I just built a SIG Four Star 60. Flies great, however, I would like techniques on how to secure the battery/servos. I've been using the old "popsicle stick" trick but it doesn't work all the time. I would like some sort of system that allows flexibility as I like moving the CG around to experiment with flight characteristics. Ideas appreciated....

I generally use light foam around tank, batteries and receiver. If area is small, use thicker foam to secure batteries, velcro for the tank and receiver. I like the batteries to be secure so they don't become a battering ram in a mishap.

What I do is:

1. Wrap the battery/receiver in foam.

2. Completely cover the foam (except for the ends) with a minimum of 2 layers of masking tape. Do not pull the masking tape tight or you will lose the effectiveness of the foam.

3. In the general area where you will be putting the battery/receiver make sure there is a sheet of 3/32" - 1/8" balsa.

4. Use self adhesive INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH VELCRO. Fasten one piece to the bottom of the battery/receiver (the built in adhesive will hold quite well to the masking tape ). LIGHTLY attach the other half of the velcro to the part on the battery/receiver. Remove the backing on the 2nd piece and position in place.

5. Move the battery/receiver around as needed until you achieve the balance you want.

6. Once you have found the location for the battery/receiver, VERY GENTLY press the battery/receiver down to LIGHTLY adhere the adhesive on the velcro. This is the tricky/fun part. You do not want to "lock" the 2 pieces of velcro together, just have the 2nd piece adhere. Now, using the tip of a #11 blade, hold the piece of velcro attached to the balsa in place while you remove the battery/receiver.

7. This is the key part. Once the battery/receiver has been removed, firmly press the other piece of velcro in place, the go around the edges with some thin CA. My experiences have shown that without the CA, the piece attached to the balsa will loosen and come off in a couple of months (I presume air getting to the adhesive through graining of the wood).

8. When the CA is dry, firmly press the battery/receiver in place.

This will hold everything in position even through a "lawn dart" (don't ask about that ), yet allow easy access/removal if needed, or changing of CG location if desired (just add some additional velcro pieces to the balsa if needed ).

This sounds complicated, but it really isn't.

Or, for those with alittle bigger planes and more room to work with, here're some pics. The board is suspended across the fuse on 2 pieces of foam rubber, one on either side of the fuse. Just had this brainstorm this winter.

i use velcro wire straps that i had several rolls of to secure my battery and receiver inside my ugly stick i just got finished with.

jigeye
what I do is coat the entire radio compartment with 30 min. epoxy thinned with alcohol to seal it. Then I postition the battery and receiver where needed for correct CG. I then apply Insustrial Velcro and attach it in place. I have not had a battery pack move using this application yet. It is very similar to how campy does it, except i leave the backing on the velcro going on the fuse until I get the battery or receiver in the final position because with the wood already sealed, the adhesive will grab almost immediately and will not let go.
Hope this helps.

Heat it first with a heat gun and it'll stick a lot better [8D] .

I also suggest Velcro - I have found that a glue gun can be used to attach it to a tank