I don't claim to be an expert on everything, I try to keep my opinions within the range of things that I know. But in addition to running this business I have been a modeler for a long time.

When I see a new product I generally do a quick evaluation to see if it's something that I can use to improve my setup or to solve a problem. IF it seems to be of no value to me, then I notice when others use it and ask them "why" to try to learn what they know that I don't. More often than not the answe back is "because I saw i in an ad" or "because the big guys use it" or even "because I had it".

It's almost never "I had this problem and this geegaw solved it nicely".

I'm all in favor of using the latest gizmo if it actually does something that needs doing. For example a power box seems to make sense on a really big plane with 14 servos, if for no other reason than it gives you a place to plug everything in neatly. But putting a power box on a 28% plane with 6 servos makes no sense and seem to add nothing but weight and complexity, yet lots of people do it.

I don't think that it's necessary to understand the internals of everything before you buy it. BUt I strongly recommend that you ask yourself two questions before buying something that you think is cool;

1. Do I actually need this thing or am I trying to solve an imaginary problem?
2. If I put this thing in my plane, will it actually make things better?

I'm always happy to answer specific questions if I can.

TF

yes it is possible

2400 4.8 on ign
1700 6.0volt on rx both MPI


on last flight 5.32 0n ign battery
and 6.53 on rx battery

thanx for all the help, ive been reading alot about
people saying its best to use a regulater,true or not?


signed MR KIND

With the battery's you are using I wouldn't. It adds 3 possible failure points to the system. two plugs and the regulator its self. I don't see any benefit to using the regulator.

Not sure why you're running a 2400 ma on ignition. I believe you said you had a DA50 on it. That's what I'm running and I get 2 hours actual run time with a 4.8 volt 1100 ma AA nicad pack....

r u runnin a regulater on your rx

No regulators. I'm running 2-6 volt 1100 ma AA nicad packs, 2 switch harnesses plugged into seperate channels in the receiver. 2 hrs flight time....IMAC and 3D flying.....

very informative tom & thankx, just so happens this is the way i built my 1st gasser, but it was due to lack of funds... started with DA50 & ppm/FM with 645's then went to 5945's with pcm receiver of course.

in a case such as this can one use the 5945's & 5955 on a fm receiver? just to get a good inital range check before installing the pcm rec.

I used a ppm hitech recever to do the install and initial rainge checks, after finding no glitching then put the PCM recever in.

Absolutely you can use all your servos on the FM rcvr. In fact there's no real need to put in the PCM once you have everything working right. FM should fly the plane fine.

TF

The only time I've seen a PCM make a difference is with a stock G62. Apparently the ignition that comes with that engine is junk. However, I have seen planes with G62's fly with FM receivers.

Tom, I just remembered where I got my information about the minimum voltage stuff. It was on the ElectroDynamics website. I have one of their optical kill switches and was looking around thieir website and that's where I saw the discussion on minimum voltages. Check it out and see if it makes sense that once the NiCd went below 6.0 volts there was no more electrons flowing to the RX.

Bobby

I think the "about to be dead" voltage cutoff is about 1.1v per cell. I won't fly below 1.2 because there's almost nothing left.

When I heard the description I immediately thought "battery". The fact that it was still working on the ground can be explained, the loads in the air are heavier and would require a lot more current to work.

TF

Also the voltage will come back up slightly after the load is removed.

Some of the 1700mAh packs have high internal resistance... I've had bad luck with them. Were your voltage measurements under a 1 amp load or static (I don't trust static voltage measurements)? Did you discharge the rest of your RX pack after your crash to see how much was left in it? Try doing a vibration test on your switch and RX... put a small allen wrench in a moto tool and turn it on slow so that it vibrates. Touch it to your radio components one at a time while it is operating (including plugs and switches)... if there are any loose components they should show up with this test. I'm not to impressed with the JR "Heavy Duty" switches... they are kinda junk inside... easy for parts to come loose.

im from U.S.A wats a moto tool?

I bought mine in the USA... same as a Dremel. Little high RPM hand tool.

oh!