Archive for June, 2012
Posted by mechmove |
Jun 21, 2012 @ 09:53 AM | 11,973 Views
After burning out my Phoenix 125 speed controller in my Supra, I decided to go with a lighter setup: NeuMotor 1110/1Y/6.7, ICE 100, and RF 16x10. The 61gm counter weight on the tail is down to 14 gms.
All up flying weight is now 86 oz, still heavy, but there is plenty of horse power. Gary at SoaringUSA gave me some good advice : I opened up the nose cone for better ventilation. Also disposed of the Deans connectors for the gold plated bullet connectors. Slightly more hassle to ensure the heat shrink is applied correctly, but those won't burn up due to high current. It was highly recommended to leave the controller leads full length, even though the fuse is extremely tight, I am able to carefully pack everything and close the carbon pod cover. I am also using a piece of balsa to insulate the wires from touching the motor, which can get very hot. This likely caused the loss of my 125 controller in Visalia.
After my first flight, I had noticed the default prop brake setting is OFF on the ICE controller, something I have always taken for granted on other Phoenix controllers. I went into the archaic throttle-based Yes/No beeping menu to get it set. Will be nice to get the Castle USB data onto my PC for the first time. I noticed during pre-flight one of the 2 pins securing the horizontal stabilizer was coming out! Yikes! I pushed it back in. I had never noticed this before. This probably happened at Visailia during the speed runs. The stabilizer itself is showing signs of...Continue Reading
All up flying weight is now 86 oz, still heavy, but there is plenty of horse power. Gary at SoaringUSA gave me some good advice : I opened up the nose cone for better ventilation. Also disposed of the Deans connectors for the gold plated bullet connectors. Slightly more hassle to ensure the heat shrink is applied correctly, but those won't burn up due to high current. It was highly recommended to leave the controller leads full length, even though the fuse is extremely tight, I am able to carefully pack everything and close the carbon pod cover. I am also using a piece of balsa to insulate the wires from touching the motor, which can get very hot. This likely caused the loss of my 125 controller in Visalia.
After my first flight, I had noticed the default prop brake setting is OFF on the ICE controller, something I have always taken for granted on other Phoenix controllers. I went into the archaic throttle-based Yes/No beeping menu to get it set. Will be nice to get the Castle USB data onto my PC for the first time. I noticed during pre-flight one of the 2 pins securing the horizontal stabilizer was coming out! Yikes! I pushed it back in. I had never noticed this before. This probably happened at Visailia during the speed runs. The stabilizer itself is showing signs of...Continue Reading
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Posted by mechmove |
Jun 14, 2012 @ 12:00 AM | 12,298 Views
There is an update to this problem at the bottom.
The last couple flights of my Supra was "interesting". There was considerable DOWN pitching moment in the airplane. No matter what, the airplane wanted to descend, even if I trimmed the nose up. I couldn't figure out why. I thought it might have been sinking air. The airplane did remain controllable. The CG is set at 100mm from leading edge, which has always worked fine.
There is one thing that I was not really comfortable with in my Supra; having to fold the Futaba receiver wires inside the fuse. So I decided to run the antenna outside the fuse to get the 90 degree layout that Futaba recommends. Yes, even with a Kevlar/glass fuse.
This meant I had to I drill 2 holes in the fuse to feed the Futaba Antennae and route it outside at 90 degree angles. The receiver sits on top of the LiPo which is pushed back far inside the fuse. During the pre-flight, I insert thin plastic tubing to guide the receiver wire from the inside to the outside of the fuse, which is then routed through heat shrink taped along side the fuse at 90 degree angles. Since the antenna is not taped anywhere along the fuse, there is no tension that exerts "pulling" pressure from the receiver. Now I have the "recommended" Futaba 2.4G installation - 90 degree separation, and full length antenna wire that does not cross.
I test flew my ship immediately afterwards...no issues! It needs to be noted that there is no logic to assume...Continue Reading
The last couple flights of my Supra was "interesting". There was considerable DOWN pitching moment in the airplane. No matter what, the airplane wanted to descend, even if I trimmed the nose up. I couldn't figure out why. I thought it might have been sinking air. The airplane did remain controllable. The CG is set at 100mm from leading edge, which has always worked fine.
There is one thing that I was not really comfortable with in my Supra; having to fold the Futaba receiver wires inside the fuse. So I decided to run the antenna outside the fuse to get the 90 degree layout that Futaba recommends. Yes, even with a Kevlar/glass fuse.
This meant I had to I drill 2 holes in the fuse to feed the Futaba Antennae and route it outside at 90 degree angles. The receiver sits on top of the LiPo which is pushed back far inside the fuse. During the pre-flight, I insert thin plastic tubing to guide the receiver wire from the inside to the outside of the fuse, which is then routed through heat shrink taped along side the fuse at 90 degree angles. Since the antenna is not taped anywhere along the fuse, there is no tension that exerts "pulling" pressure from the receiver. Now I have the "recommended" Futaba 2.4G installation - 90 degree separation, and full length antenna wire that does not cross.
I test flew my ship immediately afterwards...no issues! It needs to be noted that there is no logic to assume...Continue Reading
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