RC Planes

alexthecheese · 30 Jan 2012 at 14:06

saitrix said:
Recommendations

Wish I had found GiantCod before I went on my HobbyKing spendathon. The prices there are pretty damn good when you factor in the costs of getting stuff imported from China.

Would you recommend that transmitter over the FlySky? Is it just plain better because you don't need to faff around flashing it?

Magic_x_uk · 30 Jan 2012 at 14:18

the photo of the 3 blade prop above........
What is that going in, just thinking there could be quite a big current draw with a 3 blade prop if running it in anything faster than a slow park flyer.?

Maybe worth checking your amp draw with a similar 2 bladed prop before using the 3 bladed one. Just do you don't damage your li-po's (if your using lipo's which I presume you are).

Watt meter's are worth while.
as are Clamp style AMP meters.

alexthecheese · 30 Jan 2012 at 14:34

It's going in an FPV Raptor.

I have bought a whole bunch of props, from 6x4 to 8x6 3-blade, so I am going to see how it fares. Like I said, it might be a bit much for such a tiddly motor.

I didn't even figure they might kill the battery. I've only got 2200mAh 3s 20C batteries coming, so 23A is the maximum judging by Google. So about 250watts?

If I run two batteries in parallel presumably I can double the amp draw? Probably end up cooking my ESC at any rate.

SimonCHere · 30 Jan 2012 at 15:19

Ewaf said:
Not near as expensive as I thought it would be :O And that has everything I need to get started? or will I need some other bits and bobs.

Thanks!

You'll need a battery.

alexthecheese said:
EDIT: Ah no, seems like the ailerons only are used by extending downwards further to act as flaps, whilst retaining movement to act as ailerons. That's why they need a channel each.

Can you set it up so the flaps also move with the ailerons?

If you've got separate flaps, they normally only go downwards from the wing so there would be no point in mixing them with the ailerons.
Flaperons only exist because people wanted flap functionality without adding extra control surfaces.

saitrix · 30 Jan 2012 at 17:26

Ewaf said:
Not near as expensive as I thought it would be :O And that has everything I need to get started? or will I need some other bits and bobs.

Thanks!

Sorry about that I forgot batteries for it.

Gens Ace ones are getting recommended loads lately. Going on what Robotbirds recommends then I would say 2 of these would be a real good start.

http://www.giantcod.co.uk/gens-1800mah-lipo-battery-p-406463.html

So with 2 batteries on top it comes to £180, I wish I had it that cheap back when I started!

alexthecheese, Get yourself on http://www.giantcod.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=380. That will first help you work out what prop you should be using. When I use to do it years back I remember using Motocalc to work out my ideal prop. So those cells can take a max of 44amp draw but pushing cells hard kills them faster. I will have a look into tonight to see what sort of prop you really should be using, but normally people stick to 2 blade props. What type of performance are you after? Also what sort of speed do you want to be hitting?

I'd rather spend the few pounds more and buy from a UK shop as it will be a hell of a lot easier if you get anything faulty, plus they are always delivered quickly. The FlySky 9x is a right bargain looking at what it can do, I want one! But for a total beginner the one I linked to is plenty good enough and in stock, I also know what it is like to use as it is a clone of my transmitter (except I'm still using 35mhz, must swap to 2.4ghz, no more crystals!).

saitrix · 30 Jan 2012 at 17:38

alexthecheese said:
It's going in an FPV Raptor.

I have bought a whole bunch of props, from 6x4 to 8x6 3-blade, so I am going to see how it fares. Like I said, it might be a bit much for such a tiddly motor.

I didn't even figure they might kill the battery. I've only got 2200mAh 3s 20C batteries coming, so 23A is the maximum judging by Google. So about 250watts?

If I run two batteries in parallel presumably I can double the amp draw? Probably end up cooking my ESC at any rate.

Been doing some reading up on the motor you bought. Really don't go putting the 8x6 prop on! From rcgroups people have been testing it.

"6/4 prop is by far the best choice. 23 amps wide open static. I am actually running an 18 amp ESC with no problems. 26 oz. of thrust/74 mph pitch speed, 238 watts."

Sounds like it will be a beast with that 6x4 prop, by the way they are on about the APC thin electric 6x4 prop there. Looking at the specs that is the max you really want to be pushing that motor. Also that prop is a good ratio between diameter to pitch so should be good over a large range of speeds.

BusError · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:14

Went to http://www.sloughrc.com/ earlier today... Have to say I didn'nt learn a lot there. I always try to "buy local" even if it can be more expensive, but clearly there it's not just a "little" more expensive, and I didn't feel that being local would be if any help.

Oh well, back to the internets :-)

alexthecheese · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:16

Thanks. I don't remember how I stumbled upon that motor but it was a copy of a Suppo (?) motor that was available over here on the cheap, so just went and bought it.

Where would I get a thin prop from? Is that what they're sold as - thin propellers?

As for speed - don't really know what I want or what to expect! I'll just be happy if it arrives and I can fly the thing! Like I say I've been running around buying upgrades without even knowing what the stock stuff is like, so will see how it runs on stock then whack it on 10 minutes later to see how fast it goes.

I did see this Alishanmao on youtube running a 'screamer' motor on his FPVRaptor and on full tilt this thing really flies fast...

alexthecheese · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:18

BusError said:
Went to http://www.sloughrc.com/ earlier today... Have to say I didn'nt learn a lot there. I always try to "buy local" even if it can be more expensive, but clearly there it's not just a "little" more expensive, and I didn't feel that being local would be if any help.

Oh well, back to the internets

The hobby shop where I live were selling the Spektrum DX5 that arknor recommended for £95... online at the Kings Lynn store it was £45.

I know they have extra costs but it did feel like they were chancing at that for the money, when I asked about it he did seem particularly interested in me...

MarkST · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:19

If anyone is looking for a cheap build take a look at RCPowers.com

I've built the F22 but I just need some cash to get a motor and ESC and then after that I want to get an FMS 1400mm, they fly sweet.

RomanNose · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:20

BusError said:
Went to http://www.sloughrc.com/ earlier today... Have to say I didn'nt learn a lot there. I always try to "buy local" even if it can be more expensive, but clearly there it's not just a "little" more expensive, and I didn't feel that being local would be if any help.

Oh well, back to the internets

I think I have been in their shop, it's a nice shop iirc but just like any local rc shop it is flipping expensive. I ordered something from Australia today, it cost $3 in shipping by airmail. The shipping was less than if you ordered from the UK lol.

saitrix · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:20

alexthecheese said:
The hobby shop where I live were selling the Spektrum DX5 that arknor recommended for £95... online at the Kings Lynn store it was £45.

I know they have extra costs but it did feel like they were chancing at that for the money, when I asked about it he did seem particularly interested in me...

Yeah I knew it was the copy of the Suppo, that's why I was able to find info for it.

http://robotbirds.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=42_74&products_id=1035

There you go, thats the APC thin 6x4. The reason for the 'thin' is because its electric, nitro's use the standard APC props.

MarkST · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:25

BusError said:
Went to http://www.sloughrc.com/ earlier today... Have to say I didn'nt learn a lot there. I always try to "buy local" even if it can be more expensive, but clearly there it's not just a "little" more expensive, and I didn't feel that being local would be if any help.

Oh well, back to the internets

I know how you feel, I'm great friends with my local model shop and I love to buy stuff from them but sometimes they just can't compete, I do feel a little guilty but if I'm saving £20+ then I have to buy online.

Ewaf · 30 Jan 2012 at 20:29

Pretty neat!

saitrix · 30 Jan 2012 at 21:45

This is my fav fpv video. Make sure you watch it in 720.

alexthecheese · 31 Jan 2012 at 09:15

That is an excellent video. Nicely done and epic scenery. :eek:

Must resist the urge to splurge more money.

I think I'll get a cheap 720p camera just to stick on my plane when it comes so I can get some aerial footage whilst flying normally.

My plane has finally been shipped though... finally. No batteries though, that's in another order, so will no doubt have to wait another 3 weeks for that to be delivered.

I was also thinking last night that I could get another couple of those motors and rig up my plane to be a Tristar. Pooweeerrrr. :cool:

BusError · 31 Jan 2012 at 10:56

Here I'm still sitting on a fence; Sky Climber, Phoenix 2000 or Radian Pro! Back to one and then back to the others :-)

saitrix · 31 Jan 2012 at 12:57

alexthecheese said:
That is an excellent video. Nicely done and epic scenery.

Must resist the urge to splurge more money. I think I'll get a cheap 720p camera just to stick on my plane when it comes so I can get some aerial footage whilst flying normally.

My plane has finally been shipped though... finally. No batteries though, that's in another order, so will no doubt have to wait another 3 weeks for that to be delivered.

I was also thinking last night that I could get another couple of those motors and rig up my plane to be a Tristar. Pooweeerrrr.

I think you will find when you get flying you will not want to increase you wing loading to allow for easy slow landings. Having to come in hot isn't the nicest. I am confident you will have plenty of power when it comes to it.

alexthecheese · 31 Jan 2012 at 14:31

Haha yeah. I am sure it will be plenty fast enough for numbnuts here.

I might see if I can find a motor that I can bodge onto it that will be able to hack the 3x8x6 prop to get some proper speed out of it though... just for a laugh though. :cool:

BusError are you looking at UK available planes?

There's a 2m version of the FPVRaptor that I've bought - are you still intending to shove cameras and the like on it? Looking at that SkyClimber there really doesn't appear to be any space to mount anything in it.

BusError · 31 Jan 2012 at 14:49

alexthecheese said:
Haha yeah. I am sure it will be plenty fast enough for numbnuts here. I might see if I can find a motor that I can bodge onto it that will be able to hack the 3x8x6 prop to get some proper speed out of it though... just for a laugh though.

BusError are you looking at UK available planes?

There's a 2m version of the FPVRaptor that I've bought - are you still intending to shove cameras and the like on it? Looking at that SkyClimber there really doesn't appear to be any space to mount anything in it.

Yeah I plan to add cameras to it, eventually... One at the very least for recording, and yeah, another one for FPV would be next! And I'd /prefer/ a UK plane, as shipping from HK seems "touch and go" sometime...

I found a /tiny/ 5.8Ghz camera + receiver on DE, that looks next to ideal to add to a plane,