Have you seen this?

Hi folks.

i came across this heli after doing some research on electric helis.

I initially got a swashplate from them (Flasher 450) to replace my sloppy Align 450 one. The replacement swash made a big difference

I came across this HERE

360 blades

Very interesting and not too expensive.

Anyone had any experience?

I know Russ Deakin is helping with testing and development.

[robgt]

I had a flight on that heli (I think it was that heli) at 3D Champs last year. The dampers were totally shot but it still flew powerfully. It was quite a sloppy flight due to the dampers (not going where I wanted etc) but I got the definite impression that with the right dampers in there it would be an excellent heli.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ky6EfbYajs"]YouTube - Phoenixtech TT 360 CF Blades, GT90 Gyro, 4Cell Lipo, Phoenixtech/Scorpion 2221-10 Motor[/ame]

Cheers,
Rob

[Asid]

It was quite a sloppy flight due to the dampers

YouTube - Phoenixtech TT 360 CF Blades, GT90 Gyro, 4Cell Lipo, Phoenixtech/Scorpion 2221-10 Motor

Cheers,
Rob

Rob you got Sloppy seconds?

[Mark_T]

Anyone had any experience?

Yes, I've been building one recently.

First let me say that Andy from Phoenixtech has been nothing short of perfection in replacing a few problem parts from the kit, but on balance I have to report that I've stopped the build for now as there are just getting to be too many problem parts for my comfort.

The kit is based heavily on the Rave 450, not identical but very similar in a lot of respects.

I'm going to switch over to building a genuine Rave for comparison as I like the design, but I need to see if the problems I'm experiencing are down to the design itself, or just the quality of the manufacturing.

Once again, Andy could not be faulted for the support he has provided, but at some point you have to figure that a kit just shouldn't need this level of support

[Asid]

Hi Mark

What problems did you have?

I have built a Rave 450 and there are similarities.

Regards

Asid

[Mark_T]

As you read the list, keep remembering that the majority of these issues Andy fixed without question so don't be too hard on them.

Out of the box, a couple of screws were missing from pre-assembled parts, some of the remaining screws were lose enough to be close to falling out and many had no threadlock on them at all.

No real problems there though, easy to replace a few screws and I'd always fully disassemble pre-built sections anyway.

Supplied with two main shafts but no explanation, checked with Andy and it seems the original was a bit too soft for hard 3D so they supplied a harder shaft free in the kit, great idea, but the extra shaft was slightly over sized and would not fit in the swash-plate.

Shaft replaced with one the correct size, so no problem there.

During checking of the pre-assembled tail mechanism it became clear that the only thing holding the tail control arm to the control arm mount was the amound of threadlock that had been used to hold the bolt in place as there was no thread remaining in the mount itself. The was also one very notchy bearing on the tail shaft.

I ordered a new bearing but I could not order a new mount as this part is not currently available to order separately so I had to depend on Andy who provided a replacement. He also provided a new tail control arm at the same time which I didn't pay any attention to other than to be grateful for the extra spare but I'll return to this later

The control arm mount is one of my design concerns. The mount acts as a pivot for the control arm and the arm is retained using 2x4mm socket screws which go through the arm bearings top and bottom of the arm and into the mount. Net result is you have a 4mm piece of metal that requires opposite threads on each side so there is hardly any material to screw into and no room for error in the production. The result is that the screws barely make contact with the thread and the thread fails extremely easily which is what happened during the original factory assembly and even with a new part I get the feeling it is only just hanging on there.

This same fragility of threads has affects other parts during assembly in particular a tail boom clamp where the thread just stripped right out before even achieving enough grip on the boom to stop movement and the tail gearbox base where a longer screw solved the problem.

In general the use of short screws that only reach a couple of turns into a thread seem to be causing the threads to damage very easily.

One problem I've not been seeing (with a single exception) is screw failure, no cheese screws here, the quality seems far better than with certain other kits I could mention Of course perhaps a weaker screw would not damage the threads so easily so I'm not sure if this is a good thing.

Once I got the tail control mechanism properly build it was running very tight. Close inspection showed the control arm pins that run in the bearing holder were not evenly spaced on on was actually pressing on the holder. I then checked the extra spare Andy had provided earlier and sure enough, that fitted perfectly and corrected the problem so that perhaps is a known fault.

Went to reattach the tail gearbox to the boom and the head proptly fell off the pinch screw leaving the shank of the screw beyond retreival in the gearbox at which point I've given up for now.

I have some other concerns about binding in the head and tail mechanisms but these may prove to be a non-issue once the build is completed so it would not be fair to assume these are a problem at this point.

I don't doubt that Andy would address the remaining problems I have in the same way he has fixed the other issues where I could not simply buy the replacement parts, but I'm at a point now where it seems something is failing to give confidence at each step with the result that the finished heli is just not coming together in a robust manner so that is why I've stopped here rather than continue.

Can't fault Andy for his support, but I don't think the manufacturing quality is quite up to the standards needed for this design, hence my interest in the 'real thing' so to speak.

[phoenixtechuk]

Hi Mark,
sorry to know you have problems after problems, I(personaly) knew at least 10 of this kit built and flown by different shops, they all seems have better luck,lol.
Can you get the heli packed in a box, I will arrange a carrier to pick it up and we will built and test flown it for you?
cheers
andy

[Asid]

Now thats customer service

[phoenixtechuk]

I will put some videos on later, Russ tried them with 5S lipo, a 450size powered by 5S, with 360mm blades, can get 12-15mins flying(sport), 4:30-5mins crazy 3d flying.
cheers
andy

[Mark_T]

Thanks for the offer Andy, much appreciated.

I'll send you an e-mail later to confirm the details and no need to arrange to collect it, I'm happy to cover the cost of sending it all back to you.

Fortunately packing it all up is easy due to the carrying case it ships with so no problems there.

Regards,

Mark

[raptorheli2]

ohhhh, will the boom/tt/rudder wire fit on a 450 pro?

i converted my 450 pro to outrage boom but i don't like making tt's....is this the answer to running bigger blades with bolt on stuff?


cheers

[phoenixtechuk]

ohhhh, will the boom/tt/rudder wire fit on a 450 pro?

i converted my 450 pro to outrage boom but i don't like making tt's....is this the answer to running bigger blades with bolt on stuff?


cheers

Send an email to support@phoenixtechuk.com Our special Russ will get you sort it, he is current playing with flasher450pro which we will release later.
cheers
andy

[Asid]

message sent

[phoenixtechuk]

hope you guys enjoy it, TT360 powered by 5S lipo.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKEWHa56Ndg"]YouTube - Phoenixtech TT360 powered by 5S lipo[/ame]

[phoenixtechuk]

here is another video (quite windy)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bt6Q2Iw6_A]YouTube - Phoenixtech TT 360 powered by 5S lipo[/ame]