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Do I really need a power panel and battery?
I'm a newbie and I want to build a decent field box. I'm also a fairly good woodworker so I am going to build it from scratch myself. I have spent some time thinking about what I want the box to do and look like. I have also researched other's boxes. My question is this, do I really need a battery and panel? I use a manual pump for my fuel, a rechargeable glow driver, and I manually start the plane. So do I need a battery? I don't feel like I need one now. But, I don't want to build a nice box and then decide in a few months that I need/want one later.
Also what type of paint should I use to paint the box. I know it should be fuel proof. Is rustoleum fuel proof? Also, how may of you carry your fuel supply seperate from your field box. This makes sense to me (i.e., no or less fuel on the box and less of an explosion issue by seperating the battery from the fuel). Also, can I recharge a rechargeable glow driver from the power panel (the Hobbico micropanel that tower sells looks like you can). Sorry about all the questions. I'm a newbie and very anxious to learn. Thank for all the help? |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
ORIGINAL: ChrisS I'm a newbie and I want to build a decent field box. I'm also a fairly good woodworker so I am going to build it from scratch myself. I have spent some time thinking about what I want the box to do and look like. I have also researched other's boxes. My question is this, do I really need a battery and panel? No I use a manual pump for my fuel, a rechargeable glow driver, and I manually start the plane. Then you really don't need one So do I need a battery? I don't feel like I need one now. But, I don't want to build a nice box and then decide in a few months that I need/want one later. Well, you know yourself better than anyone else Also what type of paint should I use to paint the box. I know it should be fuel proof. Use PolyUrethane. You can leave that as the finish or paint over it. Is rustoleum fuel proof? Also, how may of you carry your fuel supply seperate from your field box. This makes sense to me (i.e., no or less fuel on the box and less of an explosion issue by seperating the battery from the fuel). Also, can I recharge a rechargeable glow driver from the power panel (the Hobbico micropanel that tower sells looks like you can). Sorry about all the questions. I'm a newbie and very anxious to learn. Thank for all the help? |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
Assuming that you use a manual fuel pump, a rechargeable glow driver, and hand start the plane as you say, then you don't need a power panel.
However, there might be a time when your engine won't co-operate, or your glow starter has gone flat and you don't have a means of quickly recharging it. When I got my box, I chose the GP Master Caddy which has a detachable power section which holds the battery, panel, and has a shelf for the starter. I got the full kit n' kaboodle at the time: a battery, panel, starter and electric pump. I already had a rechargable glow driver so I don't use the 1.2v output for that but I do have a wired glow lead as a backup. I also have a muanual pump which I now use more than the electric. It's really a matter of convenience against familiarity with your equipment. My first engine would not co-operate and it would take ages to start manually so I felt I needed the starter. Now I have engines that will start on the first flip... |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
The battery is useful to charge up your RX and TX batteries. It can be used as back up for your rechargeable glow starter. I think I saw a new panel with a built in charger. Hmmm
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RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
GREAT ADVICE!! A guy who hand flips his motors might be more in tune to what is going on, you are feeling what your engine parts are doing , and there is a coolness factor when you can just grab the spinner and give it a backwards twist to get it going[X(]!! Glue a magnet to your box and it makes a handy small parts holder. Shipping container sponge foam makes a good way to hold things in place, just stab your tools into it, make cut outs to hold film cannisters, etc.
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RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
I used to have all the bells and whistles and desined several to accomodate all my needs but they all got too heavy too carry to the flight line.
My last one is quite small and lite. It contains only the essentials and reqires only one trip to the flight line to fly made a wing sadle on top and it has a place for the tx, starter fuel fuel pump and a few tools, just what is needed at the line. the rest are as near as the car. I made my starter self contained so I don't need a bat in the flight box. I constructed a small flat box on the bottom of the starter to hold 10 ae sanyo nidads[12volts]. I put the wing in the sadle carry the wing-flight box in one hand and the fuse in the other hand and when I get to the flight line I have everything I need to fly. |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
Has anyone used this device:
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXL372&P=V]Hobbico Starter Battery Pack[/link] |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
Yes, I used it on a Sullivan starter - didn't like it.
Finally converted to the Sullivan battery pack and NiCads - a lot happier. It was under powered and I didn't have a proper charger for the lead acid battery. This is not to say it wasn't properly charged, I had to watch it carefully to prevent overcharging. Burned up two batteries by not being carefull enough. If you have a Hobbico starter it may work better than it did with the Sullivan starter. There motor is a 5 volt motor with 12+ volts from the battery. KW Counter |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
rctrax,
What does your wing saddle look like? Do you also have a fuselage stand on your box? Any pictures? Chris. |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
In my opinion, no one needs a power panel. They are a big waste of money. A field battery is a necessity if you are going to use an electric starter and charge your planes at the field with a quick charger.
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RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
Unless you use a self contained battery pack attached to your starter. I have one that I set up with short leads (samll tabs actually), so I can still use it to run a charger is I want.
KW, You don't happen to have a link to the Sullivan starter pack do you? thanks, Dennis- |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
I went down that road a few years ago and realized field boxes are stupid. I bought a big plastic tool box from Home Depot and put all my stuff in that. I keep everything portable. With the power panel, you have wires hanging out everywhere and get caught up with the prop.
Get the portable igniter which comes with a charger, get a battery and mount your starter to it. If you end up buying a field charger someday, weel you can just disconnect the battery and clip the charger on it. Things are so much easier. Stay with a Hobbico type crank fuel pump. Those electric pumps are nice but will quit working when you least expect it. |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
DBCherry,
Here is a link to a sullivan battery pack: .[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXFT85&P=V]Sullivan Starter Battery Pack[/link] |
RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
Cyclic,
I like your idea of the tool box to simplify things. So, do you just carry your fuel seperately? How much do you carry? |
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