RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Steve: I see you plugged the holes for your old hinge locations. Does that mean you will re drill holes in a different location for the new hinges? If so why not just drill out the old hinges and replace them in the same holes? Too big maybe?
Posted on: 9/14/2012 5:45 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228177

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
This just started with RCU about 2 weeks ago. It used to be lightning fast. I am on IE as well but will try it on FF as it drives me crazy to
Posted on: 9/11/2012 9:16 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11225068

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
[quote]ORIGINAL: Kostas1 Scheme is awesome! [/quote] +1 on that, looks stunning. I would be too afraid to fly it. Well I had an eventful flight this weekend but no issues. There was a 15 knot crosswind but the gusts were up to 25 and coming from any direction at times. I decided to put her in the air but it was not fun. The turbulent wind just threw it all over the sky. figured after a couple circuits that it would get better but I was on pins and needles the whole time. After about 5 minutes I attempted a touch and go on the grass runway next to the concrete one (just in case) but I then figured that if it came in even remotely clean I would put her down for good. Did that and she landed with no issues. I decided my nerves had enough and it was time to go. I had the plane upside down on the stand and after removing the wing and placing it in my truck the wind blew the fuselage off my stand and it gell about 3 feet to the ground!! Fortunately only the spinner got a little tiny scratch and the landing gear took the brunt of it. Just another example of why I am so happy with moving the LG to the fuse. My wait for the perfect flight will have to wait but the engine is running perfect so at least that is all resolved now. One more thing I wanted to mention. The NGK CM-6 spark plug can be purchased at your local AutoZone for only $2.99. This was the best price I have seen and the 2 in my area that I checked had it in stock. Here is a link http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/_/N-8gctd?itemIdentifier=933028_0_0_
Posted on: 9/10/2012 4:53 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11223507

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
It's ok I we can all have a laugh at my expense. If it's between that or a crash then let the crap talking fly!!
Posted on: 9/4/2012 6:56 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11216812

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Jim: I was very careful in removing all old fuel from the tank and I made sure it is 100% clear. I then put in a fresh tank of fuel and ran her hard for about 5 minutes. That is all that is required. Very little water traveled through the carb as the orifices inside are so small that it has a hard time passing through and any that does get through passes harmelssly through the engine. Any residuals would boil off as the engine comes up to temp. There is a possibility that the carb can still hold a small amount of water in it but because it does not have a float boal and I am pretty familiar with this carb that should not be the case. The big issue would have been if I got it in the air before it sucked up that slug of water in the tank. Glad I ran her up one more time before takeoff - Without that it would have run out of power about 3 feet off the ground.
Posted on: 9/4/2012 6:12 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11216763

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Cool vid. Looks like you had a 3 foot takeoff roll in that heavy wind. I finally got my GSS back in the air this weekend but only got one good flight in. The engine died as I advanced the throttle to take off for the second flight and I could not get it running without choke after that. I could clearly see this was a fuel/carb issue rather then the original ignition issue but I was ready to pull my hair out nontheless. Luckily I still brought my glow powered Jupiter and flying that relaxed the nerves a bit. When I got home I was thinking I would pull the carb off and take a look but before I did that I wanted to double check the fuel supply. Sure enough my fuel can was full of water. Turns out that the week before I tested the engine on my patio and left the fuel jug outside with the vent open. A few days later tropical storm Isaac came through South Florida and drenched us with unreal amounts of rain and of course my fuel can was sitting out there with the vent open sucking in as much water as it could. Now my pride is a little damaged but fortunately the plane is ready to go and I did not have to take it back apart so in the end it is a lesson learned that did not cost me dearly. Now when I go back to the field I have to eat some crow as one of the guys there said he thought it was contaminated fuel and I was adamant that was not possible!!
Posted on: 9/4/2012 5:08 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11216711

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Go back to around page 69 and you will see several different versions of how we all did it. I used stock wheels and pants with a basic Aluminum undercarriage that I do not know what plane it was for but I suspect it was for a .90 size plane as the aluminum was not thick enough. I added some music wire to give it the required strength. Like the battery debate, there are lots of ways to do it. I suspect that if you want to fly from grass strips bigger wheels without the pants is better but it does look a little clown car-ish - IMHO
Posted on: 8/29/2012 2:06 PM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11210630

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Ok good to hear. I most likely will use the LifeSource batteries as long as the reviews are good because I have a very good relationship with my LHS and he stocks them (and recommends). I see that these need to be balance charged so does that mean the standard charging jack from a switch will not work? Normally that will not be a problem except when I am at the field and cannot access the balance connector.
Posted on: 8/29/2012 6:53 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11210137

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Hey guys all of this A123 talk is totally new to me and I am beginning the research on it. Am I correct that a LiFe battery is the same as A123 and so a LiFe charger should charge it? I have a Turnigy Accucel 6 that charges most batteries including LiFe but there is no mention of A123. I know my LHS was pushing the LiFe batteries from LifeSource and I am unclear if they are A123 or not. I think someone mentioned earlier that A123 was a brand name of LiFe batteries but google searches on the internet seem to be unclear.
Posted on: 8/29/2012 5:42 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11210077

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
You wouldn't know even if you were looking. The plating is so thin that you cannot tell easily. The best way to tell is to look in the transfer ports and sometimes you can see where the plating ends and the aluminum begins but not always. Again I have never seen an enging run on bare aluminum so if there is no steel or cast iron liner then it has to be plated. If I am wrong I would love to see an example as engines are my passion (especially when they are in dirtbikes) and I am always interested in learning
Posted on: 8/21/2012 9:51 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200945

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
I have not had the DLE apart so I cannot say for sure what plating treatment they are doing to the cylinder but the piston ring cannot ride on bare aluminum. If that is possible for small engines then I am wrong but in my experience that makes no sense. Gone are the days of the cast iron liner as they are heavy and do not transfer heat to the cooling fins efficiently. All "normal" size gas engines with aluminum cylinders and no cast iron liner are usually plated with a chrome like plating process that is very hard and durable. Just about every high performance motorcycle engine is made this way and many automobiles are too (outboards, lawn mowers etc.). Many manufacturers have a proprietary method with it's own name like Nikasil (honda) but they are all similar in that a very hard and thin (.002") plating process is performed over an aluminum base. This provides extremely long wear properties as well as very efficient heat transfer. before when we changed a top end on a bike it always had to be bored to the next oversize but with modern plated cylinders we only bore and replate them if there is damage, they do not wear out. Replating is not for the faint of heart and we send everything out to be done. Cyanide is one of the chemicals involved in the process.
Posted on: 8/21/2012 9:38 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200932

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Al: Fully understood and agreed. I may not have been totally clear in my first remark about the fuel consumption. I was running very rich to begin with but when I did the 11 minute test this past weekend the engine was only slightly on the rich side and yes I did notice a longer run time after that but not night and day. I would say I have another 1/8th turn on the high needle before being just right so she is very much in the ballpark. I believe the stock tank is 420 cc and that translates to 14 ounces so I am surprised to hear you are going longer on 12 (if I read that right). The engine is fully broken in now and I would have had it tuned by now if not for the bad ignition module. When I was going through that problem I did not want to make too many adjustments at once for sanity sake. This weekend I will pay very close attention to fuel consumption and high speed screw position and post my results next week.
Posted on: 8/21/2012 9:28 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200924

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Al: I disagree with your break in procedure. This is a ringed engine with chrome plated aluminum cylinder and they do require break in (IMHO). I left it rich for 2 reasons, 1 is to provide more oil as I did not run a break in mix, just more fuel and oil and the other is to help keep the temps down as the parts wear in. One more thing, on a gasoline engine a layer of carbon is GOOD and something that you want to happen. Too much causes problems as well but a small layer of carbon on the top of the piston helps to prevent heat from transfering to the piston. I am very experienced with high performance 2 stroke racing engines and this is the procedure I run on all of them. Maybe a little excessive for this little weedwacker engine but my engines have won multiple world and national titles at the pro level in Personal watercraft racing so I stick with what I know. Even though DLE has a good name, The Chinese are not know for their close tolerances so a heavy oil and fuel break in procedure is just cheap insurance as the parts mate to each other. I have also noticed the idle settle down since break in. Of course everyone has their methods and I am sure they work, but in my experience break in is mandatory.
Posted on: 8/21/2012 7:00 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200769

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
I think it is 18x6 master airscrew classic series or possibly 18x8 (can't remember) and she spins around 7700 at W.O.T.
Posted on: 8/21/2012 5:26 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200678

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
[quote]ORIGINAL: ahicks Muttdog, Nice to hear you're moving forward! I don't remember anything about the stock gas tank other than it was pretty good size? What engine are you using to go through that in 11 minutes at half throttle? An NiMh on your ignition is a good match up. You can probably fly that all day on a charge? 250 mah at wide open throttle is all your pulling
Posted on: 8/21/2012 4:41 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200642

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Well I actually have some good news about mine. I managed to get my new ignition installed as well as the newly strengthened landing gear after it came back from paint and was able to run a tank through it on the ground. Sounds better then ever and I am very pleased. I ended up purchasing the Spark plug through my local Honda dealer as I have a wholesale account with them and it was as easy as sending an email. I never charged the batts after my 2 deadsticks from 2 months ago and actually left it turned on overnight but the single 4.8V NiMh Hobbico pack still had no hiccups powering the engine through 11minutes of run time. That by the way is a full tank for me using the stock tank. I have come in before after 10 minutes and was concerned with how little fuel was left so I wanted to test and all I got was 11 minutes. Most of the time was around 6k rpm but I tried to fluctuate as much as possible. I think on busy or windy days I will cut my timer down from 10 mins to 9 just in case I need a little time to get her down. The landing gear is now (dare I say) perfect. Before it was so weak that it would flex heavily just sitting on it's wheels but now it is stiff enough to hold it up but you can definitely tell there is some suspension action as well. I still have to repair a small dime sized hole in the wing from the deadstick and I still need to repair a broken stringer just behind the cockpit that I damaged when working on it. If the stars go in perfect alignment then I should have her up Sunday morning for the shake down.
Posted on: 8/20/2012 1:28 PM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11199926

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Guys, it's time to give it a rest. This was last weeks waste of a good forum and now we want to keep it going? How many subscribers do you think we can chase out of here??? Both of you have talked your side to death and THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO SAY. The rest of us will take what you said and extract the bits and pieces that pertain to us and move on just like any other information source. It is up to the reader to determine the best course of action. I know for one I have gained valuable info from BOTH of you and am thankful for that but C'mon was gettting childish last week. What is it this week? Just my .02 - MD
Posted on: 8/20/2012 12:14 PM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11199843

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
[quote]ORIGINAL: TexasSkyPilot Ahh, failsafe. Yes, that's different. I was concentrating on the engine itself. The simplest - and most common - cause of going into failsafe is a power interruption. You might start by shaking power cables between the batteries and the Rx, or shaking the plane while watching the lights. Not sure which is the next most common. Interrupted signal, I'd reckon. The 8103 is a GREAT radio, but there might be some issue with the 2.4 FrSky module and/or RX. Range check first? I'll be curious to hear what you discover. ~ Jim ~[8D] [/quote] I have had zero problems with the radio. As I mentioned before the only time my failsafe kicked in was when I tried to fly when I left the radio in range check mode. Totally my screw up and nothing to do with the radio. I chose the FrSky module for the JR radio after extensive research and feel this is the best one. It also has the lowest low voltage cuttoff of just about any brand receiver out there and it is true frequency hopping technology (RC model reviews did a full spectrum analisys on their site). I did not mind popping for the JR/Spectrum module but the receivers are outrageous in price and simply too much for me. I have 2 telemetry receivers and one standard and they all work great, never had a problem. I love the 8103 radio and now that it is 2.4 I could not be happier. Interesting discussion on the batteries. I am using AA NiMh packs for my GSS with 6.0v on the radio and a 4.8V pack for the ignition. So far so good with the longest flying day about 45 mins to 1 hour from fully charged with no issues.
Posted on: 8/8/2012 9:52 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11185621

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
I can certainly understand water grounding out the plug and shutting off the ignition but that creating noise that caused a failsafe situation to occur in a receiver does not make sense to me. Once the plug is grounded then the noise is grounded as well and should be null. Whenever I see noise causing problems it makes the control surfaces flutter and act erratic, not send a RX into failsafe. At least that is the situation I have seen with my RX's. I use JR 8103 that I converted to 2.4 with a Chinese branded module (FrSky) and receiver. I did have the failsafe set up on the old JR receiver but never ran it on gas and it never had it kick in to test it. I have only had my failsafe kick in once on my 2.4 setup but that was because someone (me) left the radio on range test mode before taking off. It was kicking in and out as the signal was going in and out before she finally hit the ground. That was a hard lesson to learn.
Posted on: 8/8/2012 4:21 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11185277

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Hey guys I did a little research and have some info to share. most auto shops will not be able to search by spark plug names as that would be too easy. They must have a model to search for. The Honda E300 K1 generator is a good choice to use. Also the NGK part number for the CM-6 is 5812 and the Napa part number is NGK 5812. I am an NGK dealer but none of my vendors stock that plug so if my local Napa does not have it avalable I will simply order from my local Honda dealer. The Honda part number is 98052-56471 and it retails for $5.05
Posted on: 8/7/2012 5:33 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11184023

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
I appreciate all of the advice. I did not make it to the HS to see what they had but will try today. a 6 inch extension tube would be perfect. Anyone know of the NGK equivalent spark plug for the DLE 30 and where to get it. I believe it is the CM6 and I thought I remember reading someone saying it can be purchased at Napa. I know my HS does not carry them.
Posted on: 8/7/2012 4:14 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11183966

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
To be honest it is really not too bad. The stringer is still held in place as it is not a clean break, just a crack. If I can use a tube to get som CA in there, I can use a long dowel or even a long screwdriver to press on the stringer from outside the fueselage and that will hold everything together as the CA sets. Doubling it with some epoxy is not a bad idea and I may do that as well but I think CA wil be the best to repair the boken pieces as I need the quick set. I will see what the hobby shop has today. I hear ya on the stand and I knew better. Normally I make sure that the weight is being supported by the ply formers but this time I was not paying attention.
Posted on: 8/6/2012 8:38 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11182847

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Hey guys I have a strange one for you. Now that my Family has left and my home remodeling is nearing completion I wanted to get my GSS back in the air. Unfortunately my dirt bike bit me this weekend and I split my knee cap open clear to the bone. 14 stitches and a few vicodins prevented me from not only flying my other plane but also working on the GSS as well. Here is the problem. When I had the plane upside down in my cradle I must have pushed too hard on something and the plane was not centered correctly in the stand so I cracked one of the stringers that goes from the rear of the cockpit to the tail. The break is right behind the cockpit rear wall and it is the very top stringer. Now I can stick my hand in there and feel it but I have no way to get any CA in there. Any ides on how to fashion an extension to a CA bodel or any other way to deliver the glue? I cannot use Epoxy as the it is not 100% broken, just cracked so I figure some thin penetrating CA should so the trick if only I can get it to the spot.
Posted on: 8/6/2012 5:06 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11182623

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
I would imagine that with a DLE 35 around the corner, the DLE 30 will have a reduced price. If not I suspect there will be huge unsold inventories of them. You do not need the compact J-tec to fit the GSS, the standard one fits just fine with (minimal) room to spare
Posted on: 7/19/2012 8:43 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161146

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
To add to what Al said, if you go with the pitts muffler, DO NOT get the Bisson muffler, it will be too wide to fit. Use the J-tec, it fits perfectly. I already learned that the hard way. If you read complaints about the J-tec crushing when you tighten it down, do not worry as those are the old models, the newer ones use tubes welded into the muffler to support the bolts.
Posted on: 7/19/2012 7:52 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161086

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
[quote]ORIGINAL: azalner Guys It's time to knock it off. One of the nice things about this thread is that it is subscribed to by a lot of nice folks who get along and enjoy this particular airframe. With that having been said this aircraft is an intermediate sport aircraft. So let's cut to the chase and determine where the CG should be. You can determine the correct CG by simply flying your aircraft. Start by trimming your aircraft so that it is flying staight and level hands off. Got it? Good. Now roll inverted. What happened? If you needed a lot of down elevator to hold level flight you need to add tail weight (or move components back). If you need a lot of up elevator to hold level flight you need to add nose weight (or move components forward). I personally don't like slowing the plane to a crawl for landing, it spoils you for other aircraft. My other plane is a 9.5 lb. MXS_R with a DLE-30. It flies 3D quite nicely with the plane balanced using the above procedure. If you must slow it down use flaperons or learn to use your rudder and crab it in. Now go outside and play. Al Z [/quote] Al I could not agree more. I hate it when forums turn into bickering cat fights and it appears that is where we are heading here. Let's agree to disagree and move on. I subscribed to this forum because of the lack of infighting that plagues so many forum threads and over the last 24 hours it seems all for not. I am a firm believer that there is always more then one way to get something done and what works for one, may not work for the other. I have received valuable information from everyone on this thread but that does not mean I will follow it to the letter. Make your own informed decisions and tell everyone what you are doing but don't force your methods on everyone else (no matter if they are right or wrong). just my .02 - MD
Posted on: 7/19/2012 4:18 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160862

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
I am also interested to hear what others are getting for weight. After the Flying wires and the Landing gear additions, my GSS RTF (no fuel) is 14.5 lbs. Mine required no ballast to balance it. I was able to move my RX and Ignition batteries to achieve the factory recommended CG point. I have plenty of room to move them to adjust the CG as necessary
Posted on: 7/18/2012 4:27 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11159637

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Jim, I am glad someone brought up the Flaperon option. I experimented with flaperons on my Pulse XT 60 and found them to be very effective. Like the GSS the pulse does not need them but boy does it slow her down to a crawl on touchdown with very good control. I had planned on trying it with the GSS at some point but I am still shaking the plane down since the maiden. Glad to hear it works well and I will definitely try it. My runway is paved and fairly short so S turns are the norm to stop before the end comes (and it comes quick). I have not had any issues to date with the GSS in getting her wowed down but I do make sure to touchdown right as the pavement begins so I have as much room as possible to stop. As for the landing gear I already had two deadsticks that resulted in fairly hard landings in grass and both times I was very happy I made the change to fuselage mounted. I am pretty sure that it would have sent the wheel pants into the wings on at least one of them. Instead I re bent the landing gear and was on my way. On those 2 hard landings I realized that my LG was not strong enough and since modified it for the heavier load.
Posted on: 7/17/2012 10:45 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11158741

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
Good Stuff
Posted on: 7/17/2012 4:31 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11158374

RE: New Giant GP Super Sportster!!!!!
[quote]ORIGINAL: ahicks Awesome! You'll love it! I [b]ass[/b]umed you were one of the many guys coming up through the ranks or just getting your feet wet with a first gasser. Sorry! Welcome to our group. Looking forward to hearing about your progress and thoughts about how it flys. BTW, I wouldn't hesitate to move that CG back AT LEAST an inch. You may want to go even further after a few flights with the 3D experience under your belt... -Al [/quote] A full inch? WOW, I was not expecting that. Will there be any negative effects doing that? Is that what most others are doing? I did notice high landing speeds and once almost stalled it trying to slow down. Thank God for DLE power as a stab of the throttle and it was instantly flying again.
Posted on: 7/17/2012 4:07 AM by Author "Muttdog" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11158358