Replies to This Discussion

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Dean Wynton on May 30, 2012 at 10:58am

1. Yes there will be vibrations and I would suggest mounting it on something like those little rubber mounts you get inside CD/DVD players to stop vibrations when jogging or make a mount and sit it on top of some moongel perhaps?

2. You will be fine with the electrics inside the fuz

3. I wouldn`t trust the nicad, it probably has oxidised by now? use a lipo and ubec

4.Either install one bigger tank or have two small heli type header tanks either side also as it is important to keep the fuel tank around the same level as the carb.

5.You could use PWM to increase and decrease voltage to the glow plug at different pwms from rc3 so there is a 2 volts at low throttle to 0v at high throttle or just on and off, I expect you would know how to do this as a developer? If not I will try and help or suggest off the shelf solutions

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on May 30, 2012 at 4:27pm

Thanks.

On 5, yes I could figure it out as I did the new LEDs code for copters, just wondering if it already exists.  Though getting the APM to output 1.5V would be new to me, and of course the 40mA limit applies, and I'm not sure that's enough.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Dunlop on May 30, 2012 at 5:34pm

5. Could you use a picoswitch cotrolled by your throttle pwm output?

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on May 30, 2012 at 5:44pm

Yeah, I guess, but I hate tacking on extra circuits when we have a uC already! ;)

I just realized, duh... I could just use the relay on the board.

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Dean Wynton on May 31, 2012 at 1:37am

Sounds the easiest option?

Good luck Robert.. When do you hope to do a test flight?

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on May 31, 2012 at 6:23pm

Well, the official easiest option is probably just to use the existing mechanical switch. ;)  Which is probably what I'll do until I can figure something out that's better.

I dunno, I might fly this weekend, I'll see.  The plane is relatively ready, and installing the APM shouldn't be too hard. The question mark is the motor.  It hasn't run in quite a few years.  All my planes have been sitting for years and the motors need work.

Your question sounds a bit ominous.  I assumed the airplane software is a pretty stable and this should all be a no-brainer?

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Permalink Reply by Ravi on May 31, 2012 at 6:48pm

i would also suggest installing anti vibration rubber gourmets between the engine mount and the firewall. they would reduce the vibrations passing to the fuselage significantly.

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on May 31, 2012 at 7:03pm

Yeah... this thing is old school.  The engine mount is wood, and integral with the firewall.

Well, a bit of penetrating oil I got two engines freed up, the Cub and my Super Decathlon which has a TT .46 Pro.  My favorite airplane by far.  Looks and flies awesome.

I've got two more Saitos, one in a Spitfire, and then an SE5a.

The last two have no compression, but I assume the valves are just stuck open.  I'll have to look at them.  I only plan the APM for the Cub though.  Thought the Spitfire could be interesting.  It's a 40 size plane but I shoehorned in a Saito 82.  With retractable gear, she's got legs.

Love the purr of the 4 strokes.  I'd never want electrics in these planes.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Dunlop on May 31, 2012 at 9:00pm

I love the SE5.  WWI aircraft are flying works of art.

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on June 1, 2012 at 9:36am

Yes, they are.  But to me, the Spitfire is the prettiest airplane ever made. I mean, how could anyone argue.

Though I also love the Hawker Typhoon.  It's a beautiful beast.

Really, I love almost all the British WWII airplanes.  Just something about them.  Perfect blend of form and function, compared to the German airplanes which are all function.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Rabbitt on May 31, 2012 at 10:54pm

Since you're into Saito's, they also do lovely boxer-twin engines which will be a whole load better balanced than a single cylinder.  This is really what you need for UAVs (or a 3+ cylinder radial  'perfect' primary and secondary balance...) 

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on June 1, 2012 at 9:43am

Yes, I think the sound of a 4 stroke really adds something to any scale effort.  I also like swinging a big prop slow. My Spitfire just cruises around at half throttle, only needing full power for emergencies.  And a 14" wide paddle prop looks so much better on a 40 size plane than a 10" APC.

Unfortunately they are so expensive.  I couldn't see myself buying more.  I've got enough scale planes, don't need more, so I'll probably just keep re-using these engines.  Though maybe another 82 would be nice, since they have so much power in a small package.  It's a punched out 56, fits in the same space, so any 40 size airplane can take them.

For any serious UAV effort, I'd use electric or gas.

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