RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

where do you set the plane to install wings , adjust etc??

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

I went thru this thread over the past few months and there are some very creative individuals out there. Sarcasm switch on now - I would like to take this opportunity to thank Al Gore for inventing the internet making it possible for everyone to share their creativity. Sarcasm switch off now.

I went with a damaged Stainless Steel Stanley roll around tool box from HD. I then ordered switches, LEDs, and a digital volt meter. The rest of the supplies I purchased from Radio Shack or LHS. I found that gallon jugs would not fit in the base so I went on a quest. Low and behold in the garage I see 3/4 gallon jugs of fabric softener. I look in the recycle bin and there are 2 sitting there waiting to be recycled - GREAT 1 for 2 stroke fuel and one for 4 stroke. After much cleaning I mounted dubro fittings in the lids and slid them in the base. I used my dad's metal brake, some aluminum siding and rivets to make a battery holder and some Styrofoam to insulate it from the holder. I bent some Plexiglas to protect the terminals.

The Power panel was a little more work, I used a sheet of aluminum from HD and an excel spreadsheet to layout positioning of the switches. I printed the spreadsheet on a clear 8.5x11 clear sticky label for the labeling of the power panel. I drew the electrical diagram utilizing a combination of spst (power, fan), dpdt (fuel pumps, smoke pump) and spdt (volt meter) switches. A couple of hours and about a million connectors later I had the power panel wired. Someone mentioned using drawer handles to protect their switches, great tip, thats what I used. for the fuel fittings on the front of the panel I used brass fittings from Ace Hardware, they are quite proud of them ($1.99ea) but work great.

The drawers are self explanatory, just arrange the contents to your liking.

The top of the box I built the fuselage cradle from scrap wood laying around the shop and mounted it on either end of the top case. The actual cradles slide into the tapered slots in the holders and are removable for transport. On the inside the top box I used cut foam to make a soft place for the transmitter and battery charger to rest, the started just happened to fit nicely as well. I used magnetic tape on the back of my charger and it just sticks to the front of the box when its in use. For charging the box I just us the battery tender that is used for my motorcycle with a banana plug extention.

If anyone knows how to put and excel file on here let me know, I cant figure it out.

Thanks to all that contributed ideas to my field box project, I have been using it for about 2 months and its great.

Ducman

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

My flying field experiences have definitely been enhanced by all the ideas from this thread. My "bashed tool box" turned field box is one of the best things to come along in awhile. My only addition to the whole mix is that I purchased a one gallon collapsible plastic container from a shop that advertises themselves as a "scientific container" supplier. These folks sell containers for labs and such. I got a one gallon flexible/collapsible container from them that I have been using for the last 18 months. I installed one line in the cap and since the container collpases as it is drained there is no vent line and absolutely no leaks. Since it is veru flexible it conforms to the shape of the box and the plastic material is very durable. The only precaution I take is I pinch the line closed between the supply line and the fuel pump (hand crank) when it is not in use in case the heat causes a little pressure. Again- after 18 months of constant use with 15% nitro fuel- not a single leak, no fumes, fully compatible with glow fuel, conforms to the shape of the box- I only pad the sides and box bottom with soft foam.

Whoever had the original idea of using a toolbox for a field box- thanks very much. Hope my little idea adds something useful to the thread. This link will take you to a picture and a supplier- I bought mine locally for about $3.00.

http://www.vwrsp.com/catalog/product...ight=EP160-2-5


Jim

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Captain Ducman,

Awesome job on your field box!!!! I like it a lot! :D All that wiring would confuse the hell out of me.[X(]

Later,
Omaha

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

smooooooooove dude! [8D]
but, ( switch on ) what , no hot & cold runnin water? ( switch off ) :D\

Seriously, nice job and I wish I had the time and talent myself!!!! Ok just the time would be a start!!!


bl

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Thanks for the comments, my wife rolled her eyes (as she does with most of my projects, unless they are for her) when I showed her the drawings of the box and what I wanted to do.

I have alot of idle time at work so there was lots of time to think up all the things I wanted and how to do them. The wiring of the pump switches was actually posted somewhere on here, but when you break it down its not very dificult. I mean, I did it and Im from Florida:D If I could post excel files I would post the diagram and the layout of the panel.

Also, if anyone knows how I could simulate a load on the tx/rcvr batteries so I could use the panel voltmeter I would be very greatful. As it is I can only (accurately) check the 12v battery in the box and I set it up so I could check the tx/rcvr batts as well.

As far as hot and cold water, I refused. Even tho mine doesnt, I think the club should suply that:D but a good ale cask or at a minimum a gatorade pump may be in order;)

Duc

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Your company hiring?:)

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Hello all I'm currently about to start building my pit box from hell I've been reading and re reading this thread for the last few days and getting as much information as I can find I'm just about ready to undertake this project. That being said I have to be honest with myself as I've never taken on a project quite this large and potentially complex as this one And I really don't want to screw it up.

I managed to get my hands on the same box as captain ducman and have started working with a preliminary layout of where I want to place my components so far I have more room then I need so far. I don't plan to add much just a mini power panel, ventilation fan, fuel pump, a pair of binding posts and a 10 watt sound system. Everything will be in the lower most compartment with the switches and mini panel in the rear and the speakers mounted on the front. I'm still debating if I want the fuel pump mounted inside or on the outside, what would be the pros and cons? also since this setup is galvanized steel it may take more then my trusty dremal to cut thru this beast unfortunately for me my metal working tools are quite limited, mainly my dremal, a hacksaw and a jigsaw of questionable reliability and quality.

I also have a few questions as to what some of you used to route the fuel lines thru the sides of the box from most of the pics it looks like the line is just pushed thru a hole in the side, now i'm thinking that with my box being metal that this would only lead to premature failure of the fuel lines due to chaffing. By the way I am not at all familiar with R/C aviation I'm strictly a ground pounder, yea i'm the guy who buzz's your ankles while your doing barrel rolls 500 ft up [sm=bananahead.gif]

Any help or pointers anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

As for protecting the fuel line going through the metal, a grommet or a piece of rubber vacuum hose inserted in the hole and would allow your fuel line to pass through the center of it should be cheap and ease your mind.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Does anyone actually read this thing?

I must thank raven7usa for the tip about the grommets found a source for them and they work like a charm.

I'm still trying to find out exactly what a fuel dot is and how it works.

Any way I'm still in the building phase will post up a few pics once everything is done.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Fuel Dot... It's basically a 3rd fuel line from your tank, set up like the one that goes to your carb. A fuel dot is used when access to the main fuel line to the carb is inconvenient, such as a cowled engine. The fuel dot line can exit out the bottom of the cowl or be attached to the fuselage. The line is used to fill and empty the tank in your plane. When not being used, the fuel dot line is plugged.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Again thank you very much for the info raven7usa.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

I do like the idea of "all in one//two separate" . But having the fuel can and electric close together in a confined non vented space , does that not pose a potential fire hazard?

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Here is what I came up with, for my Field Box from hell.

I made it from a Stanley rolling tool box, that was given to me, for my birthday. It came from Wal-mart.

I have three 12V 7Ah gel cell batteries in it. One for the fuel pump, one for the field charger, and one for the Power panel. The field charger battery is also set up on switch operated banana plug jacks, located next to the power panel. I also have a set of banana jacks for the fuel battery, which allows me to charge all the batteries, without opening up the box to access each batteries, terminals.

I have a 12V 33Ah gel cell I wanted to use, instead of the three smaller batteries, but didn't have room for it anywhere.[:o]

It is a little heavy, but it has everything I could possibly need, all in one unit, and I can pull it where I need to go.

I didn't have to modify it that much. Just drilled holes for the banana jacks, fuel fittings, cut out a hole for the power panel, and cut slots in the top tray, for the starter to rest in, so the lid would close.

It was a fun project to do!

Later,
Omaha

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

hi when you say 12v dc is this the same sockets you use for 12v starter on power panel i have a ripmax power panel and was going to charge battery by adding a socket on side of my toolbox but if can be done this way be much easier and i can just fit 2 banana plugs on my mains charger for battery

nice thread bye the way i try get some pics of my box up soon but i use it for nitro cars mainly as my plane and hellis are battery powered

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Thanks everyone for the great ideas on this LONG thread. I'm new to the RC plane hobby and am currently building my 1st plane. I picked up a Stanley rolling box tonight at my local Wally World to set up similarly as some of those already featured here. This is a lot of fun.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Nice boxes; however I went the larger the better when I got into this hobby 20 years ago. I built two or three boxes each bigger than the last. Then I realized that I was taking more crap than I needed and I would have to get a bigger vehicle if I keep building bigger boxes. So one evening I pulled out a piece of drafting paper, listed all the items I needed to carry, then drew up some plans. And here is the outcome that I have used for the last 17 years. It is built primarily from Finland Birch plywood and finished with polyurethane. Not too big, but big enough to carry tools, props, fuel, power and starter...

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

nice looking set up,you still got the plans?

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

I might have them somewhere....I thought of that when I worte that and wondered where I stashed them

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

I bought the lage doble stacker toll box and put in a cigarette lighter in the front, i will plug my lunch box in the front when i get it, or my tire pump, to pump up my retracts.

Dave Trimmer.

Edit, I don't smoke.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

well it's been quite a while since my last post but I did finish my pit box project.
I still need to take a few pics of the interior if anyones interested. but so far it's
working quite well. So far I can hold a gallon of fuel but mainly use a half gallon
tote jug I purchased from tower hobbies since it's rare to go threw much more
then that on an outing. the speakers are powerd by a small 15 watt amp and it's
more then loud enough to heard from over 100ft away at 75% volume. more then
enough to call out announcements at the track or just play some tunes via my mp3 player.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...project018.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...project016.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...project014.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...project012.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...project004.jpg

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

And there are still plans to put in a 300watt inverter as well as a 12 cig lighter to make hooking up my charger a bit easier.

I also plan to get a bigger 12v battery as the 30Ah battery I have is no longer holding a charge for very long (second hand battery)

still trying to figure out how to mount a 6 inch LCD in the bottom of the lid for watching some raw video footage shot in the field.

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Can you give me a little info on rigging up the (2) 12v batteries...??

I am thinking of wireing them in series (24v) for the starter outlet, then tap off in between the two batteries for the 12v portion to the starter panel etc...

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

Great conversion on the Stanley box, I just went to Walmart 30 minutes ago, and bought the same identical box. I built a really nice Goldberg Monster Tote, but Jeez, fully loaded it must weigh 50-60 lbs. A real pain in the arse carrying it around. I like the wheels on the new one, and will model it after yours! Your pics are a great help!!

RE: THE FIELD BOX FROM HELL! aka The Ultimate Field box!
 

thanks I'm still tinkering with it even after all this time, I believe fully kitted out my setup weighs in around 60 - 70 Pounds total.

as for rigging up 2 12 volt batteries it would help to get or build a terminal block, if you want to expand the system at some point in the future otherwise you can just tap off the battery directly.


I added a diagram to better illustrate how to connect the batteries to get both 12 & 24 volts.