RE: Servo Buzzing
Digital servos buzz, all of them. Not to worry.
Posted on: 11/20/2009 12:20 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266762

RE: NEW ALIGN STARTER
There have been some geared starters that had gear backlash between compression strokes that damaged the heli starter shaft. This is my biggest concern. Has that been eliminated? I also google the starter and found a Align starter caught on fire. It was the motor, not the battery pack. I suppose the first run on anything can be problematic, and i'm not trying to put this starter down. I'd like to have one if it really spins without gear backlash. There are a lot of great new things coming into the hobby, you just have to seperate the good from the bad. The size, weight, and power of this starter are impressive and I think the price is very reasonable. If it lives up to it's claims i'd like to have one with the hex shaft and the starter cone. I like to hear from anyone with experience with this starter. Thanks for the input.
Posted on: 11/19/2009 12:35 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265212

RE: Exhaust problem with Raptor .50
Is this your first build Cyber? If it is you are going to amazed at how much you are going to learn, and it doesn't stop with the building. There is the setup, and you'll do that several times before your satisfied because every time you do it you'll learn even more. I don't know if it ever stops.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 7:24 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9261166

RE: Exhaust problem with Raptor .50
The link does not take me to the page with the image.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 4:33 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260709

RE: Exhaust problem with Raptor .50
It appears to me, from the pics, that your carburator is askew. With the engine mounted inplace the throttle shaft should be horizontal to the surface the heli is sitting on. Loosen the carb, adjust it til the throttle shaft is horizontal. Make sure the carb is pressed down on the engine properly so the rubber O ring makes a seal, then tighten it down with the shaft horizontal.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 11:46 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260153

RE: Exhaust problem with Raptor .50
I have an O.S. 50 on a Titan but don't recall a throttle arm hitting the Maverick muffler. I did, however, have a problem with the ball link, and had to mount it on the underside of the arm. Is it the ball link hitting, or the arm itself?
Posted on: 11/17/2009 10:15 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259957

RE: Exhaust problem with Raptor .50
One picture is worth a thousand posts.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 12:08 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9259382

RE: fuel for tt 39
20% nitro, 20% lubricant. I use Wildcat 20/20, it's made for four stroke engines. The lube is mostly synthetic, but I believe it's about 1% castor. Higher nitro is especially helpful in cool weather and the extra lube is good for cooling. Oil doesn't just lubricate, it doesn't burn and absorbs heat from the engine while passing through. I have found it to be a good compromise for 2 stroke heli engines and four stroke engines, and I don't have to carry two fuel jugs around.
Posted on: 11/14/2009 9:38 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252926

NEW ALIGN STARTER
Has anyone tried the new Align starter? It is a geared starter with Lithium power. It's a geared starter that's supposed to turn a 50 cc gasser or any heli. It comes with a 6mm starter shaft and a starter cone for prop spinners.
Posted on: 11/13/2009 11:38 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252409

RE: fuel for tt 39
I have run some 30% fuel but I also have 4 stroke airlplane engines and like 20/20 for them. It also runs great in my raptors, a 50 and a 90.
Posted on: 11/13/2009 11:32 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252396

RE: 2.4 Satisfaction Poll
A fair comparison would be votes limited to those who have used all three brands. That said: You have a bigger sampling for spektrum because it was out before Futaba. XPS only produces modules, so it's not really the same. If you take the percentage of minor or major problems, to the number of respondees for Futaba, you will see that by percentage their users are the most satisfied. Many problems may be the result of user installation. It doesn't necessarily reflect the reliability of the brand unless installation is easier or less critical. Bottom line: 2.4 is the future and the future is here. It's not suprising that Futaba is showing the lowest percentage of dis-satisfaction, because Futaba flier do better installations, are smarter, and it's a fact that they are much better looking![:D]
Posted on: 11/3/2009 4:45 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9225729

RE: Which type of battery can stay charged the longest
The new LiFe batteries, (A123) can be left for weeks, (my experience), maybe months, with very neglibile discharge. I use A123 for all my airborne packs. They are safer than lipo for safety, (fire, less delicate to overcharge and over discharge), can be charged at a very high rate.
Posted on: 11/2/2009 8:18 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9223672

RE: Did i ruin my batteries?
I agree.
Posted on: 11/1/2009 1:35 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9219272

RE: Basic A123 6.6v 2300mah Receiver Pack and Triton II Cycling/Discharge...?
The fully discharged voltage of a 2 cell A123 is 6.0 volts, it can be harmful to go below 5.7 volts. The fully charged voltage of 2 cell is 7.2 volts. From the pictures it looks like you to them up to 8.4 volts. Not good. I would wait till I got the new charger before proceeding. They are pretty tough, they may be ok.
Posted on: 10/24/2009 12:13 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9197573

RE: Radio control range
Yes, Sandia. We've sold them chargers for their UAV division.
Posted on: 10/20/2009 7:21 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9189137

RE: NEW 50 SE
I'm using an O.S. so I can't help. Some engines come with head shims to lower compression depending on your fuel.
Posted on: 10/20/2009 2:04 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9188384

RE: Radio control range
Contact Lockheed Martin at the Sandista National Labratory in Los Alomos, NM. They will tell you what regulatory authorities you have to deal with, and then you'll find out what equipment is legal, and what clearances you'll need with the FAA and other authorities.
Posted on: 10/20/2009 7:26 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9187542

RE: battery requirements for digital servos
I run a 2300 mAh A123 and 5645's. It pulls about 250 mAh from the pack per flight. I not working it real hard, I fly around, do some loops, flips, and rolls. I figure 5 flights to a charge and am running on the top half of my capacity at about 1250 mAh drawn from the pack leaving me a big safety margin. It's a Raptor 50 SE. Get about the same draw on my R90 with the same servos.
Posted on: 10/15/2009 10:32 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9175076

RE: NEW 50 SE
OK. The wind layed a while ago and I tried it again. I repaired the flybar problem and also put the rubber skid pads on. I had'nt been using them, and maybe that helped some. Thanks to all who contributed.
Posted on: 10/3/2009 7:33 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9144223

RE: NEW 50 SE
Even a blind hog can find an acorn now and then. I found that one flybar control arm was loose and moving in and out about 1/8". That is probably the culprit. Won't now for sure till I can spin it up. We are having high winds here today. Maybe possible near sunset.
Posted on: 10/2/2009 5:34 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9141837

RE: NEW 50 SE
I tightened the blades tighter than I ever have before. It still does it's little dance then swings the blades out of balance, then just when you think your going to get a boom strike, all is calm and it spins down. I was very careful to put the thrust bearings in with the small hole toward the blade. Could lack grease on the dampers cause the problem? I'm having trouble thinking the clutch is draging, because I would think it wouldn't spin on down so freely.
Posted on: 10/1/2009 7:51 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9139687

RE: NEW 50 SE
Thanks, i'll give it a shot.
Posted on: 10/1/2009 6:24 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9139482

RE: NEW 50 SE
While I have your attention BH, I have a little problem I haven't seen in any of my choppers. Spooling down in normal everythings fine until right near the last, probably 300-500 rpm, it starts to dance violently and the blades rotate in the grips to near a tailboom strike. It passes through this in about 3-4 seconds, and then spins to a stop just like it should. The blades are carbon fiber and balance perfectly, engine is at a low idle, even with the engine shut off it does it. The better I get the blade tracking the worse it gets. It's like the clutch grabs or the one way bearing grabs. On spool up the head doesn't try to spin till I add throttle and it doesn't dance on the spin up. Any ideas?
Posted on: 10/1/2009 5:26 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9139364

NEW 50 SE
Yesterday I put the first flight on a new Titan 50 SE. It IS different. +/- 15 is too much for me, makes the collective a little sensitive, so last nite I dialed in back to +/- 12. Hope to fly again today. It's a quicker build with all plastic frame spacers except around the head which means sheet metal type screw instead of bolts and loctite. No adjusable screw holes in the frame for the motor mount. Just bolt it up and it is aligned. Glass canopy is standard. Seems a sturdy as the older model. I think repairs will be quicker and it will be easier for first timers to assemble.
Posted on: 10/1/2009 9:23 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Thunder Tiger - Raptor 30, 50, 60, 90"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9138244

RE: STARTING A FA 220
I'm back to the Saito 220 after a little time off building a new heli. Today I ran it up to a steady 7350 with a zinger 20X8. Idled at 2000 for as long as I let it set there, (more than 1 minute). All of this was with glow on. I'm not sure it's really peaked yet but it's outpulling my former BME 44 and 50 already. Only problem is transistion from idle. It will throw a big puff of smoke and die if you don't ease it up the first 1000 rpm increase. I think I may still be too rich on the top end. I've been a little timid because it is pulling that prop so fast already. Also, a sudden throttle back to high idle will cause it to throw a puff of smoke, but it usually doesn't die. Guess i'll lean it up until it starts losing R's. I have been backing it off about 250 R's from 7350. Do you think it's still too rich? Should I just run it at peak with the perry pump? I've decided to get an onboard glow system no matter how well I get it adjusted.
Posted on: 9/27/2009 7:00 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9128075

RE: problem with new Onyx charger - design issue???
I am not familiar with this charger, but here's a thought. If the charger can be set for constant current charge instead of peak charge, set it for constant current. The charger may be timing out because 5 hours is a long time to wait for a peak on a fast charge or quick charge. It will never see the peak a that low charge rate, this may be causing and auto time-out. You might even set it for a time out after a couple of minutes on peak charge, and have it switch to a .300 A trikle if it will go that high.
Posted on: 9/22/2009 8:10 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9116303

RE: And it was such a nice copter....
Been there, done that. My serov wasn't reversed, I just forgot to turn the receiver on and the servo was sitting at a high throttle level. Don't breathe the black smoke!
Posted on: 9/17/2009 10:54 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9104507

RE: And it was such a nice copter....
I have never had the bolts shear. Just make sure that the clutch and engine are aligned. Both the engine and the clutch shaft have adjustable mounting holes. Adjust till the crankshaft, clutch shaft, and starter shaft are in alignment. Spin the head and make sure there is no drag. That's all I can suggest.
Posted on: 9/13/2009 8:45 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9091459

RE: STARTING A FA 220
No offense taken, I just wanted you to understand my experience so that we could have a clearer conversation. I used an electric starter. Do you use your chicken stick to back flip clockwise, or to pull counter-clockwise thru the power stroke?
Posted on: 9/12/2009 12:35 PM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9089479

RE: STARTING A FA 220
Thanks Hobbsy. I have been able to set up Saito's from .56's to 1.80's with no problems. My 180's have always idle like a Harley. I just never had one backfire like this. I find this engine just a little intimidating with so much power and that backfire. I'll start over like it's new and track the top end in starting from 5 turns out. I should have left the glow igniter on till I had it dialed in on the top end I guess.
Posted on: 9/12/2009 9:34 AM by Author "Flying Geezer" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9089152