Hello Guys, Expecting my new (used) Xplorer 3.5 ST to arrive tommorow. What battery size/ type do you recommend, has all MKS servos in it and a Airtronics 10 Channel receiver (2,.4). I have a JR 9303 2.4 radio, so I guess its buy a receiver (JR 9300/ Or spectrum AR-8000) and use my radio, or purchase an SD-10G Transmitter?? Does anyone have a set up available. Its been about 9 years since I flew competition TD contests.(flying turbine jets for past 6 yrs. I miss thermal flying and slope flying, so I'm gettng back into it with the Xplorer for TD and I still have my slope ships. Thanks for any suggestions! Jack.

Originally Posted by Jackspt28

Hello Guys, Expecting my new (used) Xplorer 3.5 ST to arrive tommorow. What battery size/ type do you recommend, has all MKS servos in it and a Airtronics 10 Channel receiver (2,.4). I have a JR 9303 2.4 radio, so I guess its buy a receiver (JR 9300/ Or spectrum AR-8000) and use my radio, or purchase an SD-10G Transmitter?? Does anyone have a set up available. Its been about 9 years since I flew competition TD contests.(flying turbine jets for past 6 yrs. I miss thermal flying and slope flying, so I'm gettng back into it with the Xplorer for TD and I still have my slope ships. Thanks for any suggestions! Jack.

Jack,

There has been an ongoing debate about the use of an unregulated LiFe pack with the MKS servos. Some are running a LiFe pack unregulated without problem and some have had issues with the servos burning up. There is no doubt that the MKS servos perform very well, have a super tight gear train, and are reliable. My two FS4's all are equipped with MKS gear and I have had no issues. That being said, I run a 4 cell NiMh pack in both planes. If you insist on the LiFe pack, I would regulate it at the very least.

Good luck, sounds like a very nice airframe.

Best Regards,

Brandon

I have 4 planes using MKS servos, 6125, 6125h and a few 450's.
Some close to two years all on 4cell nimh 1500mah packs and no issues to date.
I just bought 6 of the MKS regs to go in my Sharon 4.2E, will run a LiFe 2300 pack in it.

You might consider adding individual MKS regulators to each MKS servo and powering the 2.4 GHz RX and non-MKS servos directly from the LiFe battery. The MKS site has the regulators available. I have several of the regulators but haven't installed them yet in an airplane. Tested one on the bench and it regulated to 4.9V with inputs between 7.0V and 5.0V.

lc

What radio are you flying?
Jody

Jr 9303 2.4 thanks

I run 4 cell 2/3 A 1500 Elite packs in all my Explorer's (also equipped with MKS servos). Works great. If you're in the market for a new radio, the SD 10G is a step up from the 9303.

Tom

Thanks Tom, how is California? Used to fly with ,bill miller tony m and terry L and mike L in ESL about 9 years ago, thanks jack G

Tom ,What pack configuration for the 1500 elite batts in the 3.5 xplorer?

Jack,

I use a 3+1 pack configuration (lll-).

California is pretty nice- you can fly all year round!
I miss the green of the East Coast but the weather here is fantastic.

Tom

Jack

Use the pack Thomas is recommending. I am just finishing up a 4.0m xplorer and it is using a 4 cell pack. In the old box shape. It doesn't fit in the nose very well. So I'm guessing I will have to add just a tad more nose weight with the pack sitting back so far.

Joe

Originally Posted by Kiesling

I run 4 cell 2/3 A 1500 Elite packs in all my Explorer's (also equipped with MKS servos). Works great. If you're in the market for a new radio, the SD 10G is a step up from the 9303.

Tom

I want to jump in slightly off topic.

I'm setting up a 3M Viking2 with 4 x 6125 minis and 2 x 65Ks. Just wondering how much flight time your getting with the above mentioned 1500 pack? And how many/what MKS servos?

Thanks, Bill

I can't say that I have ever measured exactly how much flight time I get out of a charge. But I do know that I have flown on the order of 2 hours before charging. This under typical practice conditions - many launches and landings. For a long practice day, I'll charge half way through the day just to be safe.

This is with 2 6125's, 2 6125 minis, and 2 6125 H's.

Tom

FYI
I run 4x Eneloop AAs driving JRXG8 RX, 3 x 3421s, 3x JR362s.

Highly recommended. Going on 18 months of solid service. Always charged timidly @100mAh or up to 400mAh at the field for top-ups.

Chris.

Originally Posted by Flyextreme

I want to jump in slightly off topic.

I'm setting up a 3M Viking2 with 4 x 6125 minis and 2 x 65Ks. Just wondering how much flight time your getting with the above mentioned 1500 pack? And how many/what MKS servos?

Thanks, Bill

Bill as a rough rule of thumb I find I usually consume about 300-500 mah per hour with a 3m/6 digi mouldie flying at the slope.

Obviously you can bring it up or down depending on what you do and what your setup is. That being said i don't find the type/brand of servo makes a massive difference. Flying style makes a difference - constant maxed out flying uses more obviously.

I don't think with nickel batteries you really want to go too far below half charge (IMHO).

Per the advice above I don't find f3b flying uses too much battery. Although there is really no need to have flat batteries if you are winching as you have lead 12v batteries and chargers on site all the time.

I agree that something in the order of 2 hours is reasonable. Assuming no binding servos and such!