AGM 2014

Minutes of MPBA Fast Electric Section AGM 2014

Friday 25th July

1. Meeting opened at 7:05pm

2. Members present:

Martin Harvey, Peter barrow, John Foster, David Harvey, Jason Tooley, Keith Mallam, Paul Upton-Taylor, Simon Booth, Steve Booth, Ian Williams, John Croyden, Paul Heaton, Roger Graves, George Roberts, Rob Physick, Luke Burton, Martin Marriott, George McDonald, Dale Marriott, Barry Fatt

3. Apologies for Absence

Ian Phillips, Vaughan Miller, Mark Shipman.

Vaughan had sent in a letter and this was read out to the members present.

4. Minutes of 2013 AGM

A copy of the minutes of the 2013 agm had been on the FES website all year. There being no changes the minutes were put forward for acceptance. Steve Booth proposed they be accepted, David Harvey seconded the proposal. The minutes were accepted on a unanimous show of hands.

5. Chairman’s Report

Peter Barrow reported that it had been a good Naviga M Section World Championships. There has been a problem with LiPo battery availability and there had been other battery issues. Some of these problems would be alleviated with the introduction of UN testing of batteries. Packs are soon to be available for testing. Vaughan Miller had been made an honorary member of Electra and the MPBA.

6. Treasurers Report

John Foster reported that the entries for this year’s Nationals was down, with 66 boats this year compared to 84 last year, and 140 the year before that. The trophies for this year had cost £146 (a reduction on last year), £300 to go to Bridlington MBC for use of the lake. The central fund amounted to £2187, and the local account stood at £1000. A balance sheet will be sent to Peter Revell.

7. Secretary’s Report

Martin Harvey gave a resume of the issues that had arisen with regards to the practice of making LiPo batteries lighter. Martin also reported that there would be a need to find a new MPBA treasurer.

8. SAWS Officer

David Harvey reported that a new lake had been found to run the SAWS event. Despite the poor weather conditions forecast the lake did not get affected by the high winds due to the high trees all around the water. At the meeting there had been 4 records broken and 2 new records set. The Fast Electric Section had acquired the MPBA Wilkinson Sword trophy for presentation for SAWS.

9. International Officer

Paul Heaton reported that the next Worlds should be in 2015 with the possibility of it being in Poland . Peter Barrow told the meeting about the information that he had with regards to Poland

10. Nationals Officer

Unfortunately due to family issues Ian Phillips was unable to give a report.

11. Area Reps

Paul Upton-Taylor reported that he had not been to any meetings this year so could not report on anything. Martin Harvey gave a brief report for the Southern area. Membership was down and there have been and still are problems with flooded waters.

Mark Shipman had sent in a report as he was unable to make the meeting. SWAMBC had folded at the end of 2013 and SWARM had been set up as a stand-alone club. There had been a small recovery in numbers compared to 2013 when a number of waters had been lost. Races are now being held at Weymouth , Plymouth and Taunton . Battery regulations are based on capacity. The lack of entries at this year’s Nationals was more due to the economy and the distance to travel. Mark did not feel that the problem was battery regulations. He also said that he felt that some members felt that there was to much regulation.

For the Northern section Paul Heaton reported that NADS now had a AMB transponder system. There had been some early problems but these were now nearly sorted.

12. Election of Officers

Chairman

Peter Barrow was proposed by George Roberts and seconded by George McDonald.

Passed unanimously.

Treasurer

John Foster stood down as he had said he would at the last AGM. No one came forward to offer to fill the position, but Steve Booth later offered his services. This was accepted.

Secretary

There being no other proposals Martin Harvey said that he would stand for another year.

Martin Harvey proposed by Peter Barrow, seconded by George McDonald.

Passed unanimously.

SAWS Officer

David Harvey proposed by Martin Harvey, seconded by Steve Booth.

Passed unanimously.

International Rep

Paul Heaton proposed by Peter Barrow, seconded by Luke Burton.

Passed unanimously.

Nationals Booking Officer

Ian Phillips proposed by John Foster, seconded by Luke Burton.

Passed unanimously.

Northern Rep

Paul Heaton proposed by Luke Burton, seconded by David Harvey.

Passed unanimously.

Southern Rep

No Proposals

Southwest

Mark Shipman proposed by Martin Harvey, seconded by Ian Williams.

Passed unanimously.

The meeting offered a vote of thanks to John Foster for carrying out the treasurers duties over the years.

14. A.O.B.

14.1 Changes to MPBA LiPo Guidance

The following changes were proposed:

After para 7 delete ‘never alter the grey/silver cell sacks in any way’

Lithium Fires

After ‘ A sodium chloride extinguisher is not suitable for use on a lithium fire’ add ‘cells/batteries not containing Lithium as a pure metal do not require a L2 extinguisher’

After ‘MPBA members are expected to operate lipo cells in a safe and responsible manner’

add

‘Batteries shall be securely fixed in the boat.’

‘Do not mix batteries from different manufacturers’

Delete ‘Sub Section Naviga’ and replace with the following:

The following changes are allowed across the board for all classes of competition i.e. Fast Electric, Scale, Round the Pole Hydroplanes and Straight Running, whether it be for physical problems of getting cells into a boat or for class weight restrictions.

1. Removal of the plastic covering to enable batteries to comply with the required weight limits or for physical problems of getting cells into a boat is permitted.

2. Competitors are able to change the connectors if they wish.

3. The wires can be changed as long as they are capable of carrying the expected current load.

4. Please make sure that all other terminals apart from the one you are working on are covered with an insulating material to avoid the possibility of a short circuit. On completion of alterations please ensure that all connectors are insulated and that all bare cell terminals are covered with polyimide tape or another suitable heatproof material (fibreglass tape is also suitable). This will ensure that there will not be a short circuit from any wires including balance leads.

5. NEVER ALTER THE GREY/SILVER PLASIC CELL SACK IN ANY WAY

6. No repairs on batteries to be undertaken at the lake side.

These changes were proposed by Rob Physic and seconded by Peter Barrow

Passed unanimously

14.2 Changes to FES Rules

The following clauses to be added to the Rules and Guidance for the Use of Lithium Based Cells/Batteries:

The following changes are allowed across the board for all classes of competition , whether it be for physical problems of getting cells into a boat or for class weight restrictions.

Removal of the plastic covering to enable batteries to comply with the required weight limits or for physical problems of getting cells into a boat is permitted.

Competitors are able to change the connectors if they wish.

The wires can be changed as long as they are capable of carrying the expected current load.

Please make sure that all other terminals apart from the one you are working on are covered with an insulating material to avoid the possibility of a short circuit. On completion of alterations please ensure that all connectors are insulated and that all bare cell terminals are covered with polyimide tape or another suitable heatproof material (fibreglass tape is also suitable). This will ensure that there will not be a short circuit from any wires including balance leads.

NEVER ALTER THE GREY/SILVER PLASTIC CELL SACK IN ANY WAY

Proposed by George Roberts, seconded by Ian Williams

Passed unanimously

14.3 SAWS Battery Weight

Removal of weight limit for SAWS classes.

Proposed by Mark shipman, seconded by Martin Harvey.

There was a tied vote with 2 abstentions.

Therefore the Chairman had the casting vote

Voted: for

Motion passed

14.4 SAWS Cell Types

Removal of reference to unmodified cells

Proposed by David Harvey, seconded by Martin Harvey

Passed unanimously

14.5 Changes to Regulations for Lipo Class Weights

There was a long discussion about how to regulate LiPo batteries. There were a number of suggestions put forward but there was no outcome on this issue.

Meeting closed at 9:30pm