Hi all
I've posted here a few times already in reagards to the powered glider (OK Models Caloway) that I'm still building.
My final, and largest, obstacle in the whole assembly process has now become how to cram everything into the fuselage. I realize this is a common issue with R/C planes (I built a glider once before), and I've done quite a bit of mechanical/electronics work in the past requiring extremely cramped enclosures. However, I cannot see any possible way I'm going to be able to cram everything into this fuselage and still have the battery be removable in any practical sense.
If everything were going to be more or less fixed in there I'd have no problem, but I've got to squash cables, bend and twist stuff. I am certain that after a few times removing the battery for charging something is going to get damaged.
Incidentally, the items inside are: Motor, speed controller, receiver and nicad battery pack (and one servo towards the back). Due to the fuselage design, the battery pack must be located on the bottom of the fuselage with the other components above it.
I see only two possible options at this point:
- Keep the battery fixed inside the plane and charge it in place. I realize this means I cannot swap out battery packs and also presents a potential hazard by charging it inside the plane (though, is this as bad for ni-cads as the lithium batteries I've heard of?)
- Cut an opening on the bottom of the fuselage and use it to install/remove the battery. (Note, the way the fuselage is constructed, there is no way to have the battery be on the top near the removable canopy - the battery must be on the bottom.) If I cut this hole on the bottom, I would reinforce it and make a removable plate.
Any ideas/suggestions?
Regards,
Monkeyboy