Require advice on electric motors and blades.

[Bikeracer]

At the moment I'm using an Align 430L in my Dragonus and having no idea of how to judge what might be a better motor,I'm open to suggestions and advice on motors and possibly better blades.

I'm using an 11 tooth pinion at the moment and the Dragonus wooden blades with the carbon insert in,the head speed is 2600 at zero pitch.

Allan

[robgt]

See http://www.trextuning.com/3s-supertest.php for suggestions on 3S setups, and http://www.trextuning.com/4s-supertest.php for 4S setups.

Cheers,
Rob

[Bikeracer]

Hmmm.....looks like the Zpower 450TH would be a good choice,the Align 430L I'm using doesn't seem to really cut it.

Allan

[robgt]

The 450TH is a good allrounder.
It depends on your flying style and what you want to get out of the motor to be honest.
A mate of mine flys some hard 3D and is running a 450TH on a 4S setup using a Cast Creations 35amp ESC and a 5 volt external BEC - and it's ballistic.

I run a 4S setup with a Medusa 28-32-2800 motor and Jazz 40-6-18 ESC, and this is also ballistic.

For out and out grunt, I'd suggest the Medusa motors.
If you are a sport flyer with 3D tendencies, the 450TH won't let you down.

Cheers,
Rob

[robgt]

I should add, another mate of mine flies his SE with the 430L motor, and it goes like stink. Again, it's a 4S setup - this one uses the Align 35amp ESC and is geared quite high to give a very high headspeed. It's not got the torque of the other two motors mentioned so doesn't hold quite so well in heavy 3D manoeuvres - however, due to the headspeed it's running, it seems to cope ok

Cheers,
Rob

[Bikeracer]

Thanks Rob for the replies,it's much appreciated.

I'm only just getting into flying around,but I did do one messy stationary roll yesterday.Went out today and got in a right mess over the lake,managed to get control back,just bringing it back and clipped some tree branches about fifteen feet high.
I've got enough spares to repair it,but sods law says one paddle has snapped the flybar threads flush with the paddle.

I've not yet fully appreciated how these helis accelerate and climb and then soon become very small,then I get disorientated.
Luckily it stopped cavorting the right way up or it would have been lost in the lake.

Allan

[moyesboy]

There is no need to change the motor until you are looking for more power.
Perhpas be better investment might be a power meter so you can optimise the number of teeth on the pinion and check you aren't toasting your lipos at the head speed you are running.
It will be more effective to invest in really good lipos than change the motor I think - but not if you drop them one in a lake!

3-4 flights in quick succession is when things start to click. Since I had 4 lipos on the go my flying has advanced a lot more quickly. That and flying the raptor, then relaxing with the trex.

[Bikeracer]

Hi Moyesboy,just wondering what part of Derbyshire you're in,I grew up in Belper.

I'm just waiting for Aurorra to get some new 3s batteries in,the two I'm using that came with the heli are Extreme Power 1700 rated at 20C according to the label,but I think the 20C rating is probably a bit optimistic.If I pump the pitch I can get the lipo warning led's to momentarily light up.

I definitely need more batteries because only getting a couple of six minute flights and then having to wait to recharge gets a bit frustrating.

I'm only using an 11 tooth pinion and I'm getting 2600 on the head at zero pitch with the Dragonus wooden blades.

Reflecting on yesterdays flights that ended with tree pruning,I don't think I'm really ready for any more power at the moment.
From past experience I presume I'll know when I need more power,I flew FAI aerobatics some years ago and sometimes I had nearly enough power,but never had too much.

Allan

[robgt]

You don't really want to put any more headspeed on your heli while using wooden blades either... they're generally not made for it.

Cheers,
Rob

[moyesboy]

I'm in north derbyshire, Hope valley.
I have some 18c xtreme power 2200 frm rc-expert and they have been OK. Can't get the alarm to go off prematurely but they used to have more duration - though my flying style is changing. I had some 12C xtreme power 1800 that were weedy - maybe yours are the same packs with new labels!
I have some Maxamps 2200 20C which seem very good - I don't think the recent trextuning review of them did them justice. They run a lot cooler than the xtreme power.

By the time I need more the life of the new FMA aurrora packs should be known.

[schueyace]

Hi everyone,is the dragonus a similer size helicopter to the trex 450?sorry to ask what might sound a really dumb question but im quiet new to the helly scene,ive done a bit of fixed wing flying but just getting into the helly side and looking to buy a helicopter.im going to be getting a 50 size ic very shortly but im very intrested in the electric size too and possably going to get a trex 450.Could i ask bikeracer have you been flying hellys long and did you learn on the dragonus?if you did how did you find it to learn on?was it very twitchy?,also bike racer do you fly at a club id be intrested to know because im only about 3 miles from newark.Thanks Lyndon.

[robgt]

Yes, the Dragonus is the same size as the Trex 450.
The new Trex 450 SE V2 is, apparently, awesome. See the review on TrexTuning for details... http://www.trextuning.com/trex450sev2.php

Cheers,
Rob

[Bikeracer]

Hi everyone,is the dragonus a similer size helicopter to the trex 450?sorry to ask what might sound a really dumb question but im quiet new to the helly scene,ive done a bit of fixed wing flying but just getting into the helly side and looking to buy a helicopter.im going to be getting a 50 size ic very shortly but im very intrested in the electric size too and possably going to get a trex 450.Could i ask bikeracer have you been flying hellys long and did you learn on the dragonus?if you did how did you find it to learn on?was it very twitchy?,also bike racer do you fly at a club id be intrested to know because im only about 3 miles from newark.Thanks Lyndon.

Hi Lyndon,

I'm pretty new to helis,I had a Schluter Scout donkeys years ago but never really got past the hovering stage.The Dragonus is better for me because my flying area is a bit small by the lake at Balderton.

The Dragonus has a programmable head from novice to 3D,the kit is very good quality and everything fits.It will virtually hover hands off and I'm hoping to get out for a test fly again in about an hour after yesterdays tree pruning episode...the tree won. Just got to refit the lipo alarm and check the blade tracking.

If you want to have a look at a Dragonus just ring 01636 705186 more or less anytime.

Allan

[schueyace]

Thanks Rob,what a great site everything you need to know in one place,all i need to do know is buy myself one,thanks again.Lyndon.

[HighlanderJC]

For Lipos, "schueace and bikracer" u got Gliders on the industrial estate and they sell a 3s "Electrolite" 20c 2100mAH for about £34. I got one in my 450 and it gives plenty of umph to the 430L on 11T but really needs a 12T.