RE: Mini-Titan SE
Skarn: I guess it was just my gut. There aren't any Mini-Titan sections here at RCU and if you ask someone what 400 size to buy the TREX always comes up but the Mini-Titan really doesn't. I read at helifreak that the Mini-Titan is heavier than the TREX, too. I'm not sure if that is the case or not. Mine is pretty nimble, in fact it is a lot more nimble than my TREX on the same motor and battery.
Posted on: 10/1/2008 2:11 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8009032

Mini-Titan SE
Two weeks ago I posted saying that I was thinking about getting a Mini-Titan SE to supplement my TREX 450 SE. The prevailing opinion seems to be that the TREX is better than the Mini-Titan, and it may be. I finished mine, though, and after some fine tuning I have to say that the Mini-Titan does not get the credit it deserves. The head was much easier to set up than the TREX and I didn't have any collective/cyclic interaction problems. I was also able to get more throw without any interference in the head. I've always had trouble getting more than -9 degrees on my TREX without binding on forward cyclic. So if your in the market for another 450 don't overlook that one. I really like mine. The setup is stock except I put a Hacker A20-6XL in it. Servos are Hitec MG-65's and the tail is the Futaba 401/9650 combo.
Posted on: 10/1/2008 9:21 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8008345

NEU 1107
Anyone using this motor? What pinion are you using 14/15t? What are your impressions on the performance. I am changing from a Hacker A20-6XL.
Posted on: 9/29/2008 10:29 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8001589

RE: Trex 250
It looks way unstable? What a silly thing to say. He was flying 3D almost the entire video. He hovered it 3 times. One time inverted, another time inverted and pirouetting and the last time upright and priouetting. I'd say it looked fantastic especially for such a small machine.
Posted on: 9/26/2008 11:02 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7992714

Other 450's
How many of you own a 450 other than a TREX? I have a TREX 450 SE V1. We've been through alot including 2 serious crashes and a bearing set and swash plate that were worn out from flying so much. I have killed 2 LiPos with it and am in the process of killing number 3 and 4. 5 is still running strong but 3 and 4 have that tell-tale lack of punch. Anyway, I digress. I still love the TREX and I still fly it, but I'm thinking of a new Heli. I want to stick with the 450 size because I want to be able to share batteries and main blades. I really like the looks of the Thunder Tiger Mini-Titan SE. It's all blinged up with the CNC'd head and carbon blades. I read a pretty favorable review and decided to order one. Any of you guys fly a 450 other than a TREX? Anyone have the Mini-Titan?
Posted on: 9/22/2008 2:58 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7979675

How many of you run 4s?
I'd like to give my 450 a little more zip. I am already using a Hacker A20-6XL motor with a 16t pinion.
Posted on: 9/8/2008 11:15 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7932659

RE: Principles of Helicopter Flight W.J. Wagtendonk
Wagtendonk? Is that really the poor guys name. It sounds like a joke![:)]
Posted on: 8/28/2008 12:48 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7895434

RE: Big-Time Power System Problem. Please give me some ideas on what to do next!!
I had a similar problem with my CC35. One time it worked fine in governor and then it didn't. I switched to normal and manually set my pitch/throttle curves. I works fine that way.
Posted on: 8/19/2008 12:35 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7862785

RE: 1/2a Models in Magazines
I was kind of sad to see this one hasn't made the list yet. Pong 2. It was published in Flying Models in the 80's. I think Randy Randolph designed it. I think it was the first R/C model I ever scratch built and also the first model I "flew" successfully. That is, when the silly G-mark .061 would run.....
Posted on: 8/15/2008 2:57 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7849289

RE: Biggest battery you can use in a trex 450 se v2??
I use Flight Power EVOLITE 2500's and my TREX has plenty of zip. It flips, rolls, etc. Maybe not a 3D rocket but certainly 3D capable, and I get 6 minute flight times ending with 11.5 volts (or better).
Posted on: 8/15/2008 11:00 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7848609

RE: Best Battery?
T/A Guy: I had the exact problem you are having. I was using thunder power packs. After some use they would puff just a little and start losing power. It would get worse and worse until I couldn't rationalize using them anymore. I finally traced the porblem to a bad charger/balancer. It seems that one of the cells was getting zapped. The dead giveaway was that the same cell kept puffing in my packs. You might want to check your charging setup out.
Posted on: 8/15/2008 10:53 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7848588

RE: 401 Gyro Questions
HeliSmith: Thanks, that sounds about right. I did damage to the tail and had to reposition the servo. I didn't go through the full setup again. I'll give that a try. DrDeath: Thanks for the reply. I doubt the gyro is damaged, but I will keep your suggestion in mind if setting the throws up doesn't work.
Posted on: 5/6/2008 12:52 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7462886

401 Gyro Questions
I recently planted my 450SE and now that it is rebuilt I have started to tune it (again). I am having some gyro problems, though. I have a futaba 401 driving a 9254 digital servo. If I goose the stick up the tail drifts to the right. It seems like the gyro isn't quick enough to counteract the torque. I increases the gain some and saw some improvement but something is changed. What are some potential causes for this?
Posted on: 5/6/2008 9:52 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7462270

RE: what boat to buy
I bought the electric version of the SuperV from Tower. It runs fine, but I did have to take the motor out and realign the driveshaft to free it up some. Then I had to replumb the cooling because a line was pinched. That said it probably would have run fine the way it was but I'm picky. Anyway, it has been a lot of fun. Pretty fast but not tempermental.
Posted on: 4/29/2008 8:29 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "Speed - Electric"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7434291

RE: How long do your LiPos last
Doc: Actually, I think the charger is the problem. It is an Align balancing charger. I haven't much liked it from the start and the instructions are terrible (the translations are sketchy). I really took a hard look at it the last time I charged and noticed the balancer is only showing two LEDs which I intrepret to mean it is only seeing 2 cells. So chances are, it is not properly balancing the pack. I have ordered a GP Triton charger and some new batteries. We'll see if this combo works better.
Posted on: 4/28/2008 10:27 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7429896

How long do your LiPos last
I'm not talking about in flight. I mean how many flights/cycles do you get before you need to throw them out. Is a season about right or are there people that have used them longer? I have a highly rated brand of LiPo. I have had 4 of them and have not abused them in any way. Each battery has exhibited exactly the same failure mode. One of the cells will start to puff slightly. The battery will be good for several more flights, but that slight puffing is the harbringer of doom. Eventually the battery will just refuse to pump out amps and I will lose headspeed. None of these failures have exhibited a lot of heat. The battery will be warm to the touch but that is all. I'd estimate the temperature at maybe 100 - 110F. At $80.00 a piece I think this a pretty poor return. I could buy a lot of fuel for $160 and right now I'm killing about 2 batteries a season.
Posted on: 4/24/2008 1:23 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7414068

New Boat
Hi all: I am thinking about getting a boat. I am no stranger to R/C. I have been flying planes for 20 years and recently got into helicopters. I am not looking at something to race, but I want a step above your typical Wal-mart style bath tub toy. I have looked at several RTR's including the Blackjack 26. My question is, what is the standard for a solid upgradeable machine. Lets set the budget at $500. Thanks
Posted on: 4/7/2008 9:44 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7345415

RE: hot battery
It could. I had a TP pack that was rated at 50C. It would get hot from just hovering. Eventually it started to puff up and wouldn't deliver much power. I trashed it at that point.
Posted on: 4/4/2008 2:33 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7332653

RE: I have a problem
I agree with the headspeed issue and the manual throttle curves are low. I had exactly the same problem until I changed the curve. I fly in idle 1 or 2. The lowest (1) curve is 95, 85, 80, 90, 95.
Posted on: 3/7/2008 7:36 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7188873

RE: need help with my t-rex, i think the motor is shot.
I don't know how to check if it is the ESC or motor. Are you using the 35a Align one? If so, that's not helping. I use a Hacker A20-6XL motor and there is plenty of power. It cooked my original Align ESC, though, and I switched to a Castle Creations 35a ESC. No more worries then. So my advice is to replace the ESC and motor.
Posted on: 1/4/2008 11:41 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6852460

Any of you guys hurricane owners
I have a TREX and there's no Hurricane forum, so I'm allowed to post here[;)] Anyway, I won some $ in the office fantasy football league this year and am thinking of buying one. Please let me know what you think.
Posted on: 12/11/2007 12:24 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6742961

RE: Lipo puffiness, life and $$$
I had 2 TP batteries that started to puff like that. I was also easy on them, so I was pretty surprised. I kept using them since they didn't get hot while charging although I made sure to charge them out doors in a fire-proof container. They both worked for awhile and then wouldn't pump out enough amps to fly the heli right. Even at the end they didn't get very hot, but I decided it wasn't worth the risk. TP replaced one of the batteries with no questions asked and I deactivated the other (salt water) and pitched it. I think that there is still some variability in LiPo manufacture. In the case of TP the extra dollars buys a good replacement policy if nothing else.
Posted on: 12/11/2007 12:21 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6742951

RE: Gy401 drift in IU only, good in normal
I had a similar problem and it turned out that I had some revo mix. Setting it to 0 solved the problem.
Posted on: 10/31/2007 2:15 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6563239

RE: T-Rex 600 CF Build Thread
It's not that big of a step going from a coaxial heli to a 600. Oh brother, that statement alone would seem to indicate a problem. Have you flown your uncle's 450? If so, how much? I personnally found G 3.5 very helpful, but it absolutely is not the same thing. I can do inverted circuits on Realflight and have yet to do an inverted tail-in hover in real life.
Posted on: 10/25/2007 11:49 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6537057

RE: DRIVE BELT FRICTION
Generally speaking you don't lubricate belts because it can make them slip and will also degrade the rubber. That said, the Trex belt has to wrap around a very small gear and also rubs against itself where it makes the 90 degree twist. For these reasons and through trail and error I have elected to lubricate mine. I lubricate it lightly with a silicon lubricant when it's new and never again. This keeps my drivetrain very free and my rotor takes considerably longer to spool down when power is removed than without lubrication. It really is up to you, though. Some do some don't.
Posted on: 10/25/2007 11:43 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6537036

Lipo Storage
Can someone tell me what the rule of thumb is for storing Lipos in terms of charge? I know you should not store them fully charged, and with winter approaching I will probably not be flying much. Seems to me it was 11.5 V but I don't remember where I got that from.
Posted on: 10/22/2007 12:11 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6522993

RE: Night Flying
Thanks. How are the blades powered externally or internally?
Posted on: 10/19/2007 1:44 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6511795

Night Flying
As the days get shorter, I am considering a night flying set up. Would some of you with experience please let me know how you do it? What blades do you use and how are they powered. Do you put light strings on the body? Where and what type? Photos would also be helpful if you have them. Thanks!
Posted on: 10/19/2007 9:43 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6510971

RE: Anyone using a cc thunderbird esc in their TREX 450?
I'm not familiar with the thunder bird controller, but I'm assuming from the thread that it doesn't have a soft start. You can NOT compensate for soft start using the throttle curve. The throttle curve controls the amount of throttle at a given stick position. The soft start controls the rate that the throttle increases. If you don't have a soft start and you increase the throttle quickly you could strip your gears.
Posted on: 10/12/2007 3:19 PM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6482005

RE: Alert - does anyone has fire in helix during fly???
My guess is that it was the ESC. If it was the battery it would have puffed up and kept burning. Lipo fires tend to be pretty hot and really obvious. As long as your battery is not puffy then it should be ok to use. If you are overly concerned, though, replace it.
Posted on: 10/11/2007 10:08 AM by Author "ksechler" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6476884