This is one lonnnnggggg thread!

Just picked up the BD MasterCart and associated hardware, and am stealing all the good ideas from the thread... Will post progress as I make it!

All hail Billy Hell!!

Cheers!!

Jim

Have started working on "TFBFH" from the bottom up...

After test fitting the Rubbermaid 1.25 and 1.0 gallon clear "cells", have decided to use a 1/2 gallon Great Planes fuel jug as the fuel cell....

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJ810&P=7

It's opaque white, but I am thinking about how to install some kind of fuel level gage - maybe a cork and wire thru the cap ala the Piper J3 - I like the simplicity, just gotta keep it from leaking!...

The Rubbermaid 1.25 gal tank fit pretty well, but it ate up a lot of space with its formed handle and its inability to go all the way to the bottom of the box due to interference with the front wheel (Guess I could heat it up and "form" it to the wheel, but still eats up a lot of space (If heat forming is required, would use hot (just below boiling) water, about 1/2 - 2/3 full and press the tank into place... think that would work fine to custom fit the tank... If I get bigger airplanes, that may be necessary ).

The 1/2 gallon GP jug will likely be enough fuel for a day's flying with my .40 - .60 powered airplanes. (will keep an extra gallon in the back of the car, just in case ). More imporantly, it leaves a LOT of room in the bottom compartment for the battery, a roll of paper towels, airplane cleaner and gloves and some rags. I like the clear Rubbermaid, but the space gained with the GP jug is too important to ignore.

Using the smaller tank also allows the front of the box to be used for the electrical panels and fueling ports. I didn't want to use the back side of the cart - seemed more prone to damage for some reason, so am happy to be using the "front". Think I will install a hinged clear lexan or acrylic cover over the electrical panels to protect them from "trunk gremlins"... Hinge at the bottom, secure at the top - gravity will keep it opened when in use?

I will be using Hobbico's MicroPanel Plus, Quick Field Charger and Top Fueler pump. Since the MicroPanel doesn't have a fuel pump switch, I will have to wire up a separate switch for the pump, both fill and drain - want a closed circuit (pressure and return), which means two lines out of the box to the airplane - still figuring out how that will happen both mechanically and electrically.

Am using a sealed battery, and am thinking about using a simple bus bar for power distribution, since three separate items need to be powered from the battery.. (fuel pump, power panel and charger) and one spade terminal may become a bit crowded with three common wires...

Have to work over the weekend, so will get back to it on Monday...

Cheers!

Jim

Hey Jim,

I have been using a Rubbermaid jug for almost a year with no problems what so ever. Check out the bottle I have been using

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...481&tostyle=tm

Works FINE! I have two in the bottom with room for two batteries and other items.

Lee

I know a lot of people like power panels, but I never use mine anymore. I'm kind of sorry I cut a hole in my box for it. Heck! I'm sorry I spent money on something I just don't use. Anyway, my box has held up fantastic. Those "trunk gremlins" (heehee) are gonna have a tough time messing it up. IMHO, it's the best way to carry ALL of your flying stuff. Billy really did us right on this one!

I made an electric charge field box as well. Look for it in the next FLY RC magazine.

Mine has both a power panel and a field charger plus 24V to start gas planes. Must say it has been great at the field. To each his own I guess.

Lee

Thanks, Lee!!

What is the capacity of the Rubbermaid jug you installed?

Cheers!

Jim

Aaron,

I like the field glow starter charging and the banana plug 12V source, which easily becomes the charging plug for the system battery...
Thanks to Billy Hell and all the contributors, this has proven to be a great thread!

Cheers!

Jim

They are 64oz a piece. They cost less than 4 bucks piece. Somewhere on this thread I have a link to the rubbermaid site. I dipped the tops in some boiling water to allow me to smush it down so it would fit better. The top part sticks up about 1 - 2. After smushing it down, they fit perfectly. If you are flying 40 - 91 size planes you can fly all day with those two jugs. Hope this helps.

Lee

There are definate pluses to power panels and such. However, I fly out at my Mothers' property now and right next to my runway is this big steel building with all kinds of plugs so I don't have to worry about low batteries. Also, I use a glow starter that takes a C size battery and it lasts for MANY starts. I think if I join this club over here close to my house I would use my panel to run everything since I won't have outlets there. So, I'll definately hang on to it.

After starting on the B&D box, was wandering thru Walmart and saw this Stanley Mobile Work Center... $25...

I like the overall quality of the B&D better, but I was having problems getting everything I wanted to fit into the bottom B&D box, and the Stanley had more space in the bottom, so I snagged it and took it home...

The top section has a single internal tray, two small tool compartments on the lid, and a unique rotating parts bin. The bottom is completely open, with a tool pouch on the outside.

Wanted the fuel cell, battery and starter in the bottom, and wanted the quick charger inside to keep it from gettting banged up.

Found a tall, thin 1 gallon Rubbermaid jug that fit PERFECTLY, picked up some 1/4 inch hardboard and started hacking and pop riveting (What a marvelous invention! ).

Made a three-section partition for the fuel cell, battery and starter, with the charger in a separate compartment above the battery. Will have enough room to put on a false celing (floor?) for additional storage... Maybe props, voltmeter, tach... ???

Still working on padding and securing the components and the locations for the miniature power panel and fuel pump, wiring and plumbing..

Will cover the fuel cell, battery and starter with the false celing/floor, with a hinged portion for access to the starter and charger/battery compartments....

Have to go to work to make a couple of bucks to support this project - will get back to it in a couple of days

Total build time so far about 30 hours - about 10 planning (and replanning when the plan doesn't work ) and 20 measuring, cutting, building and painting...

Cheers!!

Jim

Very slick custom job there...

Jimmbbo nice box will have to see if I can find one in canada

I have had my eye on those boxes.

Awesome job Jimmbbo !

Looks like a swiss army knife deal i might have to do the same hate carrying this box from hanger 9 where the power panel just barely holds on! where did you get these boxes at home depto or so?

Thanks for the kind remarks, guys!!!

Plan to finish it up this week .. installing mini power panel and fuel pump - next is plumbing, wiring and fuselage cradle... Stay tuned!!

Jim

CrazyRyan -

Wal Mart - $25.

Stanley PN 18500

http://www.zag.co.il/products_inner3..._id=8&this=491

is close, but slightly different - has full size top tool container and smaller wheels...

HTH

Jim

BAD NEW dont use that jug.Made the fuel go bad,got cloudy and STANK this was a rubbermaid 2 gallon CLEAR

There were some other entries on this thread about that happening... As I recall, the folks that had that problem said it was due to using silicone sealant on the cap that replaces the spigot... Was that your setup?

Cheers!

Jim

Billy,

I like the space in the bottom of the Stanley box, but think the B&D is better built... Everything's a comprimise, yes??

May turn my attention to the B&D when this is over to see if I can come up with some improvements...

Cheers!

Jim

"There were some other entries on this thread about that happening... As I recall, the folks that had that problem said it was due to using silicone sealant on the cap that replaces the spigot..."

That was a guess I made because someone had the problem with cloudyness and smell. I was and still am using a Rubbermaid 1 gallon and have never had a problem. I believe mine is made of the same material as his. The guy that had the problems RTV'ed a cap located at the bottom on his 2 gallon container so I thought perhaps the RTV mixing with the fuel may have caused his problem. I was just taking a stab at it so I can't really say anything for sure.

All I can say is, try it.I did use RTV on the cap at the bottom but I think the clear plastic was not stong enough. On to my next one
Let me know how yours turn out

aaron2874 , how did you cap off your spigot?