Gentle Lady R/c Gear

[flyboy1987]

Here's The Question What R/c Gear Do You Guys Recomend For The Gentle Lady? Servos, Reciever, Push Rods?

Thanks,

Flyboy

[Sparky Paul]

The GL can fit almost anything.
The smallest 2-channel receiver will work.
mini servos work well.
A relatively large capacity battery, if only for the nose weight.
The servos and everything should be installed ahead of the leading edge of the wing.
GLs come out tail heavy and need nose ballast. The more "ballast" that is equipment instead of lead, the lighter the plane will be, and it will perform better.
CF pushrods.. not balsa or steel. This helps the balance.

[flyboy1987]

Thanks Sparky Paul
Much Apriciated

Flyboy

[flyboy1987]

A Guy I Know Told Me That A Mini Servo Wont Have Enough Torque For The Elevator! Is That True?

Flyboy

[Ollie]

Almost any micro servo has enough torque for the GL elevator because the GL isn't fast and the elevator chord is narrow and the maximum deflection needed is small. That is assuming that the elevator is freely hinged and the pushrod doesn't bind.

[Sparky Paul]

A Guy I Know Told Me That A Mini Servo Wont Have Enough Torque For The Elevator! Is That True?

Flyboy
.
No, it's not true.
I use Futaba S-133s and Expert SL451s for most of my 2M planes.
As Ollie says, the surface loads on a GL are quite low. It just doesn't need high torque (and therefore large) servos.
The elevator and rudder on my YardStik are larger than on my GLs and are quite happy with Hitec HS-55 servos, about 1/3 the size of the S-133..
I have adopted CST .070" CF pushrods in the teflon sheaths as -the- pushrod for these planes. Much stiffer than wire, and a LOT lighter.

[Seared Ice]

Weight is not a huge issue with the GL...I have standard-size servos in mine and I also modified mine for electric motor. With my 2000mah pack and the 600 motor, it only weighs 38oz and flies better than I expected it to fly even without the motor.
You will be happy with almost anything you put in a GL (unless you're picky!)
~John

[flyboy1987]

where can I get a good set of cf pushrods and connectors? clevis, horns, etc..?

[rycomm]

Back when the Gentle Lady was designed standard servos had less torque than almost any of the mini / micro servos of today. It seems that most of my mid 80's futaba standards (S28's?) had 28-32 oz torque. My newer JR 241s are also rated at 32. I think just about anything would be fine in a GL. I think the wing would break before your servo would get overloaded.
Ryan

Edit--I just ran across some actual JR info (as opposed to magazine specs) on the Jr 241. It is rated at 17 oz, not 32 as I stated. The weight is .32 oz so the magazine I read must have switched some info. I'm sure it would still be more than enough, but I wanted to clarify my info. Sorry for the mis information, Ryan

[Sparky Paul]

where can I get a good set of cf pushrods and connectors? clevis, horns, etc..?.
My LHS carries some of these..
https://www.cstsales.com/home.htm

[TLyttle]

I've seen GLs fly on everything except reeds (one of the guys flew his on Ace pulse!), so gear or pushrods aren't important Go hitech with cf if you like, but if you are just learning, go with what is available. I personally don't like wood pushrods, but lots of guys build them this way, and no one can tell the difference. The one I have now has plastic inners & outers, and OLD Futaba gear with ~2oz noseweight; been flying that way for 14 or so years with many, many hours in thermals. Fill your boots, don't sweat the hitech stuff!

[nuevo]

Sullivan makes some "carbon filled" pushrods. Not carbon rods in the purest sense. I think they are #580 for 36" length. At $5 each, they are considerably cheaper than CST. Not the same thing, but I have had excellent performance out of the 48" #581's in several planes.

Here's a reference with a picture & description.
http://www.sullivanproducts.com/GoldnRodMainFrame.htm

Go down the page and look for Precision Rods.

In the US, you can get Sullivan products at any hobby store. IMHO, expensive carbon pushrods are not required for aGentle Lady.

[RCFlybry]

Here's The Question What R/c Gear Do You Guys Recomend For The Gentle Lady?

This doesn't fall along the line of RC gear but get a good lawnchair. On a good lift day that sucker will stay up long enough to put a permanent creak in your neck! I sure wished I'd have brought one out today.. My neck is still killing me. :D

[John Gallagher]

I used HS-81 servos and Sullivan 507 cables.

[amike_321]

I also have Hs-81's. Other items include Berg 5 Rx, standard 4.8v Rx pack, wooden pushrods, and standard .40 sized control horns. I had to add a couple of ounces of noseweight to get the balance just right. I have a Cox Tee Dee .049 on a pod that is built into the wing. I will be upgrading to a Norvel .061 and using lighter items in the rear (control rods, smaller control horns). I only have about 5 flights on the model now I have had trouble with the control surfaces not moving enough so adjustments had to be made for future flights. Happy landing!

[Seared Ice]

I've had a few (maybe 7?) flights on my GL and noticed that I've wanted to up the control throws. So now I have my tx set up for Dual Rates. High throws for launch incase drastic corrections are needed...low rates for just gliding around (this helps there be no false thermal indicators if I happen to just bump a stick by accident)...high rates for thermalling (if I need to circle tighter)...and I'm not real picky about which I have it on for landings...the plane pretty much lands itself!

I've been planning out building a DLG or other HLG so I'm thinking about light equiptment now...In the one I'm gonna start building I'm gonna use GWS pico servos, GWS pico RX (I'm not expecting to get real high lol), and 1 lithium cell for power. I bet this setup would work in the GL...just need a longer-range rx though.

~John

[amike_321]

Dont skimp on the Receiver, get a inexpensive standard full size reciever if money is the issue. You dont want to get glitches or loose control of your model. I am not booing GWS items, I have used the Rx's in the past with no trouble but I would definately not trust them at higher altitudes compared to the longer range Rx's.

[Allan Wright]

The GWS receiver is excellent....for parkflyers. It's just not meant for the types of ranges a good sailplane will reach. Pack a lunch to work for a week and spend the money on a decent dual conversion receiver. You won't regret it.

[Tulkas14]

im almost done building my Gl but i already have the guts for it two futaba 3003 servos, futaba fp - r114h reciever, and a futaba nr - 4qb battery at 4.8volts and 600mah, and i planned on using the stock balsa pushrods with the stock control horns and hinges instead of the covering material at the joints do you guys think ill need much more nose wieght or perhaps lighten the tail ?

[amike_321]

Ive always heard that the GL needs a little noseweight to get it balanced. But I wouldnt stress adding a little weight, it can handle it. I have around 2-3 ounces in mine. I would rather have a tail that was stronger over having it lighter. You never know when you might bump into a wall hauling the model to the car to get to the field. And freak wind gusts happen also.....

[TLyttle]

Yeah, they all seem to need noseweight, but I simply used a larger battery, solved the problem and gave myself all the flying time I can use. As far as the balsa pushrods are concerned, sure they work fine but all you need to do is bust one in an "arrival" to see the value of lightweight nyrods or somesuch. I flew one of mine (I've had 3) on throttle-cable pushrods without difficulty (I had 'em, I used 'em), balsa pushrods on another (see experience part), now I have plastic inner/outer and they work fine.

Don't sweat the small stuff!