New series Smart-Fly Power Expanders

[airbusmech]

What would be the price point for something like this?

[Dantley]

This is great news. It's nice to see an all-inclusive unit. I'll definitely be buying one for my next project.

[John Murdoch]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Rolling Thunder
	Here is a picture of the unit in my Ultra RC 50cc Yak. I have the pin switch epoxied into the foam. Attachment 45252

That's a pretty sweet setup. I like the built in regulator idea. I like the included optical ignition idea. I really like the way Bob takes things one step at a time. By the time he's done, he'll probably offer a complete powerbox type system with all the bells and whistles at half the cost. And, Bob takes care of his folks... ALWAYS! Smart-Fly all way, all the time.

[caurimare]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Kiwi
	Gents, At great peril I am going to leak some preproduction information regarding the two new Power Expanders Robert has been developing at Smart-Fly. I promised not tell too many people so I figured the FG column does not mean the whole world so here goes. The new units are from Smart-Fly's new stable of Power Expander Sport Plus and the Power System Sport Plus (with the regulator). The units are designed for the 100cc and under gas powered models and in my mind they have combined all the necessary stuff in a simple to mount neat and functional assembly. They are totally compatible with the new SPEKTRUM and FUTABA 2.4 Ghz receivers. Whats new. Two models. One with a regulator for Li-Po batts and the other without a reg for NiMh or NiCd packs. Both have the built in ignition kill system on the board. General details for the regulated version are as follows: Built in Battshare so if you use two battery packs (you can use one if thats all you want) and the system keeps the voltage within a whisker of each other on both packs so you maintain balanced packs all the way as they discharge. The regulator is built into the power expander and is NOT adjustable. I have not yet run this demo unit over my test system yet but I assume the regulated voltage will be 6 volts to the servos and 5 volts to the receiver. Maximum recommended continuous current draw through the regulator is around 5 amps with peak load capacity of 15 amps so thats plenty enough for a 35% plane running good digital servos. The fiber optic ignition kill system is also built into the board. You just run a jumper wire from the kill switch channel you choose to the Ign plug on the front of the board and your setup. The unit is a feather weight. 2 oz roughly plus a few inches of Fiber optic cable and the kill switch receiver and you done. Battery plugs are the JR or Futaba type spade plugs so no need for fancy deans or Graupner six pin setups. You can use 7.4 volt Li-Ions or even Li-PO's if that takes your fancy. I don't use Li-Po's on gassers due to the intolerance to vibration but it can be done and many do it so I cant bag it. I had an EQ10 with two 4800 Li-On packs with a turbo reg etc in my 35% 260. By going to this setup with twin 2400 packs I can reduce the electronics load in this plane by 11oz . Thats some serious weight to haul around when your trying to run it on an 80cc engine. If you have any questions about this device ask them here please. Tony, Robert or myself will be in as often as possible to help answer anything you have. Price?? Not finalized but you better believe they are not expensive. Availability?? There may be some on display at the NALL but shipping will be about another month or so after. Hope you like them guys.

I am new to all this since I am building my first 35% before this my biggest one was 30 % and I did everything straight to the receiver with 1 battery nothing fancy now is a whole new world for me with all these cuurrent draws and differents amps that I never pay attention before, so here I am trying to install the easiest possible set up for my 35 % AM/SD yak with 8 5955 servos so basically you would say this is the appropiate set up? so there is no need for dean plugs anywhere?
Thanks

[caurimare]

I will be running a 5200 fromeco I am still debating if I go with 2 batteries I am looking for the lightest set up.

[Kiwi]

Caurimare.

Ok a 35% plane with 8 high current servos needs a power system in my humble opinion. I know guys are going to come in here and jump down my throat for saying that but thats cool. I'm entitled to my opinions and I am only sharing my way of doing it. I do not for a minute say this is the only way.

OK I would highly recommend a super regulator at the minimum with a power expander of your choice. Because your servos are programmable you don't really need something like the EQ10 so go a level down without the equalizers built into the board.

If you go down the 5200 single battery you are leaving yourself way too open for a failure in the battery department, plus your likely going to have some voltage drop because your only feeding the servos through a single cable. The voltage drop will be minimal and not worth paying a great deal of attention too but it will happen. Twin 2600 packs weigh the same as a single 5200 so your no worse off.

I strongly recommend twin 2600 FROMECO packs. This gives you the same capacity with a secure battery back up in case one pack fails.

The Smart-Fly regulator can be fitted with a single failsafe switch also so you don't need to have multiple switches just because you have twin battery packs.

Not sure what engine your running but if its a gasser PLEASE fit it with a failsafe ignition kill switch. There are many brands but SF make a very good optical unit. If the ignition is 8.6 volt capable then I recommend a Fromeco 2600 as well but if not use a good quality NiCd pack of some 2000 Mah capacity and you will never have a problem.

Feel free to post here if you need any help. I will watch out on this thread for you.

[GremlinX]

Thanks for sharing... A lot of neat things now all in one. I love their products and support. One question KIWI... seems a few guys don't like batshare's and I see this has it integrated in it? Care to eleborate? Can it be turned off and use both packs equally without sharing? And second, will 2x2600 packs be enough under 3D load? Can they push enough amps? I am going through this right now setting up my 35%...

[caurimare]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Kiwi
	Caurimare. Ok a 35% plane with 8 high current servos needs a power system in my humble opinion. I know guys are going to come in here and jump down my throat for saying that but thats cool. I'm entitled to my opinions and I am only sharing my way of doing it. I do not for a minute say this is the only way. OK I would highly recommend a super regulator at the minimum with a power expander of your choice. Because your servos are programmable you don't really need something like the EQ10 so go a level down without the equalizers built into the board. If you go down the 5200 single battery you are leaving yourself way too open for a failure in the battery department, plus your likely going to have some voltage drop because your only feeding the servos through a single cable. The voltage drop will be minimal and not worth paying a great deal of attention too but it will happen. Twin 2600 packs weigh the same as a single 5200 so your no worse off. I strongly recommend twin 2600 FROMECO packs. This gives you the same capacity with a secure battery back up in case one pack fails. The Smart-Fly regulator can be fitted with a single failsafe switch also so you don't need to have multiple switches just because you have twin battery packs. Not sure what engine your running but if its a gasser PLEASE fit it with a failsafe ignition kill switch. There are many brands but SF make a very good optical unit. If the ignition is 8.6 volt capable then I recommend a Fromeco 2600 as well but if not use a good quality NiCd pack of some 2000 Mah capacity and you will never have a problem. Feel free to post here if you need any help. I will watch out on this thread for you.

Kiwi thanks alot
I was under the impresion that with the new Power System Sport Plus you wouldn't need to use a turbo regulator like you recomend? as far as the engine it is a DA100
Thanks again

[caurimare]

Kiwi also I see that with the new Power System Sport Plus you dont use deans conectors as you woud with the other set up that you were recommending me, wich of the two system in your opinoin would be the best for my application.
Thanks

[vernonf]

Darn, I wish you would have leaked this a month ago, I just bought one for my Carden Cap 35%.
Boo Hooo Hooo! Next time.

[hybris]

I am confused why there is an optical ignition kill switch when the ignition regulator is on the board. The purpose of the optical ignition switch is to isolate the ignition from the receiver (both electrically and physically). If the wires from the ignition are running back to the power expander, you might as well just shut it off there. There may be no concerns having the ignition run this close to the receiver but why the remote optical switch. I could see an on board optical switch to electrically isolate the ignition from the receiver. Please explain to me what purpose the remote optical kill switch offers in this setup.

[Dangerous Dan]

	Quote: Originally Posted by caurimare
	I will be running a 5200 fromeco I am still debating if I go with 2 batteries I am looking for the lightest set up.

Why not have Fromeco do some custome wiring on your 5200, a 5200 is just 2 2600 in paraell, they should be able to wite it so you have two sets of leads coming from the pack, then run these through two switches and hook to the expander, you get the safety and redundancy of 2 packs but only have one.