storm launcher in singapore!

[Alphas]

Pictures here
Just received my package from Vpost, and I have ordered a toy only sold in the States. It is an Air Hogs Storm Launcher, the latest craze in air, land and water remote control craft.

The shipping is more than 60% of the S$250 total cost but there is a slight problem.

Adapters from the US are made for 120V and the mains is 240V, so I did some modifications to the 12V plug and replaced with another 12V plug.


Use another adaptor that has about the same output ratings to charge the batteries. The batteries are 7.4V lithium polymer ones.

Finally I wanted to enhance the stormlauncher with added wheels, washers and plastics protectors on the sides. Wheels are required to make the stormlauncher move smoothly on the flat ground and plastic protectors are to deflect the impact by the front black sides of the stormlauncher.



You would need these items, some small light plastics washers found in hardware stores, a straw "borrowed" from 7-eleven, transparencies, a wooden stick and double side tape.

Still in the process of fixing it up, check back later and I would try to have a video of the stormlauncher with the enchancements included.
Pictures here

[Alphas]

any comments?

[DL8698]

Adapters from the US are made for 120V and the mains is 240V, so I did some modifications to the 12V plug and replaced with another 12V plug


Use another adaptor that has about the same output ratings to charge the batteries. The batteries are 7.4V lithium polymer ones.

Not sure exactly what you have modified. All US 120V rated equipment, including power charger adapters, CANNOT, MUST NOT, be plugged directly into our 230V power sockets. The 120V equipment will fry, blow up, burn, whatever. I have never done it before so don't even know exactly whether it will fry, blow up or burn or if you're lucky the ELCB of your house just trips.

Another way of looking at it is, plugging any 120v rated thing into our 230v socket will fry or do something worst to that piece of equipment or your house. However, plug our 230v rated thing into a 120v socket, nothing much happens, won't fry or burn.

However, some electrical equipment are rated for 100-230vac so should be ok to use here or in States.

Use another adaptor that has about the same output ratings to charge the batteries. The batteries are 7.4V lithium polymer ones.

Not sure exactly what sort of "adapter" you intend to use, but be aware, the thing that looks like an adapter which came with your Stormlauncher is not an ordinary adapter, ie, something that gives a 12vdc when you connect to an AC source. It is a specialised charger to be used to charge Lipo (lithium polymer) batteries.

NEVER USE AN ORDINARY "ADAPTER" OR NON-LIPO TYPE CHARGER TO CHARGE LIPO BATTERIES!

A Lipo charger has a "feedback" from the battery so that when the battery reaches a specified voltage, the charger will cut off the charging current. An ordinary adapter, or even an ordinary non-Lipo type charger will not do this. It will keep charging the battery till the battery explodes (maybe) or catch fire (maybe) or at minimum render the battery unuseable. I am very serious about this although I inject a bit of humour into this post.

See this link http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7100376/tm.htm EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTRIC POWERED FLIGHT if you are new to electric powered rc flight.

BTW, I had a Mini Stormlauncher, given to me by my daughter for my birthday. Looks, well, like a mini version of your Stormlauncher, without the horizontal tail surface. No control surface of any kind. Control purely by motor speed for up/down and differential speed between the left and right motor for turning. Very mildly aerobatic, but no loop or anything of that sort as no elevator.

I was looking for the full size stormlauncher but could not find in Singapore and not that keen to order from overseas.

[DL8698]

Just took a look at your picture on your blog, it looks like the Adapter is not the charger itself, but merely to supply a 12vdc to the base set which is the actual charger into which you slot the Battery (the yellow thing?), in which case you could just use any old 230vac to 12vdc adapter as long as it has sufficient "amps" output. I presume of course that you will plug the 12vdc to the base set which will then charge your battery.

I thought you had an "all in one adapter-charger" (which looks just like an ordinary AC/DC adapter) for the lipo battery.

However, if you not sure, better seek a third opinion, as it's better not to take chances with Lipo battery.

[Alphas]

I understand your point, the thing is that the adaptor output is 12V and 370mA, so I replaced with another adaptor that has 12V 400mA but for 240V mains. The electronics on the charger is the same, only the plug is removed to fit into the new adaptor socket.

Therefore there is no risk of damaging the lipo, because the original 120V adaptor is never used.

Still waiting for the 3 blades counter roatating props, due to landing upside down and breaking the props, and I am adding sides fins because the horizontal stabilizer broke too. Going to be cutting the U shaped air con ducts for the side fins.

[DL8698]

I understand your point, the thing is that the adaptor output is 12V and 370mA, so I replaced with another adaptor that has 12V 400mA but for 240V mains. The electronics on the charger is the same, only the plug is removed to fit into the new adaptor socket.

Therefore there is no risk of damaging the lipo, because the original 120V adaptor is never used.

My apologies. Didn't mean to frighten you. I wrote my first post before I saw your pics of your adapter and charger on your blog. After that I realised that you were talking of an ordinary AC-DC step down adapter.

Looks like what you have done shouldn't be dangerous at all and should work fine. I was the one frightened initially cos I thought you were going to replace a "charger-adapter" with an ordinary adapter, which I think you know is a no-no.

[Jack_Chen]

wow, a RTF RC ... what do you call this? Hydrofoil? I saw those Youtube videos of this design can take to land, lake and air.

pretty expensive huh.

[john_3330]

Pictures here
Just received my package from Vpost, and I have ordered a toy only sold in the States. It is an Air Hogs Storm Launcher, the latest craze in air, land and water remote control craft.

The shipping is more than 60% of the S$250 total cost but there is a slight problem.

Adapters from the US are made for 120V and the mains is 240V, so I did some modifications to the 12V plug and replaced with another 12V plug.


Use another adaptor that has about the same output ratings to charge the batteries. The batteries are 7.4V lithium polymer ones.

Finally I wanted to enhance the stormlauncher with added wheels, washers and plastics protectors on the sides. Wheels are required to make the stormlauncher move smoothly on the flat ground and plastic protectors are to deflect the impact by the front black sides of the stormlauncher.



You would need these items, some small light plastics washers found in hardware stores, a straw "borrowed" from 7-eleven, transparencies, a wooden stick and double side tape.

Still in the process of fixing it up, check back later and I would try to have a video of the stormlauncher with the enchancements included.
Pictures here

Hi Alphas, did u really paid S$250 for the storm launcher? I just saw the storm launcher at Takashimaya level 3 toys sections retailing for $89 or lesser.. I just now went there and took a look at the toys there and spotted the storm launcher.. There is another brand which also has a 3 channel hydrofoam type of plane retailing at S$100.. It can fly the same as the Air Hogs Storm Launcher..

[john_3330]

Hi Alphas, did u really paid S$250 for the storm launcher? I just saw the storm launcher at Takashimaya level 3 toys sections retailing for $89 or lesser.. I just now went there and took a look at the toys there and spotted the storm launcher.. There is another brand which also has a 3 channel hydrofoam type of plane retailing at S$100.. It can fly the same as the Air Hogs Storm Launcher..

Woops, my bad.. I guess what i saw was the Mini Storm Launcher..

Anyway, i think its on offer.. Not $89 anymore.. Kind of lesser.. Not sure how much exactly..

[Alphas]

Hi Alphas, did u really paid S$250 for the storm launcher? I just saw the storm launcher at Takashimaya level 3 toys sections retailing for $89 or lesser.. I just now went there and took a look at the toys there and spotted the storm launcher.. There is another brand which also has a 3 channel hydrofoam type of plane retailing at S$100.. It can fly the same as the Air Hogs Storm Launcher..

that's the mini version of the storm launcher, its a good deal too. I also wanna get the mini SL too, since it is available in taka, then no need to import here heh. I calculated for the total cost including shipping of importing the mini SL would be about (US$16 + $40)X1.4 = S$79 if u can wait.

[Alphas]

My apologies. Didn't mean to frighten you. I wrote my first post before I saw your pics of your adapter and charger on your blog. After that I realised that you were talking of an ordinary AC-DC step down adapter.

Looks like what you have done shouldn't be dangerous at all and should work fine. I was the one frightened initially cos I thought you were going to replace a "charger-adapter" with an ordinary adapter, which I think you know is a no-no.

well, the original SL is more maneuverable, and can withstand stronger winds. but need an external batt charger unlike the mini SL, which recharges from the transmitter. The mini version looks nicer and easy to control cos no rudder and a black receiver rod that protects the blades when it lands upside down.

[john_3330]

that's the mini version of the storm launcher, its a good deal too. I also wanna get the mini SL too, since it is available in taka, then no need to import here heh. I calculated for the total cost including shipping of importing the mini SL would be about (US$16 + $40)X1.4 = S$79 if u can wait.

If im not wrong, the Mini SL is sold at Taka at a discounted price.. Should be below $60..

[kimilalo]

How's the SL?

Are you still flying the big SL? Is it as good as the video clips? I'm was waiting for your updates on your flights..

[soumayuki]

i went to taka and saw the mini SL on sale, $29.90. but i brought the normal XPV size. haven't test flight because couldn't find a place big enough in jurong area... should have brought the mini SL for neighbourhood!

[kyosho1]

I just bought the Mini SL from Taka. It is so easy to fly it - My first attempt at flying an RC and so far, haven't crash it. Can't believe it cost less than $50. it's so satisfying.

I spent a few hundred dollars previously on a hydroboat but it couldn't even fly, let alone lift off. What a waste of money.