Ttaylor63

My Feedback: (16)

I have an edge 540 that wants 20 degrees on elevator deflection and I don't have anything to set throws up in degrees. All I have is an inch meter. Is there a formula to convert degrees into inches so I can setup these control surfaces correctly. Any help would be appreciated.

Phoenixangel

use a protractor http://www.geo-dome.co.uk/forum/article.asp?uname=256

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Sort of... Ten degrees on a smaller control surface would be a small amount of throw, while ten degrees on a large control surface would be much more throw.

What you can do is measure the widest part of the control surface (front to back), call it :"X". Call the amount of degrees "D". XsinD=throw in inches. Make sure your calculator is in degrees and not radians. Measure your throw from that widest point.

Ttaylor63

My Feedback: (16)

Plane is an edge 540 1/4 scale. The manufactuer calls for 15 degrees on elevator, 25 for rudder. I just don't know how to convert.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I kind of cleaned it up a bit (above).

Measure the control surface front to back. Let's say it's 4 inches. If the manufacturer says 10 degrees, type "4 sine 10" on your calculator and it will give you the travel in inches.

If your aileron is 3 inches and they say 20 degrees, type "3 sine 20" on your calculator, and the answer will your aileron travel in inches.

Again I think you might have to check if your calculator is in degrees and not radians.

Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

Ttaylor63,


1 degree = .017

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

If you want to measure an aileron, elevator, and your rudder (just the movable parts at the widest part) and tell me the degrees I will convert it to inches for you. You can PM me if you want.

huck1199

Zippi

The measuring distance from the hinge makes a difference.

szig

Take a look, this could help you:

http://www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-trigright.asp

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

If using this, we know side C (width of control surface) and angle B (throw), and are looking for side A (throw in inches)

ChuckW

You can definitely do the math and convert it. Another option is a cheap plastic protractor from Office Depot or even a drug store. You can use it to measure directly or make angle templates or gauges.

What I would do on an Edge-540 though is set my high rates for as much throw as I could get then start with low rates around 40% of that. Fly it then fine tune the low rates to your liking.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Or you can just use something like this. I make these up with left over wood and use copies of the C&H ignition timing wheels. I make up a bunch and have a few hidden away in my van and when someone is setting up a plane out at the field I loan then one. After that they just have to have one or two of there own, I make them in lefts and rights, for a simple ten dollar bill they can have one!! They really are easy to make and take about an hour with over night setting up of the epoxy.

airbusdrvr

And the golf balls are pretty nifty, also.

Lnewqban

I have drawn three gauges for the angles you need.
If you want, you could copy them in balsa or cardboard.
Note that the vortex of the angle must be in line with the hinge line.

For 15 degrees: 13/16" x 3"
For 20 degrees: 1-3/32" x 3"
For 25 degrees: 1-13/32" x 3"

Ttaylor63

My Feedback: (16)

Thanx for all the replys it really helped...

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Hand carved golf balls are also only $10.00. Living in the land of the golfer they are a hot item!!

mikegordon10

Nevada is "The land of the Golfer"?
There are a number of things that come to mind about Nevada.
For me Golf just isn't one of them.
More like "Seventeen Inside" or
"give me a Buffalo" or
"Three and a post hole on the bounce"

P.S. Gray Beard, I just love your sig.

phatbob02

My Feedback: (126)

1 degree = .017 per inch of surface length

If your elevator is 2" wide, 1 degree = .034"

BillyGoat

This answer may have been already provided in different wording but I'll thow mine in for good measure.

Converting degrees to inches
The sine of an angle is the hypotenuse (the width of the control surface) divided by the movement.

Example:
Control surface is 2” wide and the movement is 10ΒΊ

On the calculator, enter 10 press the sin button, then times 2 and = (equal) to get inches in decimal. 10 sin X 2 =.347”


Converting inches to degrees
Inches in decimal, divided by the width of the control surface, = the Inv-Sin

Example:
Movement is .347” and the width of the control surface is 2”

On the calculator, enter .347 divide by 2 then = (equal), then press sin-1 to get the degrees. .347 / 2 = sin-1 = 9.99ΒΊ

Edit: had titles mixed up :-)