RE: pz sukhoi problem
Also cold temperatures of this time of the year Zapp the power from Lipos. A lot of these little planes are supplied with batteries of marginal C discharge ratings. And like said above, maybe its just used up!!!! Bob
Posted on: 11/14/2009 10:35 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9253013

RE: Super-Easy Durable Coating for Foamies
Another product that will shine up the Matte craft paints is 2 or 3 coats of vinyl floor "wax". I have used the " Future" and "Mop and Glow" brands applied with a foam type brush. It is water based and dosent attack any of the foams that I have used it on. Will seal decals, but will make the ink run on computer printed paper applications, I use Krylon clear spray on them. Happy Flying Bob.
Posted on: 11/2/2009 9:28 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Foamies! - RC Electric Foam Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9222166

RE: Himax Motor Gear install
I use a small vise, but you can do it with a C-clamp from a hardware store. Trouble with the C-clamp is you need a couple of extra hands to hold all the parts!!!!. Also a small socket is handy to drop the gear into and then use the socket to force the gear on with. Make sure the non-drive side of the shaft is used on the other side, because if you use the body of the motor you could ruin the bearings. Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 10/10/2009 11:50 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9161591

RE: brushed esc problem
Not familiar with that ESC but if you are useing a Futaba TX sometimes you have to reverse the throttle servo switch to get the motor run to work. Also some need you to advance the throttle to full and hold for a few seconds and then retard and hold for a few seconds and the advance it and it willl work.......... Hope this works Bob
Posted on: 9/24/2009 10:18 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9120188

RE: .049 sailplane set up
Gene: I also used the power pod on a G.L. and a Gnome. The climbout wasnt spectacular but neither needed as much re-trim from power to glide as the 2X4 especially the Gnome which has a E205 airfoil. On the G.L. I also placed a 1/8 inch popsicle stick under the front of the power pod and wing to tilt it up more and this helps out. The rear of the wing pad on the power pod was placed at the trailing edge of the wing. It will make a great trainor for your grandson as it flies slow and is easy to keep in eye sight.... Happy Flying Bob
Posted on: 9/20/2009 9:57 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9109515

RE: .049 sailplane set up
I flew a 2X4 with a Cox Black Widow on a Sig power pod for many years. Had good climbing ability but you always had to retrim from power to glide mode. But the plus was you could remove the power pod and use a Hi-Start or winch if you wanted to. Now has been converted to electric, much better option in my opinion unless you just like screaming .049's Happy Flying Bob
Posted on: 9/19/2009 11:54 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9107689

RE: fms sinulator
I have heard their is a "FIX" for FMS to Vista. It is some .dll file that you download and insert. I'm not computer literate but have seen a post over on RCGroups about the fix. As far as Vista is concerned I have nothing good to say about it and really dislike it as it is incompatable with so many of my older softwares. Going to remove it someday from this laptop when my daughter stops by and does it for me. I dont need the latest and greatest it seams........ Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 9/17/2009 11:25 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9103074

RE: making airfoils without hot wire?
I have also used the sanding block method on pink and blue foam. Went to the hardware store and bought a 80 grit sanding belt, longer the better. Cut the loop and glued it with contact cement to a good straight 2X4. Made copies of the airfoil I wanted out of Formica scraps, and glued them to the end of the foam panel. Just sanded side to side until it rubbed against the formica blanks. do it outside as it will make a hell of a mess in your shop, learned the hard way!!!! Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 9/15/2009 11:28 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Foamies! - RC Electric Foam Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9097423

RE: Li Ion batteries
I charge them just like a Lipo at 1C on a regular Lipo charger. Full charge on modern Li-Ions is 4.2V just like Lipos. I have also used them to power boats and snow-ice vehicles. On these types of vehicles weight is not a concern so you can parrelell the cells up and are able to draw more amps. Also have used them in TX power, they wont fit inside but I build a little box on the back for the 3S pack. Will run a TX for manymany hours and hold their charge on the shelf so they are ready when the mood hits you to use them. Not into cars so never tried them, but should work if you have the room..... Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 8/17/2009 9:51 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9022525

RE: Li Ion batteries
I have not used those particular batteries, but I have used Li-Ions harvested from "Bad" Lap-tops packs. Most of these types of cells are only good for 2-3C discharge amps so in your case, 3.5 to 5 amps. Not very good these days with modern electrics. My daughter is a computer tech with a company that uses a lot of laptops so I get them from her after the pack is bad. I have found that Sony cells with 2400-2700ma capacities will work with some of my foamie parkflyers if they have enough wing area and you only get docile performance. No 3D or vertical maneuvers, just scale like flying for Beavers. Cubs and such planes. I get them for free and like to tinker with such stuff so it works for me, but with the price and quality of Lipos nowdays it probably isnt everbodys good deal...... Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 8/16/2009 10:29 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9020086

RE: alternative for balsawood fuselage?
I guess your glider is a hand thrown free flight (non-Radio) glider??? I think if you can get some EPP foam it would be great for this plane. It is very tough and bounces instead of breaking. Dont know about in your country, but in the USA you can get it in the trash at some Electronics and furniture stores in the throw away bin. It is used as packing material to cushion the product in the shipping boxes.... EPP is better than the EPS foam (compressed beaded stuff) as it doesnt crumble as bad on impact and just kind of bounces back to its original shape. Also over here they make swimming pool toys out of the material, but it does need a little added strength with some wood braces as the pool stuff is a little floppy, but maybe OK for your needs in a small glider Just My Thoughts Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 8/11/2009 9:10 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9007200

RE: LiPo with GWS ICS-300
You can use it with a lipo, but unless it is a ICS-300LI model you will have to time your flights. The regular ICS300 has the LVC setup to cut off for Nickel type batteries. If you hit LVC with your lipo with this ESC the voltage is too low and could ruin your pack. Also a lot of chargers wont "SEE" a pack that is discharged below 3v per cell so you have that to deal with also. My suggestion would be to get the 300LI and be on the save side(cost is only about $15 I think), but then it is never a good idea to drag a Lipo down to that level IMHO. I try to shut down at 3.5v resting volts.......... Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 7/8/2009 10:16 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8915891

RE: FoamCoare Board VS Depron or CellFoam
Sorry to hear of your problems with the Hobby Lobby foamcore. I have been using all three thicknesses of this stuff and havent had trouble with it warping on me. I dont face the wing leading edges with the wood, I just use hard balsa for spars at the hingeline on the tailfeathers and lately have been useing those dowels at HL in the wood stuff area for spars in the wings. They come in several sizes and I glue them on to the bottom of undercamber wings and then put strapping tape over the dowel to kind-of smooth it out. Have you found out this foam has a grain? It is several times stiffer bending one way then the other. Always run the stiffway, longways for all your parts like wings, fuse sides and horizontal stabs. Also I have found over the years that if you paint the top of a wing, paint the bottom also because the painted side will tend to draw it up, dont know why but it does....What kind of glue are you useing, maybe that is a problem, but I have used about all the water base glues out there and have been OK. Maybe you just got a bad batch of foamboard, I have used HL and Dollar Store stuff for about 4-5 years, maybe 25-30 planes built. Fly em till the get rough looking and them hang them up of give them to the neighborhood kids to hang in their rooms...... Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 7/2/2009 11:15 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8900663

RE: GWS charger problem
Cant help you with your problems, but if you go to RCGroups and scroll down to the Vendors area you will find a GWS section. Post your problem and Mr Lin or Chen will most likely help you out if they can....... Good Luck Bob Edit::: Have you ever charged your JR with the charger before?????????Seems like I read someplace that the polarity is the opposite of others on the chargeing jack for JR radios or have a diode in the circuit, but I may be wrong................. Bob
Posted on: 6/30/2009 12:00 PM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8894603

RE: Lipo bat- 3S vs 3S1P
They are the same thing........... They just leave the 1P off. The next step up would be a 3S2P but that will double the cell count and the capacity so it would be 11.1v and 4400mah capacity. Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 6/23/2009 10:59 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8873952

RE: 2S A123 1100mah safe charge rate?
Can't give you the max rate, but I charge mine all the time at 3 amps which is max for my charger...Seem's like I read on another forum of people chargeing them at 5 amps though. Mine have been a excellent product, I use them as RX power (2S) and motor power (4S), many cycles and zero problems in almost 2 yrs of use........ Bob
Posted on: 6/13/2009 11:04 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8848960

RE: Ember vs Vapor
Eric: We are lucky in the OmahaC.B. area to have several indoor sites to fly in every week all year round. On Monday you can fly at the LaVista community center, on Wednsday you can fly at the indoor soccer field on HWY 50 north of Chalco Hills and on Thursday at a church gym in C.B.. Sometimes a group rents the Digz/McCormick site in SW Omaha also. Check out Keith's web site for details...... www.metrorcflying.com/ Join Us Bob
Posted on: 6/1/2009 10:32 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8816084

RE: Parkzone micro servo trouble
The servo for the MCX Heli is a drop in replacement for these and better quality. I have not had to do it but I understand you just undo the linkage push out the motor after you have unscrewed the tiny screws and then reverse the procedure. . The servo kit is about $10 a pop from PZ/Horizon...Some hobby shops carry them because of the failure rate Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 5/30/2009 10:23 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8811140

RE: A123 Battery Question.
I have been useing the 1100ma cells in 2s and 4s packs and it took them quite a few cycles before they "settled down" (5 to 10). I use the 2s for RX power in sailplanes and fuel jobs and 4s as power packs with sailplane with power pods. Charles (everydayflyer) has done a lot of research and testing on these cells and he bench cycles his several times before he even uses them. The imbalance in the discharged state is normal for mine but come in as they are charged. I very seldom have to balance them at all now and have many cycles on them. They are great for my use!!! Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 5/12/2009 9:51 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8762221

RE: Help required to find a profile foam plan
A easy way to make profiles on foam is to download a freeware program called PosteRazor, download you 3 view from the Net and import the 3 view into PosteRazor. It is a sizeing program that you will be able to blow up the 3 view to your size and then print out the pieces. Cut them out and trace the pieces to the foam. Cut out the foam pieces and assemble...WALLLAA a foamie profile plane!!!!! Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 5/9/2009 10:58 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Foamies! - RC Electric Foam Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8754118

RE: Li-Po Starter Battery???
A fully charged 4S lipo pack is really 16.8v. I'm sure the starter motor would be OK with that unless you ran it for long periods at a time. But not sure if the glow liter circuit would be happy with it if you use one. I have used a block of used 3S4P Laptop Li-Ions round cells in my field box. Tore apart a bunch of old packs my daughter got from her work. They would start a .40 size engine easily. I like them because you can charge them and let them sit for weeks and they will be ready when you are to fly. Bob
Posted on: 5/9/2009 10:35 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8754067

RE: what size battery do i need for this motor and esc
First off I think you should re-think the use of this motor. It has a KV of 3600 which is way high for your use IMHO. I would pick something around 1000-1500 for a parkflier. With a 3600KV motor you are limited to a very small prop diameter. Also 380 watts is a bunch, 200 would be a decent number for me!!!! The GWS warbirds I have had (not the Corsair) have limited battery space so really need Lipos to get any flying time out of them plus lighter is better for a parkie. Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 5/4/2009 12:30 PM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8739591

RE: new piper cub wont fly...HELP??
If you are useing NIMH type batteries, you may need to cycle them through several (3-5) charge- discharges to get them to deliver the power your plane needs. A good way to do this is to charge the pack up and then hook it up to a 12v auto taillight bulb to discharge it and then repeat....Do not run the battery down with the motor just by holding the plane, as it will overheat and thats not good!! Another way is to slow charge them at 1/10 C for 14-16 hours to "form and balance the cells in the pack. I wouldnt suggest changeing props as your motor may draw too much juice and go up in smoke!!!!
Posted on: 5/4/2009 12:06 PM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8739523

RE: GWS Beaver
David: You have never mentioned your radio set up before so here goes. Do you by chance have a computer radio system or a radio capable of mixing different functions? It just "hit" me that maybe there is some mixing going on with the elevator and the rudder functions. It would explain the diving while turning one way and blooming while turning the other way. On my Beaver it is like most 3 channel planes in that if you turn either way you have to add a touch of up elevator to make a smooth turn. Watch your elevator on the plane as you move the rudder back and forth and check if their is any movement of the elevator.... Just a thought Bob
Posted on: 4/21/2009 10:26 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8701525

RE: cROSS REFERENCE OF ELECTRIC MTRS
Is this it? http://progressiverc.com/ Then hit the research button.................Then brushless motors or whatever product you want to check-out...................... hope I did it right as Im not too sharp on computer stuff Bob Yep it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on: 4/9/2009 10:58 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8664388

RE: best outrunner for GWS 15a ESC?
If you are not useing a gear box the reason the motor fried is that you are way overpropped. With a high KV motor like that you should only be useing a 6X3 or 6X4 prop. If you have more of those 3500-400KV motors on hand, to use them with 10inch props you need to gear them down 3 or 4 to 1. If you are running 3s lipos and you want to run that size prop get a 1000 to 1200Kv or there abouts motor. Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 4/1/2009 10:41 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Foamies! - RC Electric Foam Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8638127

RE: GWS Beaver
Glad you got it figured out!!! I'M sure it has something to do with you "down under people" haveing to fly inverted all the time... The motor didnt look that far off center in that one picture, and the side view pic looks as if their is some down tilt to the shaft. Oh well whatever works, right???? Happy Flying Bob
Posted on: 4/1/2009 10:29 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8638087

RE: wal-mart foam?
I have used Wallys foamboard in several planes. I believe the stuff I used was marketed by Elmers. It worked fine for me. I am partial to the stuff that Hobby Lobby craft stores sells though. It is available in 3mm-5mm & 1/2 inch thick foam, and the store is closer and not so hectic inside. What I do is cut out my parts first and then soak them in water for 20-30 minutes and the paper comes right off. I have built foamies from balsa plans or just used 3 views off the net and sized them up with free ware, like PosteRazor and Gimp. Also over on RCGroups in the Scratch Build foamy section, a very active bunch of foamy people, there is a sticky at the top of the forum with many, many proven plans in PDF form you can download, print out, trace on your foam and assemble. All typesSticks3DSportScale. I am currently working on a Piper Pawnee crop duster that uses a GWS Cub wing modified with a flat bottom airfoil. I always have 2 or 3 in the design, assembley phase and then fly them for a few months and just keep rotateing. Disposable Park Fliers... Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 3/29/2009 10:38 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Foamies! - RC Electric Foam Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8628256

RE: 12V charger for 9.6V battery?
Is this a TX pack????? If it is I would say that 1.1A will cut into its lifespan a lot. Most TX and RX packs do not like fast charging. If the batteries are made for a power pack then they will be OK ussually at the 2C charge rate. The internal resistance is lower on a high discharge pack so heat is not built up at higher charge rates. If it is a TX pack I would say you should get a regular 50-55ma output wall charger. The 12V part is OK because a fully charged 8 cell pack will peak at around 12V. If it is a power pack, they should be charged in about 1/2 hour, they will heat up andthat means they are charged. If it is not a peak charger and cuts off automatically stay with them and as soon as they get warm unplug them...or they will be Toast!!!!! Bob
Posted on: 3/15/2009 11:40 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8580062

RE: GWS Beaver
Just read your post and went down to the basement and measured mine. I have 3/4inch on the rudder, and almost the same on the elevator. I am a old glider guider and I just like to "tickle" the sticks so I use a lot of surface movement. Just the way I learned to fly years ago. I would give yours a thorough checking for binding pushrods, loose servos and anything else you can think of. The GWS beaver is a real docile flier so something is wrong someplace. Yesterday after your post I went down and put a stock brushed 350 and ESC in mine, and got lucky this morning with calm air and 33*F So went to the soccer field and flew a couple of packs through her. Life is good again!!!!!!!! Good Luck Bob
Posted on: 3/6/2009 11:05 AM by Author "soarhead-RCU" in the forum "Park Flyers & Backyard Flyers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8549987