Air Land Sea Hobbies

Virtually every young boy in American society has owned an RC toy at one time or another, but few of us understand what makes them work. One of the main components of RC vehicles is the servo. Simply put, RC servos are the control system for the vehicle.

There are servos employed in a variety of different devices, including disk drives. Once you set the servo, it automatically adjusts itself during operation through feedback. The RC servo contains: a DC electric motor, gears, a position-sensing mechanism, and control circuitry.

MCX type batteries are the single cell 3.7V lithium Polymer Batteries used in so many of the Indoor Airplanes. The Tenergy 3.7V 130mAh battery found at AirLandSeaHobbies.com is a MCX type battery. Being a single cell battery they do not have a balancing lead commonly found on most lipo batteries. The single cell battery does still require a balancing type charger that stops charging the battery at 4.2V. When the batteries charged voltage reaches 4.2V they are fully charged and all charging should stop. Most chargers I have seen and used are set up to charge one battery at a time.

To fully enjoy indoor flying I find I need more than one battery so I looked for a charger that would charge multiple batteries at once.  I found a Tenergy Double charger at AirLandSeaHobbies.com that has worked well for my purpose. this charger charges two batteries at once and does so independently on one another so a weaker battery doesn’t get unsafely over charged. This charger has been very easy to use, just plug it into a wall outlet and connect 1 or 2 batteries, when the indicator diode turns green, the battery is charged and ready for use.

Indoor electric airplanes seem to be on of the fastest growing aspect of the RC Hobby. Batteries for the electric indoor airplanes need to be small, light weight while still having enough capacity to allow for several minutes of flight.

While researching for replacement batteries I found the Tenergy single cell battery at AirLandSeaHobbies.com. These batteries have worked well for all my single cell needs. The Tenergy batteries have a 10C  130mAh capacity and they are the same physical size as other MCX batteries. Most of the stock OEM batteries I have used are either 70mAh or 100mAh capacity. The Tenergy battery have allowed me to enjoy longer flight times and that usually works out to more fun. I think you will find these batteries to be a very good value, I did.

There are many benefits to growing up in the Pacific Northwest, from the fresh seafood to the pristine landscapes, and of course the exciting outdoor activities. When I was little, I lived right next to Lake Sammamish in Washington and within a few miles of one of the regions best parks: Marymoor. The park offers a plethora of activities, including rock climbing, concerts and a velodrome bike track.

One of my favorite pastimes when I was little was going to the park’s airfield for electric RC airplanes. Every weekend there would be dozens of RC planes in the sky, and you could even see them on the water of Lake Sammamish. On particularly busy days, you could even witness a crash or two

Twin motor model airplanes have always been a challenge for many people. Today with the reliable brushless motors and lithium polymer batteries twins are fun.

With Brushless Motors, you will need a ESC for each motor. I recently saw the above Electric Twin at a flying field. This plane shows all that is needed for successful twin engine flight. Everything was right out in the open and it flew very well. I timed one flight at over 15 minutes. This example uses a single battery to power both of the motors Electronic Speed Controlers.  Another choice would be two btteries, one for each motor.

Remote control cars are one of the most entertaining gifts a small child could hope to receive. It teaches them practical skills for controlling vehicles at a distance and can keep them occupied for hours at a time. For most parents, a toy car racing around the house, disrupting pets and getting tangled up underfoot can become something of an annoyance. That’s why it might behoove you to build an RC car track for your child.

Begin by checking the surface conditions of a given piece of ground. You’ll need a flat, solid foundation upon which to build the track. Thin, low-friction carpeting provides a suitable surface as it gives the car some traction as it zips around the track. Also consider the space restrictions of the room where you’re setting up a track. Make a rough sketch of the track’s design, and measure the remote control cars’ wheel base before settling on the road width.

Like most of my friends, I developed a love of remote control cars at a young age. When some of our classmates started buying their own life-sized cars and driving them to school and work, they questioned why we should remain so fascinated with “toys.” To me, RC cars are more than just a hobby – they’re a creative outlet. I like to customize and hand-paint each car, focusing more on the aesthetic aspect than achieving impressive speeds.

Some RC enthusiasts I know are hell-bent on winning races – it’s all they think about. I find the pastime to be more relaxing than anything; I don’t worry so much about putting a high-quality electronic speed controller on the car or purchasing long-lasting lipo batteries. I’d much rather build tall jumps and racing tracks for the cars and having friendly competitions with my old buddies.

If I could transform into an animal – just for one day – it would undoubtedly be a bird. I’ve always admired the soaring majesty of the eagle as he lazily circles hundreds of feet in the air. In the animal kingdom, birds are rulers of all they survey. The only predators they need to worry about are humans and occasionally other birds. Most of all, they are free to fly where and when they desire.

I don’t have any delusions about sprouting wings, but I have tried to replicate the feeling of real flight by using my RC sailplane. I climb on top of the tallest hill in town, facing out toward the sea, and set the plane into motion with the deep blue sky providing a perfect backdrop. As the plane circles gracefully through the gentle air currents, I can’t help but wonder how Icarus must have felt.

I’ve been sailing small vessels since my teenage years, when I learned to operate a small Sunfish. When a friend suggested I enhance the experience by getting into remote control boats as well, I didn’t know the first thing about the hobby. After doing a bit of research, I discovered that there are two very different types of RC boats. First, there are miniature sailboats and yachts, which are intended for leisurely use.

It’s the other type of electric RC boat that really appealed to me, though. I’ve always wanted to own a high-speed motor boat, and the remote controlled version has allowed me to live vicariously through the tiny model. I’ve customized and optimized the boat to perform better during races, and I like to challenge my buddies to friendly competitions on the high seas.