James Gwillim

Hi guy's, hoping to pick your collective brains!   I've recently upgraded the motor / esc / battery setup in my Lander Panther, from the stock 3s setup, to a hotter 4s setup, and am getting rather higher figures than I was anticipating!! The setup is as follows:   Stock Lander 68mm alloy fan unit Hobbywing Platinum 100A esc ( Belt and Braces!  2858-7T Inrunner from Hobbydream.com - http://www.hobbydream.com/4122kv-inrunner-brushless-motor-317mm-shaft-f3802858_p11523.html Loong-Max Tipple 14.8v 4000mAh 20c.   This motor seems identical to the MTI motor featured in RCM&E a few months back along with the Skyworld fan unit - available from air-power r/c.   I was expecting this setup to run at just over 850W given the motor specs, but was rather surpised to see that it seems to be running at well over 1200W, drawing 90A !!   Now I'm not sure if my watt meter is playing silly-buggers, but this seems a little close to the limits for my liking !! I like the idea of all that power, but my lipo's won't like it!! so before I start spending more money, do those figures make sense to you guy's? Would I be better swapping the motor, or the fan unit, or the lipo's. The esc should handle 90A, but I'm not sure the lipo's will, and if they do it won't be for very long! I realise I can just throttle back, but is there a more fool proof way of limiting the power to safer levels for the components involved?   Sorry If I sound a bit thick, I'm not an electrical engineer by any means, but do understand the basic principles.   Any help anyone could offer would be very much appreciated   James.  

How about a Bristol Beaufighter.

Hi Ed,    I'm flying the Lander Panther, which was my first venture into the world of EDF, and I have to say it's a fantastic way to start. It flies very well on the Lander 68mm 3S setup, is easy to hand launch, and really looks the part in the air! Only down side is that it eats batteries! I've been running mine on Flight Power Evo Lite 3200mah 20C packs, and only get around 3.5 to 4 minute flight times. I'm currently looking around for a 4S motor to fit the Lander fan unit, as I'm ready for a bit more power - that's not to say that the Panther isn't quick enough for scale like flying on 3S packs - it certainly is, but the lunatic inside me is egging me on to go faster!!!   Hope this helps.   James

Thanks Andy,    I'd spotted this one, but it does seem to be at the upper end of the price range, considering I have to buy at least one 4S pack as well. It does look like a belter though, and would certainly give the Panther a shot in the arm!! I was hoping there may be a cheaper option, so that I could possibly squeeze 2 lipo's out of the budget!!   Thanks for the suggestion though Andy   James.

Hi guy's, haven't posted for a while, but need some help!!   I've got a Lander Panther running on the Lander 3S setup, and would like to upgrade to a bit more power! Unfortunately, I am very restricted by available funds, so was wondering if there is a good, cheap 4S motor out there, that I could fit into the existing fan unit? ( and also is this easily done?? ). I currently only own 3S packs, so would need to purchase at least one 4S pack from my budget ( about £100 ). Does anyone have any suggestions??   Any help anyone can offer would be very much appreciated!!   Cheers Guys!   James

This is a topic I've read a bit on and there seems to be some difference in some Optic 6 sets. I'm using a Futaba charger with my Optic 6, and it fits and charges perfectly, but I have read that the futaba charger doesn't work or fit with some people's sets. There must be at least two different spec sets out there!   Regards   James

Hi Andy, no, I'm using the xtal from my Futaba 6EXA, so that could be the problem. I've checked the aerial, and it's not loose, so I guess it's the most likely cause!   Cheers   James

Hi guy's thanks for the suggestions - especially you Wingman. I cleared all the model memories and started again, and hey presto, throttle problem solved! It will still only work with shift set to positive though, opposite to what the manual says should work with futaba, and I'm getting a lot of servo chatter, but that could be the confined space of the room that my models are currently housed in.   Thanks again guy's   James

Sorry, just realised my mistake - it will only work when set to positive shift,  not negative like I said above!   Cheers   James.

Hi guy's - HELP!!! I recently bought an Optic 6 TX on ebay - it appealed to me as it is easily, and cheaply upgradable to 2.4Ghz with a module, something that I can't do with my Futaba 6EXA. Anyway, there seems to be a few problems with the Optic 6, and I'm completely baffled.   Problem 1 - it will only work with my current RX's ( Futaba and Corona ) when set to Negative shift - opposite to what the manual says.   Problem 2 - I can only get the throttle to work in reverse, and over only half the stick travel - ie full throttle with the stick fully back / down, and minimum throttle with the stick in the centre position. Servo reversing seems to have no effect over the direction of operation. I should also mention that this is being used with an electric model, so throttle channel conected to an ESC. Am I missing something?   Any help that anyone can offer would be very much apprecieted   Cheers Guy's   James

I Fly Mode 2 Cardiff Cardiff Self taught   Cheers guy's   James.

Hi Guy's, thanks for the reply's.   I have checked the wing alignment and ailerons, and all seems fine - there doesn't appear to be any twist or warping. The roll out happens regardless of the speed at which the loop is entered, whether from full throtle straight and level flight, or from a hover or harrier, and is fairly severe - rolling out within half a loop! The PA Extra is a fully 3D capable machine, so I don't think it's just a trait of the model. Inadvertantly holding in rudder was the first thing that crossed my mind, so I've been very careful not to do this. Haven't has chance to try holding the elevator against servo movement yet, I'll try that and let you know!   Thanks again guy's,   James   Also - thanks Ultymate for the triming chart - should be very useful for the future!!Edited By James Gwillim on 16/11/2009 20:12:33

Hi guy's, I hope someone can help!   I'm experiencing problems with my Precision Aerobatics Extra 260. When performing a tight loop - whether inside or outside - the plane rolls out to the right. I have checked the alignment of the tail assembly, and all is well, and have checked the CoG in all directions and all seems fine - it's now driving me slowly insane!   When I first received the model, the elevator was broken right in the centre ( where it passes through the rudder ) and I repaired this by bracing the break and securing with epoxy. There doesn't seem to be any flex in this repair, but is it possible that when operating under load, the air pressure is twisting this joint, therefore giving more deflection on one side of the elevator ( the side directly connected to the servo linkage ) than the other? Would this cause the model to roll out of a tight loop?   I am not a builder, but I have assembled and flown several ARTF's, and have never experienced this with any other model.  Is there anything else that I could have missed?   Any help or suggestions that anyone could offer would be very much appreciated.   Regards,   James.