Used to set the power and duration of the motor run of electric powered control-line model aircraft. Power is adjusted by the potentiometer and duration by a simple push-button/LED interface.
There are 5 modes of operation and the duration of the press determines the mode selected and visual feedback from the LED informs the user when to release the button as each mode becomes available. [ modes are FLIGHT, DURATION, NOVICE, EXPERT & CONFIG ]
Settings are retained in non-volatile memory so a single button push suffices to repeat a set flight. The motor drive signal is ramped for 'soft-start' and run-down so no sudden torque excursions are experienced.
The user may choose to set the timer duration up to 100 seconds in multiples of 10 seconds or alternatively up to 10 minutes in multiples of whole minutes. This is to address the needs of novice and more expert fliers respectively. The shorter time periods will be welcomed by novices, for whom dizziness may set in long before one minute of flight has elapsed, but they are equally useful for experienced fliers requiring to make a succession of short trimming flights without unduly discharging the battery.
Finally the timer also has a special mode to allow the user to configure the ESC parameters without the use of a programming card or radio control transmitter and receiver. This will be covered in a second video.