Dumb question, are there cheaper alternatives to the PowerBox lineup for smaller 30/50cc setups? I am kicking the idea of re-doing some older 30cc birds and want to explore setup options beyond just plugging directly into the RX

I have a PowerBox for my 40% but never looked into solutions for 30cc birds to which I have 2 now

For 30cc I don't think you need anything more than just the receiver.

For 50cc, if you run an SBUS radio, such as Futaba or FrSky or Jeti in SBUS mode, you can use the FrSky RB-10. SBUS in, with 8 channels out, and dual receiver and battery inputs. About $30 from Aloft Hobbies. The RB-20 has 15 ch out and higher current capacity per servo output for $60. Jeti offers a DSM 10 that can be used for any radio, which takes 2 batteries in for redundancy, and powers the receiver with a single heavy duty input. About $75

Mile high also has some alternatives in the $40-50 range
http://www.milehighrc.com/PowerBoxes.html

In my 30cc stuff i just run 2 batts and 2 switches.. really no. need for a powerboard

Originally Posted by DiabloKid

Dumb question, are there cheaper alternatives to the PowerBox lineup for smaller 30/50cc setups? I am kicking the idea of re-doing some older 30cc birds and want to explore setup options beyond just plugging directly into the RX

I have a PowerBox for my 40% but never looked into solutions for 30cc birds to which I have 2 now

No need

What radio are you using?

As above no need to have anything thing more than the receiver. You may be surprised that most high end receives like the Jr812bpx can handle quite a few amps.

But yeah a battery sharing switch and two batteries is a great setup.

For that size of airplane, you really don't need that extra weight. The power needs aren't great enough to mandate it.

Take a look at the Xtreme Power Systems Power Expander X10+. $35 with connectors and very small and light. I have them on 4 different planes and they have worked great.

There is absolutely no need to have power distribution in 20-50cc airframes. Airframes are small enough as they are, without cramping more crap into them. 1 battery into the Rx and run an IBEC for ignition.

Originally Posted by Bunky F. Knuckle

There is absolutely no need to have power distribution in 20-50cc airframes. Airframes are small enough as they are, without cramping more crap into them. 1 battery into the Rx and run an IBEC for ignition.

I fully agree... and have been very successful doing just this with 30-50cc planes. All systems on my planes have worked fine for years.

We still don't know what radio Diablo is using. For some radios, it's nice to have a redundant receiver in the tail. For that purpose (not for power distribution) there are several small and light options available for SBUS radios (from FrSky) and XPS (like the 10+ mentioned above) which provide receiver redundancy.

Originally Posted by RCAddiction

We still don't know what radio Diablo is using. For some radios, it's nice to have a redundant receiver in the tail. For that purpose (not for power distribution) there are several small and light options available for SBUS radios (from FrSky) and XPS (like the 10+ mentioned above) which provide receiver redundancy.

Futaba 14SG right now but probably switching to Spektrum soon.

Originally Posted by 3DJP

In my 30cc stuff i just run 2 batts and 2 switches.. really no. need for a powerboard

How are you setting up / connecting 2 batteries to a receiver? Direct JR type connector to 2 ports?

Yep, just plug a battery into any unused servo port