RE: Automatic Pitch Controllers
[quote=taxidriver]Modern ones use a inclinometer. No Gyro here. http://www.analog.com/en/other-products/multi-chip/adis16201/products/product.html [/quote]Ah. "Arching eyebrows and muttering 'fascinating" "... Marvels of modern electronics: http://www.analog.com/en/content/rarely-asked-questions/raq_moving_parts_issue48/fca.html Bill
Posted on: 11/1/2009 3:05 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "RC Submarines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9220433

RE: Automatic Pitch Controllers
I have no interest in doing a DIY Pitch Controller, but out of sheer curiosity I'd love tp know how one works. My first guess is some sort of damped pendulum with feedback control, but nowadays I suspect that the design is more solid-state, derived from RC 'copter gyros. Bill
Posted on: 11/1/2009 10:36 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "RC Submarines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9219857

RE: Horrace Cain vs Mark Smith
[quote]ORIGINAL: Blue_Sky Red, it's definitely not appropriate to post a PM in public. You seem like basically a stand up guy, so there's probably a rational reason from your point of view, but quite frankly it's bush league, especially in the context of an election. -snip- [/quote] Normally, it is tacky to post PMs. But appropriate in this case Horrid Cain is running for a public office and therefore his statements should be openm to closer scrutiny. The PM posted does give insight into how Horrie will behave. Bill
Posted on: 9/30/2008 5:59 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8006310

RE: AMA National Ex. V.P. Election, 2008.
To help truly evaluate Horrace Cain, one should take a look at all posts by him, here and on RCGroups. I think you'll see a Cheshire Cat grin and... Bill
Posted on: 8/19/2008 2:26 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7863142

RE: Bernoulli vs Newton
What a wonderful thread. It's discussions like this that convince me that aircraft fly because of [i]hot air[/i] [;)] Bill
Posted on: 7/6/2008 7:02 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7698862

RE: GAO report on unmanned Aircraft in US.
[quote]ORIGINAL: abel_pranger [quote]ORIGINAL: Hossfly <snipped> [/quote] ...It is clearly evident to me that FAA has historically maintained a laissez faire position regarding model airplanes, and given no signal that suggest that posture is changing. AMA's involvement in drafting of FAA regulatory process is a fox in the hen house looking to fix something that ain't broken. Abel [/quote] I appreciate [i]laissez faire[/i] as much as anyone, but given 9-11, Homeland Security and the paranoid agenda of the current administration, radio-controled aircraft and UAVs _will_ be considered more than simple toys by the FAA. We is in the chicken coop and the Federales is dat toothy fox. AMA may not be perfect, but they be our best friend at this point. Bill
Posted on: 5/22/2008 10:45 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7527219

RE: Power for 23% Wilga (PZL-104) scratch build
Very good. Those Lumeon LED nav-lights are quite properly bright in the full sun. I've not noticed wingtip or bottom white strobe lights on the Wilga photos that I've downloaded on the Web, but they do look like an impressive addition to the nav lights. Since this plane is going to be _my_ custom Wilga and not a faithful scale replica of any one full-size plane, I'll add the extra strobes. I like the light controller circuit that you have described and I may play around with it a bit, but I'm also going to evaluate the Dimension Engineering DELight controller: http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DELightController.html . I'm looking forward to completing this build, but I'm afraid that I'm starting to get back into having to buy expensive components on the final phase, such as a custom dual-cannister exhaust and large-scale servos and avionics. No big deal, but I retired a couple of years ago and need to watch nickels-and-dimes in today's wacky economy. I'll finish soon enough... Bill
Posted on: 5/22/2008 12:11 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7525979

RE: Test stands for break in (not good)
[quote]ORIGINAL: Pat Roy I get to use some tools[i] a bit[/i] more sophisticated and accurate than an Eagle Tree system, both on a stand and in flight, although I use the Eagle Tree products for my personal toys. Both well illustrate what takes place in and at an engine with one system going waay over the top in information.[/quote] SO, how do the test stand and in-flight cylinder/head temperatures compare? No answer? Urban legend. Bill
Posted on: 5/16/2008 7:33 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7501765

RE: Test stands for break in (not good)
Has anyone actually measured the cylinder/head temps on a test stand and in-flight with an Eagle Tree Systems data recorder? Just curious. Bill
Posted on: 5/15/2008 9:50 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7498934

RE: Test stands for break in (not good)
[quote] Monitoring the cht with a thermocouple and live data feed is also important. Temp guns are useless for even coming close to the actual cylinder temps. [/quote] Has anyone actually measured the cylinder and head temps on the test stand and in-flight with a recording instrument like the Eagle Tree Systems device? Just curious. Bill
Posted on: 5/14/2008 11:31 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7497763

RE: Power for 23% Wilga (PZL-104) scratch build
A couple more data points for the R&D of the MAGLight landing light: I painted a black spot (so that it could be read with an IR thermometer) on the shell of the lamp replacement module so that I could see what the temperatures were during operation. I also evaluated how well the LED chip was thermally coupled to the lamp shell. Just on a hunch, I also pointed the IR thermometer at the LED chip at the output end of the module, abd found that the "chip temperature" closely tracked the shell temp, confirming that the chip is well thermally-coupled to the shell. I have no idea what the temp of the heatsink pad on the back of the chip is. The module, in "free air", took took about 2 minutes to reach a steady temperature, which was 160 degF for both the shell and the chip face. Not bad, but I'll work up some sort of heatsink for the module (I have a heatsink for a Feigao 1/2" brushless motor kicking around somewhere). Small world. John Derstine is who got me hooked on the PZL Wilga back in the late '90s. Which is how long I've been working on this one (I think I'm still using construction tips I got from John on this plane). I'll agree, too, Rysiu's scratch build is impressive. Bill
Posted on: 5/10/2008 2:43 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7479521

RE: Electric power loss???
The "healthy 7.9V" battery is about half charged. A 100% charge is 8.4 volts. How many amps is this motor/prop combination pulling? Bill
Posted on: 5/10/2008 7:26 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7478480

RE: Power for 23% Wilga (PZL-104) scratch build
[quote]ORIGINAL: RysiuM [quote]ORIGINAL: BillHarris At Home Depot today I noticed that MagLight is offering a 3watt LED bulb replacement for their incandescent bulbed lights. [/quote] I got my landing lights from the same source - PHILIPS LUMILED. Two LUXEON I Star O (1W each) in series. They are quite visible and don't heat much (they are burried inside the leading edge so not much cooling
Posted on: 5/9/2008 10:42 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7475228

RE: Interesting tidbit from the President's Blog
[quote]ORIGINAL: Sport_Pilot [quote]yes but a spell checker is not. [/quote] I think covermant might have been a Freudian slip! [/quote] Yes, and wonderfully so. It may be good that AMA is stepping up to the plate on this. Earlier attempts by the AMA with the informal agendizing of AC 91-57 have resulted in confusion and ambiguity. I recall when the FAA questioned DB about 'Net reports of people flying R/C planes to 30,000' and DB reacting in a clue-challenged manner. I don't want to see regulation of R/C AP any more than the next person, but _will_ be a fact of life but the more help we have, the better. Admittedly, there is the real difference between hobbyist and commercial AP, but one mode will help the other. Bill
Posted on: 5/8/2008 8:07 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7470669

RE: Gas Engine Tuning - WHY?
Well put, Pat. It's even worse with electric power where there are many "nested variables" with the motor, speed control and battery to deal with. Seems like "RTFM?" ought to be a keyboard macro... Bill
Posted on: 5/1/2008 9:07 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7443221

RE: FAA Information
[quote]John, If you do 90% commercial RC flying and...[/quote] Bingo. Bill
Posted on: 4/29/2008 12:05 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Aerial Photography and Video"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7433541

RE: Top Gun 2008, what to expect
[quote]While Topgun may be one of the premier R/C events in the country, it seems to me that Frank Tiano is trying to get the spectators to foot the bill for this event...[/quote]Then who would you propose to foot the bill? As you found out, it ain't cheap and someone has to pay the piper. Maybe next year we can have [i]the[/i] competing event in Zehpyr Hills? Bill
Posted on: 4/28/2008 8:41 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7429581

RE: Will the AMA be there?
AT-502? Sweet. Photo attached. I'm working my way up the "scale masters" level some day. "Pipe dream" now is to do my PZL Wilga (been working on it for millenia now) or a Transavia Airtruk (or something with "character")... Bill
Posted on: 4/21/2008 4:30 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7401636

RE: Will the AMA be there?
[quote]I have asked the District 5 Vice President to attend, or at least send someone to represent the AMA. We'll see whether or not he does... [/quote] I'm not suprised that the [i]former[/i] D5 VP didn't attend TG, there may not have been antique shoppes conveniently nearby [)] , but I am surprised that [i]current[/i] D5 Veep hasn't attended, nor that an AVP hasn't attended, what with Florida being the "biggest AMA" state in D5 (IIRC) with 4-5 AVPs (IIRC). Bill PS congrats, Tommy for being a competitor at TG.
Posted on: 4/21/2008 1:18 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7400858

RE: ITS ONNNN
[quote]If it is run outside the AMA jusidiction, wouldn''''''''t the FAA have an interest...[/quote] Nope, they are still "models", by definition. But not "legal" per AMA criteria. Bill
Posted on: 4/14/2008 10:50 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7374797

RE: "Opinions are like-"!!!!!!!!!!!
My opinion: [link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll]troll[/link] . Bill
Posted on: 4/14/2008 10:38 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7374716

RE: Problems with forum?
Ah, I was thinking that there were forum database problems. "Stuff happens", hope we get it fixed without a lot of agony... Good luck Bill
Posted on: 4/14/2008 4:38 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Forum questions or problems"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7370432

RE: Discussion of My Response to Greg Hahn's recent "The Inside Loop" column
[quote]Now let us look at the non-supported daily hobbyist and sport flier that competes in the supposedly amateur ( amateur used as: "2: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession ) classes of competition; He/she is there for the enjoyment of the activity, however is generally going to be bashed by those that are well supported by the industry. IMO, these amateurs are the true CHAMPIONS![/quote] And the hoot here is that the FAA considers non-hobbyist RC flight as a commercial activity and [i]verboten[/i]. As does the AMA, but both seem to look the other way when it comes to the sponsored pilots. Hypocrisy at it's finest... --Bill
Posted on: 4/7/2008 12:28 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7346012

RE: Help with 50cc misfire/pop and flame out,#2 vid added
CH's Hall sensor is physically different than the Taurus sensor, you'll need to afix it to the Taurus bracket: 3. Pulse switch, flat chip, with leads and Deans ... $7.95 Best to call CH and talk to Bill (or, give Ralph at RC Ignitions a call). The loose Hall sensor can cause the problems you described. Give it 0.020" between the magnet and sensor. --Bill
Posted on: 4/7/2008 6:48 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7344957

Servo recommendation, please
I've read everything available, but I think I've hit "information overload" and have gotten indecisive... I'm building a 1/4 scale PZL Wilga, which is a civilian STOL plane, with a weight of about 27 pounds and a wingspan of 110", to be powered by a 4.8 c.i. gas engine. It will be flown "scale", which means STOL, high-alpha landings, and the flaps will get a workout. The control surface areas are: Ailerons: 105 sq_in (each) Flaps: 130 sq_in (each) Rudder: 85 sq_in Elevator: 200 sq_in (100 per half, split elevator and dual servos to be used) My first inclination is to use HS 5625 MG (HS 5645 MG on the flaps), but I'm wondering if I can justify coreless digital (ie, the 59xx series)? Rather than use a complicated tailwheel linkage, I've decided to operate the tailwhel with a separate mini-servo, such as an HS 85 MG. The tailwheel linkage will be pull-pull with shock-absorbing springs. I've not decided what to use for the throttle (Walbro carb with return spring). I'm inclined to think an HS 5475 HB, but also recall a caution about Karbonite gears and gassers. Last thing: I'm planning to use a Fusion 9 Synth IPD Rx on the plane. For years the recommendation has been to use dual receivers on large scale, but receivers have become very reliable in the past few years, and some think that a dual Rx is needlessly redundant. Dual batteries/switches, yes. Would a dual Fusion setup be necessary? This is my Major Super-detailed Large Scale project, and although I don't want to skimp on anything, I also don't want to build myself into the poorhouse... :D Thanks, --Bill
Posted on: 4/6/2008 3:03 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Hitec/MultiPlex Radios- Ask Hitec Customer Service"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7336616

RE: Cooling Baffles...How 2??
Great, I didn't think I'd run into a problem. The plane is 10 years old and I've been planning to install this cowl for 7 years. I'm in the process of putting baffles around a Brison Twin engine and have been reading everything available on baffles and I got last minute jitters on this old project. I used to work with aircooled Volkswagen engines, and being familiar with VW's sheet metal shrouds and baffles is helpful in designing the baffles on the current project. I'll post what I've done when I finish it. Thanks, --Bill
Posted on: 4/5/2008 9:48 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7336230

RE: Cooling Baffles...How 2??
RE: Pe Reiver's post #40: [quote]I would rather call it vacuum cooling, because the air is drawn through the fins by the low pressure begind it. I received an engine for evaluation, together with plane pictures. These show the desastrous effect of the standard cooling rule. [/quote] The attached images are of a Thunder Tiger 91 four-stroke on a SIG 4*60 that I finally got around to putting the fiberglas cowl on. It is a tight fit around the cylinder, and similar to the cowl setup shown in Pe's post, but not exactly like _that_. I've blocked off the top, bottom and left (opposite side) exit openings on the rear of the cowl. I have left as much of an outlet opening behind the cylinder as I could, but it isn't "three times the area of the inlet". Since I have the upper' lower and opposite outlets blocked, I don't have baffles on the left inlet or along the centerline; they can't be installed, the fit of the cowl is tight, and I need the extra room to wiggle the cowl on. I _think_ that there will be good airflow into, around and out, but I've not flown it yet with the cowl in place, so I have no idea. I don't expect (hopefully) a problem, but the first flight I'll fly a very few minutes, bring it in and measure cylinder temps. Feedback appreciated... --Bill
Posted on: 4/4/2008 7:51 PM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7334142

RE: One FLY can Ruin a great PIE !
RCU Profile for "a walk in the park", AKA, Greg Hahn: http://www.rcuniverse.com/community/profile.cfm?memid=131272 FYI and FWIW. --Bill
Posted on: 4/3/2008 11:00 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7326555

RE: Fuel line
[quote]Another post laments that fuel tubing doesn't come "pre-barbed". That implies that it might be viewed as too much work to take care of it personally, and in this case due to a lack of soldering skill. We are supposed to be hobbiests, not simple assemblers. If you don't feel you have the necessary skill, practice! [/quote] Amen, Pat. #1 pet peeve in the Electric Plane forums is the comment that "I can't solder". Should be first skill with electrics, and one wonder how they can master RC flight.. --Bill
Posted on: 4/1/2008 9:31 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7315670

RE: Discussion of My Response to Greg Hahn's recent "The Inside Loop" column
I still agree with the OP's original post. The reality is that although Greg can voice his opinion, as TD he now wears that hat and his opinions are now stamped with an air of officiality. As such, it displays poor judgement printing that piece. All in all, Internet communications have greatly improved the products available to us, IMO. AMA needs to do a cause-and-effect on declining membership. Too many opinions voiced those high in the food chain and folks vote with their feet... --Bill
Posted on: 4/1/2008 9:20 AM by Author "BillHarris" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7315624