After a flight, I usually measure the voltage and leftover amperage storage in my battery flight packs.

When I charge the battery packs at home, my chargers measure how amperage is put into the batteries.

The figures don't add up; Not even closely.

Example: I fly a model plane with 3-cell 2,200 mah lipo battery pack, and at the end of the flight, it might measure that 30% of the charge remains. That would mean that the flight used 1,540 mah of the stored power (70% of 2,200).

However, when I charge the battery later, the charger might indicate that the battery pack is fully charged after 'filling' it with 850 mah.

Can anyone explain to me why this happens?

(I'm not concerned with the voltage measurement, which I know does increase slightly as the battery pack cools down.)

It really is amazing how you can make changes to a component and see if it works/fits immediately!
We may have to start up the build classes again, but instead of wood, they would for be 3D printing.
This awesome Dave - Thanks for sharing!

An interesting option for printing is the ability to add to, and subtract from, a part.  Here is the Fuselage 2 part, showing the filament style connectors.  These are ok, but they do not perfectly align 2 parts.  The next image is showing an "add" part... a cylinder filling the connector.  The next image shows a "negative" part... a connector.  The last image shows the fuselage, sliced, with the "add" part filling the original connector and the "negative" leaving a new connector hole.

Ready to move onto the next project 

This canopy really needed a brim.  The P2S detected a bit of "spaghetti", paused the print, and let me know.  Very nice of the P2S.  In the failed print image, that's the brim from a successful print.  Overall, it turned out pretty good.

I skipped over quite a few steps and figured I'd jump ahead to the finished result. I've included a few photos of the wing connectors (a big and welcome improvement), the power system, and some final shots. I still need to mount the gear covers, and I might add landing lights.

Channelling the inner Simon Hinchcliffe, I ran into these at Dollarama yesterday.  Bought two kits.  At $2.50 each they did not break any piggy bank.

I saw Simon fly his last year and it was a terrific flyer. Here is Simon's post.
https://temac.ca/smf/index.php?topic=9364.0

Will probably install an E-Flite 280 which is small, light and powerful.  Either 2 or 3 cells... TBA.  18.5" span.

Please note the close-up of the label.  "Good for ages 3+." Just made it!

Will build it while the P-51 project needs drying time for some glue joints.

Frank

Have been quiet.  Have been doing detail work not worth reporting on:
- installed the cap strips, wing tips, aileron servos (one per aileron).
- made the fuse end of the under wing radiator, installed the motor permanently,
- built the removable hatch on the bottom of the fuse from the prop to the leading edge of the wing
- installed the rudder and elevator servos permanently.
- sanded the wing and the fuse to about 90%.  Filled gaps with spackling.
- added plywood at the trailing edge for the wing hold down, added the fuse end of the wing hold down, fibreglassed the wing centre section.

Next
- build the tail feathers
- finish the nose to fit the spinner
- get everything ready for covering.  It will be grey/silver with black/white invasion stripes. May do a red tail. will decide soon.

Frank

Quote from: davidk on March 19, 2026, 07:59:33 PMI gave it 2 sprays yesterday with hours of drying in between.  This morning it looked very good.  So I gave it another spray... but I think it now has barely a hint of yellow... I think.  So I'm trying again and I'll stop after 2 sprays.

Looks awesome David!!

I gave it 2 sprays yesterday with hours of drying in between.  This morning it looked very good.  So I gave it another spray... but I think it now has barely a hint of yellow... I think.  So I'm trying again and I'll stop after 2 sprays.