djklein21
May 21, 2008, 12:11 PM
Winch Review- Hot Little Winch
Dave Coryell at Dave’s RC Hobbies (http://davesrchobbies.com/) contacted me to review a new product he was about to debut. The Little Hot Winch was his new product, and it turned out great.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showatt.php?attachmentid=1879534&stc=1
The Hot Little Winch is an all in one sailplane launching system. It comes fully assembled and ready to rock right out of the box. It features a new 6 volt motor, double solenoid, safety power switch, pedal, elevated turnaround, and a frame with wheels that includes an articulating battery cradle. Yeah, I know that is a long list, so let me break it down for you.
New 6 Volt Motor- The winch features a brand new 6 volt motor, not a 45 year old rebuilt FLS. The 6 volt motor features a 25 segment commutator (rather than 23 segment) for a smooth startup. This motor insures smooth control for small 2 meter and RES planes, yet powerful enough to launch even 5 meter cross county planes.
1400 feet of line- The drum is pre loaded with 1400 feet of 250 lb test, nylon braided line. At first inspection, the line looks small, but its high quality weave allows for a lightweight, yet strong line.
Double Solenoid Switch- The winch includes a very cleanly wired pair of 750 Cole Hersee solenoids. The pair of solenoids wired in series allows for circuit interruption, even in the event of a failure. This is a feature that should come with all winches, and is mandatory at many club fields.
Main Power Safety Switch- This safety feature is a must for most soaring clubs. For safety, the red key can be removed, disarming the winch. The safety switch is good for 150 amp continuous use, and 1000 amp intermittent.
Foot Pedal- This foot pedal is of solid construction, featuring a steel case and locking weatherproof connector. The 10 foot lead insures a comfortable launching position
Elevated turnaround- Ball bearing pulley mounted on a 4 foot steel stake. I cannot stress enough how beneficial it is to elevate your turnaround. This keeps the line from being pulled through any high spots in the field. Your line will launch better, and last longer. The kit also includes 2, 12” stakes and a tie rope for tying back and securing the turnaround.
Heavy Duty Steel Frame- one end mounted on wheels for ease of transportation, and an articulated battery cradle with a nylon mounting strap. The frame includes the 4 steel stakes for securing it into the ground.
Out of the Box-
The entire setup comes preassembled and ready for use in its heavy duty double walled cardboard box. It was delivered on my doorstep awaiting my arrival home from work. My neighbors were very curious to see what new toy had arrived. My thoughts echoed theirs as I unpacked the box, the winch is very heavy duty, and it shows. I was pretty impressed, at the level of assembly. Winches are a small production item, yet every part, including the wiring was well thought out and cleanly executed. The frame is built from steel tubing, painted blue. For ease of transportation, wheels are mounted to one side, and a battery cradle next to it. The kit even came with a nylon strap and buckle for securing your battery. The battery ends are pre finished, ready for attachment. The motor and drum come pre-fitted with 1400 feet of high quality nylon braided launch line. When I state that the winch was fully assembled, I mean it. I didn’t have to do anything before taking it to the field. In fact, I could have left it in the box until getting to the field.
Off to the Field-
When traveling with the winch, its only downside will be quickly reviled. It is a bit large. With a frame that carries all of the components at once, including the battery, it is a bit big to fit in the trunk of a sedan. This downside is quickly offset when you don’t have to carry anything at the field. It has wheels baby! The battery holder/carriage is really convenient if you have to carry your setup out to the field. The wheels serve double duty when you go to align your winch. First, stake on front corner of the winch and run out your line and turnaround. Drive the main turnaround into the ground, leaving the stake about 24 inches above ground level. Use the supplied line to secure the turnaround as figure ### depicts. Once the line is strung through the turnaround and pulled back to the winch, use the rear wheels to adjust the alignment. After you are satisfied with the alignment, drive the rest of the stakes through the winches frame.
Now it is time to fly. Most sailplane pilots are used to Ford long shaft based starter systems. These starters are no longer manufactured and the cores are becoming few and far between. This makes this system a poor choice for those looking to buy or build a new winch system. The Hot Little Winch is based on a brand new 6Volt motor. It provides very smooth power, making it much more comfortable to launch 2 meter and RES planes. The winch still has more than enough power to launch even the largest unlimited class thermal planes. I have had the opportunity to launch many planes on the unti, including my F3b Ceres and a friends new F3J Aspire, 3.7 meter thermal duration contest plane.
Others have used the winch too. For reviewing purposes, I tried the trial by fire method. I brought the HLW to one of the monthly TD contests held by the Torrey Pines Gulls. The winch performed flawlessly. Scott Condon commented that
it was a sweet compact little winch that had plenty of towing power. Light weight and transportable.
Scott Condon TPG
The launch performance was excellent for my 3.7 meter TD plane but even better was the well thought out design of the winch. The all in one cart solves the problem of having to lug heavy winch components out to the winch line, and the gimbaled battery tray is especially appreciated, no acid spills! Definitely a winner.
Mike Murphy TPG
After the using the winch all day for a TD contest, I had to give Dave a call and ask for the specifics of the launch line. It is thinner and lighter than most line you encounter at club contests. This gives it an advantage for launching smaller planes by reducing line weight and drag. Lighter line usually comes at the price of increased line breaks. This doesn’t seem to be the case though. The smoother motor and elevated turnaround has been easier on the line. Either that or it is just plain super line. I couldn’t tell you how well it holds a knot because after 50 plus launches I have yet to break the line once.
To quickly go over my feelings about this product, I formed a pros and cons list.
Pros-
• No assembly required
• Very complete
• Remarkably smooth motor
• Strong Steel Frame
• Cleanly Wired, using secure and well thought out connectors
• Heavy Duty Electronics, including main power safety switch and double redundant solenoid action
• Elevated Turnaround
• Includes stakes
• Heavy Duty foot switch in steel case
• Wheels on frame and battery cradle for roll away ease
• Very reasonable price for a complete system
Cons-
• Large frame, won’t fit in most mid sized sedan trunks
• Battery Cradle only measures 11” wide by 7 ¾” deep. Extra large deep cycle batteries won’t fit. Most automotive batteries will fit fine. I just set my extra large deep cycle battery to the side of the winch, rather than mounting it to the cradle.
As you can see, the con list is pretty short and minor. They cons are only by products of some of the winch’s advantages. All in all I really enjoy using the winch. In conclusion, the Hot Little Winch is a product I can wholly recommend. It is an all inclusive solution, arriving fully assembled. Add a car battery and a parachute and go flying.
Dave Coryell at Dave’s RC Hobbies (http://davesrchobbies.com/) contacted me to review a new product he was about to debut. The Little Hot Winch was his new product, and it turned out great.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showatt.php?attachmentid=1879534&stc=1
The Hot Little Winch is an all in one sailplane launching system. It comes fully assembled and ready to rock right out of the box. It features a new 6 volt motor, double solenoid, safety power switch, pedal, elevated turnaround, and a frame with wheels that includes an articulating battery cradle. Yeah, I know that is a long list, so let me break it down for you.
New 6 Volt Motor- The winch features a brand new 6 volt motor, not a 45 year old rebuilt FLS. The 6 volt motor features a 25 segment commutator (rather than 23 segment) for a smooth startup. This motor insures smooth control for small 2 meter and RES planes, yet powerful enough to launch even 5 meter cross county planes.
1400 feet of line- The drum is pre loaded with 1400 feet of 250 lb test, nylon braided line. At first inspection, the line looks small, but its high quality weave allows for a lightweight, yet strong line.
Double Solenoid Switch- The winch includes a very cleanly wired pair of 750 Cole Hersee solenoids. The pair of solenoids wired in series allows for circuit interruption, even in the event of a failure. This is a feature that should come with all winches, and is mandatory at many club fields.
Main Power Safety Switch- This safety feature is a must for most soaring clubs. For safety, the red key can be removed, disarming the winch. The safety switch is good for 150 amp continuous use, and 1000 amp intermittent.
Foot Pedal- This foot pedal is of solid construction, featuring a steel case and locking weatherproof connector. The 10 foot lead insures a comfortable launching position
Elevated turnaround- Ball bearing pulley mounted on a 4 foot steel stake. I cannot stress enough how beneficial it is to elevate your turnaround. This keeps the line from being pulled through any high spots in the field. Your line will launch better, and last longer. The kit also includes 2, 12” stakes and a tie rope for tying back and securing the turnaround.
Heavy Duty Steel Frame- one end mounted on wheels for ease of transportation, and an articulated battery cradle with a nylon mounting strap. The frame includes the 4 steel stakes for securing it into the ground.
Out of the Box-
The entire setup comes preassembled and ready for use in its heavy duty double walled cardboard box. It was delivered on my doorstep awaiting my arrival home from work. My neighbors were very curious to see what new toy had arrived. My thoughts echoed theirs as I unpacked the box, the winch is very heavy duty, and it shows. I was pretty impressed, at the level of assembly. Winches are a small production item, yet every part, including the wiring was well thought out and cleanly executed. The frame is built from steel tubing, painted blue. For ease of transportation, wheels are mounted to one side, and a battery cradle next to it. The kit even came with a nylon strap and buckle for securing your battery. The battery ends are pre finished, ready for attachment. The motor and drum come pre-fitted with 1400 feet of high quality nylon braided launch line. When I state that the winch was fully assembled, I mean it. I didn’t have to do anything before taking it to the field. In fact, I could have left it in the box until getting to the field.
Off to the Field-
When traveling with the winch, its only downside will be quickly reviled. It is a bit large. With a frame that carries all of the components at once, including the battery, it is a bit big to fit in the trunk of a sedan. This downside is quickly offset when you don’t have to carry anything at the field. It has wheels baby! The battery holder/carriage is really convenient if you have to carry your setup out to the field. The wheels serve double duty when you go to align your winch. First, stake on front corner of the winch and run out your line and turnaround. Drive the main turnaround into the ground, leaving the stake about 24 inches above ground level. Use the supplied line to secure the turnaround as figure ### depicts. Once the line is strung through the turnaround and pulled back to the winch, use the rear wheels to adjust the alignment. After you are satisfied with the alignment, drive the rest of the stakes through the winches frame.
Now it is time to fly. Most sailplane pilots are used to Ford long shaft based starter systems. These starters are no longer manufactured and the cores are becoming few and far between. This makes this system a poor choice for those looking to buy or build a new winch system. The Hot Little Winch is based on a brand new 6Volt motor. It provides very smooth power, making it much more comfortable to launch 2 meter and RES planes. The winch still has more than enough power to launch even the largest unlimited class thermal planes. I have had the opportunity to launch many planes on the unti, including my F3b Ceres and a friends new F3J Aspire, 3.7 meter thermal duration contest plane.
Others have used the winch too. For reviewing purposes, I tried the trial by fire method. I brought the HLW to one of the monthly TD contests held by the Torrey Pines Gulls. The winch performed flawlessly. Scott Condon commented that
it was a sweet compact little winch that had plenty of towing power. Light weight and transportable.
Scott Condon TPG
The launch performance was excellent for my 3.7 meter TD plane but even better was the well thought out design of the winch. The all in one cart solves the problem of having to lug heavy winch components out to the winch line, and the gimbaled battery tray is especially appreciated, no acid spills! Definitely a winner.
Mike Murphy TPG
After the using the winch all day for a TD contest, I had to give Dave a call and ask for the specifics of the launch line. It is thinner and lighter than most line you encounter at club contests. This gives it an advantage for launching smaller planes by reducing line weight and drag. Lighter line usually comes at the price of increased line breaks. This doesn’t seem to be the case though. The smoother motor and elevated turnaround has been easier on the line. Either that or it is just plain super line. I couldn’t tell you how well it holds a knot because after 50 plus launches I have yet to break the line once.
To quickly go over my feelings about this product, I formed a pros and cons list.
Pros-
• No assembly required
• Very complete
• Remarkably smooth motor
• Strong Steel Frame
• Cleanly Wired, using secure and well thought out connectors
• Heavy Duty Electronics, including main power safety switch and double redundant solenoid action
• Elevated Turnaround
• Includes stakes
• Heavy Duty foot switch in steel case
• Wheels on frame and battery cradle for roll away ease
• Very reasonable price for a complete system
Cons-
• Large frame, won’t fit in most mid sized sedan trunks
• Battery Cradle only measures 11” wide by 7 ¾” deep. Extra large deep cycle batteries won’t fit. Most automotive batteries will fit fine. I just set my extra large deep cycle battery to the side of the winch, rather than mounting it to the cradle.
As you can see, the con list is pretty short and minor. They cons are only by products of some of the winch’s advantages. All in all I really enjoy using the winch. In conclusion, the Hot Little Winch is a product I can wholly recommend. It is an all inclusive solution, arriving fully assembled. Add a car battery and a parachute and go flying.