Giant Scale RC Power Distribution

fliteadmin

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Moderator


Ohio Huckfest 2012 is a giant scale RC event held annually in Youngstown, Ohio. We had a chance to talk with this years King 50 Champion Joe Smith and he shared with us a little about what the fail safe power distribution of his giant scale RC plane The 103" Extra 300 SC.

power_distribution_13.jpg

One of the biggest differences between small park flyers and giant scale RC planes is the power distribution. Joe’s 103” Extra 300 SC features 500 oz. servos and that current needs to be kept separate from the receiver.

power_distribution_15.jpg power_distribution_9.jpg

Joe has installed The PowerExpander Eq10 which is setup to work with a dual battery system. Both batteries are being used, but if one should go out the Eq10 routes the power to only pull from the good battery. The PowerExpander also adds synchronization to keep servors from fighting with each other.

power_distribution_6.jpg

A Fiji water bottle seems to be the standard gas tank in many of these giant scale planes with their clear, lightweight design they are being used across the giant scale community.

power_distribution_12.jpg power_distribution_5.jpg

The 103” Extra 300 SC plane also features a fail safe power switch called a ‘pin and flag switch’. The plane turns on when the pin is pulled out, and if the switch is unplugged from the board, the plane is on as well. This ensures that the plane will stay on unless the pin is installed.

power_distribution_4.jpg

A Smart-Fly fiber-optic ignition is setup in Joe’s airplane which sends light to engage the ignition.
With the large scale of these planes and the aerobatic maneuvers that the pilots are performing, the dual battery redundancy and voltage supply are important.

power_distribution_11.jpg power_distribution_10.jpg

We’d like to thank Joe for taking the time to share with us some of the power distribution basics of his giant scale. You can see more of Joes flying at http://www.youtube.com/jimsmith285

power_distribution_8.jpg power_distribution_7.jpg
 

bicyclemonkey

Flying Derp
Mentor
Guys, do more large scale stuff! OK, it doesn't have to be giant, just balsa (glo, gas, or electric). It would be a nice change over scratch built foamy stuff.
 

Tritium

Amateur Extra Class K5TWM
That guy should've just gone the extra 14%.

That is what I thought but then there are the airworthiness certs, annual's, maintenance cost to a certified Aircraft Mechanic. Pilots license, physicals. It gets EXPENSIVE when a human goes airborne in a powered craft.

IMHO it borders on Criminal not to have that plane loaded with camera gear.

Thurmond
 

bicyclemonkey

Flying Derp
Mentor
If this guy can afford this, he can afford a pilots licence. This doesn't come with insurance, a full scale would.
 

earthsciteach

Moderator
Moderator
I agree with BMonkey. While the giant stuff is out of my realm of reality at the moment, it never hurts to dream! That kind of thing inspires people to push further in RC.