News & Announcements

The new Thunder Power EZP-V1.10 eZ Programmer revolutionizes the way you program you electronic speed control. Not only do you no longer need to use your transmitter stick to program your ESC, but you can do so without a computer either. The Thunder Power eZ Programmer lets you view and change the setting of your Thunder Power ESCs, and features easy to see LEDs and a simple to use push button interface.

Specifications:

• Size: 83.5mm x 50.5mm x 6.3mm
• Weight: 24g

Allows the following parameters to be set:

• Battery Type: Li-Po/Li-Ion, NiCd/NiMH
• Cut Off Type: Soft-Cut, Cut-Off
• Governor Mode: On, Off
• Cut Off Voltage: Low, Middle, High
• Start Mode: Normal, Soft, Very Soft
• Timing Mode: Low, Middle, High
• Brake: Off, Soft, Hard
• PWM Frequency: Low, Middle, High

For use with Thunder Power Brushless Electronic Speed Controls, such as:

• TPE-18BSG3 (TPE-18SGB3)
• TPE-25BSG3 (TPE-25SGB3)
• TPE-30BSG3 (TPE-30SGB3)
• TPE-30BSG4 (TPE-30SGB4)
• TPE-40BSG4 (TPE-40SGB4)
• TPE-40BSG5 (TPE-40SGB5)
• TPE-60BSG5 (TPE-60SGB5)
• TPE-60BSG6 (TPE-60SGB6)
• TPE-80BSG6 (TPE-80SGB6)
• TPE-6B3
• TPE-10B4
• TPE-12B4
• TPE-18B4
• TPE-25B4
• TPE-30B4
• TPE-40P6 (TPE-40OPT6)
• TPE-60P6 (TPE-60OPT6)
• TPE-60P12 (TPE-60OPT12)
• TPE-80P6 (TPE-80OPT6)
• TPE-80P12 (TPE-100OPT12)
• TPE-100P12 (TPE-100OPT12)

Download the Thunder Power EZ ESC Programmer Manual:

Thank you for purchasing the Thunder Power eZ Programmer program card for brushless motor Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC). With this device, you can easily set the programmable value of the ESC. Now you can just forget the complicated and boring programming method using the throttle stick on your transmitter.
This program card is very easy to use, and it is as small as a business card, so you can put it in your pocket when you are in the field.

SPECIFICATION:

1. SIZE: 83.5mm x 50.5mm x 6.3mm
2. WEIGHT: 24g

FRONT PANEL:

1. Use “Up/Down” button to select each programmable item, use “Left/Right” button to select item value, use “Reset” to set each of the programmable values to the ESC’s default values;
2. Battery Type: Li-xx means lithium battery (Li-ion or Li-Po), Ni-xx means NiMh or NiCd battery;
3. Cut Off Type: Soft-Cut means the controller will gradually reduce the output power when the low voltage cutoff threshold is reached, Cut-Off means the output will be immediately shut down;
4. Governor Mode: It is a special function of the controller for helicopters;
5. Cutoff Voltage：Refers to the Low Voltage Cutoff Protection Threshold.
   1. For Li-xx battery (Li-ion or Li-Po)，number of battery cells are calculated automatically，Low / Middle / High cutoff voltage of each cell are: 2.75V/3.0V/3.25V. Example: For a 3 cell Li-Po battery pack, when “Middle” cutoff voltage is set, the cutoff voltage is: 3.0 x 3 = 9V. WARNING: We highly recommend that Li-xx batteries not be allowed to discharge below 3.0V, or damage will occur to the battery.
   2. For Ni-xx battery (NiCd or NiMh), Low / Middle / High cutoff voltages are 0%/50%/65% of the startup voltage (i.e. the initial voltage of battery pack when the model is power on), and 0% means low voltage cutoff function is disabled. Example: For a 6 cell NiMh battery pack, fully charged voltage is 1.44 x 6 = 8.64V, when “Middle” cutoff voltage is set, the cutoff voltage is : 8.64 x 50% = 4.3V。(Remark: For TPE-40BG4 ESC, the Low / Medium / High cutoff voltage for each Ni-xx battery cell is 0%/45%/60%)
6. Start Mode: Usually, Normal is suitable for fixed wing aircraft; Soft and Very Soft are suitable for helicopters;
7. Timing Mode: Please choose the suitable timing value for your motor to get the best driving performance : Low = 0degree Middle = 15degree High = 25degree
8. Brake: Hard means the motor will be stopped immediately when throttle stick is moved to bottom; Soft means the braking force is gradual.
9. PWM Frequency: Low is suitable for most brushless motors; Middle is recommended for low inductance motors; High is recommended for very low inductance motors.

CONNETING PROCESS:

1. Disconnect the main battery pack from ESC;
2. Disconnect the controlling cable of ESC (trio wires) from receiver, then connect it to the 3 pins on the top right position of program card (The 3 pins marked with “ESC”) ;
3. Connect the main battery pack to ESC;
4. The LEDs on the program card will light, showing the current programmable value of the ESC;

   WARNING: THE SEQUENCE OF STEP 2 AND STEP 3 IS IMPORTANT!
   Please connect the controlling cable to program card first, and then connect the main battery pack to the ESC power input (for ESC with built-in BEC). Otherwise, the program card cannot work properly.

OPERATION:
Press “Up/Down” button to select the programmable item; the corresponding LED will flash. Then press “Left/Right” button to select the item value; when the button is released, the current setting is immediately stored in the ESC.

Use a program card to program the ESC of OPTO:
If the ESC is “OPTO” type, which means the ESC does not have a built-in BEC (Battery Elimination Circuit), and you must use a battery pack to power the program card (such as your receiver pack). In such a case, please connect the receiver pack to the 3 pins on the top right position of program card (The 3 pins marked with “Batt.”)
WARNING: You must connect the additional battery pack to the program card before connecting the main battery pack to the ESC; the sequence can not be reversed.

DECLARATION:
This program card is ONLY suitable for THUNDER POWER ESCs. Ask your retailer for detailed product information for other brands. Some types of ESCs do not have all the functions listed on the panel of program card; in such a case, the value changing of these function items on program card has no effect to the ESC.

Buy the new Thunder Power ESC Easy Programmer from your favorite Thunder Power RC distributor, Draganfly Innovations Inc. www.RCToys.com. Don’t forget Draganfly Innovations has FREE Shipping on all Thunder Power products!

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

Using an electric RC helicopter called a Draganflyer (manufactured by Draganfly Innovations Inc) MIT is developing a system to allow multiple flying craft to work together under computer control, performing surveillance and monitoring tasks. MIT calls this their UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Swarm Health Management Project.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan February 09, 2007 — MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is using the Draganflyer RC helicopter in their UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Swarm Health Management Project, which is focused on surveillance and monitoring of ground based objects or vehicles. The goal is continuous monitoring using multiple autonomous vehicles in swarms, with distributed intelligent computer control and minimal human supervision. The multi-vehicle testbed developed by MIT uses several Draganflyer four rotor electric RC helicopters and a computer tracking and positioning system to monitor and control multiple unmanned aerial vehicles. The components of the system communicate with each other through Ethernet connections.

Even though the vehicles used are unmanned, each one would normally require its own ground based pilot, operating it by remote control. What MIT’s system does is place multiple UAVs under computer control. This removes the need for constant human attention and piloting. Not just one, but multiple UAVs, can be directed with MIT’s system via a remote connection. A swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles could be used to monitor a convoy or keep watch over a border. This could be especially useful to the military. The use of multiple UAVs would allow constant aerial surveillance, with new vehicles launched to take the place of ones in need of recharging or those that have been damaged.
The aerial vehicles used are quad-rotor miniature electric radio control helicopters called Draganflyers, measuring about two feet across, manufactured by Draganfly Innovations Inc. These electric RC helicopters are unlike standard model helicopters, because they use 4 rotor blades (one on each corner) to generate directional thrust which is used to maneuver. The use of four rotor blades makes the Draganflyer RC helicopter simpler and more reliable than a standard helicopter, eliminating the need for all of the mechanical linkages required for maneuvering using a conventional single main rotor. The Draganflyers used in MIT’s project are the same radio controlled helicopters used by many hobbyists, and are available from Draganfly Innovations on-line store. The specific models used by MIT are the Draganflyer V Ti RC Helicopter, and Draganflyer V Ti Pro Video RC Helicopter. “We are extremely pleased that MIT has chosen our Draganflyer RC helicopters for use with this ground breaking project” says Zenon Dragan, president of Draganfly Innovations Inc.

MIT’s system makes it possible to have a number of aerial vehicles flying completely under computer control, able to do tasks like surveillance or tracking, all while keeping each individual vehicle from colliding with any of the others. Watch this video: MIT UAV Search and Track Video. The vehicles can all be coordinated on the same task, or be used in groups or individually. The computer control allows for a swarm of UAVs to be flown at once. This removes the necessity for teaching pilots how to manually fly each aircraft, allowing the entire swarm to be directed remotely by a single person. The swarm of Draganflyer RC helicopters are able to launch, land, and recharge, all under computer control. MIT has even demonstrated the ability to land a Draganflyer on a moving object while completely under computer control.

MIT’s UAV SWARM Health Management Project is being developed by Professor Jonathan How, with graduate students Mario Valenti, Brett Bethke, Daniel Dale, Xiaojie Hu, and administrative assistant Kathryn Fischer. They are working with Boeing’s Phantom Works research unit. There is a large amount of interest in this project, and in UAVs in general. The worldwide UAV market is currently worth billions of dollars, and is expected to expand by a factor of three in the next decade.

References:

• MIT’s UAV Swarm Health Management Project Web site
• Watch MIT’s Swarm Project Videos
• MIT Uses Draganflyer Electric RC Helicopters In Intelligent UAV Swarm

About Draganfly Innovations:
Draganfly Innovations has been manufacturing radio controlled helicopters, airplanes, and airships for eight years. From toys to industrial radio control products for police and military, prices range from $29 to $20,000. Draganfly’s innovative products have been featured on CNN Headline News, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, and in magazines and newspapers such as Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, GQ, Stuff, Maxim, The New York Times, and The London Times. Draganflyer helicopters, including the newest Draganflyer SAVS Stabilized Aerial Video RC Helicopter professional aerial video model, are exclusively available from Draganfly Innovations Inc.

Contact:
Devin Ternan, Engineer
Draganfly Innovations Inc.
2108 St. George Ave. Saskatoon, SK. CANADA S7M 0K7
1-306-955-9907
1-800-979-9794
www.rctoys.com

As a followup to our article on Dec 20, 2006, “Thunder Power Launches Full Line of Brushless Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC)“, we now have 4 of these brand new, coveted, Thunder Power Brushless Motor Speed Controllers in stock!

We have these 4 Thunder Power High Grade Brushless ESCs in stock! Pick one up today!

• 12 Amp Thunder Power High Grade Brushless ESC: TPE-12B4
• 18 Amp Thunder Power High Grade Brushless ESC: TPE-18B4
• 25 Amp Thunder Power High Grade Brushless ESC: TPE-25B4
• 30 Amp Thunder Power High Grade Brushless ESC: TPE-30B4

Download Manual for Thunder Power Sensor less Brushless Motor Speed Controllers:
PDF Thunder Power ESC Manual | Thunder Power ESC Manual Web Page

Thunder Power has a release schedule for the rest of their Brushless ESC lines, the Smart Guide / LiPo Saver Series and the Thunder Power High Grade Brushless ESC. The rest of the ESCs are scheduled for release by Thunder Power in February and April, 2007. We will get them here at RCToys.com as soon as they are released.

Pick up one of these in-stock-and-ready-to-ship Thunder Power Electronic Speed Controllers today from your favorite Thunder Power dealer: Draganfly Innovations RCToys.com. Don’t forget: We have FREE Shipping on all these new Thunder Power ESCs!

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

Draganfly Innovations RCToys.com has Hitec RC Servos with matching Hitec gears and servo arms. From tiny Sub-Micro Servos like HS-50, Micro Servos like HS-81, Digital Mini Servos like HS-5245MG, High Torque Metal Gear Servos like HS-645MG, to the Digital Titanium Gear Robot RC Servo HSR-5995TG, we’ve got the Hitec Servo for your RC airplane, RC helicopter, RC blimp or RC car.

These Hitec servos offer different servo gear materials to match your unique R C application: nylon, karbonite, metal and titanium gears. Nylon is the most economical and great for most standard rc uses. Karbonite lasts longer and is stronger than nylon. Metal is for tough rc servo applications but metal gears wear faster than nylon or karbonite. Titanium is the ultimate gear choice for awesome wear resistance, durability and reliability.

If you need help choosing the perfect Hitec RCD servo for your specific rc need please give us a call 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907 and we will help you order exactly the servo you need. We have experienced rc engineers on staff ready to answer your servo questions. Looking for technical data sheets on our Hitec servos? Jump to our Downloads and Manuals page and download Hitec servo manuals and tech sheets.

Get your Hitec Servos, Hitec gears and Hitec servo arms from your favorite RC Web site, Draganfly Innovations, RCToys.com. We will beat any competitors advertised Hitec servo price! These Hitec servos all have FREE Shipping!

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

Hacker has a new series of brushless motor speed controllers called the Hacker X-Pro Series. These ESCs all have the ability to be tweaked and programmed by using the new Hacker USB X-Pro Interface. All 6 of these new speed controllers and the USB programming cable are now in stock at Draganfly Innovations RCToys.com. We offer FREE Shipping on all Hacker speed controllers!

Hacker’s new X-Pro brushless controllers are available from 7A to 70A to fit your specific RC application. The X-Pro ESCs sport automatic Lithium Polymer battery detection, adjustable motor direction, selectable acceleration, adjustable timing and many more high-end features. These speed controllers are specifically developed by Hacker to be compatible with high pole outrunner brushless motors as well as two pole inside runner brushless motors.

The difference between Hacker’s old X Series Controllers and the new X-Pro Series Controllers is their ability for to be hooked up to your Windows PC via the optional USB Programming Package for X-Pro Controllers so you can tweak all the ESC’s settings. The USB cable connects to your PC and to the Hacker programming module. The programming module plugs into the servo connector on the speed controller.

Buy a new Hacker X-Pro series ESC and optional USB ESC programmer from your favorite Hacker Brushless dealer, Draganfly Innovations, RCToys.com. They’re in stock and ready to go with FREE Shipping!

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

The semi truck is unloaded and the RC helicopter parts you need are back in stock. Get your replacement rotor blades, tail booms, drive gears, pinions, batteries, circuit boards, chargers, mosquito bodys… everything you need to fix your Micro Mosquito or Firefly mini R/C Helis. We have all these parts and more listed in our Firefly & Micro Mosquito RC Helicopter Parts page. Buy them online today and get them while the selection is yours for the picking.

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is developing a system, called the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Swarm Health Management Project, to allow multiple flying craft to work together under computer control and perform surveillance and monitoring tasks, using Draganflyer VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) electric RC helicopters.

MIT’s UAV Swarm Health Management Project is focused on surveillance and monitoring of ground based objects or vehicles. The multi-vehicle testbed developed by MIT uses several Draganflyer four rotor electric RC helicopters and a computer tracking and positioning system to monitor and control multiple unmanned aerial vehicles. MIT SWARM Project Demonstration videos are available on MIT’s project website.

Draganflyer RC helicopters are unlike standard model helicopters because they use four rotor blades (one on each corner) to generate directional thrust which is used to maneuver. The use of four rotor blades makes the Draganflyer helicopter simpler and more reliable than a standard helicopter, eliminating the need for all of the mechanical linkages required for maneuvering using a conventional single main rotor. The Draganflyers used in MIT’s project are the same radio controlled helicopters used by many hobbyists, and are available from Draganfly Innovations on-line store, www.rctoys.com. The specific models used by MIT are the Draganflyer V Ti, and Draganflyer V Ti Pro.

MIT has even demonstrated the ability to land a Draganflyer on a moving object while under computer control.

MIT’s test platform is being developed by Professor Jonathan How, with graduate students Mario Valenti, Brett Bethke, Daniel Dale, Xiaojie Hu, and administrative assistant Kathryn Fischer. They are working with Boeing’s Phantom Works research unit. An MIT newsoffice article is available on their site.

Craving more info? Read our related Press Release!

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed