Flight box power panel
 

Has anyone made their own power panel for their flight box, where you can plug in your starter, electric fuel pump, etc.

Well...
Since the starter and fuel pump are 12v, all you need is a switch and some plugs. If you want to add a glow plug driver to it, you need to do some electronic research to get 1.5 v.

At $22 for a professionally built one, why would you want to build your own? Are you going to "reinvent the wheel" or do you just want to start and fly your airplane?

Last time I checked this was a Hobby and building your own stuff was still part of it.....I love building my own support equipment because I CAN! Even if it cost twice as much as the "$22 Professionally built one", i have the pride in knowing that "I" built it and configured it to my specifications. Building stuff like this also enhances your skills at doing other hobby related things like scratch building or repairs.....dont discourage.....encourage!


CB

CB, OK, I asked why and you told me. All valid points, at least for you. Myself, I have more of an interest in building and flying the next airplane in line and building my own support equipment would only take time away from the airplane building. We all have different agendas and approaches to modeling and I respect your ambition to build other bits and pieces. At one time, way back when, all R/C flyers also built their own radio systems too so I see your point in building that kind of stuff. I guess there is someone some where looking a kit I may have built and saying " why the heck did he build that airplane kit when he could have bought an all ready built one (ARF). I got it now, I just didn't see the point when I read the OP's question. Build away, I didn't mean to be negative.

Hey 52Larry52 + 1 I share your opinion.

Schooling and searching can easily answer jr-dub64's question, if he is willing to work.

High torque starters can easily melt and burn under rated parts. That is why purchase is such a good idea.

What is Ohms law?

Not to discourage anyone, but I've been using the Hobbico Deluxe Power Panel I for about 15 years and have been very pleased with it.

I stopped using power panels a long time ago. For the starter I use (2) 6 cell nimh packs for the RC Cars, Glow plug clip"s, I solder tubing to the ends of batteries or use the one that holds a single battery. I use the hand crank fuel pumps. I got tired of the wings on the bigger planes getting in the way of the flight box and having to watch the cords for the glow plug and starter getting in the way of the props. That was the main reason I went cordless. I use fishing tackle boxes for the storage part of the flight box.

Is a person in a factory working on an assembly line a professional?

Buzz.

Use what works best for you.

Well, that was a fun discussion. And I have been using a Hobbico panel for several years and it works fine. And no I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel. CB and I are probably on the same wave length. Every now and then my brain starts on some ideas, sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. This great country was built by people with ideas. This idea of mine probably won't get anywhere but it keeps my brain working and at my age I need all the help I can get. I have always built and fabricated many things over the years, so this just goes along with the way I think. I just don't always go with the status quo. thanks for the replies anyway.

jr-dub64 what is OHM's law?

You want to keep your brain alive, then start here. ( wire thickness, switches rated for requirements, resistor to step down voltage).

This is how it is done. I am giving you what you need, not what you think you want.

Well, I know of OHM's law, wire gauge,switches and resistors,etc,etc. So you are not giving me anything I don,t already know. And you really don,t know what I want. So you can keep your sarcastic remarks to your self.

Yeah jr-dub64......I dont get it....some folks just refuse to think outside of the box. They dont get that there is a certain satisfaction in designing and building things.....whatever those things are. It doesnt matter if it is power panels or toilet paper holders.....if you've decided that you can build one instead of buying....more power to you! As mentioned above, I also do not have a need for power panels anymore....I dont fly alot of glow stuff anymore and I've adapted my Sulivan Dynatron to LiPo so that i dont have any of those icky cords to get caught in a prop. I did build my own fuel pump assembly for my gassers because I didnt want to pay the premium that Jersey Modeller was charging for their setups. It's been going strong for several years now.

For the folks touting "Ohms Law".....yeah I know it.......I knew it when I went through the Naval Aviation Electronics course at NAS Memphis.....I knew it when I was working on A-4's in the USMC.....I knew it when I was maintaining the lighting control equipment for virtually all of the casinos in Las Vegas in the late 80's......I have known it for my almost 30 years of building, maintaining, installing theatrical and performance lighting control systems.....so I think I have enough experience to build a silly little power distribution panel. You dont need this type of experience to build this sort of thing.....you just need an idea and the dedication to see it to completion.

Good luck with your project whatever you decide to do. Happy flying!


CB

I have the Hobbico/Tower Deluxe and Deluxe II power panels. No reason you couldn't wire up your own - but I'm guessing the components bought separately would exceed the $20 to buy one made up.

The only two "Tricks" are a switch to reverse the fuel pump (not needed, especially of the pump has its own) and a drop-down resistor and rheostat for the glow driver output w/meter. If you are just using an old plug as a jack to charge a remote driver you don't need a meter or rheostat for the driver.

I added a Voltwatch 12v to mine so I can monitor the lawnmower battery inside as well.

I like that idea but I've lived without one for so long. Great idea. Yeah, my flight box need more weight. Ever notice how heavy your flightbox is? I had to make a wagon for it to move it from van to field. Might just add one to my Tower cart for next purchase.