Other hobby R/C planes

[Saito]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

There's actually a styrofoam specific glue that I was given by my plane crazy friend and it's two separate parts, like one is a catalyst/activator and the other is the glue. You just spray one side, put glue on the other and press them together and it's BONDED just like that. I also started using regular old caulking to hold my servos in cuz it worked better and held more solidly than the factory stuff that Parkzone used(learned this the first time I tore a wing up). My buddy also had little du-bro hinges that work better/smoother than tape. I like to have tape as a secondary attachment but as the primary, I now prefer the hinges. I have used gorilla glue, but not to fix my planes.

That Trex I was ogling must have been a 600 cuz it fit in the back of a truck under the bed cover....?? I thought I wanted a smaller Trex when I bought my Blade120SR but I'm glad I got talked out of it... I guess they're a "handful". LOL

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

They are definitely hard to fly. Unless you can think in 4 dimensions, upside down, and backwards all at the same time. The T-Rex 700 would fit under a truck cover.

Here ya go.

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Also, just bought this. All the parts should be here by the end of next week.

http://www.3dhobbyshop.com/48-EPP-Extra_p_16045.html

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I'm beginning to think that guy is a mutant!!!! Holy crap. Just imagine if there were a machine with the comparative power/weight ratio.... and he were in it!!!!

He'd need a G-Suit for his brain.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

He is insanely talented. Physics don't apply.

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More insanity from a different flyer:

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[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Just saw that this thread came back up so here is some new stuff. I've gotten pretty deep into FPV flying (flying through a camera mounted on the plane). Here's my plane and some videos. It's pretty damn close to really being up there.

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<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1V5Nap2T78c&feature=channel_video_title"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1V5Nap2T78c&feature=channel_video_title" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

 

[Grimm]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Alpha 40 or 60 with an electric twin engine mod...or is Hanger 9 selling them like that now?

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Love that setup. I usually strap my GoPro to my planes a cruise around for some goo video.

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Alpha 40 with a 60 tail. I added the twin motors. I thought about doing the standard electric mod but I don't like looking through the prop.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Plus twins are just dang fun to fly. Although when one motor goes out it isn't. I have an F-82 that I'm going to trouble shoot next week. One side has servos that like to move slow and its not their problem so I'm thinking receiver.

 

[Grimm]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I like the conversion, it reminds me of the Hobbico Twinstar, and it's smooth. What's your flight time and battery size?

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I started with a twin star but it didn't handle the wind as much as I like and in Oklahoma the wind always blows.

The 40 just flies great to start with so it was an easy choice. I've got 9000mAH worth of 3 cell lipos and getting just under 30 minute flights, I have been informed on another site that I should be getting 45 minutes plus. I don't know much about lipos, amps, discharge rates etc... I kept increasing prop size and pitch until I was satisfied with the way it flew then added batteries. Currently running 11x10 thin electric. I have been told 11x7 should get it done but it was pretty damn gutless with those.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Without knowing the rest of your setup and throttle management 30 sounds a little short but I would be bored at that point. Depending on the quality of your lipos that could be another issue. You never want to drain them past 3.80V a cell if you can help if while flying. Thats a good safe stopping point.

 

[Saito]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gathert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Without knowing the rest of your setup and throttle management 30 sounds a little short but I would be bored at that point. Depending on the quality of your lipos that could be another issue. You never want to drain them past 3.80V a cell if you can help if while flying. Thats a good safe stopping point. </div></div>

Most quality ESCs will shut you down before you drain your battery that far, right?? I've been reading a lot about this sport lately and it's pretty info intense. Can't wait to get home and harass the cat with the heli!!

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

One of the quickest ways to kill a battery is to drain it until the LVC kicks in on the ESC. You should time your flights and see where they are coming down at voltage wise.

Annoying things with a little heli is fun, but my 450 steps it up into the dangerous range. Although its still fun to buzz unaware creatures with.

 

[Saito]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gathert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One of the quickest ways to kill a battery is to drain it until the LVC kicks in on the ESC. You should time your flights and see where they are coming down at voltage wise.

Annoying things with a little heli is fun, but my 450 steps it up into the dangerous range. Although its still fun to buzz unaware creatures with. </div></div>

I've only ran one of my batteries down like that, once. I do time my flights and make my landing approach at about 8 minutes. I can still use my 2200mAH batteries with my power-25 but I only fly for 5 min with those. Guess I better take my Fluke with me next time I fly???

I have a creeping suspicion that I'll end up with a Trex of some size soon....damn.

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Weight: 7.5 lbs
Motors: Turnigy 30-45 outrunners (Hobby King)
ESC: 50-60a Hobby King brand, cheap I know.
Lipos: three Turnigy 3000 mAH, supposedly ohm matched (whatever that means) and high discharge (30-40c) that seems really high to me.

I have been lambasted for using any full throttle what so ever but my flight times are roughly 3/4 half throttle, nice and level cruising, and 1/4 full, take off, climbing, chasing birds.
Next time I fly I'm going to be real conservative with the power and see what it does

I have timed my flights and flying like this I land @ 25 mins with power to spare. That being said I have never tested battery voltage after landing. You said never discharge below 3.8v. My charger discharges to 3.0? The manual claims "to get the most from lipos they must be fully discharged and fully charged ten times". I don't know much about these batteries other than they are expensive and dangerous.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

The discharge rate on lips, measured in C, is how many amps you can pull out of them. The formula for that is divide the may by 1000 and multiply by C. So my 2200 may batteries have a 25C rating, meaning 2.2 x 25 = 55 amp max load. Your batteries should be fine with their rating. Only running them down to the LVC once shouldn't do anything, its doing that every flight that kills a battery quickly.

That ohm matched thing is just advertisement and a bunch of BS if you ask me, either all the cells are close to the same voltage or they are bad, not really any two ways about it. Also there should be no need to cycle lipo batteries, they don't develop any memory like the old Ni-Cd batteries did. The lipos should be good to go from day one. I usually take the first flight or two easy on new batteries to make sure nothing goes wrong then I fly it like I stole it for the rest of their life and have never had one go bad on me.

I have gotten a few that were bad, but they were cheaper batteries. If they swell up its probably not safe to keep using it. If it comes down really hot, it means you are pulling too many amps out of them while flying or they can't handle the load from the motor, which means you need a bigger battery or a cell is bad on the inside which you will be able to see on the charger after flying. A watt meter can be a very useful tool in setting up planes because is shows you watts, amp draw, may draw, etc while on the ground and you can tweak which propeller and setup is best for your plane. There are also real expensive ESCs that do that while flying and you can get all the info on your computer from them.

Your charge does go down to 3.0V just like mine, but that is only for discharging a lipo which is never needed unless you shouldn't have to du unless you are throwing one away. Coming down at 3.8V a cell gives you extra wiggle room if you need to make a few more passes or whatever until you hit the LVC, at which point its hard to fly very far with no motor. Its a safety thing so you don't lose your plane.

Check out these batteries below. Not that expensive, but they are functionally very good. The Gens Ace pack a real punch for a better price than the high end lipos. I have several of them and they are always strong performers and can be charged quickly with a 5C max charge rate.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/gensacelipo.html

In regards to charging, most are recommended at 2C, which is 2 times capacity. So for all my 2200 mah batteries, thats 2.2 * 2 = 4.4 amps max charge rate. It will say on the battery label what the safe max charge rate is. I know a lot of this can be confusing but you'll figure it out eventually.

Here is probably the best website on the net for R/C info.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/index.php

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Thanks for the good info.
What's your take on balancing?

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Really good batteries like Thunder Power don't need to be balanced that often if ever because they are built so well. Of course that also translates into price. I always hook mine up to the balance taps to monitor what each cell came down at and its always close. Doesn't really take any extra time to charge the batteries with balancing and its a good safety check.

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Can you post some of your Go Pro videos? I'm thinking of getting one and I'm under the impression they support live video out so you can fly FPV with them and record at the same time.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

They do have live video out functionality and they work very well. First one is a little keychain cam. Don't have any on my computer currently of the GoPro on a plane uploaded but I'll post some other stuff with it. I will say it works very well as an aerial camera.

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A keychain cam on my parkzoen stryker

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Here is one I found that will give you a good idea of what it looks like.

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[Grimm]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Did you fly gas before volts 50cal?
And what kind of charger do you have?

 

[shark0311]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

If you guys really want to step it up a notch check out this site:

DIY Drones

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Yeah, I've messed around with nitro off and on since I was 12. Still fly/prefer nitro to batteries (like to hear the engine) but for flying around with the cameras, batteries make more sense to me. I have a dynamite vision ultra (no balance). And a hobbyking ECO6 50W 5A balancer/charger.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shark0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you guys really want to step it up a notch check out this site:

DIY Drones

</div></div>

I prefer to actually fly mine. All the Eagle Trees stuff is great for doing that kind of thing. It even has an F-16 cockpit overlay so you can keep tabs on all the things like battery usage and flight time. Even has horizon monitoring so you can tell your attitude.


And I agree nitro is a lot of un, but electric so so much cleaner and easier.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Gat, that last video you posted, along the shore. Is that you? If so, excellent 'all around'. Either way, makes me wish I were richer.

Way richer.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

No that wasn't me. Though I may be living on the Gulf in about a year so hopefully it will be. The planes aren't that expensive to start out with. You can get full setups for under $200 pretty easily for some good stuff.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Just got my new 3D Hobby Shop Extra 300 all built up, I'll have pictures soon. At a good 250 watts per pound, the plane should be lively.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

My Zepher II arrived today, this is a 57" 770 SQ/In wing - ordered a 2.4 ghz Vx/Rx for it, and it will run on 2 4s-5500 batteries.

On Screen dispaly with GPS coordinates - waiting on that as they are out of stock (EzOSD).

This FPV thing has taken over, even had a hard time getting motivated to my 1903 back together now that the stock is back.

Here's the two videos that sold me on FPV - the guy that owns fppvlab.com created these - But my plane is the same plane (version 2 of it with a bit more area).

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[ArcticLight]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Here's the plane I bought, er I bought a kit to build it like this - it's sitting in my dining room waiting for me to get home...

I'll be doing RC for a while, first electric plane too, second FPV plane though.

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

That is going to be sweet!

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

You will really like that Rite Wing, they fly really well, especially the Zephyr. I've thought about getting one for FPV, but I have too much fun flying 3D and big scale stuff.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Speak of the devil, got home from work and Santa came early.

The Zephyr II is here!

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I was down at Triple Tree where they host Joe Nall every year and a guy had a Ritewing doing 180 mph. It screamed like a banshee and echoed throughout the whole place. Thats what I love about fast wings. my park zone stryker screams a little, but more is always better.

 

[TimK]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I've been flying and crashing since the late '70's. The last 10 years or so have mostly been spent flying discuss launch gliders and small electrics. I just picked it all up again after a couple year break and got into the ultra micro stuff. Here's the latest. Wing span is a whopping 14". On the plus side, the little bitty stuff flies in little bitty spaces, and it's easy to transport. One generally rides in the back seat of my truck.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I've wanted to get a DLG glider for a while. Simple and easy. I've had my fair share of the micro stuff too, they are a blast to fly indoors.

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I don't know if this is against the rules if so delete it.

If you guys are in the market for Blade Helis MCX/mSRs shoot me an email I have them @ about 50% below retail.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

I started my heli flying on a Blade Cx2. They are great started helis and those little ones are just as good and hard to break. Also, cats don't like them. That should be reason enough to buy one.

Do you have any collective pitch micro helis?

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Not for sale but I have a CP pro2 that I can not fly for the life of me. If it wasn't in pieces it would be for sale. Those mSRs fly really well.

 

[gathert]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Well the tiny ones like the CP Pro helis are small so that are twitchy and hard to fly for most people. The bigger the heli, the more stable just like planes. Even going from 450 to 500 or 600 size there is a world of difference. And price.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Other hobby R/C planes

Tim that's awesome, can't think of the name of that plane but I had a C/L version of that back in the early 80's...