November 2005

[Tram]

Ok guys-

I know one thing we're trying to do is follow in the footsteps of the Atlanta guys..

One thing I like that they have done, is each month they have a thread for that month, ala November 2005, this is a general chit chat thread..

So, if someone dorks a bird and you want to talk about it.. we can chit chat here.. :)

Just whatever.. Just a general thread.. so.. umm.. yeh, here it is.. :)

[wheatfly]

http://www.laureanno.com/RC/fire-pics.htm

Just to make sure we are all being careful with lipoly packs. Even the best can have stuff go wrong. This guys story and pictures really make you think twice about how you treat your stuff.

[ghee-grose]

Yeah, I ran across that the other day. That's a close call with losing your house to a Lipo fire!!!

Ya'll be careful... it's when you get in a hurry that you make a charging mistake.

[nuevo]

thanks wheatfly.

[atjurhs]

Tram,

I agree that a monthly thread is one way we could organize the forum. The only concern that I would have is that after a period of time has elapsed with no new posts, does that thread make its way to cyber heaven? Whereas with topic-based threads they would (in theory) continue to get updated and therefore not vanish.

[dee-grose]

Threads only disappear because the default "view" settings are set to 30 days. Look at the bottom of the forum to change that.

[Mike Parsons]

Just found this forum and wanted to say Hi :). Jeff, I trust you made it home ok.

Tram,

I agree that a monthly thread is one way we could organize the forum. The only concern that I would have is that after a period of time has elapsed with no new posts, does that thread make its way to cyber heaven? Whereas with topic-based threads they would (in theory) continue to get updated and therefore not vanish.
What we started doing was at the beginning of each month a new thread was generated. Any and all discussion really takes place in that thread to keep everyone in one place and subscribed to what is going on. At the end of the month, that thread is closed by a moderator upon request so it can be archived so to speak. It is always there for us to search on if we need it for some reason.

-Mike

[Tram]

Mike-

Man, traffic was ROUGH.. :) I shoulda just hung out at the field a lil' longer.. I didn't watch any of the game.. Not like it was worth watching though.. :)

So, when did you become "Mike Parsons?" :)

Todd-

The thread would just be closed by a moderator.. :)

[ghee-grose]

Hey Mike!

That's the way I think would work the best. I'm a mod on this forum and I'm always close by.

[Mike Parsons]

Mike-

Man, traffic was ROUGH.. :) I shoulda just hung out at the field a lil' longer.. I didn't watch any of the game.. Not like it was worth watching though.. :)


Yea, fatality on 85. Lady crossed from north to south and had a head on. I didnt leave til 5:30 and it took me over an hour to go 15 miles. At least I have ** health :)


So, when did you become "Mike Parsons?" :)

Shoot...it's been what?...33 years now? ;). I was part of the Site Advisory group for RCG and I have resigned today. I figured it was time for a change :)

-Mike

[Mike Parsons]

Hey Mike!

Hi! :)

[ghee-grose]

Hobby Lobby is having their annual After Thanksgiving Sale. From 7am-5pm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/bargainhangar.htm

[GLIDERGIDER]

Hi Guys,
I met some new folks at the field yesterday, and now I'm wondering who all showed up to fly? Who can put an RCGroups nickname to all the faces (folks) that showed up to fly yesterday? I bought Todds Li battery and flew it on my wing. I can finally keep up with Don's Slinger.
Dave

[Jim_Marconnet]

Hi Guys,
I met some new folks at the field yesterday, and now I'm wondering who all showed up to fly? Who can put an RCGroups nickname to all the faces (folks) that showed up to fly yesterday? Dave

I''ll take a whack at that memory challenge, and even include at least one plane what they flew!

Moonbeam Six - Frank - SS
Rocket Jim - Jim M. - HZ Firebird Commander II
atjurhs - Todd J. - SS & did not fly his mini combat wing
Miderror - Don - Slinger
Glidergider - David C.- Slinger
Mars Flyer - Rob S. - SS & did not fly his Easy Star
Ultralight - Jason T. - HZ Firebird Challenger
ken fidler - Ken F. - Slinger

[ghee-grose]

You remember names better than I do!!!!

[Ken Fidler]

Dave,
Great idea.

Jim,
Thank you for the chart.

For Ken no nickname, on rcgroups I go by Ken Fidler

Thanks

[Jim_Marconnet]

You remember names better than I do!!!!

I used data fusion techniques and keep editing the post using additional inputs till I get it right! :)

Jim

[ghee-grose]

Ok...ok... who got some deals on Hobby Lobby's sale today???

I got my share I believe.

[Mars Flyer]

There must have been some flying going on this afternoon in the great weather. I knocked off work early and went to Quality Drive at about 3 and flew the Gym Swallow, Tiger Moth 400 and Mini-IFO.

Rob

[atjurhs]

Quality Drive??? I thought that we got kicked out of that place. I flew at Oakwood this morning with Jim and his son Scott. Dave showed up to help me maiden my Mini-Wing. Let's just say she will get another maiden flight after I finish her rebuild work...

[dee-grose]

Ok Todd, where's the pics...you can't leave us hanging like that!

[Jim_Marconnet]

Ok...ok... who got some deals on Hobby Lobby's sale today???

Just in case anyone else had the same experience, I looked several different hours, and I simply couldn't decide under the 1 hour (or less if they ran out, which in several cases they did!) deadline pressure. I really like to hold something in my hand, push the buttons, and compare it with other similar stuff before buying. So I guess bargains are not likely for me.

I also wondered about the general and specific S&H expense, but I did not go find it. Yet, I know they were combining all the orders Friday to ship Monday to minimize S&H charges.

Instead after flying at Oakwood College (Beautiful place!) Scott and I went on over to Rick's to hang out a while. Expected to see more now-familiar faces than we did.

I got to see the new Firebird Freedom fly. IMHO it takes mucho guts to walk across Meridian St. and fly a brand new plane in front of multiple customers in the cotton field right next to the busy Meridian Street in such strong wind. Looks like if flies much better than the Commander II. I saw none of the scarry evil porpoising and/or death-spiral behaviour we've had to contend with. But it's a little bigger wingspan, 3-channels instead of 2, heavier, pushrods instead of pull-pull fishline, and flies even faster. Proabably a better pilot, too :cool: He sold 4 to one family. A good deal with the free extra battery pack on any Firebird deal. I was tempted, but I simply don't want any more throwaway radio gear. Or more NiMh batteries.

The gutsy guy who flew it suggested we look at the PZ Typhoon 3D, since it contains reusable radio equipment on 72 MHz. At about $230 with a brushless setup RTF (but not LiPos), I was a little tempted. But this is definitely NOT a SS! :D Would be interested to hear if anyone local has or has had one. It really looked rather good to me. Yes, they do carry Typhoon 3D replacement wings and fuselage. I'd probably need them! I wondered how good the brushless motor and radio gear was at that all-up price. Scott suggested we need to limit ourselves to 4 planes maximum at a time. Good advice! ;) Edit - I read since then that their servo gears may not last long unless you break in the initially stiff hinges on the control surfaces. That would be doable.
Typhoon 3D info: http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ4100

After seeing me and my son Scott fly the Commander II, Todd suggested we not buy any LiPos any time soon. :eek: Probably good advice, but I really don't want any more $$ sunk in the NiMh heavyweights. Perhaps wrap them in open-hole bubble-wrap for the inevitable D'OH!

I got tired, frustrated, and hungry before I could get info on the latest official promised ship date on the Spektrum DX6 radio or find anything cheap but not too stupid to use as a temporary radio substitute. Left for lunch intending to go back after, but did not do so. Maybe another day. But Meridian St. and Madison are worlds apart.

Hope your Thanksgiving and the day after were Great too.

[ChromeDome]

Here is a link to my safety story at Batteries and Chargers

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445647

My first symptoms were similar to this post from the old thread.
--- from the old thread ---
"Nov 19, 2005, 04:50 PM
Moonbeam Six

Rob,
Sounds like you and Jim had fun.............................................
I am having problems with range-related motor cut-offs. Once it gets beyond 100 feet or so, the motor cuts off. If high enough for something greater than a two-second glide, recycling the throttle will sometimes bring the motor back up. This is the second ESC I've tried, with the same result. Both are GWS LiPo friendly. I used two different batteries, and it cut out with both of them. The receiver is very close to the motor. Could that be the problem. I really don't have much of an option where it goes without counter balancing it. One guy on the Diddle Scale............................."

Frank, I had a similar happening and it turned out this was the first symptom of battery charger failure. The charger was cutting off too soon and battery voltage was low. The LiPo ESC was cutting off correctly on low voltage. Closing the throttle and opening it again would restart the motor until the voltage again dropped below 6v.

Regarding glitches, I usually fly in SE Huntsville on 40 and 47. 47 is usually very clean, but 40 is really glitchy. But it blips the throttle rather than shuts the motor off completely. Your problem sounds like low voltage from the battery.

[ghee-grose]

Just in case anyone else had the same experience, I looked several different hours, and I simply couldn't decide under the 1 hour (or less if they ran out, which in several cases they did!) deadline pressure. I really like to hold something in my hand, push the buttons, and compare it with other similar stuff before buying. So I guess bargains are not likely for me.


I know what you mean. We Grose boys have been known to analyze something and research it to death until a new model comes out then start the process over again. :p

I guess the more you read and hear about something, the more you become familiar with it. Then when the "spur of the moment" purchase time comes, you're prepared to drop the dollar and feel good about it. Keep up with RC Groups and the seasoned guys on our forums like GliderGider, Miderror, and JonStone and you will learn the hardware fast. The best place to learn about the stuff is at our flying sessions. It's been said that the conversation is as good as the flying! :cool: And Rick is a great source of knowledge too... he's been doing this stuff for YEARS!!!

Gary

[Jim_Marconnet]

Here is a link to my safety story at Batteries and Chargers ...
.... Your problem sounds like low voltage from the battery.

Thanks for sharing about the charger failure, what happened, great scary photos, and what to look for in use.

Sounds like the very simplest and cheapest answer would be to hook a DVM (Digital Voltmeter) to the charging circuit and monitor the voltage during and after a charge. If you keep track of the constant voltage during that part of the charge cycle, the final voltage, and then the voltage after charging (I've read wait a half hour or so for the voltage to settle), then you'd know probably everything of possible interest. If something changes significantly, then you know the cells or charger could be changing.

Also there is a known voltage by cell type (Edit - 4.235V/cell maximum charge voltage, and 100% full when they reach 4.2V see: http://www.fmadirect.com/tech_data/techdocs/ LiPo Handbook section 3) above which it's probably detrimental to charge the LiPos. If you watched out for exceeding that, then you could probably shut the charger off manually and increase the life of your batteries.

Thanks again.

[ChromeDome]

[QUOTE=rocket_jim]After seeing me and my son Scott fly the Commander II, Todd suggested we not buy any LiPos any time soon. :eek: Probably good advice, but I really don't want any more $$ sunk in the NiMh heavyweights. Perhaps wrap them in open-hole bubble-wrap for the inevitable D'OH! QUOTE]

Jim, I found that my foamies got a lot stronger and more crash resistant after I switched to the much lighter LiPos. As I'm sure you know, momentum energy is m x v^2. The lighter plane has less mass on impact and hopefully is also flying slower. A wrap of meat tray foam will protect the cells very well.

[Jim_Marconnet]

... A wrap of meat tray foam will protect the cells very well.

Thanks for this inexpensive and light-weight suggestion.

Is the battery likely to overheat if so-insulated?

[nuevo]

I got to see the new Firebird Freedom fly. IMHO it takes mucho guts to walk across Meridian St. and fly a brand new plane in front of multiple customers in the cotton field right next to the busy Meridian Street in such strong wind. Looks like if flies much better than the Commander II. I saw none of the scarry evil porpoising and/or death-spiral behaviour we've had to contend with.

The gutsy guy who flew it suggested we look at the PZ Typhoon 3D, since it contains reusable radio equipment on 72 MHz.


The guy you saw fly is probably Eric. He's a great guy and a great pilot. I often tell my father-in-law that Eric is the best "salesman" they have. All he has to do is go outside and fly something, and I want it. :o

[ghee-grose]

Yup, probably was Eric. He goes by "remax" on RC Groups. He sure married "up"... he's Rick's son-in-law. :D

[nitro125]

wheres a good spot to do some night flying in huntsivlle or around hazel greed or meridianville because i live in hazel green

[nitro125]

i have a flatana that i want to fly by the way

[SYAWLA INVERTED]

Yep, that Was Eric yesterday on the Typhoon. I also flew it yesterday. It is a nice flying plane. I will probably add that to my Christmas list this year.

[ChromeDome]

It was great meeting and flying with you guys this morning, despite the cold.

Frank, You asked about a swollen LiPo. Here is a link to Batteries and Chargers where a thread is going on the subject. See an earlier post of mine for a really swollen LiPo.

Link to swelled LiPo (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=446748)

[GLIDERGIDER]

It was great meeting and flying with you guys this morning, despite the cold.

Frank, You asked about a swollen LiPo. Here is a link to Batteries and Chargers where a thread is going on the subject. See an earlier post of mine for a really swollen LiPo.

Link to swelled LiPo (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=446748)

Hey Chromedome,
Nice little pipercub you have there. An oldie but goodie.
Dave

[nuevo]

I had a great time hanging out today. Can't believe the hour went by that fast. Rob, thank you for letting me fly your plane. I was pleasantly surprised how well it flew.

I mentioned I used to fly a foamie. Here is a depron Ultimate that I and my 11 year old son built. Mine is the red/purple. His green/aqua. They could do anything in the book, except hover. Not enough power on the brushed motor.

Also, for inspiration to future foamie builders, here's a photo of an ME-109 my father-in-law built. He built it totally from scratch. Not aerobatic as Gary's warbird, but is a good flyer.

[nuevo]

Oops. Here's another photo I dug up after painting was done.

[dee-grose]

Jon, what is that ME109 made of? Foam? The wing looks like it has a nice airfoil to it.

[nuevo]

made of 1" blue foam. He hot-wire cut the airfoil. I think it was E-205 for the wings. The detail work (mostly a sharpie & airbrush) amazes me.

[Moonbeam Six]

Nitro125,

Find a Lowe's parking lot late in the evening. Very few cars, and they are near the doors. That leaves a lot of open space, punctuated by only light poles and shopping cart stalls. I put half an hour or more one evening in the Lowe's parking lot in Athens. I guess most any parking lot would do, but I know that Lowe's has high poles that aren't too close together. Of course I was flying my 9-ounce GymSwallow that flys very slowly. I wouldn't want to fly anything much larger or much faster in the parking lot at night.

Frank

[dee-grose]

Just thought I'd pass along the news that the RAM2 altimeters are on sale for the next few days. I've really wanted to get one of these for a while...now might be the time. Go to www.soaringcircuits.com to check it out.

Anybody here have any experience with these or similar devices?

Andy

[atjurhs]

In the rocketry world we like to use the MAWD by PerfectFlight

www.perfectflite.com/catalog/MAWD.html

It's small, light weight, hooks up to your computer via a serial port, about $90, records data at a 20Hz rate, and can be programmed to execute two electronic output events (tailored for rocketry, but they don't have to be). After years of playing with many many different altimeters in the rocketry world, this is the only altimeter that the local rocketry club HARA will endorse.

[Mars Flyer]

Andy,

I read a post a while back about using a cheap Wal-Mart watch with an altimeter. Apparently there are some which hold the highest altitude reached. Not as elegant as those electonic widgets but would at least tell you your max altitude - for cheap.

Rob

[Jim_Marconnet]

Andy,

I read a post a while back about using a cheap Wal-Mart watch with an altimeter. Apparently there are some which hold the highest altitude reached. Not as elegant as those electonic widgets but would at least tell you your max altitude - for cheap.

Rob

I did not look at it closely, but at R/C Hobies I saw a rocket with an altimeter of some sort to record the altitude reached, well DuH!