BeastX 8v WARNING.!!!

[Tim Procter]

Still loving the BeastX after having tried it for 2 weeks equaling around 3 gallons of Optifuel in that time.

Just a word of warning to others who may take the same route as I have this week.

First time out today with a Spektrum 7100 receiver running my electrics at 8v

We know the BeastX is power hungry but with the Align regulator @ 6v I was getting 6 flights from an Outrage 3600mAh lipo leaving about 22% remaining in the lipo, Just inside the limit.

Took the same heli out today and checked the lipo after 4 flights..

26% left in the lipo.

Just goes to show how much extra power is used upping the servo voltage to 8v.

People moving on to FBL units such as Align or BeastX keep an eye on your battery voltage especially @ 8v

As for the BeastX..... Its awesome.

[Crash Test Dummy]

Is that not better then ??

[Brian Gifford]

Was there a noticeable difference in the way the heli flew, to justify the extra current drain?

[Tim Procter]

Was there a noticeable difference in the way the heli flew, to justify the extra current drain?

Not really Brian, Using the Spektrum 7100 eliminates the use of a regulator if your servos are up to running at 8v mate.

This year already I have 2 serious crashes due to regulator/power supply problems.

Can't break if it hasn't got one mate.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaIGk3WbvOc[/ame]

[Brian Gifford]

Not really Brian, Using the Spektrum 7100 eliminates the use of a regulator if your servos are up to running at 8v mate.

This year already I have 2 serious crashes due to regulator/power supply problems.

Can't break if it hasn't got one mate.

YouTube - Tim Procter T-Rex 700 LincsHeli Fly-in 2010.mp4

OUCH!!!!! I can see where you are coming from there, Tim. Obviously, the reduction in the number of flights per charge is worth it if it saves you from something like that!

[Britflyer]

So is the tail servo at 8v too?

As with the 7100 cyclic connected to the beast will give 8v to the beast, which I then assume gives 8v to the tail servo connected to the beast.

Paul

[ddracer]

Yes it does, this screwed me over and burnt out my tail servo until I relised what I was doing wrong.

[Tim Procter]

Yes it does, this screwed me over and burnt out my tail servo until I relised what I was doing wrong.

AR7100 has 4 terminals/outputs that give 5.4v

Tail and throttle is connected to them. I have also squeezed a stepdown into the rudder to be double sure.

Cyclics are running 7.4v

FWIW I have read the Align ds650 tail servo also runs at 7.4v but decided as there was a lower voltage pin to connect it to it wasnt worth the risk.

[GravityKills]

4 flights from 3300 mAh?
I recharge every two flights, usually after every flight (also to let the servos cool down). I use a regulator to 6.3 V, and still it sometimes draws over 600 mAh per tank.
Also check the swash servo temperature. Maybe they are getting quite hot, if it draws so much current.
I've had a recent JR 8915 failure, that wasn't pretty. It was the elevator servo, which had earlier been overheated in the plastic elevator mount.

[Tim Procter]

4 flights from 3300 mAh?

3600mAh actually but we won't argue for the sake of 300mAh.

I recharge every two flights, usually after every flight (also to let the servos cool down). I use a regulator to 6.3 V, and still it sometimes draws over 600 mAh per tank.
Also check the swash servo temperature. Maybe they are getting quite hot, if it draws so much current.
I've had a recent JR 8915 failure, that wasn't pretty. It was the elevator servo, which had earlier been overheated in the plastic elevator mount.

Very rare I fly back to back but will take onboard your comments.

[SRH990]

When I was flying my Trex 700 in it's original flybarred setup an average flight with regulator used around 425mAh. After conversion to flybarless an averager flight is now around 540mAh so only 4 safe flights on a 3300mAh lipo.

[Rctintin]

Tim, I'm a little confused to your setup mate.

As I am aware, the BeastX takes its power from the Aileron and Elevator servo voltage, therefor 8ish volts from your 7100. The BeastX then contains a tail gyro, so your tail servo is being fed 8v. If you are running your tail from the 7100, are you also then running a separate tail gyro?

Thanks mate, Rob

[jamiem]

I'd have thought that all outputs on the BeastX uses the same power bus, i.e. all 8v out. I stand to be corrected though, but to be safe I'd check it with a multimeter on the tail servo output pins.

[wimbledon99]

I believe the BeastX runs a common power bus which is why you need to regulate the tail on 8v setups (just like the vBar). If you don't, you'll be pumping 8v straight to the tail as the power from the AR7100 Cyclic will override the regulated tail voltage.

The way around using separate step-downs with the AR7100 is to wire a loom that carries the signal path but not the higher voltage to the tail. The lower voltage is then fed direct to the tail.

I made a couple (no soldering involved) and they work a treat.

[Janek]

Don't forget, by their very nature, FBL systems will be more power hungery.

Keep a close eye on your remaining power, until you're used to the new consumption.