Aussie Shops - the good ones [Archive]

ozace

Dec 14, 2005, 10:40 PM

I think it might be nice to have a list of shops we use locally.

Addies Hobbies , Seaford Victoria. Good honest walk in store (planes)

Model Flight, SA. Most of my local purchases come form there

Wattuprc.com.au. All the trex heli stuff, good to deal with.

Perthrc.com.au . Brian has a good collection of stuff, both helis and plane.

http://www.nqrc.com/ - for gws mainly :)

mhale71

Dec 14, 2005, 11:02 PM

kellets hobbies

precision aerobatics (appointment only)

really, thats all the good ones for sydney...

mike

Miraj

Dec 15, 2005, 01:15 AM

Online shop: http://www.rc-sailplane.com.au ( the best )

olmod

Dec 15, 2005, 10:23 AM

Saturn hobbies upstairs 17 ardena court east bentleigh vic 3165
9579 7555 email saturn@tig.com.au :)
He stocks these also.http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4741718&postcount=1

Desert flier

Dec 15, 2005, 05:13 PM

HStore has a great new web site I have not bought from them but there prices are about the same as model flight and i live is SA

salisbug

Dec 15, 2005, 05:18 PM

Best I have dealt with.

Tiny shop, huge range. Sometimes its hard to walk in there is so much stock.

http://www.rojshobbies.com/home.html

Cheap too

Glenn

MegaDoomer

Dec 15, 2005, 05:24 PM

Take no note of the prices on the websitre they are wrong :)
http://www.hobbynet.com.au/budgethobbies/

Budget hobbies shop at 145 Redland Bay Road, CAPALABA QUEENSLAND 4157.
Say Karl sent ya :P

Cheapest stuff in brisbane and they will order just about anything you can find on the net :)

CustomPC

Dec 15, 2005, 06:52 PM

North Coast Hobby Centre (http://www.hobbycentretoyworld.com.au) have the best local prices i have found for Futaba gear.

Other's that I have used:
HStore,
Modelflight,
PerthRC,
Roj's
Kelletts,
Wings'N'Things

nator_au

Dec 15, 2005, 07:03 PM

HStore are OK, if you know what you are looking for, but i have found that a personal visit to the store leaves me frustrated, and annoyed.

Why do people insist on employing useless arrogant staff?

My LHS is: www.extremehobbies.com.au
Their website isnt great, but a trip to their shop is worth it for advice and friendly people.

mhale71

Dec 15, 2005, 07:19 PM

kellets and hstore is good, $6 for postage for a 40 size plane from hstore, i do not favor wingsnthings. prices are kinda what the hell, and most of the people that work there are....

mike

Numb Thumbs

Dec 16, 2005, 03:29 AM

I'll put in another vote of confidence in Roj's Hobbies!

Cheers

Numb Thumbs :cool:

pldaniels

Dec 16, 2005, 03:40 AM

Can I mention http://www.nqrc.com

It's my shop :) (seriously).

pldaniels

Dec 16, 2005, 04:30 AM

I should point out that even though my shop is located in North QLD, we can get packages up to 3kg almost anywhere in Australia overnight via courier. Mostly we're a GWS stockist but we're also evaluating some BL motors and lipo batteries from other makers.

Paul.

ozace

Dec 16, 2005, 05:22 AM

Paul , i like your attitude.
I'll add you to my list

pldaniels

Dec 16, 2005, 07:05 AM

Ozace,

Truth be told, this all started because I was tired of paying too much for a lot of gear. Trouble is that it's grown a bit bigger than I first though *whooops*. Oh well, nice thing is that I'm here from about 9am - midnight every day of the week, there's something to be said for having your shop/office/home in the one place.

Most of the time I'm in my workshop building something new or on the CAD designing a new plane... or wasting time on IRC chatting to the RCGroups people :)

Paul

woodsy

Dec 20, 2005, 11:07 PM

well theres me :) http://users.nex.net.au/users/rwood

and one of my fav's www.aircraft-world.com

joel231

Dec 21, 2005, 02:24 AM

Discount Hobby Supplies - http://www.discounthobbies.com.au
Ace RC Models - http://www.acercmodels.com/

Perth RC is also great i buy alot of my stuff from them. http://www.perthrc.com.au

All these shops are in Perth.

Cheers Joel

Mark in Aus

Dec 22, 2005, 08:38 AM

All located in Victoria
Addies Hobbies is my closest LHS..Has everything .Usually cheaper than anywhere online. Opposite Carrum Station. Electric and Glo

For some very serious toys , Dave is the Guy to see..Located in Wantirna.
Electric Flight high performance Equipment.
http://www.airstrike.com.au/DavesToys.htm

Dedicated purely to electric flight.....Mordialoc area
http://www.easyelectricflight.com/

Camberwell Area...Good range of cheaper brand gear
All electric
http://ozhobby.com/

Cheltnham area. EPP to Go.
Aussie manufacturer of EPP planes
such as the Redback
http://rc-sailplanes.dezzanet.com.au/

Rowville area. Aussie Manufacturer of Brushless motors and Kits
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~mkbuck/

Okisub

Dec 27, 2005, 11:07 PM

Mark in Aus

Dec 27, 2005, 11:24 PM

My best Aussie hobby shopping experience so far has been with www.wattsuprc.com.au
Goods arrived the day after payment, everything was well packed and they even threw in a couple little extras for nothing :D How can you beat that?

Yep they are great, Best service I have found for Align gear.
Like you say, next day delivery guaranteed....Awesome.

They would be even more awesome if they sold the other leading brands aswell.

Yet to find an Online store that sells all the good stuff.

pldaniels

Dec 27, 2005, 11:34 PM

Mark,

Not surprised you're finding it hard to find a place with everything. Most online stores don't have a huge amount of start-up capital and typically avoid being a bricks-mortar place. A lot of them tend to expand as opportunities present themselves with new vendors. Lastly, it's often hard to convince other vendors that you're worthy to be part of their distributor network, especially when there's a large distributor already located in your country (ModelEngines of Australia tends to become /exclusive/ distributors for almost everything before you even get a chance).

That said, for now I'm happy being a GWS distributor and sampling other brands as they come up.

Incidently, GWS is bringing out their Brushless outrunner + 15A ESC next month... got a box of 20 coming :)

Paul.
Paul.

Mark in Aus

Dec 28, 2005, 04:30 AM

Paul

Yes I have heard about how hard it is to get vendors to take on another distributor. :(

I have been following the Katana Mini thread on here since part 3 and the gear that is available to the rest of the world is awesome. Sure we could buy it from O/S but I'd much prefer to buy from an Aussie Distributor any day , even if it means waiting till somebody takes it on. ;)
Some of the stuff is available here but you have to look hard for it and Model Engines don't even carry it.
Perth RC has a good range of hacker equipment which seems popular everywhere else but here but that maybe more due to availability. Model flight have an OK range but they seem to sell their preferred brands and stock.
:confused:
GWS look like bringing out some of their models in Helmet foam which would be an improvement and are soon to release the Brush less A10 and from what I have read is bigger than the Original.
At least we will be able to get those. :D
Would like to know who is going to import and distribute the new Himaxx Out runners.
Eflypower has them but as I understand it is no longer situated in Aus.
LiPos are another thing that we have Limited access to but things seem to be changing there with a few vendors selling the PolyQuest and Hyperion packs

When I first went strictly electric flight nearly 4 years ago now it was almost impossible to get the high end stuff here. :confused:
I remember even on EBay there would be 2 or 3 pages of RC planes....but now I have seen as many as 14. Although most are cheap toys being passed off as Radio Control as we know it but just shows how popular it has become.

It's all good and so many new things to look forward to...
Gawd I love this hobby :D

pldaniels

Dec 28, 2005, 04:50 AM

Mark,

It'll be good to see the GWS A10 in brushless form... that'll be a hoot. Likewise the B2 (though it desperately does need some more vertical fin area). As for lipos, I'm currently working with a factory direct in China who makes the cells for a lot of the other 'brandname' packs. Right now I'm putting their 2S2200 12C packs through a torture test but really need to find some other platforms to test them on (only got my Slipso400 pylon racer).

The inrunner brushless motor scene is rather interesting at the moment because I just ordered 4 inrunners (2 each of B20-40-15L and B20-40-18L) and quite honestly it's hard to differ them from the Himaxx. Not sure what I'm going to do with these motors, probably just put them on eBay as a selloff at cost price or so.

I was going to start using this alternative supplier for my BL goods but now that GWS has come to the party (FINALLY) I'll probably stick with them for now.

I'll have a look up of those Katana-Mini things you're referring to, mostly I tend to buy or seek out what I'm looking to use for my own projects, or what my customers demand :D

Thanks.

RussellK

Dec 28, 2005, 08:10 AM

Paul
Would like to know who is going to import and distribute the new Himaxx Out runners.

I'm under the impression that Himax motors are sold in Oz as Himark (in a different colour), and I think Model Engines is the distributor (could be wrong, but it's one of the big ones). As for whether they take on the new motors is anyone's guess - most of the local hobby shops around my neck of the woods are utterly cluless about brushless motors, demonstrated by the random range of motors that they have on the shelf. For example, the Himax 2025-4200 seems to be a very popular choice for geared setups in GWS planes, but very few shops bother to stock them.

Mark in Aus

Dec 28, 2005, 07:17 PM

Mark,

I'll have a look up of those Katana-Mini things you're referring to, mostly I tend to buy or seek out what I'm looking to use for my own projects, or what my customers demand :D

Thanks.

She's one awesome Aussie Made 3D/ pattern model made by
http://www.precisionaerobatics.com

Mark in Aus

Dec 28, 2005, 07:22 PM

I'm under the impression that Himax motors are sold in Oz as Himark (in a different colour), and I think Model Engines is the distributor (could be wrong, but it's one of the big ones). As for whether they take on the new motors is anyone's guess - most of the local hobby shops around my neck of the woods are utterly cluless about brushless motors, demonstrated by the random range of motors that they have on the shelf. For example, the Himax 2025-4200 seems to be a very popular choice for geared setups in GWS planes, but very few shops bother to stock them.

Well that's what I thought also but have asked that question a few times and been told they aren't the same....don't know what to think anymore.
Have noticed the specs differ thought so maybe they aren't the same.

Have heard rumors at my LHS that Model Engines will be getting the new Himaxx out runners but that could be just another mix up with the Himark/Himaxx thing.

Mark

RussellK

Dec 28, 2005, 07:46 PM

Well that's what I thought also but have asked that question a few times and been told they aren't the same....don't know what to think anymore.
Have noticed the specs differ thought so maybe they aren't the same.
Mark

I got a Himax 2025-4200 from Eflypower, then after it suffered an unplanned interaction with the ground, I got Himark from my LHS to replace it (had to order it of course, but they did the $7 overnight satchel from Model Engines).

They looked identical, except for the colour of the anodising - either it's from the same factory and supplied throught another channel, or it's a very accurate copy. The suspicious thing is that they seem to be sold in Oz for quite a decent price (~$65) which is close to what you pay for the Himax from OS, so perhaps it is a cheap knock-off.

joel231

Dec 28, 2005, 10:38 PM

Stuntman

Dec 29, 2005, 03:06 AM

There are a number of manufacturers in China producing these motors, and many single manufactureres producing the same motor under more than one brand name. Some of them are quite good, some not quite so. They all look the same, except for anodising and maybe machined in cooling rings but there are some differences. Quality of the materials used varies greatly, everything from the matreial used in the shaft, to the glue and method used to hold on the end bells to the wires in the windings and magnets. One point worth noting is that the genuine Himax motors have a ring of PCB or similar just under the front face plate to prevent you screwing the mounting screws into the windings. A lot of the others do not have this feature.

cheers, Shawn

Mark in Aus

Dec 29, 2005, 03:11 AM

Send some to me, ill be happy to stress test them out for you... :P

Cheers Joel

Some mates of mine tested some samples from Ozhobby.
They gave then a Hiding literally....one ended up like a banana :rolleyes:

They also handled 27-30 amps no worries and came out almost stone cold
needless to say they could have taken a bit more.

Ozhobby has more samples on offer at the moment but at a cost this time. :confused:

Mark in Aus

Dec 29, 2005, 03:21 AM

Well ,Well what do you know...Looky what I found at long last
http://www.chinahimark.com/motor/brushless_e.htm Be patient, The pages load
very slowly.

Been searching for months now looking for a Himark manufacturer site or O/S distributor.

Hmmm Don't see my HiMark C28-12-20 outrunner listed there though

pldaniels

Dec 29, 2005, 03:33 AM

Okay people .... I've got two of these 2S2200 12C packs with a 'deans' type connector for testing..... question is, who to select for testing them, could be a bit of a fight in here if I just drop them into the channel. Any ideas?

Astute surfers and shoppers will recognise the battery pack style very quickly as being one used by another leading upcoming brand.

http://www.pldaniels.com/flying/albums/PDAP-01/mpic00134.jpg

pldaniels

Dec 29, 2005, 03:34 AM

Oh yes, I should point out that the RED pack is the 2S2200 12C lipo pack. The black pack is a 7 cell 2/3AA pack used for comparison (came out of my Slipso 400 pylon racer).

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Dec 29, 2005, 03:45 AM

HMMmm....I have a couple of setups that could do with a pack like that.

I guess who ever has the Ideal setup that would push the limits a bit would be a good candidate

Mark in Aus

Dec 29, 2005, 03:51 AM

That red pack looks just like my Wanma packs ... 3s2000mah 10c I ballooned one pack drawing 17amps but that was mainly flying full throttle for about 3 minutes.

Oh I should mention that ballooned Wanma is still going strong...It returned to it's former shape after it had cooled.

pldaniels

Dec 29, 2005, 04:17 AM

Mark,

These packs should cope fine at 17A, they should push out to 26A continuous and 30A for a short while.

PM me your address details and I'll send you down a pack via AusPost.

That'll leave 1 pack for someone else to test.

I don't really want to test the packs to the limit of death, rather I'm just wanting to ensure they survive their stated ratings (ie, 12C). The Slipso400 only draws about 15A max, I could upgrade to a brushless motor but I'd probably still only draw that much.

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Dec 29, 2005, 04:47 AM

Thanks Paul, Great stuff...I have sent you a PM

Mark

Stuntman

Dec 29, 2005, 05:31 AM

Paul,

I'll test one in a brushless pylon plane if you like. Motored and propped for a 12C draw
cheers, Shawn

pldaniels

Dec 29, 2005, 05:40 AM

Shawn,

Okay, send me your address via PM.... well, that settles it then, both batteries are gone.

Paul.

becsta

Dec 29, 2005, 07:03 PM

damn! I was too late! I need a 2S lipo pack (or NIMH/NiCads) for my EasyGlider.

Oh well, maybe next time!

:)

pldaniels

Dec 29, 2005, 08:09 PM

Just got back from flying my Slipso400 with the 2S2200 pack, very happy with it. The pack barely got warm (you had to touch it and think "Is this warm?"), got more than double the flight time, such to the point where I was thinking "Okay, I want to put this down now".

I'm using a GWS 400 motor with an APC 4.75 x 4.75 prop. I don't know what speed I was doing but it definately held up from the start right up to the 'drop off' without a noticable slowdown (unlike the NiMH pack).

I'd have to say that despite the lower pack voltage (7.4V nominal rather than 8.4V nominal of the NiMH pack) the lipo exceeded the NiMH pack in performance, I'll put this down to the lipo having lower internal-resistance.

All in all, I'm a happy camper - just waiting now to see how many mA I used up (charging on my Swallow charger).

Paul.

pldaniels

Dec 29, 2005, 08:11 PM

damn! I was too late! I need a 2S lipo pack (or NIMH/NiCads) for my EasyGlider.

Oh well, maybe next time!

:)

Ag, sorry about that Becsta :( 2 testing packs was my limit (since I'm already also testing two of my own here). Maybe the price I put them up on the shop will be low enough to tempt your wallet :D

Paul.

pldaniels

Dec 29, 2005, 08:32 PM

Okay, I've put the packs on the shop site now. http://www.pldaniels.com/rcshop/frame.php?page=products&catagory=batteries

Hope you guys think that the price is reasonable.

Paul.

joel231

Dec 29, 2005, 11:46 PM

hrmm well if you have any big 5s packs that need some stress testing my mate has a a super chipmuck that he has just put i nice sized out runner in it. Has plenty of oomph on the kokam pack he got for it.

Paul - Whats the dimensions of this pack here (http://www.pldaniels.com/rcshop/images/RSLI3S220010C.jpg) as it looks the perfect size for my chopper and mini katana.

Cheers Joel

pldaniels

Dec 30, 2005, 03:52 AM

Joel,

Those packs are 74 x 42 x 30mm and weigh 156g. They're 3S2200 @ 10C.

As for 5S packs, can't help you there.... that's a lot of investment, wouldn't want to have to buy 20 of those packs at once *ouch* :)

Paul

pldaniels

Dec 30, 2005, 03:55 AM

Mark, Stuntman,

Slightly bad news, despite your packs both being packed and ready to go, it would seem that Australia-Post took a holiday today :( Looks like it'll be late next week before you get your hands on them lipos.

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Dec 30, 2005, 05:37 AM

That's OK Paul ,my wife gave me the bad news as well after placing an order online.
it comes when it comes. :D

Just a thought on those packs Joel , I recently read that a manufacturer is going to make single cell packs that connect to a harness and have a charge port so you can ballance and charge them in series..how good would that be?
You can configure your own packs at the field from 2 to 5 cells safely.

pldaniels

Dec 30, 2005, 05:54 AM

The cell harness method is definately a very good idea. Ideally you should parallel charge your cells so that they all "sync" to the same voltage.

You can make your own harness boards as well if you have PCB etching skills.

Paul.

Stuntman

Dec 30, 2005, 07:53 AM

No worries Paul, they'll get here when they get here.

cheers, Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 02, 2006, 06:42 PM

Mark in Aus

Jan 03, 2006, 04:17 AM

Aaaaaaaaruuuugh, back to work everyone *sigh* Where did those holidays go?

Shawn, Mark, packs will go out today (finally). Going to be a busy day for me, a lot of orders piled up over the long weekend.

Paul.

No worries Paul..

Good to see the orders pile up, good sign your onto a good thing.

Mark

pldaniels

Jan 03, 2006, 05:32 AM

Better news yet Mark and Shawn, both you packs went out today :) Start hounding the Postman :D If all goes -well- you might have them for the weekend but don't expect miracles.

Paul.

pldaniels

Jan 06, 2006, 03:25 AM

Mark, Stuntman, you gentlemen got your packs yet?

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Jan 06, 2006, 03:41 AM

Mark, Stuntman, you gentlemen got your packs yet?

Paul.

No it didn't, wasn't counting on it but kind of surprised it didn't.
Aus post are usually pretty quick.

Not to worry, more than likely it'll be here Monday.

Mark

Stuntman

Jan 06, 2006, 05:46 AM

Nope, I thought it would have been here, but I guess the Christmas backlog is probably slowing things a little. Looks like a :censored: weekend for flying here anyway :(

cheers, Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 06, 2006, 06:06 AM

Shaun, Mark,

Bummer about that ---- I think that Friday public holiday and Monday really made a royal mess of my delivery schedules *mutter*.

On better news, I've got new goodies coming from GWS this month *yay* Naturally I can't resist buying stuff off myself and playing with it *sigh* (wife things I do this just so I can relive Christmas every month).

Paul.

Stuntman

Jan 06, 2006, 06:13 AM

Shaun, Mark,
Naturally I can't resist buying stuff off myself and playing with it *sigh* (wife things I do this just so I can relive Christmas every month).

Paul.

Me as well. :D I import a rnage of models like the one in my avatar - gotta have demonstrators :rolleyes:

Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 06, 2006, 06:27 AM

Shawn,

Absolutely! Actually aside from the selfish humor, you're right though. I really don't feel good about reselling stuff unless I've given it a go and checked things over for myself. Doesn't matter what brand it is, best to test if you can, unless someone's specifically asked you to bring it in.

Speaking of which also, what are your shipping costs like for bringing in models? I generally avoid getting models in because they have high volumetric weight costs associated with them ($100 worth of foam planes costs the same to ship as $2000 worth of receivers).

Paul.

Stuntman

Jan 06, 2006, 06:57 AM

Lots - depends on the number of course but its of the order of $450 euro + all the entry fees, GST, and transport costs once the models arrive in the country. I'll send you a PM

cheers, Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 06, 2006, 07:27 AM

Shawn,

Yes, imports can get expensive once you blow past that $1000 limit. A lot of times I'll take a higher penalty cost at the factory to ensure that I stay under that $1000 AU customs limit.

I actually found out about the $1000 limit by accident because I had to do an emergency "special" order from GWS and it just appeared on my doorstep a few days later (normally I get a customs slip, hand it to the clearance agency, etc etc)... very convenient.

Paul.

Stuntman

Jan 06, 2006, 08:47 AM

Yeah its good now. Wasn't all that long ago, that once you slipped past around $400 you were almost guarenteed to get hit with GST. Oh and by the way - there is no duty on model planes - just GST.

Go over $1000 though and it can get complicated (or is it higher now - I can't remember) as you have to do a formal entry - yuk if you don't know what all the things on the form mean.

It also depends somewhat on how the goods are shipped. Postal is ok, but freight fowarders can get messy if your not careful. For example they dump the goods at the airport/wharf and you have too (or get a customs broker too) organise transporting and getting it through customs, paying all the fee skimmers, etc, etc

Lots of traps if you don't do your research.

And as a quick item of interest - with postal from the US a limit of around 56" length is employed - over that and you have to use fedex or similar = $$. Out of interests sake 56" is generally ok for a glider with a 2 piece wing and a span of 2m - and you can usually get more than one model packed in the same box too

cheers, Shawn

crash carpenter

Jan 07, 2006, 10:36 PM

The South Australian Hobby Centre at 234 Pulteney street has new management and is starting to get their act together after many years. Give them a try as they will order in for customers. Their focus is on customer satisfaction and return business.

How do I know this? Well I got the job as new manager :-)

Cheers

Chris

pldaniels

Jan 07, 2006, 10:51 PM

Chris,

Welcome to the hobbystore business (perhaps this should be renamed as the channel were the hobbystore people meet :D ).

Best of luck with the business, certainly is rather cut-throat and agressive, particuarly with eBay going rampant these days.

What primary stock lines are you thinking of having? Maybe I'll have to swap some stock with you ;)

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Jan 08, 2006, 06:53 PM

Paul,

The Lipo has arrived and i will do some bench testing A.S.A.P.
We have had nothing but wind here for nearly 2 months now with the odd day being calm in the morning and blowing up in the arvo.. Today is going to be 36 deg here...but it's drizzling...LOL So I'M not sure when I'll get a chance to do some field testing.

The pack is a good size, Long and slim which would be perfect for most models.

pldaniels

Jan 09, 2006, 01:25 AM

Mark,

Yes, the profile actually is the same as a 7 cell 2/3AA pack (Intellect 1200's etc), which is really good. So you're managing to cram in nearly double the capacity for the same size and weight. Best of all, due to lipo's low internal-resistance you get a better run out of the pack as well.

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Jan 09, 2006, 03:25 AM

Paul,

Noticed this pack appears to have spacers separating the 2 cells.
Do you know if the 3 cell version has the same?
If the cells were inserted into a larger diameter heatshrink sleeve and the openings running longways it would help keep the pack cooler.

Just a thought

Mark.

pldaniels

Jan 09, 2006, 04:14 AM

Mark,

I wasn't aware that there were spacers on the 2S one, the 3S definately does though ( I have a picture of the 3S here somewhere ).

With the 3S they have run the heat-shrink as you suggested, width-ways to make the opening.

I suspect they figured that with the 2S, since both cells are exposed on one-side, it wasn't as "imperative".

Paul.

Stuntman

Jan 09, 2006, 05:36 PM

Hi Paul,

My pack arrived yesterday too. As per Marks comments, looks good and definetly the right shape.

I am hoping to put this pack on the logger sometime this week (got to borrow my mates logger) and run a few charts out for you

cheers, Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 09, 2006, 06:15 PM

Shawn,

Yes, definately the shape is an excellent feature. I had some other 2S packs that were either overly square or too thick and stumpy. I suspect the cells were specifically designed to match the profile of the 7-cell 2/3AA pack. I know from talking to the factory that they're more than willing to create any dimension cell you like, providing of course you buy enough :)

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Jan 09, 2006, 07:38 PM

Paul,
Just wondering what cost increase there would be if these 2cell packs had balancing taps. Would it make the cost of these packs still worth while?
It's just that I noticed the 3cell packs you sell have these taps. A handy feature.

Mark

pldaniels

Jan 09, 2006, 08:04 PM

Mark,

There were supposed to be taps on these packs but unfortunately there was a 'communications' issue between myself and the factory resulting in them leaving them off *doh*. Thankfully, with 2S, adding a tap isn't much of a problem (3 wires). Future batches will have taps, cost isn't a major change, perhaps $1~$2 AUD max.

Paul.

Capt_Christo

Jan 09, 2006, 09:43 PM

Hi Paul,

Pity you don't do boat stuff. You certainly have the right attitude

Cheers

pldaniels

Jan 09, 2006, 10:18 PM

Mr Capt_Christo,

I've actually had a few boaters buying stuff from the store, especially the GWS transmitters since they're quite low cost and fairly rugged, so they tend to cope with bad weather/handling.

What other gear were you thinking of? Decking? building supplies?

Paul.

Mavrik

Jan 10, 2006, 05:27 PM

I have a Tsunami 30 ESC from (US) Warbirds-rc.com. I need to get the program cable. Any one got one or know if an Auzzie store has one ????

Chris

woodsy

Jan 10, 2006, 08:51 PM

Give me a day or so, i'll check with a guy i know that sells the tsunami ESC's localy

Desert flier

Jan 11, 2006, 04:06 AM

Hi I have just majorly stacked my thunder tiger super decathlon does anyone in oz sell then and how mutch ?
thanks
PS pics are on best crash pics

Stuntman

Jan 11, 2006, 04:22 AM

Try Kellets hobbies in Sydney. They are the Thunder tiger importer so, if anyone, they should be able to help you out.

cheers, Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 11, 2006, 10:08 PM

Mark, Stuntman,

How goes the lipo explosions?

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Jan 15, 2006, 07:59 PM

Mark, Stuntman,

How goes the lipo explosions?

Paul.

Paul ,
So far no explosions..LOL.. I have tested on this setup to see how much it's going to draw.. 25 amps WOT with a 2200kv brushless on an APC 8x4.
First top up charge took 871mah on the swallow. Just got to get down to the field and put it through it's paces to see how the pack holds up with some WOT bursts. With the setup I'm using , backing slightly off WOT brings the Amp draw down to the 22Amp area which will be good for the test.
I hope to Put the Hyperion Emeter on board to get some in flight readings.

More to come

Mark

pldaniels

Jan 15, 2006, 08:13 PM

Mark,

Looking forward to it. Since the packs are rated at 12C they should be fine to go with 25A draw (26.4A max constant). I'm still only drawing 15A from mine with my brushed-400 setup. Trouble is that I can't fly for too long because the thing is just too small. To that, I'm actually planning on creating another Slipso plane, this time with a larger wingspan and slightly longer fuse but the same motor setup.

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Jan 15, 2006, 08:31 PM

Slipso.??....hmmmm ,do you have any pics..?

Mark

pldaniels

Jan 15, 2006, 08:45 PM

Stuntman

Jan 15, 2006, 09:26 PM

Just ran a few "bedding in runs" on the weekend at around 13-15amps. It was overcast with a low base here most of the weekend, so any flying of small fast things was out for me. I am going to run some 4C (about 8amp) tests on the CBA this week and can compare directly to some other cells out there at this level.

Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 15, 2006, 09:48 PM

Shawn,

Similar weather here over the weekend, definately a risk when flying things that are small and fast. Several times I've completely lost orientation of the slipso and have just had to "wait" until I could get a re-lock on it again (lucky me I wasn't heading for terra-firma too quickly at the time).

By the way, what's the plane that's in your avitar again? I'm planning on pushing the Slipso out to something somewhat similar (though with a traditional tail, not V).

Paul.

Stuntman

Jan 15, 2006, 10:50 PM

The plane is a monny or Mibo flash MkII. This one rests in peace after a cell in the RX pack decided to cark it. (the very weekend after I put the absolute in too - I was just about ready to discuss launch the TX). Its a lot bigger than the sokol or slipso at 1.65m span.

I find that they are hardest to fly in heavy broken cloud (more than 50% cover), the little things appear and dissapear so quick its not funny. I should also mention that there have been times when I had a lot of trouble seeing a 4m span scale glider in those conditions too :eek:

Taking the span to say 40" makes a big difference in seeability. If your looking for the next size up, I'd be thinking along those lines for span.

cheers, Shawn

pldaniels

Jan 15, 2006, 11:05 PM

Shawn,

I agree, that is where I was going to head for the span, seems to be a good balance between visability and keeping the weight managable (for a sp400 racing situation). I have found that the 2S2200 pack really matches nicely with this setup (in the Slipso400, incidently, it's about 700mm span), I definately get bored after 8 minutes of going left-left-left-left. I don't like doing anything else because of its low-visibility especially things like loops which have a bad habit of being crimped when I'm flying in 15km/hr winds. I originally built the slipso because I neede something to fly in these winds which plague this town.

Paul.

Mark in Aus

Jan 16, 2006, 07:09 AM

Mark,

Slipso400 --- the actual build albums are at

http://www.pldaniels.com/flying/va.php?dir=albums/slipso400-002

http://www.pldaniels.com/flying/va.php?dir=albums/slipso400-003

http://www.pldaniels.com/flying/albums/slipso400-002/mpic00074.jpg

Thanks for the Pics Paul....the Slipso is now on my scratch build List much to my wife's disgust (It would be leathal with a 2200-3000kv brushless)....It's a pretty long list in no particular order.

Well I had a chance to try and torture the 2S2200 LiPo this evening.
First flight was full of 30-50 second bursts of full throttle. The motor became loose after about 5 minutes so I brought it down to fix the problem.
Took the opportunity to check the pack for heat. Barely even warm , had to hold it for a while to feel any warmth in it at all.
I was pretty happy with that so Up it went again.
This time No bursts.. It was constant wide open throttle from then on.
Kept it going for almost 12 minutes then the BEC cut in.
Brought the ME163c in and inspected the pack. Only slightly warmer than the first check. No where near what I'd call hot.
About as warm as a NiMH pack just charged on the Swallow at 1C would be the best example of how warm it got.

Testing results were:
2S 2200mah 12C LiPo
113grams with leads and Deans Type connector
Drawing 25.64 amps (In Flight Reading)
At full charge 8.42volts
Under load WOT 7.36volts
Voltage reading after Flight/BEC cut off was 6.72 volts
Motor used , Align 400LF 2200kv
ESC Hyperion HI-Pro Titan 30
APC 8x4E prop
Tested using Hyperion Emeter.

Will try to torture this pack more soon with a bigger prop drawing around 31 amps. Should get it pretty warm then and give me some idea of it's Limits.
We'll see how it goes.

Oh yeah, All up pretty Impressed as this pack can do what it claims unlike a lot of cheap packs out there that don't even come close to their labeled specs

Mark

pldaniels

Jan 16, 2006, 07:51 AM

Thanks for the Pics Paul....the Slipso is now on my scratch build List much to my wife's disgust (It would be leathal with a 2200-3000kv brushless)....It's a pretty long list in no particular order.

....

Mark

Mark (and everyone else) .... so that we don't persist in infecting the true purpose of this thread, I've started a new thread for general discussions around here -

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465722

I've responded to this message in that thread.

mhale71

Jan 19, 2006, 03:19 AM

www.castlehillhobbies.com.au in sydney

i went in there today, its a very good store that had jsut what i need and the guy there is very friendly and very very... knows what hes talking about...

also theres a 14mz in the glass cabnet which is coooool....

mike

pldaniels

Jan 19, 2006, 03:26 AM

14MZ ... first time I saw then I thought someone had done a photoshop job on another transmitter to make it 'bling bling'. I was shocked when I found it was actually "for real".

Paul.

joel231

Jan 19, 2006, 04:20 AM

yeah the 14mz would be cool. apart from the price.....

Cheers Joel

GreyMan

Jan 20, 2006, 05:07 AM

I am new to this hobby, so I have been checking out as many of the Sydney stores as possible. I went into Hstore the other day with my wallet in my hand ready to spend some cash, I walked out 15 minutes later empty handed, frustrated and angry. The store seems great but the staff need some serious people skills and sales training.
I teach sales for a living and I have not felt as unwelcome in a retail outlet in years.

The store has a great range of products and prices though.
Sorry for the rant.