Lost Model Alarms
 

Will these lost model alarms that are available work with the RTF models everyone is selling? I see they recommend not supplying more than 6 volts to the alarm. The ones I have seen have the voltage supply coming from separate receiver battery packs (with no greater than 6V). They plug in an unused channel on the receiver or daisey chained into a used channel with the servo. I guess my question is: What is the voltage at the servo connection on these RTF planes? If they are around 6v where does the step-down from a 11.1 lipo pack come from? The only other component in the plane is the ESP. Sorry for stupid question, but new to electric RC. Thanks for any replies.

RE: Lost Model Alarms
 

Ruptured,
The step down function is performed in the ESC.
The alarm will probably work in an unused channel.
I recommend measuring the voltage on the receiver.
Each ESC may be different.
Good Luck,
KW_Counter

RE: Lost Model Alarms
 

KW_Counter

Thanks for the info. As Iresearched further, apparently there is a BEC incorporated into the ESC. I haven't been able to determine what BEC stands for, but I believe it is a voltage regulator and stepdowns/regulates the voltage for the receiver and servos. I noticed they have ESC's with of without BEC's built into them. The ones without the built in BEC obviously need an external BEC. I have also seen them referrred to as UBEC and I think the U might stand for "micro".

I think I am going to get a lost model alarm, although I'm a neebie, I did fly many many years ago (about 50) and watched a model fly off into the sunset, never to be seen again. Not a good feeling. To give you an ideal of how long ago that was, my transmitter had TUBES in it !!

RE: Lost Model Alarms
 

BEC is Battery Eliminator Circuit, UBEC is a Universal Battery Eliminator circuit. There are also many other ways to incorporate a lost plane device into your plane. The easist one I know of is the "Key finder FOBs". Its two small devices that communicate when asked. Place one in yor plane (only about 9 or 10 grams) the other you can carry in your pocket. When you lose your plane in the tall grass (Or CORN) you simple press the buttom on the device in your pocket and listen for the beeping sound. Of coures you must be within 45 to 60 feet of the plane to here the beeps. Some also have flashing lights, this is good for night location. The advantage of this type of system is that they have seperate battery systems. The Alarms I've seen that work off the onboard battery are subject to loww battery power if you've been flying for awhile.

Search the internet for key finders. I have found them for around $10.00 a couple of years ago.

RE: Lost Model Alarms
 

jzrf6c

Well that answers a lot of my questions abount a BEC. All makes sense. As far as the alarm, I was looking at this one for starters. http://www.californiasailplanes.com/...l%20alarm.html  Nice and small, light and the current draw looks to be minimal. May give it a try.