Mastertech

My Feedback: (31)

I'm making the journey to Electric this winter and I figured I might as well start with the charge box.

I looked at many boxes and decided what I needed.

1. Case- Harbor Freight
2. Cell Pro 10s Chargers x2
3. Power distribution box- Esprit Models
4. Cooling fans- Radio Shack
5. Power outlet- Old PC
6. Batteries- Hobby City and F3A Unlimited
7. Female elect plug
8. Power Supply- Iota55- Ebay
9. Misc supplies from Wally World
10. Rob the old Nitro box for tools.




Now how to get all of that into the box and make it user friendly.
I made a short trip to my sheetmetal friend and came up with a panel that would cover the Iota giving plenty of room for cooling and be strong enough to hold everything else.



I wanted to keep the cooling fans inside the box and not have to remove them to cool the batteries.



Mocking up the plate for the cooling fans.

The fans actually sit 1/2 above the plate for extra incoming air and not draw all from the lower part of the case.
The holes help eep the Iota cooler.

Side view


Making the holes. Unibit works well.



All the holes drilled.



Covered with cabinet liner that is rubber from Wally World



Add the power outlet from the old PC



Make the simple holders for the CellPro's that will mount in the bigger side of the lid.



Simple U shaped aluminum strips to hold the chargers to the plate and angle on the end to bolt to the lid. Left space underneath to store all the cables.



Add foam in the battery storage compartment for cushion.

Completed the assembly and added the required small tools for normal maint.

Plenty of room for batteries on the right side.

Place the batteries on the cooling fans after flight. Beside the case for charging if cooling a set of batteries or just charge on the fans.



I'm sure I'll make changes as times goes along but this is my first attempt. We'll see how it all works out.

Tim

J Lachowski

My Feedback: (46)

Forget about the power distribution box. I have a couple from another place I thought would work. Turns out they will not work for our applications. The on-off switches cannot handle the load. Just make up something yourself with banana receptacles and the right gauge wire in a box.

Mastertech

My Feedback: (31)

Thanks Joe,

I'll change the chargers to direct plug in's.

klhoard

My Feedback: (10)

I order one of the 8-way dealios for power distribution in my charge box.  Also got me one of the APP crimpers - no more soldering.

http://www.powerwerx.com/powerpole-power-splitters/

Derek.Koopowitz

I agree with Joe on this... I can take a picture of how one of the outlets melted. I made up my own using 30a switches, and gold posts for banana plugs that can take a high amp load. It cost me about $30 for 3 packs of posts and switches.

Here is the link to [link=http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=091-1245]Parts Express[/link] for the binding posts that I used.

Mastertech

My Feedback: (31)

Thanks, this is the type of info I need. Why re-invent the wheel.

EHFAI

Consider installing a 10A fuse in one the leads between each charger & battery. The battery is a strong energy source and things can (& do) go wrong. Accidentally pulling the bullet plugs from the charger & shorting them with the battery connected would be dramatic without a fuse, likewise if a charger shorts.

brightmix

J-P

My Feedback: (1)

Had no issue with the Power distribution box after 2 years .....

jlkonn

My Feedback: (1)

I've used mine for two seasons without problems too.
I made sure all my connections are tight and used good
termination practices.
JLK

ExFokkerFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I recently tried to use one of those blue distribution boxes and had to junk it. Worked fine charging a couple of batteries... fine for about 5 minutes, then one charger would drop off, then the other... etc. Tossed it in the trash after a friend told me that this was common, and went to Radio Shack and got some posts and now everything works fine.

T

Mastertech

My Feedback: (31)

I added direct outlets for the chargers besides the control panel. I retained the control box to run the fans, transmitter and receiver charger.
I also can run my DVD player for those long waits between flights.

Firefly54

Are these still made? If so where can I find it?

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I would like to see pics of power distribution setups. The plastic is melting on my block (underestimated total power draw I guess), would like something clean, simple, small, and fused.