I am assembling my first glow trainer - a Sig Kadet LT-40. This trainer comes highly recommended at the club I am joining. I am about ready to start assembling the servos, RX, battery and have three questions (I am sure they are dumb questions):

1. The directions for installing the battery pack states: "Wrap the battery pack with a single layer of 1/2" thick soft foam rubber to insulate it from engine vibration and shock. Use tape or rubber banks to hold the foam around the battery. Install the wrapped battery pack inside the nose of the model, under the fuel tank floor, in the position shown on the plan (fuselage side view). Try to keep the battery pack as far to the right side of the fuselage as possible to avoid interfering with the nose gear pushrod." Nothing in these instructions say how you are supposed to attach the battery pack to the airplane. Do you just lay it up in the compartment? That seems risky - what if the battery pack shifts in flight - won't that cause the COG to shift also? [&o] Is there some way I can semi-permanently attach the battery pack to the plane?

2. The directions for installing the receiver state: "Install the wrapped receiver inside the nose of the model, right behind the battery pack. . . . If the receiver seems loose in the nose of the model, pack additional pieces of foam rubber around it to make sure it cannot move around in flight." Once again, is there some way I can semi-permanently attach the receiver to the plane? I thought about cutting a hatch in the bottom of the fuselage and mounting the battery and receiver on the hatch door using velcro strips to hold them in place.

3. I am going to charge the battery pack through the switch. How do you get to the charging connection which is attached to the switch. Do you have to take off the wing each time you want to charge the battery?

Thanks for the help.

Welcome M. Michael Meyer... There's never a dumb question!!, It's only dumb
if you do not ask it:-)

On the Battery, I use the "pull" type wire ties, I usually find a spot that I can
attach or drill a small hole in one of the inner struts to attach the tie too.. But
if the spot that you are going to put the battery and/or reciever is tight enough,
wrapping both in extra foam for a tight fit will work also, That's the way I install
my recievers to date, Most my batteries are wired tied, and one with just foam in
a tight spot.... I guess your manual is where your getting this info... But after
the plane is all setup and with an empty tank when you check your C.G.(it's
in your manual) you can move the battery/reciever to get the C. G. right on...
Velcro will work also, aslong as you have enough to support the weight and
movement of the plane... I used it on my first plane(Avistar)...

On the charge plug... Most radios come with just an on/off switch, with the
charge plug... You can do as you said and remove the wing to charge( A fully
charged battery will last longer that three flights, But you should always check
it after the thrid flight).... So you could just make a hole in the fuse to have the
wire hanging out( not real nice) Or have it hanging out before you attach the
wing(still not nice, but works, tho you could wear the wire bare) Or you can
buy another switch with the chargeing plug adapter build into the switch...
Which for me is the best and best looking choice... Hope this helps!!

Well Be safe, Always check your plane before starting it:-) And Have fun in this
Great Hobby!!!

I have applied velcro pile, the fuzzy part, to the floor of my Kadets. then used 3/8"velcro tape, its pile on one side and hooks on the other. You can reverse it either way, put the hook side out, then I can move the radio and battery fore and aft as needed. I also use this for weights 5,12,17grams respectively. for shifting CG when moving radio isnt an option.

I like the velcro myself. As for the charge cord, if I remember right, someone makes a through the wall mount for one, as well as a pushrod for the switch. That would prevent needing to pull off the wing to recharge the battery pack or turning the radio on/off

I use velcro too. Somtimes wedge or screw down wood tight over the battery, depends on the plane and your battery.

A neat little charge recepatacle is made by MPI http://www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-4.html#5170 Its been new a couple of years now.
The little charge lights work well and for 6v you simply snip in half a jumper wire for 4.8v. Instuctions included with it.

For my trainer I take the rubber bands off after every outing of flight. Mine always get oil on them. They will fail quicker stretched. My 2 cents.
I have a sandwich bag with a 1/4 cup or so baby powder in it. Rubber bands from that day, week, month go in it and I shake it up. Powder soaks up the oil and extends the life a little. At least they are dry even if a bit messy. I guess best would to always use new but....

I use that MPI charge receptacle in most all my planes but the trainer. For it I installed a voltwatch externally under the wing http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMZ56&P=ML, great for heli's too. Cheaper at www.servocity but could only find a picture looking at batteries. For some I use the no light MPI and the voltwatch. It goes neatly under the canopy on the "dash" in a couple of planes.
Its there.

Good Luck
Michael