Charge Set up

[Planehazza]

Massive thanks to Ian "Coolice" Contessa for his time and work building me a charge station. One of his 1100W 24v PSU in the bottom, cooling fans on the deck. I've fitted (not secured down yet, hence the bird's nest) my PL8 and MPA board (thanks to nobbycopter for the cracking deal!) and have got my packs charging nicely in the garden. I hope Ian doesn't mind me saying but the total cost for this including the charger and board (albeit used) came to just shy of £400. Not bad really considering the work that's gone into it. £400 is still a lot, but I can conviniently and safely charge outside now which is nothing to pay for piece of mind.


20131018_131908.jpg20131018_131922.jpg20131018_131937.jpg

Cheers!

[danch]

Very nice setup, hoping to get a charge case sorted myself soon & no doubt I'll be after one of these

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[Planehazza]

Very nice setup, hoping to get a charge case sorted myself soon & no doubt I'll be after one of these

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

Give Ian a shout, I'm sure he'd happy to get one to you. Be quick, you might get #0003

[Nick B]

Very tidy,likey

[RcRotaryMadness]

Looks very nice and should be super easy to cart around! Happy Days =)

[Planehazza]

The great (I initially thought that it was bad) thing is that the PL8 is too tall to fit inside. If you guys remember, I created a thread asking for PL8 measurements if you lift the front up so that it is rocking on the feet, dropping the overall height. In this position it fits in the case with 0mm to spare - it's a perfect fit. So much so, that I'm tempted to not strap it down at all allowing me to move it around on the deck as and when needed. I might just stick some furry velcro above it in the lid to grip it.

[nobbycopter]

Looking good Harry, I'm guessing that all the space under the black perspex is not being used? Couldn't you cut a PL8 shaped hole in it and drop it in? There are lugs on the side of the PL8 that will stop it falling through...

[Planehazza]

Looking good Harry, I'm guessing that all the space under the black perspex is not being used? Couldn't you cut a PL8 shaped hole in it and drop it in? There are lugs on the side of the PL8 that will stop it falling through...

The PSUs take up much of the width so I wouldn't be able to submerge it.

[RcRotaryMadness]

Perhaps the easiest option would be to stick (using double sided sticky tape maybe?) - stick some thin foam on the inside of the lid - so when shut it just holds the PL8 in place without damaging it?

[nobbycopter]

+1 to the foam, you wouldn't want to scratch the PL8 now would you...

[Planehazza]

Perhaps the easiest option would be to stick (using double sided sticky tape maybe?) - stick some thin foam on the inside of the lid - so when shut it just holds the PL8 in place without damaging it?

The trouble is that it need to 'pivot' on the feet. When it's mounted as intened (face sloping towards you) it is too tall and the lid won't shut. Only if you seesaw it so the front lifts, and the back drops so they meet in the middle (parallel with the deck) will the lid shut.

I think I'll get some of these:

and mount one at each corner and use tie wraps to anchor it down in the right position.

[RichardV]

Very nice. I imagine this style of case is great when you have to set up on grass and it keeps everything off the ground. Where do you keep all the charging paraphenalia, like battery checker, charger manual, additional leads, etc?

[nobbycopter]

stick a block (double sided tape) under the PL8 with Velcro on the top and put some Velcro under the PL8 and it will stay put and be at the correct angle for shutting the lid?

[Planehazza]

Very nice. I imagine this style of case is great when you have to set up on grass and it keeps everything off the ground. Where do you keep all the charging paraphernalia, like battery checker, charger manual, additional leads, etc?

Currently I have another identical case that I use to transport the batteries, checker and Tx but I need to redo that as it's all a lot to carry. It's not a problem at one club as the pits are 20ft from the cars. Where I fly with Lee in South Shields is a problem though as it's a 200m hike from the cars to the flying area. Two helis, genny, and all my leccy stuff is going to be two trips there and back - more if I bring nitro too.

[RcRotaryMadness]

Ok heres another idea:

flip the PL8 face down for storage - this would give it the same height as if you tilted the unit back on its legs?

You could then use some self adhesive velcro pads on the face of the PL8 and on the Acrylic base - so when flipped upside down the whole thing is held secure?