Any RC experts here?
 

Either gas or electric. I'm looking at mocking up / prototyping a future aircraft project and I need to build a working model for validation tests. I need a source for engines, propellors, batteries, controllers and gears and shafts. Also looking for a source for variable pitch props and servos.

I'm also new to the electric RC arena and I'm looking to get an education on the technology so some links would be great. I've already gone the Google route and gotten more back than I can sift through.

Thanks!

http://www.towerhobbies.com/

I get all my stuff from Tower hobbies.

Right now I have the Lunch Box it is a van.

I have not messed with too much else in the last 15 years.

I have had several cars 15 years ago the RC10 gas powered car was my favorite.

I remember spending several thousand dollars on r/c cars in till I got my first VW rail buggy.

I used to be a big fan of RC Cola . . . .

I've seen tower, they seem to have a great selection of parts.

Dee, I used to buy RC cola every day in college...:)

How about Moon Pies? I tried to buy one at a little country store I used to go to as a kid and they didn't have any. What's the world coming to?

im no expert but here i go i agree with using Tower Hobbies their not always cheapest but they have a big selection.

also http://www.mcmaster.com/ at the bottom of the page there's a "raw materials" in there they have lots of great stuff like Garolite aka "G10" ive used that for the tail control surfaces (its under plastics) its kinda overkill but ive broken basicly every thing on my plane except the tail. there is allot of other stuff that could be useful but ive never used it.

now about the plane do you know how big your proto is going to be with new batteries they can be bigger but it costs allot more $$$ i personaly hate gas/nitro all three i have owned have had issues but i must have done something wrong so i cant help you there(liability for failure)

the radio is probably the most important thing if you get a crappy one you could get interference which = "crash" then waaaa or $*&! depending on your personality

i recomend this charger http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMAJ0&P=0
i used it and it can charge basicly anything. most say its complicated to use but i figure if ur build a proto you can figure it out( make sure you figure it out before chargeing batteries because messing up = more $

i would use brushless electric motors and LiPo(lithium) batteries
the have higher Mah(run time) and higher voltage (speed) but the need a special charger like the one stated above ^ i dont know how big the plane is so cant tell you what exact motors on batteries to try

the another important item is the ESC (elec speed control) theres also VESC v=variable but dont know anything about them
most controlers can only do one motor some can do two

most of the time you use one of these http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTSL0&P=7
to combine two ESCs using one radio slot ( instead of controling each motor seperately) careful some y harness are for certin radio brands only and are not universal same goes with servos recomended that the servos are the same brand as the radio

as for servos there are so many that all i can say is get ones with metal gears

theres a ton of information if you need help PM me and i will try to help

Matt

might want to see if you have a place like Frys or even a place like Skycraft( http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/) in orlando( big place for random engineering stuff)

Yeah, but do they have Moon Pies there?

no, but Cracker Barrel does :D

Thanks! My model will be built around 6" propellers making it probably 20" or less wide. It will be VERY rudimentary - only for proof of concept. If it can take off and fly for 30 sec, I'll be happy. It's strictly to test lifting principles.

Another thing I'm curious about is how to relate watts on electric motors to HP. Is the old 746w/HP formula?

I'd probably try a web page called R/C Universe. It used to be R/C online. Its basically, the main website for R/C boards. Also, look at Hobby Lobby (not the craft store). Hobby Lobby is in TN. It imports odd stuff, mainly from Europe. They might have a variable pitch prop. The electric stuff has come down a lot in the past 5 years and more selection. Hacker (german) and Castle Creations (US I think) come to mind.
As far as radios its mainly a preference thing.Futaba, JR (Japan Radio) Hitech. I would probably look at one of the 2.4 Ghz systems. They are basically about $200. Servo wise, plenty to choose from. Digitals have come down a lot. Supposedly a bit better control.
I'd look at brushless electric motors. Basically, I think its some formula based on the weight of the plane and how many watts the motor has or how much thrust it will produce.
Tom

If you're looking for efficiency check out the new brushless technology for powering your props. They are basically mini 3-phase motors that offer tons of torque for their weight and size. In combination with Li-Ion batteries, their unbeatable! Cheap too!

Here's just an example, Lots to choose from....
http://cgi.ebay.com/1700kv-Helicopter-Outrunner-Brushless-RC-Motor-30A-ESC_W0QQitemZ120290659490QQihZ002QQcategoryZ84444QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem