New Trex

[Gullwing]

Hi all I just received my new Trex kit today. Started the build tonight. Just wondering if there is anything special I need to know during the build. I have never built a heli kit before. Here is my setup.
Trex 450XL (HDE)
Align 430L Motor
CC 35 amp esc
HS-55X3 A/P/E
HS-50 Rudder
GY-401 Gyro
Hitec Electon 6 reciever
I haven't got the Lipo yet, any idea on what this motor setup will pull on amps?
Thanks for any input..................GW

[zappedalaskan]

Hi GW,
I run Tanic Lipo's in everything. Brian (owner) answers the phone and he takes an order, then he makes them to order right after you call. They have nice balance taps and are hands down the hottest batts. I have found.
Here is a link to the Trex batts people have been running. http://www.tanicpacks.com/catalog/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=428&reviews_id=21 These run 26.4 amp (nominal) 2220mah (15~20c) continuous discharge. for $74.99
If your a Thunder power guy, you want the TP2100. I started out with these in my Trex. I gained 200 rpm on the head speed when I switched to the Tanic packs. Brian will build you a fresh battery and have it in the mail (Priority) within a couple of hours. Best of luck with your new Trex. They are a nice kit to build. Align makes a nice little Heli.
Take care,
Jay

[Gullwing]

Thanks zapped, I was looking at those the other day in the LHS. I realy don't use TP I have one and I am not impressed. There is a local company down here in Houston called Falcon Batteries, they build Lipos called Predator, I use those mostly. One because they are about 2/3 the cost of TP or Kokam and two, I have never had any problems with them. I just didn't have any idea where to start on amp draw. I think I will give the site-link you gave to me for Tanic a look see.............Thanks for the info. Here is my progress after about half an hour.......................GW

[Gullwing]

Ok dumb question. When oiling the main rotor shaft bearing what type of oil do I use? Being an auto tech. throws all sorts of oils to mind. Help please...........GW

[zappedalaskan]

GW,
I'm a heavy equipment mechanic.. I use prolong lube oil on all my bearings. I've always had good luck with it. any good lube oil works though.. duralube ect..heck 3-in-1 if thats all you got laying around.
Regards,
Jay

[Gullwing]

Thanks Jay. I hope you are not a field mechanic, being up here in Alaska. My dad was in the heavy equipment for 40 years. Went from field mech to salesman. Thinking about it I think I am the only one in my family not in the equipment business...........GW

[zappedalaskan]

Yep, in the field. Mostly Mining equipment usually. I work for Caterpiller of north America. Gotta love mine mud in the sub-zero temps. :D Sometimes I get to work in a shop though, If I can drag it in with something bigger.
Take care,
Jay

[watt_the?!]

im a tanic man too!!!....one of the few battery companies that actually rate their packs properly and also stand by their products...


Gullwing, your setup looks fine..the only addition you might want to make is the hd877 servo for the tail...far superior to the 50 and digital to make use of your gyro better.

tim.

[Gullwing]

Man Jay I don't know how you work out in those temps. Better man than me.LOL..........Thanks Tim I will look into the digital servo. I was looking at a couple today at the LHS didn't know which one to go with, now I know. I was having some after thought on the HS-50. Thanks for all the help guys. The build is going pretty good. Here is a pic so far.......GW

[zappedalaskan]

GW,
Keep us posted on your Trex. After chasing the Blade cp around it will seem like a cadillac :)
Regards,
Jay

[Gullwing]

Well I worked all day on it and finally got the build finished.....I ended up going with an HS-55 servo for the rudder for now, I had it laying around. I figured it would a little better than the 50. I painted it yellow and used some of the decals that it came with. I am working on getting it dialed in. I have never programmed a heli on my Optic 6 so it has been fun so far:eek:
I got the pitch and throttle curves in for general flight. Kind of.:D I think I need to invest in a linkball sizer. They are still pretty tight. Haven't had a chance to do more than spool it up while holding it down to the table. Next thing is the gyro and the CC esc setup. I think I should have got the usb connector for the esc, seems like alot of work. Yes this is my first Castle Creations esc as well. I normally go with E-flight for my planes, but thought I should go with something better for a $600.00 heli. I am still waiting for my reciever antenna. Anyone have any ideas on the setup for the radio? All I need for now is normal easy going hover. Any help would be great. Here are a couple of pics......

[zappedalaskan]

Hi GW,
Your Trex looks great! nice job. one trick I have learned about tight ball links, Take the tip of your soldering iron and touch the ball part for just a couple of seconds with the link attached, then work it around. It will free it right up. Be careful though, just get it warm and not hot enough to really melt the link. I have done this a lot and it works well, just be conservative with the heat :) I don't have any Hitec Radios, so I'm not much help there...
Take care,
Jay

[Gullwing]

Thanks Jay, It was easier than I thought by looking at the box full of parts. I almost closed it back up and sent it back.LOL I will try the soldering iron trick and see how it does. Beats taking it apart one by one. I guess on the radio I will just wing it. I do thank you for all your help,and all the help by others in this post. Maybe I can get to RC field and get it flying this weekend. I have a buddy there that has one, maybe he can help on the radio. I will let you know how it goes.........Cliff

[zappedalaskan]

GW,
You have done a great job on your Trex and I'm sure your friend can help you set it up. I hope it flies like a champ for you! Let us know how it works out. Best of luck.
Happy hovering,
Jay

[Gullwing]

Well Jay, I played hooky from work today. I checked the weather forecast Sunday and today looked like the only chance to fly anything here in Houston. I have been dialing the heli in as well as possible in my livingroom the last few weeks. The weather has either been too windy or raining. Well today I finally got outside with it. Man this thing is stable, I still have some trimming to do but I couldn't stop flying it. Now I am waiting on the battery pack to recharge so I can go do the trimming needed. I have to get another pack 12 mins is just not enough!!!!!!!Just wanted to update you. Thank you for all your help. I hope it warms up alittle up there in your neck of the woods .........Happy Hovering .....Cliff

[rca]

Hey Gullwing, two questions for you. Where do you fly in Houston and what's up with the battery company you were referring too, Falcon I believe?

I actually live out in Sugar Land, but work in Houston. My dad is a part of the club that flies out in Rosenberg. I'm just getting into the flying, been into surface stuff for a few years. My dad got me a Blade CX for Christmas that I am enjoying. Basically it is enough to make me want more.

Thanks.

[Gullwing]

Here is a link to Falcon Batteries. http://www.falconbatteries.com/ You can get them right there in Sugar Land. The place is called RC Hobby Shop they located at 13835 Southwest Freeway. I fly my heli right out my front door. My planes are all electric so I fly at a park here in Alvin on HW 35 it is called Resoft Park. It is pretty open in the back and not a lot of people there most of the time. I am going to join the Alvin RC Club I think. Their membership starts over in May, I don't feel like paying a pro-rate for a couple of months and then having to pay full fees. How do you like the CX? I had the blade and didn't like it, that is why I went to the Trex. I got to see the CX fly at the LHS it looks very stable. I may need to look into getting one for inside flight. When I get an itch to fly and the weather is bad I am stuck with a simulator and it is getting old.

[rca]

I like the CX, but I am new to RC flight in general and this is my first heli. It is pretty cool to be able to crank it up and fly around the foyer in my house or out on the driveway at night, but it is limited. It's stable because it is a dual rotor design, but that limits what it can do. It is not aerobatic by any stretch of the imagination.

It is very fun and I am really enjoying it. I think it's a pretty good deal for the price.

Here's a question though. If you have to do it over, would you buy the Blade CP or just go straight to the Trex? Which version of the Trex would you start with in that case?

Thanks for the info on the batteries, I know very well where the RC Hobby Shop is in Sugar Land.

[Gullwing]

I would go with the Trex 450XL(HDE). In fact most the parts are cheaper on the Trex than on the Blade. The Trex is so stable, for me I was fighting the Blade CP all the time. I don't even have the Trex dialed in all the way and it just sets there in a hover. I am a newbie on helis and not even thinking of going 3D anytime soon, but the Trex can be tamed down for a really good electric trainer. The larger the heli the more stable they are normally. Yeah I think I might have to look into the CX for indoor flight. Stay in touch..........Happy Hovering........GW