Help with a kill switch.
 

Hi
I am building my first gas aircraft. I was going to install a regular switch for the kill switch. Then someone said I should have it mounted to operate off a servo. What is the purpose of this, and how do I do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Handyandy

RE: Help with a kill switch.
 

Handy,

You have several options depending on your radio and what you have installed. On my P-51 I use an MPI combination on-off/charge/battery indicator switch; a choke on a servo; and throttle cut-off programmed into my radio. This means I can shut it down two ways in flight: with the throttle cut-off or by closing the choke. My primary ignition switch is manual only. I believe some have put their primary ignition switch on a servo, but I'm not big on that option.

RE: Help with a kill switch.
 

In my opinion your friend is wrong. Mount the start/kill switch close to the engine where it can be reached and is visible while choking the engine and starting the engine. ( that way you allways know ignition on--ignition off.) will keep you from cutting your hand off or braking an arm. Also needs to be convenient so you can kill the engine if it starts backwards, or the prop slips.
If you want to kill the engine with the Tx. use the throttle down or cut off toggle/switch to close off the carb. NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Just my opinion.

RE: Help with a kill switch.
 

I use 2 kill switches, connected in parallel.
One is a simple microswitch that is operated by a small servo and connected to the channel 5 in my radio.
The other one is a normal radio switch, mounted in a Dubro cradle with a pin that comes out through the side and has to be pulled out to "enable" the engine. This switch is mounted near the engine.
Both switches have to be in the off position for the engine to start.

RE: Help with a kill switch.
 

Your should always have a mechanical kill (on-off) switch for the ignition. As for radio controlled switches, you cannot do better than the fiber optic controlled switch made by Electrodynamics. It cost about $60, no moving parts, no servos to set up and is completely isolated from the receiver. Worth every penny!

Check out: http://www.electrodynam.com/cgi-loca...96d+1068511085