REVIEW: Guan Li Catalina RTF

[gzsfrk]

UPDATE: I had my first flight! Flight Review is below the Build Review in this post.



Plane Model: Catalina RTF
...

Click here to read the entire review

[ministeve2003]

incase someone doesn't give you the recommended specs... Start with 1/3 of Leading edge of wing, and move forward as nessicary,

SK

[para9111]

Thank you I will start there.Very much appreciated

[gzsfrk]

I used to have it available, but I actually JUST threw out the documentation for this plane (along with tons of empty plane and part boxes) a couple of weeks ago while doing some "Fall" cleaning.

But yes--steve is correct. Get it around 1/3 the distance from the leading edge of the main wing to the trailing edge of the main wing, and that should be very close and allow it to fly just fine.

[DaveESPI]

There is a Brushless version of this plane comming on the market now

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...ss_motor_&_ESC

No crappy radio.

about 180.00 USD with shipping.
SHould be here soon for around 130. I figure.

EDIT: oh and 55.5 mm off the leading edge of the wing is C.O.G.

[gzsfrk]

Originally Posted by DaveESPI

There is a Brushless version of this plane comming on the market now

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...ss_motor_&_ESC

No crappy radio.

about 180.00 USD with shipping.
SHould be here soon for around 130. I figure.

$130 would be a great price for a brushless PNP version of that plane. However, for about the same amount, you could almost do the same thing today. Order the plane for $99 and free shipping from Raidentech, then order a couple of $15 TowerPro brushless combos from HobbyCity, and simply install them instead of the brushed ones that come stock on the old version.

That just reinforces my belief that it would be awesome if they sold this plane with just the airframe for $50. I'd be happy to pick that one up, slap a couple Tower combos in it, 4 $3 servos, and a cheapie receiver--awesome powered boat plane on the cheap.

[para9111]

Originally Posted by gzsfrk

I used to have it available, but I actually JUST threw out the documentation for this plane (along with tons of empty plane and part boxes) a couple of weeks ago while doing some "Fall" cleaning.

But yes--steve is correct. Get it around 1/3 the distance from the leading edge of the main wing to the trailing edge of the main wing, and that should be very close and allow it to fly just fine.

I will use the 1/3 rule Im guessing it will be just fine.Appreciate all the help guys.TERRIFIC!!!!

[Aviator24]

HELP?
I was testing out my PBY(Stock, Brushed Motors, Nito Version). All was fine. I put on a 2100mah 11.1V 18C Lipo and was testing out the servos on my wattmeter. While moving all the servos very rapidly with no power to the props, the ESC became VERY HOT and the servos would quit working. Is this because all the power is going to the sevos and none to the motors, overloading the ESC? I have tried this a couple times and the ESC gets super hot. I need to know what is going on? Worried this will happen in flight. It seems to be fine with the stock battery but I really wanna use my Lipos. I know this is hard on the brushless motors but I thought that was it?
The wattmeter never read over 20 amps.
Any ideas??
Thank You...

[gzsfrk]

You're probably overloading the BEC (battery eliminator circuit--provides power to the receiver which then powers the servos). The BEC has to down-convert the incoming voltage from the battery to about 5V for powering the receiver and servos. Naturally, the higher the incoming voltage, the harder the BEC has to work to downconvert the voltage. Thus, when using an 11.1V lipo (which is actually 12.6V when fully charged), the BEC will be pushed harder than it will when using the stock 8.4V battery (which is actually a little over 10V when fully charged).

I noticed this exact same behavior and actually posted about it at some point in this same thread where what I explain above was first explained to me.

Bottom line is, you can either upgrade your ESC to something that works better with lipos (such as this one from HobbyCity) OR you can fly it as is and just be careful not to constantly twitch around on the control stick, moving the servos and overloading the BEC.

I left mine stock and usually fly it with 3S LiPos. But I am careful to try and minimize my stick input. Still, since I actually have a couple of those brushed ESCs I linked to above, I keep meaning to upgrade it--just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[donjiskra]

According to the specs:
Drive System: Twin 370 carbon brush motor with gearbox
Speed Controller: 25A speed controller
Battery: 8.4 V 1000mah Ni-MH

You are can't use an 11.1 volt battery in a system designed for 8.4 volts without having problems. Your 8.4 volt brushed motors will burn out, (I know because I've burned out two brushed motors in a twin Aventura using a 3s lipo). It's as simple as that.
Good luck,
Don

[Aviator24]

I thought I read someone was using a 11.1V lipo? I guess I was wrong.
On another note, I maidened mine today in the snow. VERY COOL! Best $67 I ever spent! I was amazed how well it flew. Take off was very easy. Definately needs all the power in the air with everything stock. It looks really nice in the sky. I floated in my landings, super cool. This is a great flying bird. I now have a half dozen flights and cannot wait to get in more.

[Aviator24]

Originally Posted by gzsfrk

You're probably overloading the BEC (battery eliminator circuit--provides power to the receiver which then powers the servos). The BEC has to down-convert the incoming voltage from the battery to about 5V for powering the receiver and servos. Naturally, the higher the incoming voltage, the harder the BEC has to work to downconvert the voltage. Thus, when using an 11.1V lipo (which is actually 12.6V when fully charged), the BEC will be pushed harder than it will when using the stock 8.4V battery (which is actually a little over 10V when fully charged).

I noticed this exact same behavior and actually posted about it at some point in this same thread where what I explain above was first explained to me.

Bottom line is, you can either upgrade your ESC to something that works better with lipos (such as this one from HobbyCity) OR you can fly it as is and just be careful not to constantly twitch around on the control stick, moving the servos and overloading the BEC.

I left mine stock and usually fly it with 3S LiPos. But I am careful to try and minimize my stick input. Still, since I actually have a couple of those brushed ESCs I linked to above, I keep meaning to upgrade it--just haven't gotten around to it yet.

How many flights have you completed with stock power and ESC using a 11.1 V lipo? Do you have any wattmeter readings?
I am going to take the risk and fly next time using one of my many 11.1V lipo's. I did some testing and recorded nearly double the power (watts). My intention here is to use the added power very seldom. I do not intend on over loading this plane with the stock setup. I will be very careful and only do limited inputs on the controls. Plus, I will be flying in cold weather to help keep things cool. I just want to be able to get longer flights without having to use full power all the time. Plus, I do not want to upgrade this plane just yet. I am aware this will shorten the life of the brushed motors and I am fine with that risk. Once the motors do go, then I will be doing a brushless/ESC upgrade. Until then, I am simply going to fly with the resources I have without having to spend any additional money.

[The_Mongrel]

Hi Mate,

I also bought and built this bird here Down Under. I also found most of the problems you highlighted. I ended up upgrading mine to brushless, as the stock motors just could not cut it.

I also glassed the bottom of the fuse.

Build Review and flight videos can be found here...

GRR!! I can't post a link apparently so I hope you can work out the link below.!!

DubDUbDub.mongrelgear.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemi d=29

Cheers
-J

[Aviator24]

Could not get the link to work?
What motors did you go with??

[The_Mongrel]

Originally Posted by Aviator24

Could not get the link to work?
What motors did you go with??

you need to change the DUBDUBDUB with WWW as it would not let me post the link.

I used E-Watts 1000KV 2217 motors

Cheers
-J

[Aviator24]

Mongrel,
Just watched your video. Very cool. Liked the Smoke on the Water during your water flight.
I have been flying mine with the stock motors and a lipo. It flies so good I was in mid flight the other day. It was way below freezing. Saw a part fly off my plane, DOH! Was able to land find with one motor. Snapped of a prop. I am now waiting for a couple prop collet adapters to come in the mail so I can fly with some new props I bought!

[The_Mongrel]

Very Cool! She will glide for ever eh?? I had a bad crash recently when I was coming for a landing... I don't know what happened but she dipped suddenly and skipped off the water like a stone. Trouble was she dropped a wing and it caught the water resulting in a cartwheel!! A bit of damage, but nothing that can't be repaired. I cooked the ESC's but the motors and electrics are OK. When I get time I may rebuild her.

Cheers
-J

[Aviator24]

Mongrel,
I want to change my brushed motors to brushless. Do I need 2 ESC's or 1 big one? I do not want to use a separate BEC, just the one that comes on the ESC.
Any help would be appreciated. Never had a multi engine plane.
Thank You.

[The_Mongrel]

Originally Posted by Aviator24

Mongrel,
I want to change my brushed motors to brushless. Do I need 2 ESC's or 1 big one? I do not want to use a separate BEC, just the one that comes on the ESC.
Any help would be appreciated. Never had a multi engine plane.
Thank You.

You need 2 ESCs. You just parallel them up. Don't cut any of the wires like you might read on a forum somewhere... there is no need. You need one ESC for each motor. Then just split them using a Y lead and plug directly into the ESC.

It is easy as.

let me know if you need any more info... happy to help.

Cheers
Mong

[gzsfrk]

Originally Posted by Aviator24

Mongrel,
I want to change my brushed motors to brushless. Do I need 2 ESC's or 1 big one? I do not want to use a separate BEC, just the one that comes on the ESC.
Any help would be appreciated. Never had a multi engine plane.
Thank You.

You'll need two separate brushless ESCs. You shouldn't need a separate BEC--just use a servo Y-harness to hook the leads from both of the brushless ESCs to channel 3 on your receiver, and you should be good to go without a BEC.

On a related note, I seem to remember hearing someone mention a while back that there might be a brushless ESC specifically designed to support two motors--anyone else hear that or know of a link to such a product? For space and wiring considerations, it would certainly be nice to use only one brushless ESC instead of two on multi-engine planes.

[Aviator24]

Well that sounds easy enough!
Thank You...

[jcrawford05]

Got and built my catalina yesterday

This is my first plane I wasnt expecting to see the nice wood frame inside after paying only $99

I heard they didnt have a water rudder and were very hard to control in the water
They now come with a water rudder! woo hoo!

It came with an FM radio instead of the AM that everyone said was terrible... I tried this FM for about 2 min during tests and it was terrrrible so I switched right over to Spketrum 6100 rx with my LP5 tx

Also the rudder and elevator servos are different then the ones on the wings and different from the ones in the older pics.

Build was pretty easy about 2 hrs (my first plane ever)

left motor mounted deeper in then the right so once the cowl was on and everything was glued in place I went to put on the prop and it was scraping the cowl. So I just put a nut behind the prop to shim it out...

left aleron servo was acting crazy when I first powered her up and was locked up... then randomly started working...

READY TO FLY

The geared motors are really loud, cant wait to hear it roar by with a low pass

these little problems were a bit of a headache but Im really happy with how it looks cant wait to fly her!

If you are thinking about it I say GET ONE!!!

[The_Mongrel]

Originally Posted by jcrawford05

Got and built my catalina yesterday

Just remember that she is a little underpowered with the stock brushed motors, so you are going to have to fly her!!

Good luck, and let us know how you go.

Cheers
-J

[gzsfrk]

Hey, jcrawford! Glad to hear you're having a good experience with the Cat. Mine's still in great shape. Haven't flown it in a while, but I'm hoping to haul it back out to the flying field once these Spring winds die down a bit.

Be sure to let us know how the maiden goes. Better yet, record it and post the video here on WattFlyer.

[jcrawford05]

Location: Boston
Overcast with light mist
Temp: 39f
Humidity: 97%
Wind: from the NE at 15mph Gusting to 19

WOW it was windy! but
WOW she flew great!
Roared by on the low pass just like I dreamed haha
I have some shaky video with a little rain on the lens but Ill try to post anyways/...
At full power it was just enough to maintain about 5 mph with the head wind.
When she swooped around and had a tail wind it was like a rocket haha
Everything worked great and I cant wait to fly it on a nice day at the lake!
Stock Battery life was fine I brought her down before it got too low for safety sake in the wind...
should I start a thread for the Catalina or keep posting here? I don't want to be rude and take over the op review...

[gzsfrk]

You won't hurt my feelings, man. But feel free to do it whichever way you want. This thread -is- kind of long in the tooth these days.