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Hi All,
I’ve been testing the Ztron free flight timer as sold for 30 bucks at “electricfreeflight.com.” If you aren’t aware of this goodie you may be missing a bet.
Features are variable power, DT function and soft start. With the soft start you can mount the motor loosely with rubber bands and hopefully it will shift on a “hard landing” and not bend the prop shaft. Too bad it requires a separate speed control as this would be good for E36 planes with those bendy GWS gearboxed motors.
I have it mounted in a Tomboy. Contrary to warnings I read somewhere on the ‘Net, the servo does not draw current to resist the pull of the DT spring, or in this case rubber band. I suspect that is because this is a small plane and the cheap servo I’m using has such a high gear reduction and friction that the motor can’t be driven from the output arm. Yes, I measured the current draw with a meter. It made no difference whether the DT line was connected to the servo arm or not
With the variable power feature one can adjust the output so that the motor or battery is not overloaded. I’m thinking of playing with various prop sizes, adjusting the throttle to keep the power absorbed the same. Also this would be good for trim flights as one wouldn’t have to go with full speed only.
More when I get the time to actually fly the plane. I still gotta work for a living.
I agree that this is a great timer. It works as advertised. One “fix” is needed by me. The push button switch is a bit fragile under my heavy handed mashing. I’ve had to reinforce the switch by adding some 1/16 square around the switch so I am mashing on the wood as well as the button. I screwed up my first one. But let me tell you, Ron Fowler is a first class vendor and he promptly made me happy at no cost to me. I think he feels it is a weak area for old guys like me that gets excited when launching, so I would think he will be putting out a warning.
I bought one of these recently together with motor and remote switch.It is a great item and the service is fast.It is installed in a converted F1B model.Trimming is easy with adjustable power,time of engine run and d/t time.Its a great way into electric free flight.
I’m using an Airtronics Super Micro speed control. Due to my inattentiveness I managed to blow up 2 speed controls in the process of wiring the plugs on.
One of them I thought was OK but after 20 or so on off cycles it stuck on full power. This was not a good thing because I had set the pulse width to half power so as to not burn up the motor or battery.
One feature of this speed control is that it has a switch to diasble operation. This is not in series with the battery but it does cut off the 5 volts to the timer, which allows it to reset. The Castle Creations controls don’t have that switch so one has to disconnect the motor battery between flights to reset the timer. It is a PITA to remove the wing to get to the plug.
Still, the Ztron is much safer than the Short Timer, which will start the timing sequence again if the start button is pressed unless the safety slide switch is turned off. It is too easy to accidently press the “start” button when picking up the plane after a flight. Could be dangerous for some helpful soul that finds the plane and doesn’t know about this feature.
John in the basement, waiting to get off work and do some test flying
Does anyone know the email address for electric free flight.com.The website is down and I need another Z tronic timer and speed controller and switch.Is it still in business.
Thanks.
Cant make contact by email or website.does anyone know what is happening,or an alternative F1Q e timer
Jim
Bob Selman (BSD Micro) used to sell Ztrons for FF and I’ve bought a couple from him over the years. Here’s the link:
http://www.bsdmicrorc.com/index.php?categoryID=46&offset=16
Unfortunately I can’t spot the Ztron listed any more so perhaps it’s out of production (which would be a blow). Try sending an enquiry to BSD and let us know how you get on.
Regards
Peter
I have sent an email to him.I will let you know the result.
In the past I have bought thewhole set up-timer ESC and motor and push button.If I use any brushless ESC will it work without modification?Is there a limit to how powerful the motor and esc are with it?I was thinking of using a Jeti 30 amp ESC as they are good quality and don’t cut out under load,but still protect the lipo.The Z tronic is listed under “Miscellaneous Electronics” on the website,so there is hope.
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