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Overview

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The main ElectriCalc screen is divided into 4 panels. From left to right they are Power Parameters, Motor Parameters, Drive Parameters, and Flight Parameters. Intuitively, this is the flow of energy from the battery to the airplane.

PP02.gifThe top section of each panel has text boxes where information can be entered. If you click your mouse pointer in a text box, you can edit the data in the box. If you double-click, the box will turn blue and the first key you press will delete the previous data. Pressing the Enter key or clicking on another object will cause all other data to be recalculated automatically. In addition to normal editing, you can use the + and - keys to step the number up or down in fixed steps, e.g. change the prop diameter in steps of 0.5 inches. The Amps and Wing Load boxes, when changed, will cause other panels to "light up." This allows some �reverse� calculations to be performed.

FP06.gifThe Motor Configuration text box on the Flight Parameters panel looks different and it is. When you click on it you will get a screen that will allow you to set up multiple motor/prop configurations .

FP09.gifThe bottom section of each panel contains calculated data that is not directly changeable by the user. This information might seem bewildering at first, but it is logically arranged. Every time you change a number, you can immediately see the effect it has on your system.

MP08.gifElectriCalc has 4 databases for Cells, Motors[w/gearbox], Props, and Planes, (which we will often call "setups"). Each large button will display a screen that allows you to select and manipulate data. The buttons with arrows allow you to move back and forth through the data. Of course, all other data changes automatically. If you hold the right mouse button down when the cursor is over a database button, the associated text boxes will "light up". The Planes database includes the settings of the other 3 databases and holding down the right mouse button lights up all data.

PP16.gifThe Power Parameters panel has an additional Throttle slider that simulates the operation of an Electronic Speed Control (ESC). The "slider" control has the same effect on the motor as your throttle stick controlling a high-rate speed control. This is a type of ESC where the switching rate is independent of the transmitter, typically 1-5 kHz. A frame-rate ESC is a type of ESC where the switching rate is the same as the rate that the transmitter sends out data, typically 20-30 ms. This is very inefficient (gets hot) at partial throttle. You can use this slider to see what your system does "throttled back".

FP16.gifThe Flight Parameters panel has an additional MPH slider that specifies the speed to be used in the aerodynamic calculations. This "slider" control sets the flying speed of the aircraft, which affects the aerodynamic calculations, such as thrust and drag.