NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Change in timer performance As we have become more familiar with the performance of the last batch of raw clock mechanisms from Russia, we have been able to do some "fine tuning" to many of our timers. Our ABC, Mini, Fuel Off, MAX III, and MAX IIIA timers now run significantly faster than before. We have found that all customers for these timers have engine runs of 15 second or less. Since it is much easier to set the run time accurately if the clock is running fast, we have speeded up these timers about as far as we can go without special custom tuning. For example, these timers now have a maximum engine set time in the low 20 seconds range. We think you will really like this. Our timers for the five minute DT have been speeded up a small amount, but with the need to meet the long DT times, we can only go so far. This change is effective for all new production. We have a limited number of some models made to the prior specs. October - 2004
Timers made stronger Since the start of our business we have used two rivets to hold the spring drum to the clock frame on those timers with the added drum on the back. We have now added a third rivet to make this joint even better than before. No, you can not pry on the drum - it can be broken loose, but in those cases of accidental hard contact with an immovable object (read this as hard crash) the timer drum is more likely to stay firmly attached. October - 2004
Helpful Hints - Be sure and check out our Helpful Hints section for a number of technical suggestions we have for using our timers as well as maintaining them. Many of the applications are from our customers. We continually add new information to this section as we have time and something to contribute that will make use of our products more pleasurable.
Four Function and FAI timers (February 2003) - Market events have caused us to take a new long look at supplying multi-function times. To do one for AMA Gas is pretty easy as an evolution to our newly announced three function timer (Texas 3F) The FAI needs are more demanding due to extended DT times. We have sort of drug our feet on development of a four function timer to try and gather as many inputs as we can. I know this is not soon enough for many, but it takes time to make sure we have it right the first time. Let us know what you would like to see. We are still dragging our feet as there has been little input from the market that such a timer is needed or wanted. October - 2004
Now Available!!
Timer for Electric FF
We have finished up work on a new timer for the growing electric free flight needs. It is based around our extremely popular Micro I timer for small gas models. The new Micro e will be for 0 to 30 seconds and up to 10 amps of DC current. Because it is built around a mechanical mechanism, the timer operation will be familiar to all those who have used our timers in the past. There are no delicate electronics to worry about and no battery is needed to charge it for timing. One need only connect the two included wires in series with the main flight battery and electric motor. It is made for use with the new E-36 NFFS event, as well as all of the small electrics being flown for fun. This provides a reliable way to control the motor run time without having to worry about how much charge you have put in the battery, risking a fly away or poor flight performance.
I had not planned to make a timer for electrics as electronic versions are available. However, I received numerous requests from my customers who preferred to use a timer they were more familiar with. My timer does function the same as the conventional gas model timer. It weighs few grams more, but has the advantage of easily seeing the set run time, and changing it. My timer can also be repaired at a reasonable cost. Its' availability has been delayed because of my desire to do it right the first time. A number of design refinements have been made since the first good working prototypes. I am now comfortable with the final design. Tooling and startup just takes time. This new timer should be in stock by the end of March 2007. Click Here for more information. [Posted January- 2007, Updated February- 2007][Updated March -2007
Brass Screws
The brass screw used all of our timers except the 3F model is frequently broken when our customer forgets it is a left hand thread. Since we receive some requests for this screw, it is now added to our standard products in the shopping cart. Click here to see it.
Dust Covers
Due to a lot of requests we now have dust covers for all our timers. These are small vacuum formed cavities that can be glued inside the fuselage and used to provide a nice sealed environment for the timer. The weight is negligible and installation is easy to do during construction. They are include with all our Installation Kits. Click here to learn more. We invested in a top quality vacuum former for this project and can do custom forming for others. Let me know of your needs. We use PETG material for the dust covers and have a large supply of raw material on hand. Any other suitable sheet material can be worked with.
New Winding Tool and new Steel Screw
The 3F timer has no winding ears on the scroll, and this tool makes winding as well as set up of the timing delays a snap to do. Special steel screws are also available for retro fit into any of our other timers, so the tool can be used for those who do not like to use the ears on the scroll. Click here to learn more
New Start On Launch Switch -LYNCH TRIGGER
This new product has been out since early 2003. Click here to get all the details.
New Three Function Timer
For auto surface use or for a really convenient quick DT along with a full standard DT. . In stock and shipping. Perfect fit for the new F1P event. Click here to get full details on the 3F timer.
New Version of our two function MAX timer
A variation on the very popular MAX timer incorporating the proven mousetrap used in the MICRO I timer to integrate pinchoff right on the faceplate. So, no RPO is needed, simplifying your installation. Now in stock and shipping. Click here to get all the information on the new MAX A timers.Split Rings are now available (August 2002)- These are the hard to find small 0/00 size for use on your DT and multi-function posts. Provides a good way to connect your control lines (including engine line) to the timer posts. These are nickel plated steel. or stainless steel A bag of ten rings is only $1.00. Less than you would pay at a fishing tackle store, if you can find them. Click Here to learn more and see a picture of them
Installation Kits are now available - We now have kits of plywood mounting plates available for all our timers. Each timer has its own unique kit. The kits consist of two laser cut plywood frames and the necessary #2 screws to mount the timers. Customers who have used these kits have reported they really like the increased convenience of installation. Check out the details under our Neat Stuff tab on the left, or click Here to learn more and see a picture.
New Version of our Three Function Timer
The addition of the pinchoff mechanism to our two function MAX timers was extremely successful. We had requests to do the same thing to our 3F timer family, and it is now available as the 3F A series. To get more information, just click Here.
New Enhancements to the MAX. MAX A, 3F, and 3FA Timer lines
As the use of larger and larger motors became more common, some issues were seen with vibration of the DT wire on he scroll. We had reports of a few cases where the DT tripped with the engine running, resulting in some unpleasant events. In most cases this happened when the flyer was set up for a quick DT by placing the DT wire at the top of the scroll at the time of launch. As a result, we have made two (2) significant enhancements to all of our multi function timers with the DT scroll (except the Ultimate OT). The threads on the scroll are machined deeper and the DT wire size has been increased to be twice as stiff. The change is quite noticeable. Except for a few cases, all of the product shipping now is of the new design. Were we still have both types in stock, you will be given a choice of of the original or new design at the time you add the timer to the shopping cart. The new one is called (Red Dot) because were put a red dot on the box to tell then apart.
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