Help Rave on 3S setup..

[acwman]

Having recently acquired a Rave, Can anyone recommend a decent setup for this.

My plan is to keep this as a 3s machine so I can make use of the packs that I already own...so don't want to go 4s.

I have a scorpion -6 which I want to use, and the heli also came with 450mm radix blades, which I have heard a 3s setup should swing these.

I did a quick setup of the machine, and tried 2200 rockamp, scorpion -6, scorpion 60a esc, and with the 350mm blades. Initial flights, I found it to be slow, and the power was nowhere near as rapid as my Beam, or 450 sport. It was bogging in fast climb outs and 3d moves, and really had to nurse it with collective inputs. Packs were also coming down hot.

Tried with 325 blades, and no real drastic change in performance, and also went from 12T to 13T to see if it would get better, but still not happy with it.

What I would like it to fly somewhere like my other 450 helis on 3s...Is this possible!?? or is there something more drastically wrong with the setup I'm trying to fly with?

[simplyraptor]

I'm running mine on the scorpion -8 motor with 335mm mavrikk blades and have used the 12t and 13t pinions with no problems at all.

They recommend that you use the scorpion -10 motor with the 350's but I have just ordered a 350mm set from FL to try as I have read they work well with the -8.

It may be a problem with the ESC timing/setup, to be honest Andy I have never heard anybody say that the Rave is under powered especially with the -6 motor fitted

[cupracing]

I've heard the rave is sluggish on 3s however it shouldnt be too bad. what pitch are you running and what output are the batteries and how old?

[Leo77]

Hi, it might be the esc i have heard they don't always put out the power like other makes do.

[acwman]

Thanks for the pointers...

I'm guessing it could be something to do with the esc.. Though I have used the scorpion 60a on other 450s with scorpion motors no problem. I have put the timing on Auto after I had it set at 20deg and still no joy.

I'm pretty sure that the lipos are ok. I have a variety.. some older some newer, Rockamps, Loong Max Tipples etc.. they are plenty of power in my other 450 helis.

Although the heli is lacking power.. it does track beautifully, and I am pretty determined to get to the bottom of it.. I may swap out the esc for the Scorpion 55a which I have.

It's a bit on hold at the moment, as I managed to get a bit close to the ground on a flip, and knocked out the tail bevel gears

[simplyraptor]

Just in case you not seen them there is upgraded gears available, I haven't stripped my originals gears yet, but give it time I'm sure I will!!


Fast Lad Performance

bugger!! I've just noticed they are out of stock

[lex7919]

Andy, id crack on a 14T at a minimum the 6 is an animal but you need it geared right, whats the tooth count on the rave main gear??

[acwman]

Thanks Martin..

I wanted to order these.. but as you say out of stock. Have ordered from Midlands..Just hope they are in stock

[bolders]

Thanks for the pointers...

I'm guessing it could be something to do with the esc.. Though I have used the scorpion 60a on other 450s with scorpion motors no problem. I have put the timing on Auto after I had it set at 20deg and still no joy.

I'm pretty sure that the lipos are ok. I have a variety.. some older some newer, Rockamps, Loong Max Tipples etc.. they are plenty of power in my other 450 helis.

Although the heli is lacking power.. it does track beautifully, and I am pretty determined to get to the bottom of it.. I may swap out the esc for the Scorpion 55a which I have.

It's a bit on hold at the moment, as I managed to get a bit close to the ground on a flip, and knocked out the tail bevel gears

I look forward to hearing the results of any testing you do. The rave 450 has recently come to my attention and it looks like a real sweet heli and a definate alternative to a going the Trex route.

How does the all up weight of this heli compare to a trex 450 is there enough difference to account for the differences you are seeing. Also (a bit of topic I know sry) how do you find the spares availability and repair costs when compared to the trex

cheers

[acwman]

Andy, id crack on a 14T at a minimum the 6 is an animal but you need it geared right, whats the tooth count on the rave main gear??

It's got 177 on the Main gear.

[Mark Chaplin]

Also worth a note on the black gears front people on other forum's are suggesting to mix and match the new gears and older gears together for the perfect mesh although I have a set I have not needed them yet!
One other point about the Rave is people say the frames break near the motor mount in a crash. I opted to put the upgrade frame stiffeners on from the word go. Might be worth a look if you have not fitted them.
Hope you do get it sorted soon. I fly mine on a Scorpion 8, 3S 2200 30c, Thunderpower esc and 325 blades and as you say it track's great and feels 'bigger' in the air. I also fly a 450 Sport which is also great. Funny thing is they seem to fly alot different although the Rave has high end gear in it.

Mark.

[acwman]

I look forward to hearing the results of any testing you do. The rave 450 has recently come to my attention and it looks like a real sweet heli and a definate alternative to a going the Trex route.

How does the all up weight of this heli compare to a trex 450 is there enough difference to account for the differences you are seeing. Also (a bit of topic I know sry) how do you find the spares availability and repair costs when compared to the trex

cheers

I have always fancied a Rave myself.. and only cause one came up at a good price, I thought I'd give it a shot. Missed the RTF one on Ebay recently and that went at a VERY low price. Would have put in a bid myself, but was too late.

Quality is extremely good. Love the Rotorhead/washout and swash, which shows very little slop at all. The tail mech seems very good, and all this shows up in flight where it tracks really nice.

Price wise for spares, well don't think anything can beat align in spares prices.. but having said that, the rave looks fairly tough. The whole rotor is alot beefier than my other 450 helis, and the most usual things such as spindles mast, comes in packets of several. Found evorc, fast lad and midland do spares, so have a choice. I'm generally quite a hoarder of spares, and stock up on most crash items.

All up weight.. well the tail is off mine at the moment, and is in several pieces.. but I don't think there is that much difference.. Will check up on all this when I get it flying again

[acwman]

Also worth a note on the black gears front people on other forum's are suggesting to mix and match the new gears and older gears together for the perfect mesh although I have a set I have not needed them yet!
One other point about the Rave is people say the frames break near the motor mount in a crash. I opted to put the upgrade frame stiffeners on from the word go. Might be worth a look if you have not fitted them.
Hope you do get it sorted soon. I fly mine on a Scorpion 8, 3S 2200 30c, Thunderpower esc and 325 blades and as you say it track's great and feels 'bigger' in the air. I also fly a 450 Sport which is also great. Funny thing is they seem to fly alot different although the Rave has high end gear in it.

Mark.

Thanks Mark.. So how does your sport and rave compare performance wise?

[simplyraptor]

The quality of the Rave is very good, I liked the fact that it went together without rounding off a single bolt!! and the head and tail are slop free.

The one thing I had trouble with was the wire tail pushrod, it flexed too much and it gave me the impression that I had gyro set up problems, I cured this by making an extended version of the Beam e4 carbon tail pushrod, this worked a treat.

[Mark Chaplin]

Thanks Mark.. So how does your sport and rave compare performance wise?

Please bare in mind these are my thoughts; They both fly extremely well but in different ways. What I can tell you is the Sport with it's stock set up seems to rev higher and is more thirsty on the batteries probably the new 'M' motor (4.30). The Rave flies for 30 seconds longer. This is using the 20% rule on the batteries. Both throttle settings are 100% flat in idle 1 &2. The Rave feels a little less agressive in stock form which I like. The 450 is a little 'snaper' and I have reduced the throws to tame it for me.
I feel it is the heli design's themselves. Rave = Curtis = FAI and 3D
Trex = Jason k = 3D
And I think that is it in a nut shell not to critisise either like I said both enjoyable but different feel to both. I like them both.

Mark.