2008-09-01

radio control plane problem

For your own safety, keep body parts, loose clothing, or anything for that matter away from the propellers of your radio control planes. Make necessary adjustments to the craft from behind the plane. Wing-Dragon-4-130x90.jpg


Once you have finished your preflight check, there are a few more safety tips to consider. The most important: check the frequencies of other radio control planes or other radio control craft in the area. Most sites designated for the use of radio control craft have a board where frequencies are reported. Check to make sure you arent about to create chaos by launching a craft in a frequency already being used. If there is a pilot with the same frequency, share airtime so that you both can enjoy the day.


Keep spectators at a distance when you are starting your plane. For that matter, keep your plane away from spectators during all times of operation. A low fly by near people may look good in the movies, but it is not very appreciated in the radio control planes world. There are too many opportunities for parts to come loose or the plane to simply reel out of control creating a dangerous situation for someone who just wants to see some good flying. Dont endanger other people.

Safe problem

Remember that safety isnt just about you; its also about all of the fellow pilots and the spectators that expect their experience to be safe and enjoyable as well. The following is a brief list of some of the general safety issues each pilot needs to address for the safe and enjoyable participation in this hobby.


Your responsibility to safety begins with a preflight check of your radio control plane. The things to check for are: Cracks in the plane components Repairs that appear to be worn out or in need of more attention The propellers. If you remove the propellers for transport, it is very important to remount it in the correct orientation. Also, any deformation or gouges in the propeller can affect how the plane responds to its controls. A bad prop is a bad plane. Also, propellers are difficult to fix back to new, so your best bet is to get a brand new one and enjoy the precision control you are looking for. The engine, battery, servos, and other components. Check to see that these are securely fastened to the plane. Check the tightness of screws and bolts.


In general, make sure everything that is not supposed to move doesnt, and everything that is supposed to move does so in a controlled fashion. For example, make sure propellers spin but that they dont wobble. Also make sure the battery is charged and the connectors are all connected properly.

2008-08-27

RC crawler

If you want to morph your big rig clod buster, there are reputable parts providers that make putting together an upgraded vehicle less of a nightmare. Some tips to keep in mind while building or tweaking your remote vehicle:


Make use of quick disconnects makes digging into your RC crawler to find problems much easier


Set your tires up to run with the tread reversed


Add weight to the front tires stick-on weights or BBs are the norm


Mount shocks upside down lowers the CG


Use a rounded body style your rig will be more likely to flip back upright after loosing footing


Lock differentials with JB Weld or hot glue for best security, order machined aluminium lockers


Load your tires with foam try the new memory foam inserts from KreepyKrawler Design


Get the best radio you can pistol grip models can limit your response find a radio that allows you to do 2 stick steering, front and rear


Dont skimp on servos you need power to crawl


Patience is the name of the game with a remote control rock crawler and new tricks and tips are constantly coming up as new parts become available and innovative RC enthusiasts have new brainstorms. Organized groups of RC rock crawlers are everywhere and regularly get together for competitions and to swap ideas and ogle each others crawlers. Going slow was never so good!


For more detailed info click on RC crawler.



2008-08-26

Handling Safety Information

Charging Safety Tips:


Be absolutely sure that the Lithium battery charger settings are correct for the battery pack being charged if yours is not an automatic charger. Care should be taken to charge on a fireproof surface, such as brick. Do not charge batteries near flammable items or liquids Keep a dry fire extinguisher nearby - or a large bucket of dry sand, which is a cheap and effective extinguisher. Do not charge inside an automobile, especially while driving A lithium ion battery should NEVER be left unattended while charging


Handling Precautions:


New cells may have a high initial charge, and care must always be taken to insure that loose cells are not short circuited. Do not put the loose cells in a pocket, bag, or drawer where they could short-circuit against other items, or the battery tabs could be pressed against each other. Do not place the loose cells on any conductive surface, such as a metal-topped table. Keep loose lithium ion battery cells and battery packs WELL out of reach of children! Take care that the cells are not punctured, especially by metallic objects like hobby knives. If the electrolyte in the cells should get on your skin, thoroughly wash with soap and water. If in the eyes, rinse thoroughly with cool water. Immediately seek medical attention. Although environmentally friendly, a lithium ion battery must be FULLY discharged before disposal. Buy a battery discharger to accomplish this and to avoid the possibility of a short-induced fire after disposal.


I hope you found this information helpful and you have my permission to forward it to anyone on your mailing list who you think could benefit!



RC Hovercraft Fun

A land sea RC hovercraft is very different from all other radio control vehicles and just may offer the most fun of all, especially if you love playing in terrain thats natural.


The hovercraft is sometimes called an air cushion vehicle, or ACV. It flies like a plane, floats like a boat, and can drive on land just like a car. It can navigate small gullies, traverse ditches, and glide over flat terrain. The RC hovercraft is a very unique mode of transportation and it can provide you with hours of entertainment. No straight roads here and no getting stuck in the mud. Instead, you can set your own path and navigate the most rugged terrain.


Actual hovercrafts are used for many different applications where equipment and people need to travel at some speed over both water and land. The hovercraft engine is the source of power for the large fans that blow air underneath it. Your RC hovercraft uses exactly the same principle except on a much smaller scale, but it allows you to take your unit into the same type of terrain the real hovercrafts head into.


There are all kinds of RC vehicles the cars do well on pavement; the trucks in off road; the boats on water; the hovercraft on land and sea. So if you cant choose then why not go with the land sea RC hovercraft?


There are different types of models to buy. If you look at the cheaper readily available toy class, you get a fairly durable product but it wont be very fast, and it likely wont have replacement parts available. With this type of RC unit where youll be in a bit of a mixed terrain not having parts available can be a real drag, because if you break something youre finished. They are however, a good place to start, especially with your children.


On the other hand, if you choose a land sea RC hovercraft from the hobby class youll pay more but youll get a quality unit thats very fast. It can be upgraded and replacement parts are readily available. You should have a little bit of mechanical know how so that you can tune your engine and do repairs.


There is a great selection of choices for RC hovercraft models too. Whether you like the military air cushion assault vehicle, or you prefer one of the interesting futuristic hovercrafts, the key is that you have plenty of options. If this is your first time with in radio control or maybe the first time to try a land sea RC, for under $200 you can have a decent unit that will let you decide if this really is the baby for you.