Tomtom39

Not sure how the smiley face sneaked in!

Hello John, I've been reading this thread with much interest as the Acro Wot is one of my favourite models (In both the ARTB version from Chris Foss and the ARTF from Ripmax). I initially had some minor grips about the quality of the control rods - Although having had the pleasure of reading the review in the RCME I found installing said bits pretty easy and they have worked well (I have both an IC and a Electric converted ARTF  My first instinct as with most ARTF's was to replace control rods , linkages with ones from Pete Tindall. however I have gone on to build and convert (to electric) 5 other ARTF Acro Wots for other club members and the included accessories with the kit have worked fine with one exception where I snapped a control rod (a case of over enthusiasm on my part - I rushed it , was not concentrating etc). My current Electric Acrowot has had 112 flights of an average of eight mins with no issues of either landing gear or control surfaces. HOWEVER I have knocked the captive nuts holding the wing and have replaced these . Following additional comments I'd like to make 1. The kit in general is excellent and I would very much doubt if Mr Foss would give the thumbs up for use of his name if he did not feel it was up to scratch 2. Brilliant price. (Not many about for £108 I paid ) Not sure that Ripmax could include all the bits you've mentioned for an extra £15/20 . Happy to be corrected! 3. Not sure about a CF landing gear having seen some of my club mates fly these . Its been pretty easy to rebend the U/C . Maybe an Airbag option ? 4. Some Pilots supplied with other kits have been pretty appalling so happy to trawl for something from Petes pilots etc (I especially like their cartoon figures) 5. The spinner that came with it has been fine (although the new Carbon effect ones from Irvines does add the extra bling value) In Ripmax's defence I have found them to be very helpful when I have had a problem . So how about getting in contact with their M/D and suggest perhaps a Deluxe kit or Deluxe accessories kit. (I'm happy with what I've got)

Hello Martin It was . I think that a lot of UK distributors will have to wake up . As to date biggest failing with HK had been their customer service . This looks to be changing!

Just a note for all those that have followed this thread. Scott Cuppello of HobbyKing UK (and forum member) was kind enough to get in contact with me and arranged for one of his tech staff (Jake) to telephone me and discuss my problem (Jake is also a keen flyer and understood my concerns - he was also good enough to give me some advice - full marks!). The outcome of this being that I'm returning the battery to HK for them to investigate - they have advised that they will offer me a refund/credit/replacement if the problem is with the cell. Having had a very rational discussion I have to say that I have great deal more confidence in HK (UK) being able to deal with problems with any of their products. I understand from Scott that the UK warehouse will in due course be supplying the full range of products found in their International site (Hong Kong)

Hello Peter Thank you for a very enlightened and interesting post (been learning an awful lot over the weekend re batteries - its quite a minefield!) I have gone down the "electric" route primarily due to noise restrictions at our site . Its been an expensive learning curve to date!

Hello Garbo Many thanks . I will in future also check the batteries under load.

Hello Scott, Thank you very much for your response and guidelines. With exception of leaving the battery fully charged (point taken re Nano Tech) all the others, I do carry out as normal course of use (I have learnt the hard way - having listened to other modellers at the field !!!) I have sent you a message re return of pack for inspection. Much appreciated.

Hello Robin, Strange enough was thinking of previous post to you as found a whole load of Wansted MFC stickers from my time in your part of the world in the late 80's

Hello Martin, Same issue as you. Having gone down the route of electrifying a large number of my models. I have not found any degree of consistency . An example ( I tend to use specific Lipos for particular models. In this case I bought 2x 6s lipos - Thunderpower to power a scale WW1 aircraft.. Both have been cycled 58 times - all my batteries are logged. One has puffed up and yet I also have some Turnigy 6s that are still fully functioning after 3 years on 179 cycles . Its dropped 2% - ie 98% charge input) Well I'm learning about the dark arts of "elecy". Sorry can't be of any help with Ni-cads.

Hello Robin, The problem is that when it arrived (and from my previous experience with HK ) I immediately checked the battery. Which seemed ok although one cell was slightly out - but within HK's stated tolerance levels) . As mentioned I fully charged it (100%) . Checked balance again(no problems) and stuck into a lipo bag. The issue of refund is another matter (HK advise not their problem as warranty is one month only . Great having a lawyer in the family. Have left matter in the hands of a suitable "Bulldog!". Usual run around from their help desk (wonder if they have part time jobs in other call centres!) I'm rather hoping (if possible) to see if RCME would consider doing a review on various batteries (I've just spent last few hours trawling the Internet to see how this could be done and also to set appropriate parameters.).

Hello Robin, Under normal circumstances I tend to fully charge and store (I usually fly at least twice a week weather permitting!!!) . However I always check before using (having had the pleasure of losing a model due to my stupidity some years ago!). This Nano tech is pretty much as it came - no sign of puffiness or any physical damage. The battery was stored individually in a lipo bag in a fire proof container - I must admit I'm totally perplexed! (The battery in question had not been used at all on a motor ie checked when received - then charged and left in storage) Sorry I typed in wrong Graupner charger model . I use an Ultra Duo plus 60 for home and the Ultramat 16s for field charging. I'm unable to get either to work as it comes up with "battery voltage too low". I have also tried it on my Bantam BC8 DP charger (backup) with similar resort. Tried an E-flite charger which charges via balance lead and this comes up as error (have also tried to charge with balance lead not connected - no joy!) Going back to my original question as there seem to be an awful lot of contradictory advice - I was interested how the forum members stored their Lipos ie fully or partially charged and what results they have had over long term. I have also been in touch with my credit card company to advise them that the battery I had bought is not "fit for purpose " and have requested a refund . They are sending me a form to complete.

Hello Garbo Not sure if you read my original post in full. The balance was not the issue here. The fact was that having tested it (within limits!) It was charged and stored. When I went to use it the other day (I had not used it and I always check voltage prior to charging/using - having learnt the hard way!) There was nil voltage in all three cells.

Hello Garbo Hobbykings parameter are .1V . I tend to use similar ( I have number of battery checkers - the best one I've found for ease of use has been the Bantam E-station two meter ) . Having just checked outputs of various motors max draw has been 80amps on an EDF. I'm interested in how people store their batteries ie charge level and their experiences with various makes. Do you discharge to a certain level to store?

Hello Garbo, My Lipo's are always balance charged (I run an Ultramet 60) and I normally run my batteries down to a minimum of 25% (normally 30%) ie batteries have never been run to 3V per cell. (I charge them all at 1C) Hobbyking have just got back to me and have received standard response that as it's been over a month "please go whistle" or words to that effect! As a member of the farts brigade (OFB) I also asked some of my club members for their opinions and for the last thirty mins have had great fun with checking the Turnigy batteries inc a Nano tech (9) belonging to one of my compatriots who swears by them (think he must have meant price!) He has gone home a little miffed as they were all out of balance (significantly) , having fully charged them this morning . We also found that one of the batteries bought three months ago was charging up to max of 85% (I log all charge cycles for my batteries in excess of 3s. - don't bother with smaller ones) I am rather hoping that someone will carry out a suitable test and review of various batteries (enter Messers Ashby?)

I bought a new Nano tech 3s Lipo in August from Hobbyking checked this on receipt (although off balance on a cell) . I was advised that this was in tolerance - charged this up and did not use it. Went to use it to find that there was no charge in it at all ie totally dead! I would be interested to see how people store their batteries . I have experimentated with discharge to 40% for winter/long term storage ie over 2 weeks . My batteries are kept in a storage box (In lipo bags) which is kept at between 15 and 17 deg C . As an aside all the Nao tech batteries I have bought (max 40 cycles ) seem to have gone off balance . None of the Optipower ones have to date . I have written to Hobbyking for their views and I am waiting for their response.

I'm still reminded of the time when I first used a 2.4Tx of looking for the aerial to pull out prior to take off !

Hello Robert, I use flaperons on mine. Our stirp suffers from 90 deg crosswind The model is hell of a floater!. The Flaperons work ok ie I can now get it down with no head wind within 30m strip. Happy to help if you have any problems with setup (Ill check my TX!) . I did experiment on % of throw . It seemed to work best at 20% down on ailerons with 2% up elevator on my TX mixer

Garbo. Very good and very appropriate!!! Lets just say I fell in love with it. A treat to myself having splashed out on a new handbag for the wife over the weekend - so don't feel toooooo guilty.

I have to say that my first impression on finding how much the model cost was exactly the same ie £320 for a fomie!- on your bike - however having flown it (in both light and heavy breezes). I would have to say that this model is the proverbial peach (note this is the Venom and not the Vampire). It oozes quality - both in looks and handling.

Having had the pleasure of the Durafly Vampire . I managed to fly one of these today **LINK** Costs more than three times as much as the HK one but it really is a case of getting what you pay for. (I have just taken the decision to order one - there is a waiting list!)

I have ended up with the HK Durafly Vampire or rather it came as a large jigsaw puzzle in a plastic bag - another members left over. I decided to proceed with repair . I have used some lightweight kevlar cloth and tow to repair the broken booms as well as adding some CF 2mm rod along each length. I replaced the rather "poor" fan unit with the E-flite 15 from my spare Habu inc 60Amp E-flite Esc. I covered the whole model with lightweight GF cloth and used four coats of Poly C website **LINK** . I have ditched the retracts as they were far to damaged to repair - shame as they did look nice ( the nose wheel and one of the wing retracts had given up on landing with its previous owner )- wonder if one of the FMS units will fit into this? The plane - a little heavier than before (inc squeezing in a 3000 Mah 4S has flown very well ) . It did have a tendency to pitch up on powering up in flight . However have cured this by rejigging the tail (elevator stab) with some negative incidence approx 2 deg's. Another club member very kindly offered their undamaged unit as a point of reference. Deluxe materials also sell a similar product to the waterbased varnish from Poly C

Sorry (just been pointed out to me) and the Ladies who helped with the show. Chin up and we look forward to next year!

The Hop farm was one of my favourite shows and a great place for an end of season bargain. Not to mention meeting old flying friends from various parts. Apart from feeling very cheesed off at operators of the Hop Farm my heart goes out to those who worked very hard at making it a great show (sorry you chaps at Croydon MFC and all the traders who have lost fair amount of potential earnings ) I hope that a suitable different venue can be found for the future (not very easy to find in the congested areas of the South East of England!).

Hello Phil. Very lucky to have Gliders as your LMS. Sorry forgot another big thumbs up for CML distribution. Had problem with new club members ESC in his foamy. I rang them spoke to their customer services - they were very helpful. ESC was replaced on the same day that it was returned (got it next day). I've now got confidence in a supplier that if things go wrong they will deal with it without any hassle - unlike some popular Chinese direct sellers that come to mind! (hopefully they will get their act together now that they have a direct UK presence)

Not very often I get the chance to thank a Model shop or in this case two who have taken the time and trouble to understand my problem on a recent conversion of my large scale glider to Electric (not staight forward at all!) . Without going into details I've had some very positive help in finding a solution. So thumbs up to both SMC (Marcel) and Gliders (Peter). They both spent a pretty long time both at the shop and in Gliders case on the telephone. Many thanks gents. I've read some very negative comments on various threads on the forum over the last few days about service from LMS. I would point out that the guys and in some cases ladies are only able to help if we are able to explain our comments/requirements properly (sorry my daughter was looking over my shoulder and she has asked me to point this out - she works in a toy shop on a Saturday!)