How do I hookup the three wires of my brushless motor to the speed controller?

Most speed controllers will come with a hookup diagram on the package card. It does not matter which three wires are hooked up to each other. If the prop is going in the wrong direction just switch any two wires and the motor will spin the other way. The color of the motor wires does not matter.

I've hooked up my motor to the speed controller but the prop spins the wrong direction?

Just switch any two wires with each other and the motor will spin in the other direction.

What is the difference between positive and negative shift with your transmitters and receivers?

Positive and negative shift has to do with how the transmitter and receiver interpret the radio wave. All that is important is that you match a positive shift transmitter with a positive shift receiver. In almost all cases Futaba and Hitec transmitters have a negative shift so you will have to use a negative shift receiver. Airtronics and JR-Sanwa have positive shift transmitter so you will have to use a positive shift receiver. GWS sells both types, positive and negative.

My R-4P (or R-6N) receiver is not working, how do I figure out what's wrong?

1. First, test the R-4P/R-6N without using the ESC. This is done by connecting a 4.8V battering directly on port 4 (or 6) of the receiver. Make sure when you connect the battery that you observe the proper polarity of the pins. If you connect this incorrectly, the R-4P/R-6N will not work.
2. Once the battery is connected to port 4 (or 6), put a servo into ports 1, 2, and 3. Turn on your transmitter and test the sticks to determine which port is elevator, rudder, and throttle. Different transmitter manufacturers use different ports for different functions.
3. If your R-4P/R-6N still does not work after step 2, you may not be using the correct type of transmitter. You must have a FM (PPM) type transmitter. An AM or PCM type transmitter will not work. Also, you must also have the correct "transmitter shift". A negative shift R-4P/R-6N will have an F on top of its plastic case. A positive shift R-4P/R-6N will have an J on top of its plastic case. Futaba/Hitec transmitters have negative shift. JR/Airtronics have positive shift.
4. If your R-4P/R-6N still does not work after step 2, then you may have a bad or cracked UM1 crystal. Replace the crystal and repeat step 2. If after repeating step 2 and your R-4P/R-6N still does not work then you have a bad receiver.
5. Now that you have determined which ports are used for elevator, rudder, and throttle, you can install the ESC. If the R-4P/R-6N does not work, then your ESC is bad or burnt out.

1. If the receiver smokes or glows, the battery polarity was reversed. Do not use with old airtronics servos or batteries because their polarity is reversed. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for hooking up the R-4P/R-6N incorrectly.
2. The transmitter must be an FM (PPM) type transmitter. The receiver will not work with AM or PCM type transmitters.
3. The R-4P/R-6N comes in two types. The two types are F which has a negative shift and J which has positive shift. If you use a negative shift receiver with a positive shift transmitter, or vice versa, the receiver will not work. Futaba and Hitec transmitters have a negative shift. JR and Airtronics transmitters have a positive shift. When you order the R-4P/R-6N make sure you choose or specify the correct shift based on your own transmitter.

1. The receiver does not work after a crash or hard landing. The receiver crystal is probably cracked and will have to be replaced. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for this type of damage.
2. After doing a frequency check at the field my receiver stopped working. Doing a frequency check by turning on the receiver without the trasmitter may cause the servos to go to an extreem position and jam. The servos may twitch from the all band RF noise generated by automobile ignition systems, digital cell phones, and other electronic devices. Once the servos are jammed, they will draw a maximum current and will most likely burn out the servo or the receiver. Never turn the receiver on first without the transmitter being on. The receiver will lock into the transmitter frequency and will reject most other signals.

The receiver is a single conversion type receiver. Therefore, it is subject to certain outside interference. Specifically, 2IM (second image) and 3IM (third image) RF noise. To solve this problem switch to another frequency channel.

My receiver came with a 19.5" antenna, how can I increase the range?

Simple increase the antenna lenth to 39" and you will get the full 1000 foot range. Using an antenna length other than 19.5" or 39" is not recommended. Use 26 awg RC hookup wire for antenna.

After hooking up my receiver to my speed controller (ESC), the receiver stopped working?

Faulty ESC's can cause a receiver to burn out. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for this type of damage.

The frequency marked on the UM1 crystal that came with my R-4P or R-6N does not match my transmitter's frequency?

In order for a single conversion receiver to work with a given transmitter frequency, the receiver will require a crystal that has a frequency value that is +455 kc above the transmitter crystal. For example, channel 40 will have 72.590 marked on the transmitter crystal. The matching UM1 crystal will be marked 73.045 in order for the single conversion receiver to work.

My speed controller stopped working after my first flight?

1. Using a motor, battery, and propeller combination that draws more amps than the speed controller is rated will burn out the speed controller.
2. If propeller rotation is inhibited, and throttle is at maximum, the motor will draw three to four times more current than normal use. This will also burn out the ESC.

Do you have matching connectors for my GWS speed controller?

Can I use my NiCAD batter charger to recharge my NiMH batteries?

Yes if the charger specifically supports NiMH batteries. The peak detection circuit in the NiCAD charger will go into trickle mode at too high a voltage. This will overheat destroy the NiMH battery. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for this type of damage.

How long do I charge my NiMH battery?

You want to recharge the NiMH battery around 1/10 the capacity. It is also important that you do not overcharge the bettery. Therefore, for each recharge you will have to calculate the recharge time based on the discharge state and the capacity of the battery. Overcharging a NiMH batter will damage the battery. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for this type of damage.

My airplane weighs this much, how do I determine which motor to use?

The general rule of thumb is the weight of your model can be upto three times the thrust of the power system.

How do I tell one GWS power system from another?

GWS currently has nine classes of power systems. The nine classes are LPS, IPS, IPS Twin, Direct Drive, Ducted Fan, EPS 100 Compact, EPS Standard, EPS 300 Compact, and EPS DX.

The LPS and IPS systems have a motor diameter of 1/2". Since the motors are not marked, the way you tell the difference between an LPS and IPS system is the diameter of the prop shaft. An LPS prop shaft has a 0.072 inch (1.82mm) diameter. The IPS and EPS prop shafts have 0.108 inch (2.74mm) diameter.

Another way you can tell an IPS system is that it has a black spur gear. LPS systems have spur gears with one of three colors, that is, yellow, blue, or white. The way you tell whether you have an LPS A, B, or C is by the color of the spur gear. The LPS A system has a yellow spur gear. The LPS B system has a blue spur gear. The LPS C system has a white spur gear. The way you tell that you have an LPS B2C system is that the motor length that is about 1/2" long as opposed to 1" long for the RXC and RLC systems. The way you tell you have an RXC versus an RLC is as follows. The RLC motors have a red magic marker mark located near the capacitor end of the motor. The red mark is usually on the gray lip area near the capacitor.

I checked my servo by rotating the output arm and it seems like the gears are stripped?

Sub minature have "watch" like gears. A Pico servo has 10 in/oz of thrust with a 10:1 reduction from the motor to the servo arm. Forcing the servo arm to rotate reverses the reduction ratio to 1:10. This means you are exerting 100 in/oz to the gear train and you will probably damage one or more gears. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for this type of damage.

My servo hangs or only goes in one direction?

A gear tooth may break from hard landing. Servos that run in only one direction probably have a chipped gear. The solution to this problem is to replace the gears. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for this type of damage.

My servo no longer works?

This is most likely the result of the servo amplifier being burnt out. This occurs when the servo experiences reversed polarity or a chipped tooth stalling the servo. The solution is to replace the servo. Also, it is recommended that you do not use old style Airtronics or Cox receivers or battery supplies. BP Hobbies assumes no responsibility for this type of damage.

Can you use JR plugs with a Futaba receiver?

Yes, but you must locate the brown wire to the Futaba black negative wire. Brown to black, red to red.

Do your servos come with or without connectors?
Do you have to buy them seperately?
I use Hitec receivers and servos, are your servos compatable?

Some of the servos have Futaba plugs. The servo industry is moving towards standardization of the "S" type connector. At some point the "S" type will be only type of connector available. In fact, Airtronics is changing their wiring sequence to be compatible.

How long does your Epoxy last?

Our Epoxy has a greater than ten year shelf life which is basically indefinite.

Will your accelerator work with other CA brands?

Most likely. CA is CA. We have not heard anyone complain that our CA accelerator does not work with other brands.

Will your debonder debond CA that has set?

It may take awhile but repeated applications will soften CA that has set.

Your price for "CA" is very low. Is your "CA" a good quality product?

Our "CA" is guaranteed to be of the highest quality available. This is testified by our many repeat orders. Try some and you will come back for more.

What is the shelf life on your CA?

Our CA has a two year shelf life. However, do not store it will the temperature exceeds 80 degrees.

Do you carry odorless foam-safe CA?

On your Easy Pigeon Electric RTF Glider, what are the battery requirements?

6 to 7 cells 800 AR or 1500 SC cells.

On your Easy Pigeon Electric RTF Glider, what else do I need to do?

You must hook up a motor controller, receiver, and battery.

On your Easy Pigeon Electric RTF Glider, how do I hook up your eos 60 speed controller, do I need a separate servo?

No separate servo required. The eos 60 hooks up to the motor control channel on the receiver.

Are you still selling the Dallaire Sportster kit?

We made 500 Dallaire kits with no plans to repeat the kit. The Dallaire is out of stock.

Why should I buy a Balsa Product kit?

Our kits are quality custom kits that contain all machined cut parts. All components are individually packaged to assure the highest quality. The wire parts are pre-bent and all kits contained rolled plans.

Are you planning on coming out with any new airplane kits?

No. At this time we are not planning on kitting any new models.

Are you planning on doing additional production runs of previous kits you've had in stock?

No. At this time we are not planning on kitting any of our out of stock kits.

What muffler is used on the Zenoah G-23 mounted in the Boeing F4B2?

John Tanzer, who designed the F4B2, used a slightly modified G38 muffler. Send us Email if you are interested in getting John's phone number.

Can I buy plans for kits you currently are out of stock?

We would like to say yes but at this time we are currently not selling plans.

What type of dope should I used on top of the LW tissue?

You can use Nitrate, Butyrate, or other paints for trim.

How do I stikc two pieces of LW tissue together, one on top of the other?

Coat the upper tissue on the back side with BalsaLoc or BalsaRite. Then use the heat iron on a setting just warm enough to cause the tissue to stick together.

What is LW Tissue and GM Tissue?

LW Tissue is a light weight tissue made from polyester fibers that is heat shrinkable. GM Tissue is a modern light weight tissue make from polyester fibers that is heat shrinkable and is also fuel resistant. Our tissue products are comparable and of equal quality to other heat shrinkable polyester fiber tissue products available on the market today.

How heavy is LW Tissue and GM Tissue?

LW Tissue is 3/4 oz per square yard. GM Tissue is 9/10 oz. per square yard.

Can I paint dope your tissue products?

Yes! However, GM Tissue is fuel resistence but can also be painted.

How much does your LW Tissue weigh per square yard?

It weighs .673 ozs per square yard.

How much does your GM Tissue weigh per square yard?

It weighs .849 ozs per square yard.

How much does your Fibafilm weigh per square yard?

It weighs 1.03 ozs per square yard.

How will my order be shipped?