Power Panels

[spicoli82]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but I'll give it a try and see what happens...

I'm wanting to build a portable power panel to take to the flying fields or wherever I fly. I bought a metal dual transmitter case that I want to use. I have a 12v 7a battery and an accu-cycle charger I want to use. I also want to put in powered banana plugs to power other devices such as glow plug, fuel pump, etc. I don't want to use a premade power box because I want to use my metal case and design it myself.

I would appreciate some suggestions and pictures of your home-made power panel/boxes.

Thanks!

[Lakc]

Didnt try and make one myself, but here are plans for one.
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/pp.htm

[spicoli82]

Actually maybe I should just buy one... Does anyone have a link to a power panel they use?

I want to build a "power suitcase" so to speak with battery, power panel, charger, full pump, glow, etc...

[Mr.Buzzy]

Hi there,
I have just finished a field box and after much thought and procrastination I decided that power panels are useless!

With NiMh batteries at 2600mAH now I can charge my TX, RX and glow driver at home and not have to worry about "topping" for days.

My panel has just 2 pairs of terminals connected straight to the battery. My electric fuel pump is wired to the back of one pair of terminals as the pump has its own operating switch, not much point plugging the pump into the front of the panel.

The 2 pairs of terminals cost about 8 dollars and one pair is used to power a good quality battery charger so I could charge almost anything at the field and the second pair of terminals is for an electric starter.

My glow driver has a small meter telling of a dud glow plug, so I don't see the value in a hundred bucks for a panel that is little more than a few switches and a not so good battery charger.

Save your money!

[rob10000]

I've been using the Cermark Power Panel Plus for several years now, and I love it. It's only about $60.

http://www.cermark.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Cermark_Digital_Panel.jpg

OutPut for:
(1).12V Engine Starter
(2).12V or 6V Fuel Pump with Fill/Drain Control Switch

Exclusive New Features:
A LED light shows the 12V Battery Charging Status.
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) shows the Glow-Plug Driving Currents.
Built-in TX/RX Battery Tester: LCD display the battery voltage under 300MA capacity load status.
Build-in Glow Starter Charger with Automatic 60 Min. Timer.
Build-in "Top-Up" 300mA Charger for TX/RX Battery with Automatic Timer.

[vintage1]

Hi there,
I have just finished a field box and after much thought and procrastination I decided that power panels are useless!

With NiMh batteries at 2600mAH now I can charge my TX, RX and glow driver at home and not have to worry about "topping" for days.

My panel has just 2 pairs of terminals connected straight to the battery. My electric fuel pump is wired to the back of one pair of terminals as the pump has its own operating switch, not much point plugging the pump into the front of the panel.

The 2 pairs of terminals cost about 8 dollars and one pair is used to power a good quality battery charger so I could charge almost anything at the field and the second pair of terminals is for an electric starter.

My glow driver has a small meter telling of a dud glow plug, so I don't see the value in a hundred bucks for a panel that is little more than a few switches and a not so good battery charger.

Save your money!

When I used to fly glo we squirted fuel from a can into the tank, a bit more in the exhaust ports, hooked up a 2v accumulator, and flicked the things over till they burst into life (or flames ;) )

One reason I am not that enamored of glo flying today.

It akes the gus aboiut 5-10 minutes to get the plane ready to start, and a similar amount to go back in the car.

I just walk out with a one piece model, stick the battery in and wiggle the servos and let go.

[spicoli82]

Here is my almost completed power panel field box. I just have to make a door for the storage area which you can see in the picture.

[Skylined]

Is there any reason why banana conectors are used instead of DC?

Here's a DC, just in case you don't know what I'm talking about.
The good thing about it is that it's safer and faster to connect than a banana, you have +V and Ground in a single plug, and you cannot ever connect it the wrong way.


Sorry but I'm new to all this, what's the amp-meter for?

[pryor808]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but I'll give it a try and see what happens...

I'm wanting to build a portable power panel to take to the flying fields or wherever I fly. I bought a metal dual transmitter case that I want to use. I have a 12v 7a battery and an accu-cycle charger I want to use. I also want to put in powered banana plugs to power other devices such as glow plug, fuel pump, etc. I don't want to use a premade power box because I want to use my metal case and design it myself.

I would appreciate some suggestions and pictures of your home-made power panel/boxes.

Thanks!I just installed a Cermark LCD Power panel plus in my flight box and, like it very much. I can top off my Rx batteries and, it also gives me voltage info on my 12V battery that's in my flight box. I bought it from Cheif Aircraft for $49.00

[coriolan]

Is there any reason why banana conectors are used instead of DC?

Here's a DC, just in case you don't know what I'm talking about.
The good thing about it is that it's safer and faster to connect than a banana, you have +V and Ground in a single plug, and you cannot ever connect it the wrong way.


Sorry but I'm new to all this, what's the amp-meter for?
Just discovered that tread today! The amp meter tell you the glow plug
condition. If the plug is burned no current flow, if the engine is flooded the current flow will be less than normal. With mufled engines its impossible to
look directly at the filament to see what happen. To adjust the current required for a given glow plug it is easy to drive the plug by itself and take note of the current required to get proper glow without driving the plug too hot( would reduce its life or even burn it). Since going electric I misse the
smell of nitro in the morning :)