PAC-MF0502 Power Panel

Model Airplane News, Jul 2003 by Reid, John

Never miss another day of flying because of dead batteries or glow plugs. With hookups for starting a glow engine and a field-charger section to quick-charge flight or transmitter batteries, the new PAC-MF0502 power panel is a great deal for $44.99. There is even a charging jack to revive a dead glow-starter battery.

The power panel fits a standard 5 1/2x3 1/2-inch mounting hole. Attach the power leads to your field box's 12V battery, you're ready to go. Eight standard banana plugs are included, so all of your field equipment has access to the panel's power hookups. The starter provides continuous 12V power for your electric starter motor or to power an external rapid charger.

A 1.2V glow-power section of the panel provides two sockets for a glow-flug connector. Use the current-adjusting knob to control power to the glow plug. The same adjusting knob controls the current for recharging your dead glow-starter battery to provide a faster charge.

The highlight of the panel is its field-charging section. This area has hookups for a 4.5 or a 6.8V receiver battery and a 9.6V transmitter battery. The charger can accommodate both Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries. The peak-detect receiver charger will automatically change to a trickle charge when the battery has been fully charged. You can also discharge/charge your battery with a simple push of a button. The colored LED will always indicate the condition of your battery. The transmitter battery charger does not have these features, so never charge your transmitter battery for longer than 5 hours. Charging times vary, but 30 minutes should bring your transmitter gauge into the green.