I’m back into R/C Planes (my next one is the Micro-Telemaster). I did find out that getting into electric park flyers requires using Li-Poly batteries that require expensive chargers which seem to only run on 12-volt DC power supplies. Ideally, ones that can go up to 10A, but since my needs are only 2-3 Li-Poly cells, a 5A, 12-volt DC power supply works fine. The Hobbico 12v, 10A power supply costs over $80 and my version costs under $25! Check out the video above for the details. You’ll need this Power Supply.

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I’ve wanted to get back into R/C Planes for a while now and since I live across from a park I wanted to try out the new electric planes. I went to my local hobby shop (not many around anymore) and found a E-flite S.E.5a Slow Flyer 250 ARF. The kit is pretty much ready to go, you just need to glue a few things together and put your electronics in. I already have a Futaba 9 channel controller (T9CAP) so it wasn’t a big investment to get started again. I’m amazed at how advanced electronic planes have become! I’m used to the Nitro .40+ planes but these electrics are really nice… the motors, ESC, batteries, servos and receivers are tiny! The whole plane only weighs 8oz… I will be flying crashing it later today.

One thing I did find out getting into electrics is that all good Li-Poly battery chargers require a 12v DC power source and most of these power supplies, like the Hobbico, cost over $80 and that’s not including the charger… so in my next post I will show you how to make a 12v, 5A source for under $25.

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