New member of the family!

[Leebert]

Hi All
Picked up my new toy a couple of days ago :-) It's a Raptor 50 V2, GY401/9253, OS50 SX-H, NHP blades and the tail servo on the boom as opposed to in the body.
The reason for the post is... What should a newbie like me look for when checking it over? Are there any specifics I need to be on the look out for or keep my eye on?
Also, does anyone have any suggestions for radio set-up. I have a Futaba T7CP.
Finally, are the cheap (25 quid) starters ok?
Cheers Guys

PS Stuart - how do you insert smilies in the message - am I missing something?

[Disc]

Okay take off the canopy and give it the basic once over with the allen
keys and just check every one espically the tail fixtures. Any loose consider
blue locktighting.

If it has been flying before you shouldnt need to do to much at all. But
Fuel wise look at 15% min and find out what it ran on before and consider
sticking to what it had.

[Leebert]

Thanks Disc
All seems solid. The guy I bought it off gave me a gallon of the fuel he used with it - 20% Wildcat. I also saw it flying (hovering). I checked one of the engine mounting screws for loctite and it had been done. Cleaned it then re-loctited it and put it back. The pitch servo has a star shaped horn on it which was binding at full positive but I sorted that as well. That's as far as I have gone. Now waiting for the fuel pump, glow starter and tx crystal to arrive (tomorrow) and I need to buy a starter.
Can't wait!!
Regards,

[Stuart]

You need to go advance for smilies...

[Twister3D]

Congrats Leebert, bet your well excited, Im not jealous at all. Lucky Git
Hope you enjoy your first flight and do let us all know how you get on.
Just think you wont have to wait for such calm days now,.
How much did it empty your wallet by? if you dont mind me asking.
Regards
Twister

[Raptorite]

Hey Leebert,

I am pleased for you that you have your new toy!

As for things to watch out for, the raptor is a pretty solid model so there really isnt much to pay particular attention to, especially if you have seen it fly before. What is worth doing is assuming you dont actually know how much fuel this thing has burnt is to check both the clunk lines in the main and header tanks and the glow plug. The nitro in the fuel will degrade the silicone tubing after a period of time, especially with a higher nitro content fuel like 20%, so just to be safe I would pop them both out and check to see they are not perished, after all it would be a shame to crash just because the engine stopped.

It might also be worth checking the tension on the tail belt, you should be able to push it in behind the main gear with your finger no more than a quarter of an inch or so, any more and it is too loose and will clank in the boom and may slip on the gears, any tighter and it might turn itself inside out and destroy the belt and the posts in the frames that support the little guide wheels behind the main gear.

If you have a suitable charger, it wouldn't hurt to cycle the receiver battery two or three times too, just to be sure the pack is up to full operating capacity.

As far as radio setup on the 7C, there isn't anything specific to bear in mind, but make sure you set the pitch range to full movement using the ATV's and then set the throttle curves to the pitch you want in each flight mode, I usually like to have a full range of -10, 0, +10 and then restrict it in Normal and Idle 1 to -4, 0, +10 and then the full -10, 0, +10 in Idle 2 and throttle hold.

Once you are happy with the pitch range you have setup then you will need to setup the throttle curves. You will most likely find yourself having quite a low throttle curve, as the OS 50 is a very powerful motor and needs holding back a little.

When you set the throttle up, make sure the trim is right down on the transmitter when you set the closed position or low ATV, sounds daft I know, but you would be surprised at the number of people that fall into that trap! so, making sure the trim is right down, the first thing to do is make sure the servo arm is centred and pointing straight downwards, similarly the arm on the carb should also be in the centre of its travel and also pointing straight downwards, that way you will have a nice linear throttle movement. Make sure the ball is sufficiently far out on the servo arm that the ATV's are set to less than 100% at fully closed and open and are roughly equal. That way the throttle wont lag behind the pitch too much as the throttle servo arm has less distance to cover for full movement on the carb.

In terms of cyclics, set the ATV's so you have as much movement as you can without binding anything even at full + and - pitch, once you have that, then you can limit the movement if you wish by adding dual rates, or just smooth out the centre stick hovering point by adding some expo, -30% is a good place to start from.

Tail wise, the 401 is a pretty easy gyro to setup, so having set the ATV's on the rudder channel to 120% to start with, as this determines the pirouette speed, and set the gain to around 60%, futaba gyros like a fairly low gain level in comparison to some others. The fixed settings on the gyro will be already done for you as the model has been flown before, but it doesnt hurt to move the rudder stick full one way and then the other just to make sure the tail servo doesnt bind up or overdrive, if it does, just wind the limit pot on the gyro itself down a fraction at a time until it stops.

Once you have checked these things then all thats left to do is take it to the field and enjoy it !

Cheers,

Pete.

[Madray]

Hello mate check all screws are tight thats a must

[Ade_Law]

on top of what the others have said.

i would be tempted to undo a few bolts to make sure the ones that go into metal are locktited.. Feathering spindle and upper mixer arms are good ones to check.

Ade

[Leebert]

Twister:
I tell you, I can't wait to get out with it! I had a go on a Sceadu Evo 50 at a club I've just joined and that was it! It was 325 with a gallon of fuel and found it via the BMFA.

Madray, Raptorite and Ade:
Thanks guys. The chap I bought it off said it had had a gallon and a bit of fuel through it. The belt feels OK - I assume you feel it from one side only?
I will check every screw and loctite any metal to metal.
I'll check both fuel pipes and replace as necessary. Once I am happy there and I get my TX xtal, I'll move on to radio setup. (I feel another thread starting!!)

What's the deal with starters as well. I went to buy one at the cheaper end of the scale but everywhere is out of stock. Is this because...A)they are rubbish and no one stocks them OR B)They are great and really popular??

Cheers

[Ade_Law]

get your self a sullivan hi=torq its the black and yellow one. With a decent battery it will start anything and lasts forever.

pull the clunk lines out of the header tank and main tank. replace them with normal fuel tube. the standard TT stuff lasts about 5 mins.

Ade

[Thomas]

LOL - my clunk line just fell off the 90's main tank!!!! (a brand new main tank)

As for a starter I know where a brand new one is available - Daywalkers - he never used it and it comes with TT unopened wand - I think you have his email if not I'll send it to you. Not sure the model but a solid starter. Black and yellow Sulavans are good but won't start a bulshy 90 easily!!

Which club did you end up joining?

[Smoothound]

pull the clunk lines out of the header tank and main tank. replace them with normal fuel tube. the standard TT stuff lasts about 5 mins.

Ade

I always thought standard fuel line was a bit too stiff to work well as a clunk line

[Ade_Law]

black/yellow sullivan is fine for 90s as long as you have a decent battery, use reasonable fuel and pinch the fuel line to stop the engine after every flight.

no problem with using normal fuel line. its a little stiff when fresh but soon softens a little.

Ade

[Thomas]

I did say bulshy - it did start it, just nice to have my Dynatron working again.

[Twister3D]

Omg

I just saw the picture of your new against old, it looks huge compared to your CP. WOW Looks Great, Id be to scared to fly that.

Twister