Vintage Ace R/C charger
#1
Vintage Ace R/C charger
My Dad gave me his old R/C electronics before he passed away. He had a R/C power boat and sail boat in the early 1970's. I smiled when I pulled this out today and checked out the charger. It is an Ace Vari-charger, consisting of an on/off switch and what appears to be a variable voltage control knob. You just turned the knob until juice flowed into the battery. No timers or meter! We have it so well today!
#2
Tech Champion
Cool piece of history, looks to be in good condition at least visually. I suspect the knob is a timer, that's how most RC fast chargers worked before Kevin Orton I believe it was developed delta peak charging and termination. A charger like this ideally was monitored with a voltage meter, some went by temperature, not much fun. Yes they have gotten a little more sophisticated!
#3
I hooked up a volt meter and it puts out a constant 13.3V no matter what the dial is set at. The dial has no spring/ timing sound, it stays where you set it. Maybe it just no longer is functional. Well, at least it didn't go up in smoke, as it probably has not been plugged in in over 40 years.
Here is a picture of the Kraft battery, no info as to chemistry or voltage is printed on it. I'm sure that only NiCd batteries were available then.
Here is a picture of the Kraft battery, no info as to chemistry or voltage is printed on it. I'm sure that only NiCd batteries were available then.
#8
Wow...I couldn't imagine flying now without the elevator and aileron on one stick or motor and rudder!. Pretty cool.