New Charger Case

[Keyrigger]

For some of you that were at the AGM, I thank you for the suggestions about the positioning of the two chargers in relation to the rest of the setup. I did do some changes but kept the location of most of the equipment where it was. The offending switch has been put vertically down from the first switch and it works much better. I really didn't want to cut a brand new faceplate now. Maybe in the future. When I finished it, the setup worked as planned the first time powered up. The two fans and the USB outlets fire up when plugged in and each charger powers up as its switch is thrown. Honestly, this charging case cost stupid money and even when I look online for other dual charger setups, they end up running high dollars, especially when you calculate the value of our dollar compared to the US. Most charger case manufacturers are stateside and to the best of my knowledge, there is no one here making them up. When you figure your time and the cost of the parts, it's no wonder. That nice little case I have for it was $90.39 at Henry's but if it were to be bought in bulk, naturally, the cost would decrease but it only goes so far. Take care and see you at the field.

Don

[byrocat]

Actually, Don, if you spin the chargers 180 degrees, the battery connectors are going the other way and they won't be anywhere near the switches. Reduces the chances of accidental on/off bumps plus gives room for the packs to sit on the open section.

Alternate would be to use long cords for the battery connections, but still has the chance of accidental bumps.

[Keyrigger]

Not a bad suggestion. What I didn't want to do just this moment was to make up another faceplate when I had not tried it out charging batteries to really see what is in the way and what isn't. I tried setting up the balance boards above and below the two chargers and it seemed like a good idea. As I looked at it some more, I took the two long balance leads, shortened them a bit, and mounted the balance boards to the right of the chargers but out of the way of the rotating knob on the chargers' right side. I had a very short power outlet cable that I redid so it was about two inches longer and that allowed me to set the charge cable up so that it landed on the right deck. I don't see me putting large batteries on that deck but small ones are perfectly fine there. I tried two 2550mAh 2S batteries and they fit just lovely. I used Velcro tabs on the faceplate to hold the balance boards in place but they rip off quickly so I can charge large batteries off to the left side of the charging station. I guess as time goes on, this will evolve and I will end up doing things like a new faceplate and maybe one more switch to shut off all power. In the meantime, this is as close to a ball knocked out of the park on the first try as it gets for me. Here is a picture as it is setup now in operation. Take care.

Don

[byrocat]

Just had a thought, and one that you can tuck away for future reference.  Rather than cutting up the expensive sheet, why not use 1/8 cheap ply to get everything positioned and working, then use the ply as your cutting guide for the final sheet.

One reason why many of my building projects take so long and wind up getting buried is that I don't do prototyping and figure out problems before I commit to the final step.  Hit a hard point and put it aside for a "someday" which never comes.

Drooling a bit over Clair's Banggood Spacewalker kit, but then I'm also drooling big time over the EDF test station that they carry.  Takes EDF units as well as complete aircraft....
https://www.banggood.com/MinimumRC-Spacewalker-460mm-Wingspan-Balsa-Wood-Laser-Cut-RC-Airplane-KIT-p-1151157.html?rmmds=search&ID=528923&cur_warehouse=CN
https://www.banggood.com/RC-Lander-Full-Alloy-Metal-EDF-Thrust-Testing-Stand-V2-50mm-120mm-p-1073731.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

[Keyrigger]

I can get all sorts of cheap luan plywood at work but in reality, it's just as much work as making one up out of the ABS, lol. After trying a couple of different battery types charging with this, I think I am pretty much were I am going to be for the layout. The case could take the fans on one side (near the hinge for example) but the ventilation is no longer cross case and there would be a larger "dead" area to try and cool. Moving the chargers to the left side and getting the USB charging port and second switch to the top would open up the center a lot to allow large batteries to sit on the surface but I don't even do that will the larger kit. I am going to rework the other one a bit to sink the charger into the case a bit for a more permanent position but it will be held in with Velcro as well. Using Velcro allows some freedom of placement and usage that screwing down to the surface just doesn't have. I think the next item for placement in a case are the two dischargers but since they are self powered by the discharging batteries, I need to be mindful of airflow or even if I can sink them at all. All it will take is a small case, a small piece of the ABS plate, and a couple of XT-30 extension cables. I am now drooling over that as my next project. Take care.

Don