Newbie - Pleae HelpMe !! Trying To Fly My New Pico-Cub - Page 2

jerrysimon · Jan 08, 2001, 01:10 AM

It's a 6 volt Permax 400 motor as supplied with the kit. As I bought the optional gearbox I got an extra motor as well. Can always us it in my next plane (Twinstar I think ;-) )

Now you have me worried I have ordered only a 6 cell unit. Guess I can always add a 7th/8th cell.

At least this time my plane is still in one piece. I resisted the temptation to hand launch it as every other time I have done this it "broke"

Jerry

jerrysimon · Jan 08, 2001, 01:22 AM

Sorry meant to say the charger is a Pro-Peak 150 Delta Peak Fast Charger (again supplied by the shop). I have been charging off the car battery for about 20-25mins until the little red lights starts to flash (as per the instructions) to indicate that it's up to full charge.

Just to say the shop was not keen for me to start off electric and wanted me to go IC as that is what they seem to specialise in.

Jerry

hoppy · Jan 08, 2001, 01:34 AM

One other point....I see the temp in Eng is in the 30's. That will take some oooomph out of the battery power. More cells..or move South!!!
Great feeling to bring it home in one piece, isn't it!
GoodLuck
Hoppy

jerrysimon · Jan 08, 2001, 05:10 AM

This is turning into quite a saga! I have been taking pictures/notes all the way through the project since I started it just after Christmas. I hope to then put a few web pages up, just so that others may be able to learn from some of my mistakes/cock ups :-(

Jerry.

Itching to try those new batteries tonight.

kgascoigne · Jan 08, 2001, 12:25 PM

I think you need more cells. I fly mine on 7 x 500ar cells, but it goes better on 8 cells.Take it steady with the elavator until the 'plane has built up some airspeed. I was flying mine this year over in France and using thermals was getting flight times of more than 10 mins. 4.5 mins more normal on non thermal sorties. I did notice that the glide and flight charachteristics are much better when the CofG is spot on, to achieve this the TOP of fuselage should be horizontal when the plane is supported at the spar. Hope this helps, Kev.

jerrysimon · Jan 08, 2001, 05:06 PM

Well the batteries did not turn up (bloody UK post) :-( but I think kgascoigne is right.

Although the current 6 cell AA pack of nicads is sealed (wrapped up in shrink wrapped plastic) I rigged up another fully charged spare Nicad AA I had, in series from one of the connectors before connecting that to the motor. There was a noticable increase in motor/propeller speed and subsequent pull of the model. I tested the current being drawn at 6.5amps as apposed to the 5.25 amps before using only 6 cells.

So now I have another couple of questions :-)

1. As the motor is now being supplied with 8.4 volts, is the increase in voltage whats causes additional speed of the motor tunrning the propeller ?

2. Presumably this additional voltage and increase in motor speed means it is drawing more current and thus the batteries will run down quicker quicker ?, the voltage remaining constant until the batteries are almost exhausted.

I obviously realise that the ESC would kick in before this, switching off the motor before there is no charge left i.e. to make sure the servos could still be operated.

Jerry.

Mark Wood · Jan 08, 2001, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jerrysimon:
So now I have another couple of questions :-)

1. As the motor is now being supplied with 8.4 volts, is the increase in voltage whats causes additional speed of the motor tunrning the propeller ?

2. Presumably this additional voltage and increase in motor speed means it is drawing more current and thus the batteries will run down quicker quicker ?, the voltage remaining constant until the batteries are almost exhausted.

1) Yes

2) Also correct.

mw

kgascoigne · Jan 09, 2001, 12:36 PM

The batteries Will dishcharge quicker as you rightly conclude. But don't forget that once you have climbed to a reasonable height you can throttle back to conserve the battery power a bit!
Dont forget the C of G as I mentioned make sure it is forward enough.
Also if you have creased your engine cowling
try slowly pouring boiling water over it to remove the creases it worked for me. Where in the U.K. are you based? Kev.

hoppy · Jan 09, 2001, 06:48 PM

Gee, I wonder what happened to Jerry and his Cub????? Did the new batteries cause it to soar over the white cliffs of dover?? Did it nosedive into the channel?? Is he still looking for all the pieces??? or his he in the pub celebrating a great flight???
Jerry...where are you??? WE HAVE TO KNOW!
Hoppy

jerrysimon · Jan 09, 2001, 07:22 PM

Hoppy

Amusing made me smile :-)

Anyway the reason I have not come back to you is because nothing much has happened. I chased the mail order company today (ordered batteries last friday :-( ) Still had not come. I think I confused them because I changed the order from a 7.2 V 600 AE to a 8.4 V (seven cell) 600AE. They have promised they will be in the post tommorow.

I also went back to the shop where I bought the original kit/radio/RX/Servos etc and told them they sold me the wrong battery. There answer was that all this electric stuff was complicated (they specialise in IC I think) Anyway they had no made up packs to swap but gave me 7 * 500ARs. So after searching through the threads here on making up packs I have built a 8.4V 500AE pack tonight. Kept me busy :-)

As the charger they gave me was a 7.2 V jobby, I am also awaiting the mail order which includes a Speed 1 ? (8.2V - 500-2000mah charger)

So tommorow is the big day! I should have two packs of 7 cells which I can charge up and then hit the park. That's assuming the weather is good. Typical, for the last two days (when I could not fly) it's been dead calm.

I did plug in the pack I made up tonight which had some charge in them. I got about 10 seconds of motor run before the ESC kicked in. It's clear there is now much more power. I am confident I WILL now fly.

I really appreciate you guys here for the encouragement and help.

I am also tempted to mail Multiplex and tell them that I do not believe there model will fly with a 6/600 AA pack. I have found one or two more reviews of the cub and not one of them use this config.

Oh by the way Kgascoigne thanks for the info about the engine cowling. I did fit it initially but took it off after I kept crashing. And to answer your question I live in Swindon :-(

Jerry

jerrysimon · Jan 09, 2001, 07:30 PM

Test of my updated profile. Please ignore.

jerrysimon · Jan 10, 2001, 03:58 AM

aaaaaaaaaaaah. The postman has just been and my second battery pack and charger have not yet come. Maybe the afternoon delivery.

So I am left with one new set but nothing to charge them with. Patience, patience it's a vertue :-(

Jerry

hoppy · Jan 10, 2001, 09:36 AM

"MAYBE THE AFTERNOON DELIVERY"?????
WOW! It's been a long, long, long time since we got 2 mail deliveries a day..maybe we need to have a recount on the revolution and come back to good old England!
Hoppy

Quote:

Originally posted by jerrysimon:
aaaaaaaaaaaah. The postman has just been and my second battery pack and charger have not yet come. Maybe the afternoon delivery.

So I am left with one new set but nothing to charge them with. Patience, patience it's a vertue :-(

Jerry

jerrysimon · Jan 10, 2001, 10:24 AM

Well it did not come in the afternoon post either. Doesn't matter now though as it's too windy to fly anyway.

Jerry

jerrysimon · Jan 10, 2001, 02:19 PM

Leccyflyer. Thanks. Needless to say I have checked the gearbox (dismantled and reassembled it several time) incl checking the little grub screws are done up tight. Anyway I still question whether this model could fly on 6 cells.

Although that recommendation is without a gearbox (they suggest 7 with a gearbox) the supplied prop is small.

Also if you use 6 AA cells (lined up side by side) they won't fit in the battery compt unless you hack at it with a knife.

Jerry.

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Jan 08, 2001, 01:10 AM	#16
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	It's a 6 volt Permax 400 motor as supplied with the kit. As I bought the optional gearbox I got an extra motor as well. Can always us it in my next plane (Twinstar I think ;-) ) Now you have me worried I have ordered only a 6 cell unit. Guess I can always add a 7th/8th cell. At least this time my plane is still in one piece. I resisted the temptation to hand launch it as every other time I have done this it "broke" Jerry

Jan 08, 2001, 01:22 AM	#17
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	Sorry meant to say the charger is a Pro-Peak 150 Delta Peak Fast Charger (again supplied by the shop). I have been charging off the car battery for about 20-25mins until the little red lights starts to flash (as per the instructions) to indicate that it's up to full charge. Just to say the shop was not keen for me to start off electric and wanted me to go IC as that is what they seem to specialise in. Jerry

Jan 08, 2001, 01:34 AM	#18
hoppy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Key West Posts: 13,116	One other point....I see the temp in Eng is in the 30's. That will take some oooomph out of the battery power. More cells..or move South!!! Great feeling to bring it home in one piece, isn't it! GoodLuck Hoppy

Jan 08, 2001, 05:10 AM	#19
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	This is turning into quite a saga! I have been taking pictures/notes all the way through the project since I started it just after Christmas. I hope to then put a few web pages up, just so that others may be able to learn from some of my mistakes/cock ups :-( Jerry. Itching to try those new batteries tonight.

Jan 08, 2001, 12:25 PM	#20
kgascoigne Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Manchester, England. Posts: 282	I think you need more cells. I fly mine on 7 x 500ar cells, but it goes better on 8 cells.Take it steady with the elavator until the 'plane has built up some airspeed. I was flying mine this year over in France and using thermals was getting flight times of more than 10 mins. 4.5 mins more normal on non thermal sorties. I did notice that the glide and flight charachteristics are much better when the CofG is spot on, to achieve this the TOP of fuselage should be horizontal when the plane is supported at the spar. Hope this helps, Kev.

Jan 08, 2001, 05:06 PM	#21
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	Well the batteries did not turn up (bloody UK post) :-( but I think kgascoigne is right. Although the current 6 cell AA pack of nicads is sealed (wrapped up in shrink wrapped plastic) I rigged up another fully charged spare Nicad AA I had, in series from one of the connectors before connecting that to the motor. There was a noticable increase in motor/propeller speed and subsequent pull of the model. I tested the current being drawn at 6.5amps as apposed to the 5.25 amps before using only 6 cells. So now I have another couple of questions :-) 1. As the motor is now being supplied with 8.4 volts, is the increase in voltage whats causes additional speed of the motor tunrning the propeller ? 2. Presumably this additional voltage and increase in motor speed means it is drawing more current and thus the batteries will run down quicker quicker ?, the voltage remaining constant until the batteries are almost exhausted. I obviously realise that the ESC would kick in before this, switching off the motor before there is no charge left i.e. to make sure the servos could still be operated. Jerry.

Jan 09, 2001, 12:36 PM	#23
kgascoigne Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Manchester, England. Posts: 282	The batteries Will dishcharge quicker as you rightly conclude. But don't forget that once you have climbed to a reasonable height you can throttle back to conserve the battery power a bit! Dont forget the C of G as I mentioned make sure it is forward enough. Also if you have creased your engine cowling try slowly pouring boiling water over it to remove the creases it worked for me. Where in the U.K. are you based? Kev.

Jan 09, 2001, 06:48 PM	#24
hoppy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Key West Posts: 13,116	Gee, I wonder what happened to Jerry and his Cub????? Did the new batteries cause it to soar over the white cliffs of dover?? Did it nosedive into the channel?? Is he still looking for all the pieces??? or his he in the pub celebrating a great flight??? Jerry...where are you??? WE HAVE TO KNOW! Hoppy

Jan 09, 2001, 07:22 PM	#25
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	Hoppy Amusing made me smile :-) Anyway the reason I have not come back to you is because nothing much has happened. I chased the mail order company today (ordered batteries last friday :-( ) Still had not come. I think I confused them because I changed the order from a 7.2 V 600 AE to a 8.4 V (seven cell) 600AE. They have promised they will be in the post tommorow. I also went back to the shop where I bought the original kit/radio/RX/Servos etc and told them they sold me the wrong battery. There answer was that all this electric stuff was complicated (they specialise in IC I think) Anyway they had no made up packs to swap but gave me 7 * 500ARs. So after searching through the threads here on making up packs I have built a 8.4V 500AE pack tonight. Kept me busy :-) As the charger they gave me was a 7.2 V jobby, I am also awaiting the mail order which includes a Speed 1 ? (8.2V - 500-2000mah charger) So tommorow is the big day! I should have two packs of 7 cells which I can charge up and then hit the park. That's assuming the weather is good. Typical, for the last two days (when I could not fly) it's been dead calm. I did plug in the pack I made up tonight which had some charge in them. I got about 10 seconds of motor run before the ESC kicked in. It's clear there is now much more power. I am confident I WILL now fly. I really appreciate you guys here for the encouragement and help. I am also tempted to mail Multiplex and tell them that I do not believe there model will fly with a 6/600 AA pack. I have found one or two more reviews of the cub and not one of them use this config. Oh by the way Kgascoigne thanks for the info about the engine cowling. I did fit it initially but took it off after I kept crashing. And to answer your question I live in Swindon :-( Jerry

Jan 09, 2001, 07:30 PM	#26
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	Test of my updated profile. Please ignore.

Jan 10, 2001, 03:58 AM	#27
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	aaaaaaaaaaaah. The postman has just been and my second battery pack and charger have not yet come. Maybe the afternoon delivery. So I am left with one new set but nothing to charge them with. Patience, patience it's a vertue :-( Jerry

Jan 10, 2001, 10:24 AM	#29
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	Well it did not come in the afternoon post either. Doesn't matter now though as it's too windy to fly anyway. Jerry

Jan 10, 2001, 02:19 PM	#30
jerrysimon Crashing IS Flying Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cambridge, England Posts: 1,403	Leccyflyer. Thanks. Needless to say I have checked the gearbox (dismantled and reassembled it several time) incl checking the little grub screws are done up tight. Anyway I still question whether this model could fly on 6 cells. Although that recommendation is without a gearbox (they suggest 7 with a gearbox) the supplied prop is small. Also if you use 6 AA cells (lined up side by side) they won't fit in the battery compt unless you hack at it with a knife. Jerry.