensors tell me where to go to fix the problem. I get it scanned free at Auto Zone. I'm saving money. Everyone knows mechanics mark up their parts ridiculously for more profit, and I love the "shop supply" fees, disposal fees, and $2.50 an extra quart of oil over 5 quarts.
I thought li-po cells needed to be charged with a balancer or balanced charger costing $50-100?