[rcdarryl]

I have a really old Electri-lite powered glider. It has a Futaba attack 4 transmitter am 72 fp-t4nbl
a fp-r114h 4 channel receiver
a ap64-061 power switch monitor (Is this an esc)?
a rs-550sh brushed engine. .
The last time it flew it nosed in(MY FAULT) did minor damage broken prop and little firewall repair.
I'm having trouble now.
When I use the tx the rudder and elevator function well, but when I try to power up the engine unless I have the throttle trim totally up and the throttle at maximum nothing happens,
when its as described above it goes to max speed for 1 to 2 seconds and then stops.
I then have to disconnect the 7.2 (fully charged) ni cad battery as well as the small 4volt battery connected to the power switch and then when I connect it all up again it functions described above.. When I connect the small receiver battery to the bat tab on the receiver a small red light comes on in the power switch monitor. and when I connect the larg battery to the system a larger red light comes on in the power switch monitor. when I then apply power as mentioned above after the engine runs for a couple of seconds both lights go out and the engine stops.
I have applied power directly from the battery to the engine and if functions as its supposed to.
I have written to futaba and they say its to old and they cant help.
Can anyone out there advise what might be the problem. Would it be the tx or the rx or the power switch monitor or the engine. Thanks for any suggestions especially on trouble shooting. Id lioke to fly it again without doing a complete conversion to a new tx, rx esc and brushless motor.

[michaely]

Darryl

I couldn't find anything online re an ap64-061.

ESCs (electronic speed controls), which provided full range of motor speed/prop speed started popping up the late 1980s.

Before this time, we used a simple mechanical on/off switch controlled by a small servo to turn the motor on (full speed only) or off in flight. The switch had a spring loaded depressable button, sometimes covered by a sloping metal lever to act on the depressable button. These switches were simple affairs, typically rated at 10amp at 125voltsAC and had a couple of holes in the body so they could be readily mounted with screws; no transistor, diodes, etc., all mechanical. They were stock items in electronics field, not invented for radio control and, if you can locate full range electronic parts supplier - or a electronics parts salvager - you should be able to locate such a switch. An old time rc modeler from that era probably would have some unused switches forgotten in their parts bins.

For a e glider, such an on/off switch did work fine; and were used for other models as well before escs became available.
Such switches were/can still be used for things such as onboard glo heat, raising/lowering tip floats on seaplanes such as the Catalina (used in pairs to precisely limit travel), etc.

Here is a google link which provides some leads/visuals:
https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=...+motor+control

RCModeler magazine carried plans/construction articles for early electric flight models in the (?) mid seventies to mid eighties and the early construction articles would, I have sure, have further details... the plans/construction articles for RCM are available for free download... ask if interested in exploring that avenue.

Ampeer.org is a long running - since 1988 - online newsletter for electric flight.... wattflyer.com is a forum that would have some old timers who may be able to suggest sources for the switches, links to further information.

good luck

Michael