as i said in another thread and got flamed it seems virtually every item that gets delivered by parcel farce seems to end up with customs fees and it cant be just a coincidence that they make so much money from the "handling fee"
RC Planes
- Thread starter alexthecheese
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as i said in another thread and got flamed it seems virtually every item that gets delivered by parcel farce seems to end up with customs fees and it cant be just a coincidence that they make so much money from the "handling fee"
The DC-DC conveter I use these days for my projects are from a "car usb adapter" you can find pretty easily on the auction site... the inside varies a little depending, but they all have a pretty good switching PSU inside.
You need to ensure there is enough capacitance added at the front and back for it to work properly but it's fairly easy to do.
Here is a pic of the ones I use (£2.47 from china!). You can separate the 'active' part (center) from the connector part and use it as is, with capacitors...
This one has a Liteon LSP5503 that has up to 96% efficiency, up to 3A output 4.5V to 30V input range and can even reconfigure the output voltage via resistors between 0.9 and 28V. In other word, it's a bleeping good part
You need to ensure there is enough capacitance added at the front and back for it to work properly but it's fairly easy to do.
Here is a pic of the ones I use (£2.47 from china!). You can separate the 'active' part (center) from the connector part and use it as is, with capacitors...
This one has a Liteon LSP5503 that has up to 96% efficiency, up to 3A output 4.5V to 30V input range and can even reconfigure the output voltage via resistors between 0.9 and 28V. In other word, it's a bleeping good part
Still waiting for that carbon quad frame to get in stock for my HK order to depart here :/
I've now definitely decided on the Nine Eagles Sky Climber for a plane, but I will buy it from the UK... HK seems a bit too much trouble after all :/
I've now definitely decided on the Nine Eagles Sky Climber for a plane, but I will buy it from the UK... HK seems a bit too much trouble after all :/
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Well my stuff arrived today, went and picked it up from Parcelforce - £8 handling fee for Customs etc.
Thing is... how the hell do I work it?
I have just been building it (the instructions are pitiful, haven't any idea what screws should be used where) but I've got a bit stuck towards the back - there are two servo arms that need to meet with the horns, but they come outside of the fuselage in the same place either side at the back. One is presumably for the rudder, the other the wing on the tail?
I'm really not even sure actually.
Also the throttle when plugged into the receiver only works for half the throttle (top half) and doesn't appear to spin that fast. Presumably that's a mix that needs looking at?
Thing is... how the hell do I work it?
I have just been building it (the instructions are pitiful, haven't any idea what screws should be used where) but I've got a bit stuck towards the back - there are two servo arms that need to meet with the horns, but they come outside of the fuselage in the same place either side at the back. One is presumably for the rudder, the other the wing on the tail?I'm really not even sure actually.
Also the throttle when plugged into the receiver only works for half the throttle (top half) and doesn't appear to spin that fast. Presumably that's a mix that needs looking at?
You need to calibrate the speed controller. I learnt the hardway last nightWell my stuff arrived today, went and picked it up from Parcelforce - £8 handling fee for Customs etc.
Thing is... how the hell do I work it?
I'm really not even sure actually.
Also the throttle when plugged into the receiver only works for half the throttle (top half) and doesn't appear to spin that fast. Presumably that's a mix that needs looking at?
.
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Ahhh... AHA!
How do I go about doing that? It's a random 30a ESC that came with the plane.
How do I go about doing that? It's a random 30a ESC that came with the plane.
Soldato
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Without seeing photos, i am guessing what you mean about servo arms is quite often you need to cut some of the arms off of the servo arms to fit inside places when you are mounting the servo's. But without seeing photos I cannon comment more.
As for the throttle. Sometimes they need setting up. Usually you move the throttle down then up then down, sometimes they beep, some you can set up on your computer with cable (castle creations esc's) for example.
You will need to check the instructions for that particular esc.
Also with the throttle channel, make sure it is not reversed.
As for the throttle. Sometimes they need setting up. Usually you move the throttle down then up then down, sometimes they beep, some you can set up on your computer with cable (castle creations esc's) for example.
You will need to check the instructions for that particular esc.
Also with the throttle channel, make sure it is not reversed.
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Cheers. Have just reprogrammed the ESC and yes. Now it works properly. 
Even with the stock motor and an 8x4 prop I am amazed at how much air it pushes through. Had the motor area in my hand, as it detaches from the plane, and as I throttled up it almost left my grip and munched my fingers. 
Won't be doing that again.
And that's the stock motor, so the one I've already got as an upgrade should be even better.
Even with the stock motor and an 8x4 prop I am amazed at how much air it pushes through. Had the motor area in my hand, as it detaches from the plane, and as I throttled up it almost left my grip and munched my fingers. Won't be doing that again.And that's the stock motor, so the one I've already got as an upgrade should be even better.
Cheers. Have just reprogrammed the ESC and yes. Now it works properly.
And that's the stock motor, so the one I've already got as an upgrade should be even better.
Haha I have a scar from testing a motor, had a push prop on it and I decided to check it out by just holding the motor itself (yes I know not sensible
). It was all fine until I decided to turn the motors throttle up quickly, it moved out of my grip and the prop embedded itself into my index finger. Still got a nice semi circle scar on that finger where the prop cut a flap on my finger. I am just pleased it was an old speed 400 brushed motor. Worst thing about it, the plane was destroyed on it's second flight! because you need to set the end points yourself?
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Lol saitrix. I was almost as unlucky as you.
Plane is built, Esc programmed (though it seems to keep forgetting the range) and I've got the stickers on.
Looks pretty cool. Weighs in at 1.2kgs with a 2200mah battery and the stock Esc and whatnot.
My batteries came with Dean plugs, handy, but the charger is something else. Also came with clips so I managed to squeeze them in against the Dean connector and got them charging. I think I need to get some bullet plugs and get some soldering on so I can get my new motor working.
I'll post some photos tomorrow about the other stuff at the back. Not sure I've done it right.
Also, do you mix the elevators with the ailerons? Doesn't seem like the elevator is big enough to make much of a difference.
Plane is built, Esc programmed (though it seems to keep forgetting the range) and I've got the stickers on.
Looks pretty cool. Weighs in at 1.2kgs with a 2200mah battery and the stock Esc and whatnot.
My batteries came with Dean plugs, handy, but the charger is something else. Also came with clips so I managed to squeeze them in against the Dean connector and got them charging. I think I need to get some bullet plugs and get some soldering on so I can get my new motor working.
I'll post some photos tomorrow about the other stuff at the back. Not sure I've done it right.
Also, do you mix the elevators with the ailerons? Doesn't seem like the elevator is big enough to make much of a difference.
No you don't mix them! You will have all sorts of weird flying characteristics if you do that. Sorted the CG point for the plane? Now think of that point as the pivot point for the plane, as you will notice the elevator is a long way away from that point. Now I am not sure how up you are on your physics, but the elevator has a large moment due to this (force x perpendicular distance). To cut a long story short, no you don't need much movement on the elevator to do much.
I'd make yourself some adaptors for charging then, will make it much easier and safer! You have to use a jumper or something for programming the esc? If so you may have to change its position or something. Make sure you visually trim the plane best you can and get the CG correct. Those two together will ensure it shouldn't be too hard to fly for its maiden. If you are worried about your elevator/aileron limits then take photos of their max positions and I will have a look.
I think the worst part about hurting myself with the prop was my parents laughing at me for doing it.
I'd make yourself some adaptors for charging then, will make it much easier and safer! You have to use a jumper or something for programming the esc? If so you may have to change its position or something. Make sure you visually trim the plane best you can and get the CG correct. Those two together will ensure it shouldn't be too hard to fly for its maiden. If you are worried about your elevator/aileron limits then take photos of their max positions and I will have a look.
I think the worst part about hurting myself with the prop was my parents laughing at me for doing it.
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Lol. Fair enough. I will remove that mix from my setup then. I was quite proud of myself for doing that, I imagined it would somehow be more reactive.
I spotted the two cg points under the wings and held it up earlier like that. Get your point about the leverage of the elevator being right at the back. Shuffling the battery right to the front got me just about right, even then perhaps a little tail heavy. Should I be heading for completely neutral?
I've noticed the ailerons aren't quite even in their range. One moves higher up than the other, but only slightly. The rudder is also the same, moves one way more easily than the other. Do you need only one servo for the rudder? And elevator?
Finally I currently have 5 channels set up, with the ailerons using two. Surprised that it was so easy to do, just plugged stuff in until the right stick movement did the right thing and all seemed good.
Won't get to use it until Friday, but I have the day off then so should be able to get some good practise in.
I was quite proud of myself for doing that, I imagined it would somehow be more reactive. I spotted the two cg points under the wings and held it up earlier like that. Get your point about the leverage of the elevator being right at the back. Shuffling the battery right to the front got me just about right, even then perhaps a little tail heavy. Should I be heading for completely neutral?
I've noticed the ailerons aren't quite even in their range. One moves higher up than the other, but only slightly. The rudder is also the same, moves one way more easily than the other. Do you need only one servo for the rudder? And elevator?
Finally I currently have 5 channels set up, with the ailerons using two. Surprised that it was so easy to do, just plugged stuff in until the right stick movement did the right thing and all seemed good.
Won't get to use it until Friday, but I have the day off then so should be able to get some good practise in.
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Programming the Esc by the way was done by the throttle max trick on turn on. Still well impressed at the thrust though. Was scaring the hell out of our dog.
You want to be able to hold the plane by the CG point and for the plane to not rotate around at all. You will need to ensure the battery is as far forward when you fly otherwise it will have a nose up attitude all the time.
Ailerons should be fine like that if the difference isn't big. The rudder one is weird, check your linkages, if they are variable length then turn on your radio and set the trim for the axis to zero (ie totally neutral), then turn off the plane first, the servos will remember their positions. That way you can just alter the linkages to the correct length to have the control surface in their neutral position. Ideally you want to be doing this for all control surfaces.
You might want to tie a ribbon onto your transmitter aerial, its a handy way to tell which direction the wind is for taking off and landing.
Edit - I guess you know you shouldn't ever be turning on the radio with max throttle on?
Ailerons should be fine like that if the difference isn't big. The rudder one is weird, check your linkages, if they are variable length then turn on your radio and set the trim for the axis to zero (ie totally neutral), then turn off the plane first, the servos will remember their positions. That way you can just alter the linkages to the correct length to have the control surface in their neutral position. Ideally you want to be doing this for all control surfaces.
You might want to tie a ribbon onto your transmitter aerial, its a handy way to tell which direction the wind is for taking off and landing.
Edit - I guess you know you shouldn't ever be turning on the radio with max throttle on?
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One of the sayings in RC flight is ""A nose heavy plane flies badly, a tail heavy plane flies once" get the COG forward a bit.
You should be able to trim out the movement difference if each aileron servo is on it's own channel, if they are on a Y lead then you either have to live with it or trim it out mechanically by adjusting the rods.
One servo for elevator, one for rudder. Again trim them out with the radio or just live with it as it's not that important on the rudder and really not very important on the elevator.
You should be able to trim out the movement difference if each aileron servo is on it's own channel, if they are on a Y lead then you either have to live with it or trim it out mechanically by adjusting the rods.
One servo for elevator, one for rudder. Again trim them out with the radio or just live with it as it's not that important on the rudder and really not very important on the elevator.
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Riiiggght... I wondered what the ribbon was for. I was going to attach it to the back of the plane.
By alexthecheese at 2012-02-16
Fully built. Looks much more interesting with the stickers on. Bit wonky in places though, but nevermind. Please excuse the sofabed colours, it was given to us when we moved into our house.
By alexthecheese at 2012-02-16
Bendy linkage. Is this right? Coudn't figure it out any other way. It looked like I had the choice of doing the reverse of my setup, as both sides of the rudder and elevators have the same area to attach the horns (I think they're horns?).
By alexthecheese at 2012-02-16
Then this is a close-up of them both. The rudder looks skewed there to one side, but from further away it doesn't look too bad. It pushes better than pulls, the rudder. I think. I'll just check... no, it pulls better than it pushes. Is this a case of resetting the servo position by just turning it off, saitrix?
By alexthecheese at 2012-02-16
Fully built. Looks much more interesting with the stickers on.
Bit wonky in places though, but nevermind. Please excuse the sofabed colours, it was given to us when we moved into our house.
By alexthecheese at 2012-02-16
Bendy linkage. Is this right? Coudn't figure it out any other way. It looked like I had the choice of doing the reverse of my setup, as both sides of the rudder and elevators have the same area to attach the horns (I think they're horns?).
By alexthecheese at 2012-02-16
Then this is a close-up of them both. The rudder looks skewed there to one side, but from further away it doesn't look too bad. It pushes better than pulls, the rudder. I think. I'll just check... no, it pulls better than it pushes. Is this a case of resetting the servo position by just turning it off, saitrix?
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Soldato
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looks ok, any binding on the rudder horn. Looking at it from your photo, looks like it may bind on full travel.
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Cheers - which way do you think it'll bind? Down to the right, or pushing to the left?
OK, no movement seems to be restricted either way by the horn or the foam itself. It's actually fairly pronounced - trying to take a photo of it but it's difficult to get it to show. Probably about 25-30% difference from pulling to pushing?
OK, no movement seems to be restricted either way by the horn or the foam itself. It's actually fairly pronounced - trying to take a photo of it but it's difficult to get it to show. Probably about 25-30% difference from pulling to pushing?
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