Flight time zoom 400

[Ryno]

Hi there. I have 2 1600mAh li-po packs for my zoom. I think i killed the one cause my charger can load only bout 400mAh into it now. I know it is cause used it past is min safe voltage.

Being a beginner flyer i am unsure of exactly when to stop flying before will damage the batt.
What sort of flight time can i expect from a 1600mAh pack.
Also, what upgrades can i do with the aim for longer flight times ie> more efficient elec system?
The longer i can fly the quicker i will progress.
Many thanks.Ryno

[Ade_Law]

if you arent too far from a flying school then spending an hour with them is well worth it. You get loads of flying time for your money and if you want you can get them to have a look at the setup of the model to improve it and make it easier to fly.

I am not so sure you over discharged the pack as over loaded it. The 1600mah packs are a little on the small side for a t-rex most li-po are only rated for 8-10c this means that they will only safely supply 12.8-16amps. The T-rex is capable of pulling much more than this.

Ade

[G-DAVE]

I have used Flight Power 1600 hd Li-Po's for several months now in conjunction with a Li-po balancer in a slightly modified Zoom and get regular flight times of 12/13 minutes.
Brushless motors will give you more bang for your buck but even with the stock motor together with the correct esc your battery should be protected from over discharge.
Flight power 1600 HD are rated at 10.5 - 14C and I have checked my Zoom and it pulls no more than 15 amps. when pushed to the max.
Dave

[Ryno]

Thanks for all the help.
I consider it a worthwhile investment to upgrade to a brushless motor and speed controller. The problem is that i am not familiar with product names and quality. I also notice in my search on the net that different motors have different ratings.

I am really struggling on making a decision on what to buy. I dont mind spending a little more to get top notch equipment.

What motor do you recommend?
What speed controller do you recommend to go with this motor and does all high end speed contollers have safe minimum voltage detection for
li-po's?
Thanks in advance for any advice.Ryno

[G-DAVE]

I got a Tornado brushless and Castle Creations 25 amp esc.
This esc is fully programable using your tx but even better with a small lead you can plug it into your computer and program it even more.
Give Bob Jonson a ring at Skyline models he'll put you right.
Dave

[Richie b]

im using a airpower 400dh from Sussex Model Centre with a castle creations 25 ESC the performance is increadable over the standard motor would recommend that anyone with a zoom should put a brushless on it

[Ryno]

Hi. Thanks for the advice. I got one more question.
Is there anybody who is currently flying a zoom that can tell me what their pitch is for normal flying.
Mine is currently at 0` for closed throttle, 3` for mid throttle and 7` for full throttle.
The heli seems to have difficulty lifting of from just over mid-throttle, is this how it should be?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Ryno

[Ade_Law]

for basic hovering your pitch range doesnt sound too far off. It could probably use a bit more top end:

0 at full back
4 at middle
8 at the top

Throttle should be,

0 at full back
70 at 1/4 stick (if available)
100 at middle
100 at 3/4 stick (if available)
100 at the top

the small stuff is notorious to get right its well worth getting somebody to have a look at it.

Ade

[Ryno]

Thanks. Would running at full power for that much not drain the battery to quickly. If this is how it should be then that is not a problem for me its just that I am still a learner and curious as to the reasoning behind that much full power.For example, would

0 at full back
50 at 1/4 stick
75 at middle
100 at 3/4 stick
100 at the top

work also and what significant differences would this have on the behaviour of the model. If you can put this in perspective for me I will greatly appreciate it

[Ade_Law]

remember that the speed controller is exactly that, a SPEED controller. Unlike a glow fuel engine where the throttle is more of a power control so to maintain a constant speed on a fuel engine with changing load you have to change the throttle. On an electric as you change the load on a constant throttle setting the speed will not change much if any.

Collective pitch helicopters work best when the headspeed is constant no matter where the collective control is. with the throttle curve as you have it above you will have a changing head speed below 3/4 stick this will make all sorts of strange things to happen, nothing dangerous but it doesnt help you fly the model.

Ade