Bob

Its good to see you here at RCU.

I like the spec's on your new dual input/output isolated adjustable LINEAR high current failsafe regulators, 17.5 Amps at 6.0V on Lithium is impressive. Did I miss anything?

Please share your thoughts on this devices with us.

Regards

Michael,
We have developed this new regulator at Smart-Fly products and are trying to find out if there is a call for this product. The regulator is a linear regulator that is adjustable from 5.0V to 6.5V. It has dual inputs so two batteries can be connected to the unit. The inputs are isolated so failure of any kind of one battery will not affect the other battery or the regulator. It has dual regulation elements for redundancy and two outputs. It has a built in failsafe switch which negates the need for very high current switches in series with the batteries. All inputs and outputs are Deans Ultra connectors to handle the high current this regulator can require/supply. Since this is a linear regulator and power dissipation varies with input voltage and output voltage we are spec'ing it at two output voltages and an input voltage consistent with Lithium packs. With an 8.5V input and 6.0V output it will supply 17.5A continuously. For a 5.5V output it can supply 12.5A continuously. It can provide peak current in excess of 25A. We ran this regulator at 5.0V output and 8.5V input at 15A for 30 minutes. The unit is approximately 2-1/4" x 2-3/4" and weighs about 2oz. We think the regulator would retail for between $70 and $80 but that is still up in the air. We developed this to go along with our new PowerExpander which I will post about when I get some pictures. We would appreciate feedback on this product since the price to introduce it will be significant.
-Bob

The regulator looks great. Nicely executed concept/layout.

Tell us about the power expander....

Michael,
The PowerExpander is our version of a unit to distribute power to the servos without relying on the receiver power bus. I know that JR and Futaba say the power bus of a receiver can handle 10A or more but the real issue is the single 22ga wire and connector that come into the reciever. As you know, Smart-Fly already uses double 22ga leads in their SuperSwitches and Regulators to supply power to receivers. This ups the current capability to around 6A for the two connectors. The PowerExpander uses a Deans' Ultra connector, as does the UltraReg, to get power into the unit. This connector can handle upwards of 30A. The unit itself is a little different that other units out there. The receiver sits on the unit and connects to the unit with short pigtails for each channel, up to 9 channels. The unit then takes these and buffers them and outputs them to either four servo connections per channel or two servo conections per channel, depending on the channel and its typical usage. All connections in and out of the PowerExpander are RF filtered. There are versions for JR and Futaba end-loading receivers. The unit filters and regulates power to the recever but passes the power input directly to the servos. This is why we are developing companion regulators to go with the unit. I will post a picture of the unit as soon as I can. This unit should be shipping by the end of October.
I will be out of town for the weekend so I will not be able to reply to more questions until Monday morning.
-Bob

Damn, that regulator is JUST what I have been looking for....

Availability???

Stan
WV

Stan,
We are in beta test on the regulators right now. If things work out as planned we should have product in 8-10 weeks.

Bob - DO it.. productize it. If you get the price and features right it will probably outsell the rest of your offerings. If it in fact is truly redundant it will be a huge hit. I had something similar on the notebooks, but decided I was too busy to bring it to market. Yours is more elegant than mine was, but same principle. I like the fan, but what will the target weight be...

Currently all the superswitches wiring and regulators add up to 6-8 oz. Can't imagine it being heavier than that. I would think you could even save weight.

I would LOVE to eliminate having to run 2 switches, 2 regulators and all the spaghetti associated with it.

I am currently using 2 independent "trunks" if you will - 2 sw, 2 regs, 2 batts. I have never had a problem with it but its a royal pain to route all the wires... and it looks like crap.

DP

Hi,
The weight of the unit is about 2.5oz. Its very light and very small, 2.75" x 2.25". All I really need now is more flight time on the prototypes so I can be sure the fan will not cause any problems. Thanks for the feedback.

Robert - one other feedback item for you...

Sounds good!
It would be VERY helpful to have servo type mounting holes in the PCB edge so one could shock mount the device like a servo using screws instead of velcro tape....

DP

Hi again,
The unit does have grommet mounting, like the PowerExpander has. I agree the device is too big to mount with tape.

I guess I wasn't looking close enough... I was thinking those were mounting areas for the power expander... the setup you have works!!
Keep up the good work, you guys have some nice stuff.



DP