Tim Donald

Thanks Doc / Trevor.

Thanks Nigel. It doesn't seem much point in paying for hv servos / receiver then running at 4.8v? The servos are MacGregor MG5921HV but I can't find current draw specified. The ESC is a Hobbywing Platinum 120A which includes a BEC with 10Amp continuous and 25Amp peak output. I am told that these are very reliable but have no first hand experience. I think the general idea is that the rx and servos can all run directly from a 2S Lipo so 7.4v (max 8.4 fully charged). Having said that - if the performance difference is too small to make a difference then I could set the BEC to 6.6v to be on the safe side but this is what I'm trying to establish. I'm thinking I might add an Optipower Ultra Guard 430 just in case the ESC does fail. There is quite a lot to loose if it does fail !

Hi all, another electric question if I may? My Pilot-RC Laser 67 has all high voltage servos and a high voltage receiver. The ESC output can be set to anything up to 8 volts. I have set it to be 8v as the servos give the best performance at that voltage on paper. Is there any benefit to using 8v or is this a bit risky? Doesn't seem much point in slowing servos down by lowering the voltage if this is not necessary? It's a 6S 5000 LiPo so battery drain should not be an issue.

Thanks for all your help. I have now cable tied the ESC to the side of the motor box which looks to get the best ventilation.

Thanks everyone. I think I will go with velcro onto the firewall and a couple of cable ties just in case.

I'm just finishing a Pilot-RC Laser 67" and am working out where / how to mount the ESC. It's 120Amp Hobbywing Platinum (6S, 5000mah Lipo). I am thinking about mounting it to the bottom of the firewall for maximum airflow and to help balance the CofG. I am new to electric and was wondering how hot the ESC is going to get? Can I mount it with Velcro or best to use screws? Also can it just go directly against the ply / carbon or does it need some sort of heat protection. Thanks.

Thanks MattyB. Lots of options !

Allan, Thank you ! That is a fantastic reply that answers all of my questions perfectly. I want to keep the weight down so I think I will stick with the BEC on the ESC and hope it doesn't fail. Interesting point you make about the prop. I hadn't really thought about that. Anyway - I have bought a recommended power pack that includes the prop so hopefully it is the correct size but that is good to know for future projects. Thanks again - if we ever meet I owe you a beer or two !

Can anybody help me with a Pilot Laser 67" setup please? I'm coming from glow engines so electric is new to me. My plan is to run the standard Pilot-RC CC20/400KV Motor with Hobbywing Platinum 100A ESC and 4x MacGregor MG5921HV High Voltage Digital Servos. I was going to use a 6s 5000 Lipo and Futaba R3008SB receiver (HV). The ESC spec has a 8.4v output. Can I simply plug my servos into the receiver and power it all from the 8.4v output on the ESC? Is this the best way to do things or will I need a powerbox of some sorts (I know nothing about them). Anything else I have missed? Thanks.

I'm looking for a new 3D plane and am considering a Pilot-RC Edge or Laser 67". The main reason for this size is so that I can use 6S, 5000 Lipos and fit the fully assembled model in my van. Can anybody tell me what the difference in flying characteristics are between the Edge, Extra and Laser? Thanks.

Hi Brian, thanks it's not so much the size but would a 14.8v burn up the motor or ESC ?

I see that the latest Max Thrust Riot v2 can use a 14.8v lipo for extra performance over the standard 11.1v. Does anyone know if I can do this on a WOT-4 Foam-E too?

Thanks Pete, that is good to know. I can't help feeling that Futaba are still trading on their old reputation and have got left behind by the competition. Thanks Ron, just having a look at the programming setup. I've got a lot to learn !

That is good to know. In that case I think I will get a FrSky and keep the Futaba until I have worked out how to use the new one ! To be fair, the Futaba is fine for the bigger models but it just feels like they are pushing for everybody to use SBUS or SBUS2 which is simply not necessary for most people (particularly if you buy a fairly budget transmitter like the T10J).

Thanks Sheepish, yes I have seen them and that seems to be the best option (although I don't really like mixing brands but I guess it will work ok). Shame Futaba don't seem to do anything similar. I think I will look to change to a Taranis or Horus transmitter and sell the Futaba stuff. Thanks.

Do Futaba make a small receiver for F3K models with 6+ channels? Smallest I can find is R3004SB but nothing 6 channels. If not and you have to use SBUS it would be both very expensive and I still don't think the extra decoder or hubs etc. would fit. It's to match with a T10J transmitter. I'm feeling like Futaba have sold me a transmitter but then limit its features (such as aileron / flap mixing which needs channel 6) by making sure you have to buy very expensive sbus kit at the receiver end. Please somebody tell me I'm wrong or I'm ditching Futaba for good.

Cheers, I will have a look. Yes I have bought from hyperflight before but did not know about superfly so that is handy to know about, thanks. Just joined the BARCS site as they seem to have some interest there.

Thanks Sheepish. Although I'm originally from the South coast I live up in Cumbria now.

I can't find much talk about Discus launched gliders on here, just wondering if there is another forum or FB group where dlg people go?

Yes, I have done it on other models with an 8 channel no problem but I've just bought a new 6ch (thinking that would be fine as the model is only 4/5 channel) ! Will experiment later with the flaperon settings.

Thanks Carperfect and cymaz. I did try setting it as flaperons but there was some other issue (can't remember what it was now). I will have another go and see what happens.

Thanks Christopher, but please don't get sarcastic. This is after all posted in the beginners section. It was a genuine question that I couldn't find the answer to. Here is the article I was reading with the broken full wording link : **LINK** For what it's worth, the reason I asked was because I heard experienced people at a local club saying they were breaking the 400ft rule if they flew above 400ft and I wanted to check as I thought this was not the case so it's maybe not as widely know about as you might think. Anyway, thanks - all understood now.

Thanks Dick, that is exactly what I was looking for. Good news !

Simon, See here : **LINK** But the link to the full wording does not work. Tim.

Hi, just getting back into flying after a long lay off. Can somebody please clarify the current height restriction rules? I know about the CAA 400ft limit and see that the BMFA have an exemption for aircraft (not drones) under 7Kgs but is there still a maximum height restriction (assuming not in controlled airspace)? What I'm really interested in is how high I can legally thermal a glider from a flat field in uncontrolled airspace (or is there not a limit)? Thanks !