bdshort

Hey all,

I'm planning on getting back into this great hobby after around a 7 or so year absence. I flew previously with a local R/C club off a small lake, first with a SIG 40-size Kadet, and then with a kit built Astro Hog. Long story short, everyone in the club seemed to have lagging interest for whatever reason, it disbanded, and my planes sat in storage for years. Due to the fact that both of my planes (the Hog and a Seamaster) both had crash damage, and the lack of space to work on them due to a move to a condo, I got rid of the airframes but hung onto the radios, engines, and other accessories.

Anyway, it's pretty clear things have moved on since then, what with the new 2.4 ghz radios, LiPo batteries, brushless motors, and all that. I'm in a different condo, but still don't have the space to build, or fly off land, any of the larger planes, so I'm looking at park-flyer sized planes.

I really like the looks of the e-flite Mini Pulse XT, and it looks like it will be something I should be able to fly at the local athletic field. From the reviews I've read it sounds like it should be about my speed and pretty easy to fly - just wish there was a sim for my Mac I could practice with. I have RealFlight (version G2!!) but no PC to run it on. Is R/C airplane flying at all like riding a bike, in that the muscle memory will hopefully still be there?

Can anyone with the plane tell me if I should get the PNP version, or get the ARF and buy better components, as I hear the PNP gear is pretty cheap. Right now I have the ARF and the gear Horizon recommends in my cart there. I'm looking at the Spektrum DX6i, keeping the future in mind and the fact I like helicopters too. I seem to remember when I was in the hobby before that certain companies servos would not plug into competing companies receivers - I have a few HS-55 servos sitting unopened that I think would work in this plane, but will they plug into the Spektrum receiver?

Also, recommendations on a good all around charger, and other items I might need?

Or, does anyone have some different recommendations on a plane and gear? Pricing everything I need for the MPXT is a bit more than I was expecting, though not out of my price range.

Thanks!

CHELLIE

Hi bdshort and Welcome to Wattflyers Wow, you have a lot of Questions GREAT

1. sell the gas engines on E Bay you dont need them anymore
2. the 2.4 radios are nice, but the Receivers are Expensive, if you have the money go for it, if not, there is nothing wrong with 72Mhz, with e power use BERG receivers, they have triple ceramic filters and will filter the RF better than most receivers, and e power does creat a lot of RF as compaired to Glow. only use berg crystals.
http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=V457587
3. E Power systems are a Balancing act, always use a ESC that 25% bigger than what you need, use a lipo thats 25% bigger than what you need too as far as C Rating, things will stay cooler that way, and last longer.
4. stay away from the PNP, add your own quality parts, always
5. r/c flying is like riding a bike or making love, you will never forget how to do it
6. a great charger, http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=7028 Everyone loves them.
7. the Turnigy, Rhino, Zippy lipos are great lipos from HK, use Paypal for cheap insurance when buying over seas, you will get your money back if items are lost in transit.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...7&ParentCat=85
8. Start out with a Foam Profile Plane to bust the rust with as they say, it will also be a great learning tool for E Power. no need for right or left thrust, but add 5 degrees of down thrust to a flat wing plane, that helps to load the wing, for stable flight.
http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...9&pid=D2278591
9. the HS-55 servos are ok to use on flat wing profile planes, the HEX 9 gram servos are better, and much stronger.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...?idProduct=662
10. the Best ESC for the Money are the Turnigy ESC, its all i use and love them, never a problem with them.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=2164
11. use your 72 Mhz radio for now, with a BERG 4L receiver with E Power, because a lot of Receivers dont like E Power, on micro receivers, us a little scoth tape to hold the crystal in with, because they are small and will vibrate out, also, use some fiberglass straping tape and lay the antenna wire on the reveiver body as it comes out of the receiver and tape it to the side, that will help to keep the antenna wire from pulling out of the receiver. in case of a hard landing
12. use a 2408-21 tower pro motor and a 7x6 sf prop, 30 amp esc, and a 1300mah 25 to 30 C lipo for the profile plane.
http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...or-with/Detail
Heads Up Rc is another great place to buy E Power stuff at as well as planes, tell Jeff that Chellie Sent you

hope that helps, Chellie

CHELLIE

or
http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...3&pid=D2278585


the power system i listed has more power and speed than whats listed on the planes web site, they suggest a 2 cell lipo, I like to use a 3 cell lipo for more power and speed and a bigger motor, I also use a 30 amp esc, because it wont get hot and burn up, the 2408-21 motor can use a 8x4 to 7x6 SF prop, use a 3mm prop saver too, the small bell motors have a couple of weak spots on them, here is how to fix that, remove the motor radial mount, 2 screws, add 5 min epoxy to the motor where it slides on the radial mount, and press the radial mount back on, and tighten the screws, that keeps the motor from wanting to turn in the mount and pulling and breaking the motor wires, second thing i do is to epoxy the wires coming out of the motor to the windings to give them more support so they dont vibrate and break off, cover the magnets on the bell with masking tape to prevent getting epoxy on the magnets, and wipe off any epoxy that might get on the rear bearing, those 2 little tricks will make a bell motor last a long long time.

here is another nice plane, this plane will need a bigger motor than the 2408-21
http://3dxhobbies.com/airfoilz-edge-540nx.html



http://www.shop.depronwest.com/38in-...2.qscstrfrnt06




I Like this one the Best

CHELLIE

my profile foam plane in action if you can do the maneuver so can the Foam profile plane

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz5ilV8jQRM&feature=user[/media]

CHELLIE

I use my foam profile plane every time i go out to fly, i fly it first to break the rust, before flying anything else, like a wing or a delta.

CHELLIE

prop saver, push the prop saver all the way back onto the motor shaft to the bell, and cut the motor shaft with 1/8" of the motor shaft sticking out of the prop saver, the motor shaft being shorter will help to keep the motor shaft from brnding, also grind a flat spot on the motor shaft where the prop saver screws touch the motor shaft, that keep the prop saver from turning on the motor shaft, use blue lock tight on the prop saver screws, sometimes you will have to use a drill bit and counter sink the back of the prop, so the prop will fit flush on the prop saver.

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...02&pid=V830125

CHELLIE

and most important, get a Wattmeter, that will save your motor, esc and lipo, the first time you use it if there is a problem
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=10080

or

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...07&pid=U054250

CHELLIE

Here is my build thread on my Mavrick Profile plane, it will give you some ideas on how to put these Profile planes together, hope that helps, Chellie

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...ht=mavrick+cap


That should get you Going with E Power

Insomniac

Just a note on Chellie's claim of 2.4Ghz being expensive...

...it's not.

There are a few options you can go with if you don't want to stick with the (in my opinion, overpriced) Spektrum gear.

The first, cheapest (and perhaps least recommendable option) is to go with a complete, cheap 2.4ghz system.

I use an older revision of this radio, and it's been great for me. However, the lack of any model memory and exponential is a pretty big compromise for the price. So it's lacking in features, though still programmable, but on the upside it is cheap and reliable:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=9041

There are better cheap radios, such as this one, which includes more advanced programming options, more channels, and model memory. The downside is the propietry recievers which means that if they stop producing that reciever, your radio will be useless. Also, you are restricted to only one kind of reciever. On the plus side, it's still very cheap, people have reported a reliable connection with it, and if you only have a few planes it may well be the perfect solution for you:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=8992

The next main option, is to get a standard, brand name TX, such as a Futaba or JR TX, which is compatible with aftermarket modules, and then fit it with a cheaper 2.4ghz module. The FrSky brand of chinese recievers and modules is reported to be one of the best Chinese 2.4ghz systems, and it is a lot cheaper than similar Spektrum gear:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...&ParentCat=190


Finally, you can go with your Spektrum, or similar DSM2 transmitter, and buy cheap, non-Spektrum branded DSM2 recievers, such as these. I have a friend who uses these, and has had no issues with them. One warning, while these are fine, DON'T buy cheap RXs that claim to be original Spektrum ones... there are cheap knockoff recievers that are both inferior to the original gear, and inferior to these aftermarket DSM2 recievers:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=11965
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=11972
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=12586

CHELLIE

I agree with Insomniac that there are cheapy 2.4 receivers out there, and they may be great for a cheapy foam park flyer plane, but dont trust them if you have an expensive RC Plane or Heli, or you might end up with a pile of confetti on 2.4, one of the better 2.4 radio systems is Spektrum a DX6i or DX7 is great, the cheaper AR6000 and AR6100 are not full range and prone to masking, I would stay away from them IMHO, use a full range 2.4 receiver like a AR6200 AR7000 to protect your investment if going 2.4 Spektrum, I dont trust the Cheapy 2.4 radios receivers, Use at your own risk, buyer beware, Take Care and have fun, Chellie

solentlife

If I could source Glow Fuel easily here and cheap enough - I would go back to Glow Engine use !!

But yes - e-powered planes are more convenient. Charge and fly ... no pit-box needed ... etc. You can leave the back-up gear in the car till it's needed.

Prop-savers ... what a badly named item ! And something that I threw back into the pit-box as a useless ugly item. I went back to nut / washer and able to put on a spinner ... If it's a non-threaded shaft - then a prop-adaptor would be my choice ...

2.4Ghz systems ... FlySky system is cheaper than a brand name Rx in a lot of cases and nothing wrong with the radio ... full on 8ch with on-screen programming etc. Covers Plane, Heli and Gliders.

Servos - most servos nowadays are 'Futaba' plug style and may only need the little side lug clipped of and will then fit near all modern RX's available today - gone are the days of brand only servo compatibility.

7 - 8 yrs away ? I was over 20yrs away and it took maybe 3 - 4 flights and I was back ... maybe not to the previous Display Level / Competition level I used to be at ... but still able to fly and enjoy ...

I am now waiting end of winter and then I will be picking up an iconic model kit that is on hold for me in UK ... it will be fitted with a petrol engine ... nice slow big prop ... putting me right back all those years ago ... can't wait !! Oh the model ? Skymaster Biplane ....

http://www.philramseymodels.freeserv...roduct%201.htm

Insomniac

Well, that kind of cynicism is a little unwarranted I think... I mean, I wouldn't trust a giant-scale plane with one, but this guy's looking for a parkflyer. I've had a 100% success rate with these recievers so far. While the build quality of some of the Chinese sets isn't that fantastic, some Chinese brands are put together very nicely...

...and as seen here, often the cheaper sets are much more resistant to the brown-out issue that has plauged certain Spektrum recievers.

Not to bash Spektrum or anything... in general they make a very good product. But don't discount cheap 2.4ghz gear based on price alone. Do the research and choose, as while there are some setups that cut corners and can't be trusted beyond small planes, there are others that may well match the performance of the more common brands, most noteably the FrSky systems.

bdshort

Thanks for the replies! I'm taking a look at the transmitter stuff recommended here. I'm also looking at other plane options, such as some lower cost foamie ARFs or PNPs, just in case I'm a bit rustier than I think I may be!

Hoping to get something ordered over the weekend. Maybe I'll get the 120 SR Heli I want too!

CHELLIE

buy your radio system from a know and trusted hobby shop like Horizon Hobbies, ETC, lots of knock off receivers and transmitters out there, thats why I say, Use at Own Risk, Buyer Beware.

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59662

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59313

bdshort

Just an update: I ended up placing an order for the ParkZone T-28, the Spektrum radio, and some 2200 mAh batteries. Screwed up a bit and didnt research chargers, so I ordered a non-balancing one, but I've since placed a separate order for a FMS unit that was recommended to me. Hoping it all gets shipped out tomorrow, can't wait to get started!

Went with the foam plane for ease of repairs if/when I do stuff it!

AEAJR

Welcome back to the hobby, and welcome to electric flight. I think you will find electric great for planes under 10 pounds and excellent for planes under 4 pounds.

That is not to say that you can't have excellent 40 pound electrics, it simply means that the batteries start getting VERY expensive, in my opinion, once you get past the 10 pound area. And you will find most of the fast action in electric in the 3 pound and under space, right where you are now.

This is MUST reading:

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTRIC FLIGHT
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31071

Since you have been in this hobby before you already know that there are a lot of opinions about everything. Everyone has their favorites and their good and bad experiences. And what is cheap to one is expensive to another.

I have had good experience with RTFs overall, especially the RTF packages from "major brands". These would include Parkzone, HobbyZone, E-flite, Flyzone, and a few others. Naturally there are poor quality packages out there too. Asking on Wattflyer before you buy, or doing a search on a product name is the best advice I can give. But I would not recommend you avoid RTFs. They are great!

I have 25+ planes, several higher end radio Futaba radio systems, a mix of low end radios and a variety of chargers. But I still buy RTFs from time to time with good results. So don't feel you automatically have to swap out parts.

The major radio brands are all solid. These would include Futaba, JR, Spektrum, Hitec and Airtronics. They have all had recalls of one sort or another but support is good. However there is an emerging wave of good enough second tier suppliers, some of which are producing some acceptible clone 2.4 receivers and low priced radios. Should you buy them? I haven't, but you can read about them on wattflyer. Let the buyer beware.


Overall you are in for a great ride. And there is plenty of help here on Wattflyer.

Here are some " must have" planes for you as you expand the fleet:

Parkzone Vapor. 1/2 ounce all up indoor flyer or outdoor in calm conditions. Sit in front of your house and fly to your heart's content.

Parkzone Radian. A 78" wingspan electric launched glider. All molded Zfoam it is a great thermal soaring glider.

E-flite Mini Ultra Stick - If you used to fly glow you probably know the "sticks". If you are into fun little aerobatic planes check this out.

Like kits? Just about anything from www.mountainmodels.com is a great choice.

We ae all here to help and to share in the fun!

CHELLIE

Its ok to have 2 chargers you can buy a Blinky and balance charge the lipo with a non balance charger, the blinky works great, all of my chargers are non balance, I need to update but the blinky works fine for me the lipo is charged through the battery plug, and the blinky is pluged into the Balance plug at the same time.

http://cx2parts.com/Blinky.html

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMRZ9

AEAJR

Chellie is right. An external balancer will take care of the ballancing requirements.

While balancing is important, it is not mandatory on every charge. I have both balancing and non-balancing chargers. As long as a pack gets onto one of the balancing chargers from time to time, say every 3 charge, it is fine. They don't go out of balance that fast.