RE: WIN A FREE Scale Fuselage from V-East & Graupner Helis
Dear RCU-deciples or any other warm and giving person from RCU / V-East, i'd like to fly a scale Eurocopter!!! Been to Eurocopter several times and they make amazing machines! I want mine to look amazing too! ;)
Posted on: 1/7/2009 11:42 AM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8329560

RE: Blame Soloboss
Welcome Jonathan! I know for sure people here dont mind asking loads of questions. We all (well, most of us) started out that way! Having an eager mind here is alway good and you'll see and learn from various experiences of others and sharing yours. Soloboss started refering to this part of RCU as 'the Collective'. The Collective is almost a living person, with loads and loads of information to share. Cheers, Ruben
Posted on: 3/24/2008 1:02 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7274718

RE: FMS Sim
Yes you can, do a forum search on posts of mine, there you'll find all the info you need. You just need a normal 3.5 audiolead (with headphone-plugs on both ends, preferably mono).
Posted on: 3/8/2008 11:55 AM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7193936

RE: Happy again with USHOBBY Supply
Michael rulez! Definately agree with you guys, he helped me out bigtime when taking the plunge for the HDX. It's good to see supplier active in the 'scene'/collective too, it shows responsability and interest in his customers!
Posted on: 3/6/2008 7:00 AM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7183573

RE: Second TREx Build Complete. Pix of my fleet
Looks cool Bry! Great fleet you have there! Your second T-Rex is similary equiped as my HDX450, but i have only the Logictech 2100 instead of the 401 :). I now have my tail pretty much dailed in, and other experience flyers say it holds tail quite as good, as far as they can tell with just normal flying. And i have the stock HDX 3400kV motor. How is that Medusa treating you? I'll have to replace my motor soon probably. It's good to have good parts, saves you from things to blame other then yourself ;).
Posted on: 3/4/2008 3:45 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7174104

RE: Just finished second TREX V2 Build - Pix of My Fleet
Looks cool Bry! Great fleet you have there! Your second T-Rex is similary equiped as my HDX450, but i have only the Logictech 2100 instead of the 401 :). And i have the stock HDX 3400kV motor. It's good to have good parts, saves you from things to blame other then yourself ;).
Posted on: 3/4/2008 3:43 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "T-Rex heli"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7174092

RE: Xtreme Products Weight
It has been offline for a while, due to misconfiguration of my webserver (and other priorities for it), but it's back! See: [link]http://www.r-2.nl/cx2/CX2-Parts-Weights.pdf[/link].
Posted on: 3/2/2008 4:58 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7166549

RE: Links-Tips/Repairs/Mods CX-CX2 (update)
Redid my complete server configuration, found the CX2 Weights page again! This time the server will stay online (hopefully!) and if anyone needs hosting of files, just PM me. Here's the link: [link]http://www.r-2.nl/cx2/CX2-Parts-Weights.pdf[/link] Soloboss' guide is still there too: [link]http://www.r-2.nl/cx2/[/link]. Just for your info :).
Posted on: 3/2/2008 4:57 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7166541

RE: I cant find a case ?
I have the HeliDirect case for my HDX and it's a proper case, although not the highest of qualities. But what can you expect for such prices!? :) I had to slightly modify it, cutting the foam with a heated exacto (right name? you know, the break-away blades) knife to fit the HDX plus DX7. As the DX7 antenna doesn't fold/retract all the way back as the 'old-skool' antenna's do, the whole TX-unit is a bit taller, but it fits snuggly in the case now. Even with remainder of the padding on the bottom end. Actually, i flipped the foam so the helis skids are on the low-side of the box/case. The hinges are on the bottom end, it seemed better to carry my heli 'right-way'-up, just a gut feeling i guess :).
Posted on: 3/1/2008 6:50 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7162241

RE: Long-term LiPo Storage
Some info on LiPo's; - Nominal Voltage: 3.7V (used to calculate total pack voltage 2S=8.4V, 3S=11.1V, 4S=14.8V and so on :)) - Minimum discharge voltage: 2.8V (on HQ cells! Just keep above 3 or 3.2 to be certain, especially without a good charger) - Maximum charge voltage: 4.2V (actually 4.23V) LiPo's can approximately store 300% more energy with the same volume and that volume weighs about 15% less. The S-rating stands for the number of cells connected in series (hence the S), some have a P-rating, which stands for parallel! :) So 4S2P stands for 2 Parallel connected packs each with 4 cells connected in series. Never (not even the HQ/HighSpec cells) charge on over 1C. 1C is 1x the total capacity of the pack, which is the same as the capacity of one cell. (For example NiMH should preferably be charged at 0.1C or C/10 to ensure lifetime of your packs) If any cell starts to swell up, disconnect and store in a fire-proof container. Also if the pack feels 'soft'/mushy, please don't use it! If you do, keep checking on it. LiPo's dont really explode, but they burst into flames... When crashed, check the LiPo for marks, dents, scratches and so on. This may cause you're LiPo to slowly start disintegrating itself, heating up and causing a chain reaction to the other cells. Heat kills these things. It's recommended to charge them to about 50/60% when you store them for longer periods. LiPo's have a slow self discharge around their nominal voltage, but a quite high one on the max and minimum voltages. This is caused by the chemical compounds used. As you can see, i've been reading up to batteries in general. Since the NiMH in my DX7 blew up due to improper charging (caused by myself, listening to the wrong people, not knowing a thing). :) Be sure to keep yourself away from such havok and gain as much knowledge as you can/like. It'll save your batteries, equipment and yourself! :) (Whohooo, didn't that last centance sound mature/all grown-up?! :D)
Posted on: 2/15/2008 3:56 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7080789

RE: TX Stick Bling
I've received the package, but there wasn't anything in the envellope! I've yet to give RC Styx notice, but our Postal Service said they couldn't do a thing without official notice from the sender... GRRRRR [:@]. They said they use magnets to sort certain mail out, but alluminium isn't magnetic... Hopefully not more money down the drain... They look really cool Stump! I can't wait to finally get mine! (BTW, a pro flew my HDX yesterday, and the stuff that he got done, without ever flying this heli before! [X(] He even did a quick barrel-roll! Which caused my heart to sink and stop beating for several seconds.... :D)
Posted on: 2/11/2008 2:33 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7058952

RE: Here's what happens when a CX2 falls out of the sky from 200 feet.
Cleansho, H3li, Graiskye; I'd hardly think range will be any issue on 200ft. The TX has the same 2.4Ghz modulator as most (low/middle end) laptop wifi antenna's, probably around 0.5 Watts of transmitting power (maybe Mrasmm can comment, but havent seen him around in a while). On such short wavelengths and high frequencies, especially outdoors, with only TX transmission, 66m isn't gonna be a problem. My guess you've just ran out the battery. The batteries don't just die, but the 4-in-1 cuts the power to save you're lipo, as you can seriously damage them by overdischarging them. As you were this high up, you probably didn't notice the red light burning continiously without the 4in1 being under full load. This is a sign your LiPo is getting low, so set it down immediatelly and charge. Getting under 3.4V per cell frequently is already 'unhealthy' for any LiPo and 8-10 minutes will definatelly reach the end of your LiPo. As Edge said, maybe the failsafe kicked in, that's why i've set my failsafe throttle to just under hover power, so that it'll slowly descent if signal is lost. Interference seems unlikely to me, as there's so little CF on a CX and not any around the receiver, i'd guess the motor's (probably, but have no hard evidence) interfere on lower frequencies. 200ft (66m) up... Good height! How on earth have you kept orientation?! Most of us are already struggling with orientation on less then half of that distance :). Wasn't there any wind on that altitude?! Normally, even on a 'wind still' day, the higher i get with my 450, i still find that there's some wind.
Posted on: 2/4/2008 5:23 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7023849

RE: Excuses from pilots for laughs
Hahaha; "Terra Firma" is a nice addition to throwing random complicated/'high-end'/knowledgable words around after (or during?! ;)) a crash :).
Posted on: 1/30/2008 4:19 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6997271

RE: A different kind of scale CX
Cool Darth! :D I've seen more of your heli-bodies, great work! Actually thinking of ordering some bodies for my HDX450 from you in a while! Do you create the molds and mold the polystyrene yourself? Vacume-molding?
Posted on: 1/28/2008 4:14 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6985186

RE: Excuses from pilots for laughs
Yesterday i blamed the (some call it massive) amounts of coffee (6 real italian double espresso!) for my shaking hands lacking flawless control. There was a crowd of little people (children from 2 upto 17) watching, most of them people i don't even know! ;) And it was in the garden of a fancy restaurant [8|]. I got even more nervous with the children wanting to touch/grab the heli, wether on the ground or in the air! 2800rpm full CF blades vs. a 4 year old's wrist... (Or worse...). So yeah, i was nervous! Or with the CX2 i used to blame wind for everything! :) "It's just a bit too breezy for a stable flight" "The wind causes a contradicting effect on the counterrotating blades, hence causing lack of control and bad lift." :)
Posted on: 1/28/2008 4:10 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6985160

RE: scale ccw rotation
Looks really cool Edge! I like the flybarless look too! Not (yet) going there though :). From what i can see in your pics, you've had to increased the swash-linkages quite a bit because of loosing the flybar-cage right? Choosing the 90deg swash (or is that necessity?), does it make so much difference? Can you 'teach' me how that works? :) Because i'd imagine with the 30deg decrease in angle, logically the interaction should be less, but isn't it solvable with the CCPM mixing in your TX? I'm lost with anti-rotation on the linkages too :). Do they twist/move that much under load/torque? And/or do their 'effectiveness' changes under (servo)load because of their length? Is it your choise to make them so long, to get the swash as low as it goes to fit inside the scale body? Some guys in the flying club nearby are debating building a 'flybarless' scale model too, with some kind of ducted fan (?!) instead of the tailrotor. Way over my head, but i hope with some of the collectives and your help, at least i can talk with them about the flybarless scale design :).
Posted on: 1/28/2008 3:33 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6984986

RE: Warning on Carbon Fiber Shaft for CX CX2
Indeed, come to think of it (i need to think before i speak/write :)) with the 3.5mm OD, there's probably too little space (ID) for the innershaft to rotate freely... Hmmm, gonna measure different tube diameters and try the 'fit' next time when i'm in the LHS. Keep up the good work!
Posted on: 1/26/2008 5:00 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6974043

RE: New 3in1
[ul] [*] Have you configured any other throttle curve then linear on the TX? [*] What happens when you disconnect the motors after starting in all up and before powering on? [*] Do you have the self resetting fuses on your motor-leads? [i](Maybe these have popped and the 3in1 has nowhere to put its power too?)[/i] [*] Does everything rotate freely, iow is there any binding? [*] Have you rebound the Ar6000 to you DX6? [*] Have you reset the model in your TX? (Dunno that TX) [*] Sure the LiPo's are good? [i](When too little/low voltage is detected, it goes red immediately too.)[/i] [/ul] Just the kind of questions i'd ask myself and start from there :). Like Bry said, go step by step, guide us through all it does and doesnt do.
Posted on: 1/26/2008 4:57 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6974030

RE: Warning on Carbon Fiber Shaft for CX CX2
Thanks for the update Rice! I'll be on guard for that when/if i FINALLY find the right size CF! Seems the Netherlands only has 3.5 or 5mm... Germany too (business trip)... I guess ordering a length of CF will probably arrive here broken/shattered, so that's why i keep looking around here. I'm thinking on how to prevent those marks... Maybe if i go with the 3.5mm shaft and then CA a piece of an old shaft over it? So you'll have the strenght and grip of the metal where the screws make contact and still the benefits of CF? Although it might snap easier over the metal 'tube'... A well-known soccer-player (Johan Cruijf) once said; [b]Every upside has its downside, but every downside has an upside [/b]:) (Isn't he philosophical or what ;) He sure isn't the brightest :)).
Posted on: 1/26/2008 4:29 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6973907

RE: Whats Wrong? Test
Yups, wrong way around Rice :) Probably didn't fly that well? :) It'll lift, but render outta control i guess?
Posted on: 1/23/2008 4:18 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6957444

RE: Idea? How to Measure Lift?
Drewed, than you'd still have to either invert the blades right or add extra weight before 'zeroing out' and then tape the heli to the scale :). I'd think instead of C4 i'll be using 380 volts on 64A ;) (our server-'park' runs on that). Creating my own plasma (for at least a very short period of time ;)).
Posted on: 1/21/2008 6:28 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6946266

RE: CX2 carbon fiber flybar enhancement
Great tip pirellip! I think I'll be using an alignment-guide on my drill to guide it through. Still trying to find the right size carbon shafts for a full carbon-shaft&flybar upgrade. They don't sell 4mm CF shafts in my local LHS (which is actually part of a nation-wide franchise, they don't have it), neither do they have the 1.5mm CF rods...
Posted on: 1/21/2008 6:15 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6946191

RE: BCX2 which hole on the servo arms do you have your link arm set on?
Sportrider; i've found that anything about any servolinkage position higher than the 3th can cause severe damage to your swashplate. You can even split/seperate the stock plastic swash quite easily and with the alloy one you can create too much stress on the shaft and plate, causing binding and worse. I've solved this by changing the curves on my TX to let the servos move faster, but i realize, i'm one of few flying a CX2 with a 'high'-end TX (DX7).
Posted on: 1/21/2008 6:06 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6946147

RE: Cryodrive shaft length flight testing
Guys, i've held of on replying on the Cryodrive-issue/discussion/rant/whatever, but as the moderators have stated, the goal of this forum is primarily to exchange personal experiences about our hobbie(s). Secondly we report how products work/behave/act/are build/manufactured. We do either of this with passion, driven through any kind of motivation. But let's not get carried away. Personally, i've had a 'first-hand' disappointing experience with a, not naming names, most of us know which, canadian company selling proclaimed upgrades and high quality parts. Luckily, i found out here, i wasn't the only one dealing with someone trying make money of unknowing 'n00bs'/beginners in this hobby. And luckily, i found out in time. Just because of this forum. Where it comes down to, we're here to help others out. If you're still looking for any reviews, from someone not biased by any form of 'American chauvinism', not connected to any manufacturer (except maybe through my creditcard & wallet :)), not driven by any kind of monetary profit, let me know. The only thing i'll report is my findings, documented with photographs and videos.
Posted on: 1/21/2008 5:42 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6945988

RE: Idea? How to Measure Lift?
Dunno how that'll fly (haha, nice word-joke [8|]) with the CX2, but with my HDX i can keep full negative pitch (currently 11 degrees) on full throttle and see what the scale says! ;) Probably not to good for the heads, shafts, gears and landingstruts though ;).
Posted on: 1/14/2008 7:11 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6907658

RE: My Video Review of the Blade 400
Seems Spektrum (aka Horizon Hobby) doesn't supply a AC adaptor in the EU on any of their products. Spektrum distributors in Belgium and Germany (ellegedly, sorry, probably misspelled) told my LHS that they don't want to include them as they don't have any 'official' Horizon Hobby dealerships here, just distributors and resellers. My E-Flite (bought in France) had one though, albeit with the wrong 'socket' and voltage (110V, where we have 230V (France has 220)).
Posted on: 1/14/2008 6:39 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6907460

RE: Idea? How to Measure Lift?
Lashing things to my beloved CX2... Hmm, sounds like crash&burn (or cash&carry, but the other way around :)) waiting to happen ;). I like the scale set/calibrated to 0 with the heli on idea and then measure on different throttle-settings i.e. 5%, 25%, 50%, 75% (mostly lift-of by now) for each set of blades right?! Now, i (still!) need to get me one of those precision scales... I used a cookingscale once, but that was so inaccurate and irreliable (got 3 measurements with over 10% difference on the exact same part!) that i tossed that one out. [8|] But maybe someone is willing to explain (in common English, i'm not that smart either :)) how to exactly calculate lift. Would be interesting (also for you Solo, with the F40 'issues' right?! and for the altitude/airpressure comparison too!) to find out how much my HDX450 might be able to lift! :D I used to be good at maths, but haven't bothered after graduation ;). I could go to my coussin who's a certified "Motion & Currents/Stream/Flow engineer" (you've guessed it right, i can't translate it properly :)), but when i speak with him about this, i'm lost and baffled before he even got started.
Posted on: 1/14/2008 6:30 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6907414

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Stump3r, good to hear you're getting more and more in the air! :) Up, up and away! :D Do you think flying with a friend and maybe a different area had/has any effect? I went to the field today (was too windy to fly heli, at least for me) and felt even better about my heli! They liked the set-up, equipment, parts and build quality. Some worries by some on the play in the bladegrips (probably too much tolerance in the bearings and/or bushings), but the expert (and one of the founders and financers of the club/field) said it was fine and would prefer it over his CF T-Rex! (With plastic/composite head). So next weekend i'm gonna fly there and let one of them fly to see what it can really do! For me, there are sooo many variables (not in order of importance, or any order :)); - Gear/Equipment - Configuration - Set-up - Location - 'Feel-of-the-day' - Drafts/breeze/wind - Alone/with ppl - Type of LiPo (not only power, but brand too!) - probably more...[font="Times New Roman"][/font]
Posted on: 1/13/2008 12:35 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6900057

RE: What altitude are you flying at????
Hmm Dave, groundlevel here is 60ft BSL :D So no probs on airdensity! :) I went to an 'new' flyingfield/club (plenty of heli-freaks, finally! Recommended by LHS, thinking about joining) today, which is around 80ft BSL (reclaimed land, called "polder" :)).
Posted on: 1/13/2008 12:13 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6899942

RE: Struggling with Single Rotor basics
Hahaha, i wouldn't know if i'd call that a bonus, but i'll take it as a compliment! :) (Have short hair again, if your interested ;)). The HDX flies amazing, it's really stable. As you've said several times before, most of the time it's the pilot messing up. The 'get back here' part was where i lost focus for just a split-second and then it drifted of in the last input direction (of course) :). The heli is almost perfect for me, indeed really good, it's the pilot in me that needs to get to that same level too! :) Jealousy is sometimes a good thing, it keeps you going further right? :) I'm jealous of your (previous) motorbikes in a 'I gotta get me one of those!' manor too! Maybe with patience and time it'll come. Time will tell and we all need to have a goal/target. (I think you'd have a wonderful time riding around in France btw. You'll find roads an American (no offense) would never have thought off :)). Winter in Amsterdam can be beautiful, but 80% of the time it's *ish*... Good to hear you're making progress on the Falcon! So all the time in redoing setup, checking and double checking, replacing servo('s?) etc is starting to pay off?! Can you replace the gyro on your Falcon for a 'better' one, lets say a head-holding one? (BTW, i wasn't flying in heading hold, it's the mostly the setup and partly me keeping it tail-in. As i said, need to rework the tail and gyro setup for HH to work better) Mine has some (albeit really slight) altitude holding issues as well, but i've yet to figure out if that's my jittery left thumb working on the tail or it's something else. Or maybe it's just part of the deal :). (My CX2 will never hold altitude well either) It saved me lots of aggrevation flying in an area (the outdoors video) where rotorwash was 'nullified'. I've flown in the same location as the first video last week and the wash from the tables, walls and cabinets made it a whole different flying experience. It keeps amazing me how much wind/wash is generated! You'll probably fly the Falcon like a pro if you fly in an indoor sports area or so! :D At least you're probably going to have a way better starting point than i did switching to CP :). And it seems you have the ability to sit down, be patient, think things over, re-work, reconfigure, set-up, check and check again... Which i'm lacking quite a bit :). Let's call that 'YUI' = Young Urban Ignorance/Impatience ;).
Posted on: 1/11/2008 8:05 PM by Author "shufflez" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6892261