Inside Story - January 2003

dave_lilley · Jan 07, 2003, 12:34 AM

Inside Story - January 2003

By Graham Stabler

Graham Stabler opens his new column, which will cover one of the "smallest" segments of our hobby, indoor flyers. In this introductory issue is a detail discussion about magnetic actuators and a mini-article by Ralph Bradley about mounting components, such as lithium batteries, with magnets. new

Greg Covey · Jan 07, 2003, 12:28 PM

Graham,

Congratulations on an excellent start to what should prove to be a great addition to both the E-Zone and the world of indoor micro-flight!

Graham Stabler · Jan 08, 2003, 04:59 AM

Thanks Greg,

I hope there is much more to come, there is a lot of interesting stuff happening on the boards so I hope we can show some of it to the world.

Graham

gbarc · Jan 08, 2003, 07:00 AM

Very nice Graham! But hey, thats your normal M.O.

Greg

Jgardner · Jan 08, 2003, 12:50 PM

Great article. I just this week started trying to wind my own coils. I like the way you gathered together so much and distilled it. Searching the Zone and wading through many posts works, but the article was much nicer and cleaner.

Thanks,

John

S55 · Jan 08, 2003, 02:58 PM

This certainly was one of the best construction articles I have ever seen. Outstanding picture support.
Now of course I can’t wait for some ideas about the electronics needed to drive these actuators. There might be some specialized receivers, but what I am looking for is circuits that can make use of the standard receiver.
Any plans to cover the electronics?

Thank you,
S55

Graham Stabler · Jan 09, 2003, 09:26 AM

Thanks again for the comments guys.

S55, if you fancy DIY check out Aeronut Andy's page:

http://www.gaspode.co.uk/planes/radio/radio.htm

It includes PIC code and info to convert a std radio for actuator drive.

I think it would be nice to do an article including a simple plan and all the details of doing the mod.

Graham

Dave Wulff · Jan 09, 2003, 10:35 AM

S55,

If you don't want to build it yourself check Bob Selmans stuff. He has a DPC board to drive two actuators from a digital reciever like the GWS R4p. Cost is $25 and weight is 1.25 grams, and you couldn't find a nicer guy to deal with.

Dave wulff

S55 · Jan 09, 2003, 03:16 PM

"circuits that can make use of the standard receiver"

When I said standard receiver I did not mean digital. I meant the old style analog part.
I am a do-it-yourself-er, but have no digital/software expertise. My field is analog.
Thank you,
S55

j8m8l · Jan 09, 2003, 03:31 PM

Hey

By standard we mean the ol' GWS Pico......that is analogue innit? (and muchos cheap)

Good stuff

Josh

Dave Wulff · Jan 09, 2003, 04:16 PM

Sorry, should have left the "digital" part out. The GWS R4p is just your basic reciever, about $30 and without case weighs under 5 grams. You will need an FM transmitter, but that goes for anything made in recent history. It dosen't get any cheaper or simpler than this.
Dave Wulff

Graham Stabler · Jan 10, 2003, 07:18 AM

S55, if you uses Andy's pic code you don't need any digital knowledge. Build a simple programmer, download the code, program the chip and solder it in.

If you really want to do it yourself then you need to look at the signal comming from the RX (digital) and convert that into a bi-directional PWM signal or an analogue equivalent. If you can find a search for an analogue speed control you are half way their, if you find one for a boat/car speed control then that is all you need. But it will be heavier than just a PIC.

Graham

Bill Glover · Jan 10, 2003, 09:15 AM

Graham, another 'well done' for a great column, I'm even seriously considering an RFFS setup now!

S55 · Jan 10, 2003, 09:19 AM

DOW, thanks,
I visited Bob’s website and found it. Now I see it works for an analog receiver, what's digital is just the interface, so it needs the micro controller and I lack the programming skills. I think it can be done around some Op Amps, but then you probably need at least 5V battery (two Li Poly’s) because the common LM358 (dual opamp) does not swing rail to rail.

S55

Dave Wulff · Jan 10, 2003, 12:14 PM

S55,

I refer to anything with a chip on it as digital, but I know just enough about electronics to be dangerous. I thought when the RFFS came out there would be no demand for Bob's DPC, until recently when Gordon pointed to a niche between the RFFS and regular micro servos. There is alot of interest in the Guillows line as they are well known and widely available. It's no secert that the wood is poor (heavy) and design-wise they are way over built. I think this is a good opportunity to make these planes viable flyers at a reasonable weight and cost.

Dave Wulff

Jan 07, 2003, 12:34 AM	#1
dave_lilley Registered User Texas Joined Aug 1999 5,105 Posts	Inside Story - January 2003 *Inside Story - January 2003* By Graham Stabler Graham Stabler opens his new column, which will cover one of the "smallest" segments of our hobby, indoor flyers. In this introductory issue is a detail discussion about magnetic actuators and a mini-article by Ralph Bradley about mounting components, such as lithium batteries, with magnets. new

Jan 08, 2003, 12:50 PM	#5
Jgardner Fanfold abuser Rochester Monroe Cty, New York, United States Joined Aug 2002 1,574 Posts	Timely article Great article. I just this week started trying to wind my own coils. I like the way you gathered together so much and distilled it. Searching the Zone and wading through many posts works, but the article was much nicer and cleaner. Thanks, John

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Jan 07, 2003, 12:28 PM	#2
Greg Covey Registered User Rochester, NY, USA Joined Aug 2000 6,430 Posts	Graham, Congratulations on an excellent start to what should prove to be a great addition to both the E-Zone and the world of indoor micro-flight!

Jan 08, 2003, 04:59 AM	#3
Graham Stabler Sticky Shepherd Oxford/England Joined May 2001 3,998 Posts	Thanks Greg, I hope there is much more to come, there is a lot of interesting stuff happening on the boards so I hope we can show some of it to the world. Graham

Jan 08, 2003, 07:00 AM	#4
gbarc Registered User Jackson, Michigan, United States Joined Nov 2002 1,388 Posts	Very nice Graham! But hey, thats your normal M.O. Greg

Jan 08, 2003, 02:58 PM	#6
S55 Registered User Beaverton, OR, USA Joined Feb 2001 751 Posts	This certainly was one of the best construction articles I have ever seen. Outstanding picture support. Now of course I can’t wait for some ideas about the electronics needed to drive these actuators. There might be some specialized receivers, but what I am looking for is circuits that can make use of the standard receiver. Any plans to cover the electronics? Thank you, S55

Jan 09, 2003, 09:26 AM	#7
Graham Stabler Sticky Shepherd Oxford/England Joined May 2001 3,998 Posts	Thanks again for the comments guys. S55, if you fancy DIY check out Aeronut Andy's page: http://www.gaspode.co.uk/planes/radio/radio.htm It includes PIC code and info to convert a std radio for actuator drive. I think it would be nice to do an article including a simple plan and all the details of doing the mod. Graham

Jan 09, 2003, 10:35 AM	#8
Dave Wulff Registered User USA, FL, Fort Lauderdale Joined Feb 2002 1,902 Posts	S55, If you don't want to build it yourself check Bob Selmans stuff. He has a DPC board to drive two actuators from a digital reciever like the GWS R4p. Cost is $25 and weight is 1.25 grams, and you couldn't find a nicer guy to deal with. Dave wulff

Jan 09, 2003, 03:16 PM	#9
S55 Registered User Beaverton, OR, USA Joined Feb 2001 751 Posts	"circuits that can make use of the standard receiver" When I said standard receiver I did not mean digital. I meant the old style analog part. I am a do-it-yourself-er, but have no digital/software expertise. My field is analog. Thank you, S55

Jan 09, 2003, 03:31 PM	#10
j8m8l Thats NOT indestructible London UK Joined Apr 2002 1,447 Posts	Hey By standard we mean the ol' GWS Pico......that is analogue innit? (and muchos cheap) Good stuff Josh

Jan 09, 2003, 04:16 PM	#11
Dave Wulff Registered User USA, FL, Fort Lauderdale Joined Feb 2002 1,902 Posts	Sorry, should have left the "digital" part out. The GWS R4p is just your basic reciever, about $30 and without case weighs under 5 grams. You will need an FM transmitter, but that goes for anything made in recent history. It dosen't get any cheaper or simpler than this. Dave Wulff

Jan 10, 2003, 07:18 AM	#12
Graham Stabler Sticky Shepherd Oxford/England Joined May 2001 3,998 Posts	S55, if you uses Andy's pic code you don't need any digital knowledge. Build a simple programmer, download the code, program the chip and solder it in. If you really want to do it yourself then you need to look at the signal comming from the RX (digital) and convert that into a bi-directional PWM signal or an analogue equivalent. If you can find a search for an analogue speed control you are half way their, if you find one for a boat/car speed control then that is all you need. But it will be heavier than just a PIC. Graham

Jan 10, 2003, 09:15 AM	#13
Bill Glover Registered User Bracknell, Berks, UK Joined Nov 2000 10,293 Posts	Graham, another 'well done' for a great column, I'm even seriously considering an RFFS setup now!

Jan 10, 2003, 09:19 AM	#14
S55 Registered User Beaverton, OR, USA Joined Feb 2001 751 Posts	DOW, thanks, I visited Bob’s website and found it. Now I see it works for an analog receiver, what's digital is just the interface, so it needs the micro controller and I lack the programming skills. I think it can be done around some Op Amps, but then you probably need at least 5V battery (two Li Poly’s) because the common LM358 (dual opamp) does not swing rail to rail. S55

Jan 10, 2003, 12:14 PM	#15
Dave Wulff Registered User USA, FL, Fort Lauderdale Joined Feb 2002 1,902 Posts	S55, I refer to anything with a chip on it as digital, but I know just enough about electronics to be dangerous. I thought when the RFFS came out there would be no demand for Bob's DPC, until recently when Gordon pointed to a niche between the RFFS and regular micro servos. There is alot of interest in the Guillows line as they are well known and widely available. It's no secert that the wood is poor (heavy) and design-wise they are way over built. I think this is a good opportunity to make these planes viable flyers at a reasonable weight and cost. Dave Wulff