Electronic Help with backyard flyers

[ruvyn]

I have a Futaba Conquest FM FP-4NBF 4-Channel 72MHz Digital Proportional with standard servos. I would like to use this radio for a backyard flyer. I have never wired an RC plane yet. My question is what do I need as far as devices for making a backyard flyer that is all electric. What servos, motor, power suply and anything else. Is there a book somewhere that list the components, wiring, and do's and don'ts. I really want to learn this, but don't know where to start. Any help would be great. Thank you!

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Ruvyn,
You are in luck so to speak. Bob Aberle has written the exact book you are describing. It is published by AirAge, and you can find it at the RC Store www.rcstore.com
Regards, Dave

[Dr Kiwi]

[i]Originally posted by ruvyn. My question is what do I need as far as devices for making a backyard flyer that is all electric. What servos, motor, power supply and anything else. Is there a book somewhere that list the components, wiring, and do's and don'ts.

Dear Sir - That is one hell of a question! There are books out there but I think you first need to decide on what size and type of aircraft you want to fly! Your transmitter will work with any sort of negative shift receiver system (Hitec Feather, GWS R4P or FMA Extreme 4 or 5 are all good for small park flyers). If you want to go small (planes with flying weight of 8-10oz) the GWS flight pack [GW/CB100F] mated with their IPS S1 motor would be ideal [it comes with Pico std servos, a 2amp ICS50 ESC and a 7.2v/270mAh NiCd pack]. The Maxx Products EPU series of motors are essentially the same as the GWS IPS Series. If you want to go larger (12-18oz planes) the Hitec Feather Flight pack [PN20270] would be good. This has the Feather 4-channel receiver, 2 HS-55 micro servos and a switch harness. Depending on the plane, you would need perhaps a 280 or 300 motor, a 5-10amp ESC (Castle Creations are great) and a 7-8 cell 350mAh battery pack. For Speed 280-300 motors you need to attach a ceramic disc capacitor (0.047microFarad - Radio Shack) between the + an - terminals for radio interference suppression. Going bigger again (to 20+oz planes) you'll be going to Speed 400 motors or more - you'll need a larger ESC (to 20amps) and maybe 600mAh battery packs.
With ESC's err on the side of larger rather than smaller, and make sure they incorporate a Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC) [most do] so you don't have to carry a separate receiver battery. With motors, go with excess power, rather than not enough (like most of the "ARF planes in a box" out there!) - remember you don't have to use it, but it's nice to have it. (For example, a standard Speed 300 produces about double the power of a standard 280 with virtually no weight penalty - though of course, the laws of physics demand that it uses more power!). As far as wiring goes, there is a range of connectors out there. Try to determine what size of planes/motors you'll fly most and then standardize with one suitable make of connector so that you can always mix and match your motors and batteries (otherwise, like me, you'll have to make adapters!). The GWS system uses tiny connectors which wouldn't cope with the current draws of 400's - I began with Dean's Ultra Plugs and stick with them for 300-400-480-600 use but they are overkill for tiny IPS and EPU systems. For an overview of everything you need, if I were you I'd look at, for example, the Hobby Lobby catalog and see what they recommend for each of the kits and ARF's they offer - you'll learn a lot from just looking and it needn't cost you a cent! Cheers, Phil

[2NG]

Hey Phil,

I like how your answer a question, your direct. :) Us newbie's are learninig alot from you.