Turnigy 1/16 BL Monster Beatle [sic]
Anyone try one of these "Monster Beatles" from Hobby King? They look pretty nice for the price. Main complaint in the reviews section is a weak spur gear. They seem to have a full line of parts for it now. I'm thinking of getting a pair of them for me and my kid to run around the yard and driveway. [link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=13449]Turnigy Monster Beatle[/link]
Posted on: 3/30/2011 6:54 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "RC Electric Off-Road Trucks, Buggies, Truggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10433596

RE: Beginner Question-Battery Setup
[quote]ORIGINAL: shoes53  i would like to know how or what i need to  do   or buy   to   change my  radio system  24 ghz lactic tx440 which was for  electric flight with esc and 3cell batt . i want to use on a new plane required for a os max 15   how do  i fire up the servos  wiithout the esc and the 3 cell batt . i was told i would need another receiver , dont know how this is done    new to nitro  would appreciate the info [/quote] If you're referring to the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYWM9&P=ML]Tactic TTX440 radio system[/link], then you just need to buy a four or five cell [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNRH6&P=ML]receiver battery pack[/link], which will just plug into the "BAT" socket on your Tactic receiver. If you need another receiver for the second plane (i.e. you're not taking your existing receiver out of the electric plane to use in your nitro), then you need to buy another [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXZNR1&P=ML]Tactic TR624 receiver[/link] Hope that helps!
Posted on: 3/3/2011 12:07 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10376828

RE: Which Motor vs Which Motor
Unless you are using the exact power system (prop, motor, ESC, battery) spec'd by the manufacturer (for which the max current is known), you MUST get a watt meter (or ammeter) and check the current. Even with pre-determined power systems, it's best to check it with a meter to be sure. Amp specs on motors are just to show max and/or most efficient current levels for the motor. If you overload or stall an electric motor, you can pull much more current than the motor can handle. When comparing motors, look at the Kv, max power, and max current specs. If those are similar, then so are the motors.
Posted on: 1/27/2011 8:37 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10292626

RE: DX5e settings reset
[quote]ORIGINAL: Alpha205 This was really a helpful post. I am new at this hobby and have a DX5e. I was looking for help on how to control the digital trims and you answered my questions. This should have been more fully explained in the Owners Manual. [/quote] Welome to the forums! Glad this was helpful. The DX5e is pretty basic, but it will get the job done. I got mine with an RTF Radian Sailplane, but quickly swapped it out for my DX6i. My DX5e is now set up to control my Nirvana Sailboat.
Posted on: 12/31/2010 7:13 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10230825

RE: bind N fly
I disagree. BNFs are aimed at advanced pilots, since they assume you've already got a transmitter. RTFs are aimed at beginners. Hobby People is starting to come out with an Airtronics version of BNF, called I-Bind. Here's a link to their first I-Bind offering: http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php/u-2-edf-spy-plane-i-bind-w-airtronics-rx.html
Posted on: 12/8/2010 7:47 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10184152

RE: Simulator transition
Turn up the wind and gusts as well. Much more realistic and more challenging.
Posted on: 11/3/2010 2:03 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10113181

RE: 3rd line for refueling IDEA
[quote]ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer If you have a fuel filter, just unplug the line between the tank and the filter and fill there [/quote] That's exactly what I do. In fact the main reason I put the filter on the carb line is to give me a convenient location to access the fuel line for filling. The filtering is just a bonus for me! [:)] [;)]
Posted on: 11/3/2010 10:24 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10112947

RE: Simulator transition
Yeah, find an experienced pilot to buddy box with you on your initial flights. He can get your plane trimmed out for you, and you can learn the flight envelope of your plane (stall speeds, does it snap out in when you pull hard on the elevator, etc.). If you've got the basics down in the sim (flying away from you, towards you, inverted, overhead, etc.) and you get the feel for your particular plane (with an instructor to help out if needed), you'll be pretty well set to fly on your own.
Posted on: 11/3/2010 10:14 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10112934

RE: working radar
Here you go, follow these directions. This will make the servo shaft spin clockwise, stop, or spin counter clockwise depending on the control input from that channel. That will let you switch the "radar" on or off (or change rotation direction) with a channel on your TX. http://www.seattlerobotics.org/guide/servohack.html Basically, you have to remove the mechanical stop on the servo gear and replace the pot with a fixed resistor on the PC board. The fixed resistor value will determine the stop/direction-change position on the TX channel. If you don't want TX control, then you can probably do this mod, and then just connect the motor leads directly to power, instead of having it controlled by the amplifier on the PC board.
Posted on: 11/2/2010 4:51 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "RC Scale Boating"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10111480

RE: RE:
When someone has an overweight and/or underpowered RC plane that can barely keep itself in the air, the guy that owns it will say it "flies scale" to make himself feel better! [:)] [;)]
Posted on: 11/2/2010 2:02 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10111147

RE: Motors
Brushless motors and speed controllers are more efficient than brushed, you will get more power and/or runtime out of a given battery pack. There is also less maintenance with brushless motors, since the brushes are a maintenance item (they wear and need to be replaced). Electric planes with brushless motors/ESCs and LiPo batteries can give you power:weight ratios of nitro planes, and will fly very nicely. IMO brushless/LiPo power systems are the only way to go for electric planes.
Posted on: 11/2/2010 12:04 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10110941

RE: LED Lights wiring
How do you connect power now to your LEDs? How do you switch your landing lights on now with the TX?
Posted on: 11/2/2010 11:53 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10110917

RE: Are standard receivers compatible with ESC?
Yeah, sounds like either a BEC problem, or perhaps you have an ESC with no BEC? Or a clipped BEC wire?
Posted on: 10/29/2010 6:47 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10103083

RE: Preferred prop
[quote]ORIGINAL: gaRCfield Master Airscrew for learning. APC and/or Xoar for performance. [/quote] Same here, APC for performance, Master Airscrew for durability. If striking the prop on the ground is likely (if you're just learning, or if you're flying belly landed planes w/o gear), MAS holds up better due to more flexibility. APC props are much more efficient, but their higher rigidity makes them easier to break if you have a prop strike.
Posted on: 10/29/2010 3:45 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10102747

RE: Best 2.4G for $300.00 ???
BTW, I'll throw in another vote for the Spektrum DX6i or DX7. Spektrum has the largest selection of receivers, and a large selection of BNF planes (Bind and Fly). They have a couple [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPMAR6400]micro "bricks"[/link] (3-in-1 units with RX, ESC, and servos) for micro-sized RC planes as well. Any of the other major brands, like Futaba and Airtronics, will serve you well too. Just be sure you're happy with the features and the selection of receivers.
Posted on: 10/29/2010 1:31 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10102473

RE: Best 2.4G for $300.00 ???
[quote]ORIGINAL: CGRetired Anyone know what this is? Airtronics RDS8000 8-Channel 2.4GHz Crawler Tx/Rx It's another 2.4 GHz radio in the OP price range, this one for $239.99 with TX/RX only. What is a ''crawler'' radio? It's listed as an airborne radio, so I have to assume it's for aircraft, but ''Crawler''? There is no description at Tower nor at the Airtronics web site. Here on the East Coast, a crawler is some kind of a doughnut.. [:D] CGr. [/quote] It's a version made for RC Rock Crawlers (4x4 trucks). Both sticks are self-centering. Here's a link to the Airtronics page for it: [link=http://www.airtronics.net/index.php/radios-receivers/2-4-ghz-surface-radios-1/airtronics-rds8000-8-ch-2-4g-crawler-surfacetx-rx-only-rds8000.html]Airtronics RDS8000 Crawler Version[/link] I believe it's the same as the air version other than the self-centering left gimbal. Don't ask me what the Crawlers need it for (independent rear steering control I guess), I'm not into that myself!
Posted on: 10/29/2010 1:12 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10102429

RE: Parallel LIPOS w/different MAH
That's not how works. [:)]
Posted on: 10/28/2010 12:09 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10100038

RE: Parallel LIPOS w/different MAH
When the packs are in parallel they are at the same voltage, so one won't reduce voltage before the other.
Posted on: 10/28/2010 11:49 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10099992

RE: BEC Question / ESC question
I wouldn't bother trimming the low end like that, for exactly that reason. Just get used to the throttle response with the default endpoints/trim. If you really want to mess with the throttle curve, then use the heli mode on your TX (if you have one). Then you can program a couple different throttle curves, one with normal endpoints and no expo, and another with adjusted endpoints and some expo (or whatever other curve shaping your TX allows for). That way you can turn it on and arm it with the throttle all the way down, then switch to the modified curve afterwards. Personally I've never seen a need to define a throttle curve for electric planes, though. You just get used to where to put the throttle stick for various types of flight.
Posted on: 10/22/2010 12:15 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10086365

RE: Iowa State University Aerospace Engineering project
Nice job, congrats!
Posted on: 10/21/2010 4:11 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10084305

RE: BEC Question / ESC question
[quote]ORIGINAL: aronph guys-i set the high limit on the throttle channel in my Tx down to slow the plane down some-im a noob-will this hurt the esc?-are people doing this with other electrics?-i know that limit is supposed to be there for the throttle servo on a gas plane so the limits arent outta wack but i can limit the planes speed this way with an electric [/quote] You can try that, it definitely won't hurt the ESC, but that may not work as you expect. Some ESCs adjust their gain to the max throttle input that it sees. If the ESC doesn't require you to move the stick to full throttle and back to arm it, then setting your high endpoint lower might work. Give it a try, can't hurt.
Posted on: 10/21/2010 11:51 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10083675

RE: Prop adapter question
Depends on what you mean by "prop adapter". There are prop adapters that slide onto the motor shaft, and are either the collet type, or have a set screw to clamp onto the shaft. With that type of prop adapter, you just need to be sure the the adapter is made for your motor's shaft size. If you're talking about a prop adapter that bolts onto the can of an outrunner, then you probably need the part made specifically for your motor.
Posted on: 10/20/2010 4:57 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10081775

RE: any answers to finding lost airplanes?
Here's what I've done: 1) Install the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSZ87&P=7]Hobbico Air Alert beeper/monitor[/link] in your plane. 2) Make a note of where it goes down to help define your search area. 3) Bring your TX with you, wiggle the sticks every so often, listen for servo movement. 4) Walk a grid pattern in the area you think it might be. 5) Look long and hard! After covering the expected "landing" area several times, start looking further out.
Posted on: 10/20/2010 4:46 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10081741

RE: Just going to NiMh batteries. Any pointers?
For NiMH, I usually used A cell packs, not AA cell packs, since they have more capacity and higher current rating than AA's.
Posted on: 10/20/2010 3:01 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10081483

RE: The Offical Shockwave 26 thread!
Yep, it was my first RC boat. I've since made mine into a retrieval boat, in case my Nirvana sailboat or ProBoat Coast Guard Lifeboat have problems.
Posted on: 10/20/2010 9:24 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Speed - Electric"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10080750

RE: Cool new plane from E-flite
Looks like a nice plane. Carbon-Z just looks like a gimmicky name for reinforcing a foam plane with carbon and plywood.
Posted on: 10/18/2010 7:09 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10077287

RE: Just going to NiMh batteries. Any pointers?
[quote]ORIGINAL: TimBle I'll say it, forget NiMH and go straight to LiFePO4 or lithiun iron phosphate.They retain charge, can deliver higher current and can be super fast charged at up to 5C for A123 brand.They're much less hassle . [/quote] I'll second that, go for LiFe/A123 packs. If you go for NiMH, get yourself a good peak charger and charge them at 1/4 C charge rate or slower (4+ hour charge rate). Anything faster will get them too hot before they peak out.
Posted on: 10/18/2010 3:57 PM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10076863

RE: Iowa State University Aerospace Engineering project
Looks good! So you have some dihedral in the wing, and you are using just rudder-elevator controls? Or do you have ailerons as well? Two comments: 1) Be sure the CG is correct (typically near the wing spar) 2) You will probably need some down thrust on the motor mounting. I've found high wing planes with high lift airfoils just want to climb if you mount the motor with no down thrust. Let us know how she flies!
Posted on: 10/15/2010 10:22 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10070138

RE: BEC Question / ESC question
[quote]ORIGINAL: Dr Kiwi The easiest way to ''sever'' the red wire is to simply add a short (3'') servo lead between ESC and Rx, having cut the red wire on [u]that[/u] lead... that way your ESC remains untouched/unmodified and can be used in future projects. [/quote] I prefer this way as well. You may want to use this ESC in another aircraft later on, and this keeps the BEC wire intact.
Posted on: 10/12/2010 11:14 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10063880

RE: New to electric planes
I'd suggest starting with an electric park flyer. The smaller planes are cheaper to equip than the larger ones. Then when you have some experience with them, you can decide if you want to spend more $$$ and go for some larger electrics. If you have a Spektrum radio, there are several electric BNF planes that come complete. I like Horizon's Eflite, Parkzone and Hobbyzone lines of electric aircraft, myself. Many online hobby stores that sell electric ARFs and kits also give recommended power systems for them (motor, ESC & battery recommendations). For your first plane, I'd go with a plane that either comes with the power system, or has one that is specified/recommended, that way you are less likely to purchase the wrong equipment and fry your battery or electronics.
Posted on: 10/12/2010 11:10 AM by Author "-pkh-" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10063874