How close is 'too close'??? RX battery placement question
08-09-2008 | 10:16 PM
#1
How close is 'too close'??? RX battery placement question
My 1/4 scale Piper Pawnee has a G62 gas engine. It seems the guy who built it and I bought it from built the plane way tail heavy. As it turns out, I will need lead in the nose and was wondering if I could place the 6 volt rx battery somewhere on the firewall right next to the engine? This would allow me to save a few ounces of 'dead weight' which I don't need. Any problems or bad issuues with placing the battery this close to the engine.
If you're wondering...it's a stock magneto cdi engine. Thanks for help.
If you're wondering...it's a stock magneto cdi engine. Thanks for help.
08-10-2008 | 06:39 AM
#2
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From: Ithaca, NY
RE: How close is 'too close'??? RX battery placement question
Hi,
It all depends on RF issues generated by the engine ignition. As a rule of thumb, you want as much distance as posible between the ignition components and the receiver components but some ignition setups are very clean from RF while others are leaky.
The short answer is that you just have to play. Set up the system in the way you desire, start the engine and do a range check with the engine running full bore. If it passes the range check, you are good to go. Otherwise, you have to increase the distance between the ignition components and the rx components.
Hope this helps
Elson
It all depends on RF issues generated by the engine ignition. As a rule of thumb, you want as much distance as posible between the ignition components and the receiver components but some ignition setups are very clean from RF while others are leaky.
The short answer is that you just have to play. Set up the system in the way you desire, start the engine and do a range check with the engine running full bore. If it passes the range check, you are good to go. Otherwise, you have to increase the distance between the ignition components and the rx components.
Hope this helps
Elson
08-10-2008 | 08:00 AM
#3
RE: How close is 'too close'??? RX battery placement question
I am not sure if there is a consensus out there, but I think 10" to 12" distance between anything "engine - related" (engine, ignition switch, ignition module and ignition battery (if used) is the norm. I wouldn't ignore that unless you absolutely must (as apparently, in your case). I guess if it range checks (engine running at all rpm's) you might be okay.
08-15-2008 | 07:06 PM
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From: Glenwood Springs,
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RE: How close is 'too close'??? RX battery placement question
My buddy was getting interference on his plane when we traced it to the ignition switch to close to receiver. When we moved it all was fine. Oh and he was using a 7 channel spectum so dont be fooled into thinking 2.4 is immune to interference. I have a couple planes with receiver batt within a couple inches of engine and ignition both are DA engines. So it may depend on the engine being used.
08-15-2008 | 08:54 PM
#6
RE: How close is 'too close'??? RX battery placement question
Everybody that's replied.....thanks for advice. FYI....I have since moved my battery pack away from the engine firewall due to the 'what if' factor. It's too nice a plane to take chances with 'what if' I have a problem. By the time I discover there is one, it may be too late. I've added some lead to the spinner cone and moved the battery back near the receiver which is how most of my planes are set up. Best wishes guys! 
