RE: a123 batteries or???.......
One thing to remember if you want to fast charge your a123 Rx packs is that you will need a heavier lead and connector than the standard "servo plug" and wire which will only allow about 4 amp charge rate. Also, another option for charging the two cell packs is to use the 6 volt Pb (lead acid) setting on a Triton or similar. The down side is that you will lack about 150 mah of 100% charge since the Pb charge terminates at about 6.9-7.0 volts vs 7.2. But it's a safe way to charge if you're caught without a true a123 charger. Mike
Posted on: 1/14/2008 12:25 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6903829

RE: A123 for glow starter
When I read the thread title I thought it was referring to a glow plug igniter. Since it is closely related, I hope this isn't thread hijacking to post pics of my a123 glow plug lighter. I just made this up at the end of the flying season so haven't had a lot of actual use yet but it seems like it should work well, and won't always be dead when I go to use it like my Nicd igniter. I simply installed 2 diodes in line to drop the voltage and have measured voltage at the plug at 1.3 -1.5 volts. Hopefully it won't burn out plugs, it hasn't hurt my test plug so far which is an old used plug that had been flown in an engine for quite a while. The diodes on this one are the 3 amp from Radio Shack and they get pretty warm if you leave the plug attached for a while but seem to be holding up ok. The first one I built (which I sold to a fellow club member) used the 6 amp RS diodes but they were out of those when I went back. Mike
Posted on: 12/27/2007 8:13 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6813252

RE: Your source for A123 6.6v Packs - No Regulators
[quote]ORIGINAL: quist Mr Matt told us to setup the ecu for 8 cell nicad for use with the A123 battery 3 cell pack. I have been running two 2 cell 2300mah dewalt receiver packs in my Flash a. After four 10 minute flights, each battery takes 380-400mah of charge. edited [/quote] That's the thing with the a123's, you can easily fly 15 10 minute flights using 3000mah of your 4600mah capacity and the voltage will drop from 6.8v to maybe 6.2v. They have a very flat discharge curve, just don't play around near the far edge of the curve as they can go from 6.0v to 4v in just a few minutes.
Posted on: 11/29/2007 7:02 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6692027

RE: Your source for A123 6.6v Packs - No Regulators
I have a 2cell a123 pack in my Intro. After three six minute flights I put back 280mah into the pack. One of the best thing about the a123 packs for me is that they have a very low self discharge. I can charge my pack today, leave the plane sit until better weather in March, and go fly. Try that with NimH. There is a good thread on flyying giiants site (a123 for dummies) where a bunch of the giant scale guys are using these in 35-40% planes. A few have measured their mah usage at 175-200 mah per 10-12 minute flight in a 35% 3D gasser. You can safely get an honest 2000 mah out of these packs before they drop below 6 volts under normal rx/servo load. I'm also flying a couple of electric planes with 3 and 5 cell a123 packs and they are impressive when it comes to amp load, durability and recharge rate. I can recharge my 3cell packs in about 10 minutes putting in 1800 mah. They are heavier than lipo and lower voltage but you can run them completely dead, turn around and fast charge at 10 amps and no harm done.
Posted on: 11/28/2007 10:38 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6688407

RE: Sepulveda Basin
[quote] From: Dave Searles Landing was perfect, so I refueled, recharged and began flight two with the intent of extending the flight envelope a little farther outbound and depth away. I took off, turned outbound and then downwind climbing with the turbine at full throttle, allowing it to pick up some speed. I let it proceed a little further downwind this time before beginning the base turn to upwind. At the point I wanted to make my base turn to upwind I felt no response to input. Then the landing gear extended, which was my indication that the receiver was in failsafe. It continued for what seemed like an eternity, and then I saw the gear retract again. I immediately put the plane into a hard bank to the left to bring it back towards the field. Just as the nose came around to approximately pointing at me, still in a bank, the gear extended again, FAILSAFE. This time the nose tucked straight down, with the belly towards me I could see the gear still extended. At about 30'-50' above ground the gear again retracted, but it was too late. The plane impacted, turbine running at idle, and a full fuel load. EVERYTHING BURNED!!!! The XPS receiver ejected from the plane on impact and appears to have no damage. Everything else, TOTAL LOSS!! [/quote] Question, Why did the turbine continue to run after two failsafe occurrences?
Posted on: 8/3/2007 9:51 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6191420

RE: Rash Protection
Cool, twin spark rooster tails :)
Posted on: 6/29/2007 4:16 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6051638

RE: Xtreme link in your 9Z WCII? Have fun pulling old antenna!
[quote]ORIGINAL: Silent-AV8R [quote]ORIGINAL: JimDrew If you remove the battery door, you will find a 2.5mm screw that can be removed and then out comes the antenna. FCC requires that we tell you to remove the antenna. Whether you do that or not is up to you. [/quote] Huh?? So are you now saying that it is only a legal CYA that makes you recommend that the antenna be removed?? Or is it actually required? [/quote] Can't really answer that now can he? [;)] Wink wink nudge nudge say no more
Posted on: 5/8/2007 3:12 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5827961

RE: Cheap thrust gauge from walmart.
[quote]ORIGINAL: joeflyer How have these been working out? Have the rest of you checked them for accuracy? I finally made it to Walmart and bought one. When I got it home I hung 5, 10 and 25 lbs. weights on it. The 5# weight read almost 6, the 10# over 11, and the 25# about 26.5 lbs. Additionally it was difficult to get a good reading since the numbers would bounce around quite a bit. I returned it as defective and got another. The second one did the same thing so I returned it and gave up on making a thrust gauge. Joe [/quote] Are you sure your weights are accurate? Verified on a known accurate scale? The readings do bounce around a bit since it is hard to hold it completely steady. Picture me with my arms out in front of me lifting a 40% Edge 540 and trying to get a steady reading :) But,if you hang the scale on a fixed object then hang a weight on it it won't bounce around much. I didn't see any way to adjust it when I had mine apart. Mike
Posted on: 1/23/2007 11:27 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5314152

RE: KingCat now available? Price?
[quote]ORIGINAL: rcguy! Folks, I see that the "new" KingCat is now available. What I don't see is a price? [/quote] If you have to ask.......................[:)]
Posted on: 12/3/2006 11:51 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5069578

RE: P60 Fod screen
Dave, I think the holes are made by expanding one of the holes in the weave large enough for the line to go through. Maybe stick a toothpick through and wobble it around in a circle, the wires are not cut and no loose ends to become FOD. Mike
Posted on: 8/21/2006 10:49 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4652874

RE: JetJoe OWNERS thread
Paul, good point [:)] I edited that to be a little clearer. Plus I ask them to press on the turbine end of the shaft so hopefully the flame will stop them before they touch the spinning turbine [:D] Mike
Posted on: 8/21/2006 11:46 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4650154

RE: JetJoe OWNERS thread
DW_Crash, Your symptoms sound the same as mine and at least one other person's I've read. You can read my posts about this starting here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3109179 In the end I sent my JJ1400 back to Joe and he sent me a replacement which I have over 50 flights on now but I had to have it balanced, free up the pre-load and replace the bearings and combustion chamber at around 25 flights (not hours) Joe told me that the problem with the first engine was the rear bearing binding and dragging down the RPM causing it to shoot flames. Which I believe since my second (current) engine had pre-load issues as well. As a test, push firmly against the shaft/nut on the turbine wheel as if trying to push the shaft out the front of the engine and then release. If the pre-load is free you should be able to feel or hear a very slight movement of the shaft against the pre-load spring and it will spring back when you let go. Out of curiosity, try running the engine after pressing hard against the turbine end of the shaft (just by hand, maybe 20 - 30 lbs,) When it's cool and not running [;)] then run it and see if it accelerates ok for a while before going back to shooting flames. Hope this is helpful, I've been there, Mike
Posted on: 8/21/2006 11:42 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4648701

RE: What the heck???
It has worked before.
Posted on: 8/20/2006 12:42 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4646277

RE: Help with JJ-1400 acceleration delay??? maybe?
Brandon, Mine would run great sometimes and then blow flames the next time. At one point I thought I had it fixed and had about 4 runs in a row where I tried to make it flame with quick throttle changes etc. and it worked perfect. I was ready to put it in the plane but decided to run it one more time on the stand about a week later and it was back to its old trick of losing RPM and flaming around 100k. My current 1400 has never done this (Knock wood), but it was poorly balanced and the pre-load was sticking and the SS fuel sticks burned away after 25 flights, all fixed and running great now. Mike
Posted on: 7/3/2006 1:39 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4458446

RE: Help with JJ-1400 acceleration delay??? maybe?
Hi Brandon, Sorry to hear about your problem, but unfortunately not surprised, you are me a year ago. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3109179 I tried all kinds of things and eventually sent my engine back to Joe and he sent me a different one that has run well but not without its own minor issues to be worked through. Joe later told me that the problem with the first engine involved binding in the rear bearing. My suggestion is don't waste your time trying to fix it with the settings, send it back to Joe. Mike
Posted on: 7/3/2006 10:00 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4457827

RE: Turbine Test Stand Pics?
Sheesh LOONY BOY, he asked for test stands not works of art! [:D]
Posted on: 6/18/2006 12:15 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4403205

RE: Tam F-16
Now that many of you have some time on your Tam F-16's, Is everyone using the CG listed in the manual or can it be moved back a little, seems pretty far forward. Thanks, Mike
Posted on: 6/11/2006 11:33 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4380056

RE: post pictures of your jet!
Intro w/ JJ1400
Posted on: 5/29/2006 9:18 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4329746

RE: Need a compressor?
You don't need an adapter. The compressor comes with a needle for filling basketballs etc (see picture). The fitting on the compressor is a compression type fitting that has a rubber donut in it that tightens down on the threaded end of the needle. So you simply slide a piece of air line over the end of the needle (it's just the right size) with the fitting for your fill valve on the other end. The down side is that when threading in the fitting into your fill valve you have to rotate the entire rig or remove the needle from the compressor. Still a lot faster to fill the tanks than a hand pump. Richard-RCU : are your sure yours doesn't have a leak, mine will hit 100 pounds in a large retract can in under 10 seconds, probably closer to 5. Mike
Posted on: 5/28/2006 1:21 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4323953

RE: new Arf Boomerang 14lb thrust
[quote]ORIGINAL: Lil Hoss Did my maiden flight today.............. Don't no why I waited so long. Had some issues with my P60 and jetcat took care of right away. I been flyin heli's and planes for about 12 years now and finnally took the plunge into turbines. I sure bought the right jet. The INTRO is unbelievable. It's like flyin a high wing trainer. Took off from a hard surface (never did that before) and in about 75' it took off stright as a arrow. 2 clicks of up and 3 clicks of left elevator and flew perfect. Raised the gear, 2 more clicks of up and it was trimmed perfect. Circled the field twice and landed. Landing was a bit of a challange on a hard surface, applyed brakes and brought it back. Had 2 more flights before I bent one of the wire gears and had to call it a day TO MUCH FUN........ I guess what I'm trying to say is, This jet is very gentle, glides like a trainer and sounds cool as hell :) Anyone new into jets as I am, DON'T be afraid of this plane Take care Hoss [/quote] I hear a lot of people reporting that they have to trim in left elevator on the Intro, maybe Alan should look into that. [:)] Sorry, couldn't resist.
Posted on: 5/27/2006 6:20 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4322902

RE: I may have cracked the nut on Duralite's specifically
[quote]ORIGINAL: seanreit wait, you guys are talking LIPO, not Li ion [/quote] They're the way of the future....... The way of the FUTURE......... The WAY of the future [:)]
Posted on: 5/18/2006 12:16 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4291551

RE: I may have cracked the nut on Duralite's specifically
Sean, If you haven't seen it already, check out Common Sense RC: http://www.commonsenserc.com/index.php?cPath=37 You can get two 7.4V, 2000 Mah Li-po packs rated at 8C for about $35 ($18 each) They also have a 3cell 2000 Mah for $24 that should make a good Tx pack. Mike
Posted on: 5/18/2006 11:55 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4291491

RE: Baby Boomerang wing/Fuse Seperation...In flight.
[quote]ORIGINAL: EASYTIGER [quote]ORIGINAL: YLF I think what we are seeing is not covering but the white heatshield paint. However, it is obvious that the rear section was not glued since there is either paint or covering still there. But you can see where the balsa is pulled apart where the cross member pieces were glued to the wing surface. Mike [/quote] No, you can very, very clearly see
Posted on: 5/16/2006 8:27 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4285600

RE: Baby Boomerang wing/Fuse Seperation...In flight.
I think what we are seeing is not covering but the white heatshield paint. However, it is obvious that the rear section was not glued since there is either paint or covering still there. But you can see where the balsa is pulled apart where the cross member pieces were glued to the wing surface. Mike
Posted on: 5/16/2006 12:31 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4284250

RE: Baby Boomerang wing/Fuse Seperation...In flight.
That's why I installed the leading edge dowels and rear bolts even though I glued the fuse to the wing. I was not comfortable with just glueing the fuse to the top sheeting of the wing as the kit instructions suggest. Sorry for the loss! Mike
Posted on: 5/15/2006 4:13 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4280979

RE: My onboard air system finally works!
http://www.balsapr.com/view.asp?id=W553484&pid=U823187&img=l
Posted on: 3/16/2006 1:05 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4042042

RE: JetJoe OWNERS thread
[quote]ORIGINAL: timfly1 Hmm I guess no one knows. [/quote] It's supposed to be Inconel. If you look back a few pages in this thread you will see pictures of my original CC after 30 runs. Joe sent me a new one and I am running it now. Time will tell. Mike
Posted on: 3/2/2006 11:19 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3981046

RE: JetJoe OWNERS thread
If I remember right it is part of UPS and you can track it through the UPS tracking system at ups.com
Posted on: 2/17/2006 9:14 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3922630

RE: JetJoe OWNERS thread
Empty weight is 13.8 lbs, takeoff weight is just under 18 lbs. One other factor between the two videos I posted that I had forgotten about is that in the first video I had much softer tires installed which had a high rolling resistance increasing the takeoff run even more. I am satisfied with the current performance, so if my Jetjoe will hold up over time and be reliable I'm happy.
Posted on: 2/5/2006 1:18 PM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3871373

RE: JetJoe OWNERS thread
Here's a link to a video of my Intro taken Thursday flying with my JJ1400 putting out 11 lbs as compared to the video I posted earlier when I was getting about 8-9 lbs. http://media.putfile.com/JJ-1400-Intro Mike
Posted on: 2/5/2006 12:10 AM by Author "YLF" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3869884