getting started in eletric c/l specifics?

It looks to me like that much of the "stuff" needed to try electric c/l PA is available through the r/c hobby suppliers: motors batteries etc. But, C/L would need a (somewhat) specialized engine controller, and a shutoff timer. Are these items commercially available? where? Would these have to be special built? If so, where could someone get schematics and parts lists?

Contact Mike Palko and ask him, or check the thread on his plane from a week or so ago on this board. I saw his plane fly yesterday, and it rips. He got third in Philly flying expert with it.

For brushed motors you don't even need a "speed controller" just a FET and simple 555 timer or even just a relay to switch the power.

The speed controller for brushless motors can be absolutely standard. You then need something to drive it. The simplest to experiment with is a servo controller and there are plenty of circuits for those available. Then you need a timer to switch the servo controller output on and off and that can be a simple 555 circuit. You could also combine the two functions into one circuit if you use a micro-controller like a PIC but I haven't seen a commercial one or published circuit yet.

LAST EDITED ON Jul-26-04 AT 01:07 PM (CDT)
 
Here's a link to a servo driver. It's a start...

http://users.chariot.net.au/~samstain/servodriver.html

and another one

http://www.ef-uk.net/data/servo-driver.htm

Looks like a 556 will do the job. Use one half for the servo driver and one half for the run timer. I will try to breadboard one up this weekend if I can find the parts.
later,
Mel D>