Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

Thanks for the link kdunlap. Anyone else on-board with the pre-order for the new Caelus V2 Lite?

big_G

Flew the Caelus about 8 flights this weekend. Had a battery consumption problem that I think I have worked out. Was using an old Jeti esc, switched to a YEP/(YGE clone) esc that allows 24* timing (Hacker wants 25*). Also slowed down my speed a bit. Came down several flights with 35-45% left after 5+ minute flights.. I'm a happy camper. It seems these new draggy planes eat a lot of juice if you fly fast. Last problem that I need to remedy is the misalignment of the horizontal stabs in relation to the fuse and wings. The left side is maybe 5 degrees lower than the right. I think this is the cause of the plane rolling a bit entering and leaving maneuvers. Gonna take some work as the stab is anhedral and has a buried incidence adjuster in the fuse.

Anthony-RCU

My Feedback: (2)

Zippi - Make sure your canopy still latches securely with the tape. Spent a lot of time in the swamp at my field and don't want anyone else to have to deal with that.

Big G - Tail alignment is critical. How are the knife edges? Sometimes you will see big variations in KE pitch with a misaligned tail ie pitches to the canopy in left KE and belly in right KE.

Good luck,

big_G

There is considerable down elevator needed only on right rudder knife edges. I hope this fixes that.

Gary

Dave Harmon

Try moving the c/g more forward....see Triangle Trimming by Brian Hebert.

big_G

DTDT....I can try more, but rolling to inverted does not take much down elevator. Not carrying any elevator trim. Wing incidence is 1*, stab at 0*.

Thanks guys for your inputs.

Dave Harmon

I don't know what DTDT means but you can add more expo only on down elevator to make the elevator less sensitive when inverted.
Your symptom is right out of Triangle Trimming....move the battery forward at least 1/4" to make a good size change and re-trim the elevator and add down expo if needed.
I'll bet you like it a lot better. Keep playing around with the battery location and it will come right to you.
Your incidences look to be in range...don't see a problem there.
As far as the tilted stab.....I'm not sure it will make a big difference if it is not exactly correct.
I've had airplanes straight and tilted a bit and never noticed a difference.
Now if that was a free flight airplane....oh yeah....the free flight would turn towards the high stab in the glide but no affect on the power climb to altitude.
I wouldn't be concerned about the stab at this point.

Edit....I misread your post....you should be moving the battery forward.

Dave Harmon

See edited post above.

big_G

Should have been BTDT...been there, done that. I've moved the cg +/- about 1 inch from the recommended range. Not opposed to further experimentation. Moving the cg didn't seem to affect the pull to canopy in right rudder knife edge. I already have more expo on down elevator. Thanks.

Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

Anthony,
The new Caelus V2 Lite now has one canopy latch on top of the canopy. Hope they added some strong magnets.

kdunlap

My Feedback: (12)

I had a nationally known pattern pilot trim the airplane for me a couple of weekends ago. It flies like a new plane. Anyways here's the current setup.

Wing +1.0
T-Can +0.2
Spektrum Mixes
Mix 1: Throttle to down elevator -13% to fix pull to canopy in down lines. -70% offset
Mix 2: L Rudder to up elevator 17%, R rudder to up elevator 13%
Mix 3: L rudder to Right aileron 6%
Mix 4: Throttle to R aileron 1%

Anyways.. the important takeaways for me after us playing with the trim, CG, and batteries.
-CG aft of the rear screws on the canopy latches doesn't change a thing
-Moving CG forward from the aft screws hurts things.
-+1.0 for wing is fine
-factory engine thrust setting is fine
-Tcan incidence is mostly irrelevant. Just trim around where ever you have it set.
-light batteries (4500mah) make the airplane fly worse. Heavier batteries (5000mah) are better
-you need multiple mixes on this plane and have to fix the airplane through the mixes.
-Airplane needs at least 14 degrees of movement on the ailerons. expo to taste
-It does not snap well, even with the DTFS wings

Knife edge is excellent. The right aileron to throttle helps as well when you add power.

Dave Harmon

Many guys in other parts of the world like to fly extremely tail heavy and you might be at THEIR recommended point.
Try moving it a LOT fwd from where it is now to see if you can make a change.
Tail heavy airplanes can do strange things.
On my Essence I can tell a difference if I move the pack 1/4" from where it is now....if I move it to the rear and retrim the elevator....it wants to go towards the belly slightly....move it forward from its original location and retrim the elevator....it wants to go towards the canopy slightly.
This means that the battery is at the teeter point regarding performance of the airplane so it can be flown without a bunch of mixes.
I don't think you are anywhere near the teeter point...yet.
Once you find that point you wont believe how well it will fly....a lot of other things will improve too.
As kdunlap pointed out....heavier batteries make it better....ie..makes the plane more nose heavy.

big_G

Replacing the Hacker A60 7sv2 (595 grams, with a Hi-Max 6330 pro (556 grams) tonight. Will be an interesting comparison. If any of you guys are using the Hi-Max...what timing did you settle on??...Thanks, Gary

Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

I will be running the Falcon 3 bladed 20x12.5 prop on the Himax 6330-210 motor with the CC 80A HV ESC. I'm going to start out with the default but I might have to play around with the timing. Unless, someone is already running this prop and can shed a little light on what timing worked out.

big_G

Straightened out the crooked stab....vertical pulls from level flight are now almost flawless. I take full responsibility for any course deviations...lol. Now if I can tweak the esc braking a bit more. The Throttle tech works great. I will enjoy competing in Intermediate class this spring.

vatechguy3

My Feedback: (11)

What balance point are you using to see this effect?

Thanks
Tony

vatechguy3

My Feedback: (11)

Why are you switching motors?

Tony

big_G

1: I burned up the old Hi-max 6330 in my Vanquish, so I got a new Hi-max 6330 Pro for the Caelus and put the Hacker in the Vanquish. The Hi-max is rated the same watts and kv as the Hacker, but does not have the same pull as the Hi-max. Don't know why, but facts don't lie.

2: the Caelus came out about 150 grams over weight, so between the carbon prop and the lower weight Hi-max, I'll be at the limit. Vertical performance this weekend was outstanding. Motor rear shaft (hottest point I could find) was at 150 degrees F.

Dave Harmon

I don't know....
I am like Tony Frak in this regard.....I get it flying properly by moving the battery back and forth.
I don't try to determine what the c/g is or try to fly it to the mfgrs recommended c/g.
If you are using rudder>elevator and/or rudder>aileron mixers....turn off the mixers (assign to a switch except the throt>elev mixer for the downline) and start by moving the battery forward 1" at a time until it flies KE without going to the canopy or belly or any roll-coupling. You will need to re-trim the elevator after each time you move the battery.
Then move the battery to the rear in small amounts like1/4" at a time until you need the mixers again.
Then move it fwd to the previous location where it flew correctly without mixers.
This is the spot.
Now you can re-adjust the throws and expo for the stick feel you like....gotta get the correct c/g first though..

If you have not tried this method.....you will be amazed at how sensitive the flight characteristics are to the c/g placement.
I have been doing this a long....loooong time and 'I was shocked....shocked I tell you'....at what such a small change in c/g will make.

vatechguy3

My Feedback: (11)

How much push on the elevator is needed when you fly inverted?

I have also used inverted flight and 45 lines to determine cg.

Tony

big_G

If you are addressing me....inverted flight required a modest amount of down...a roll to inverted after a 45* up-line shows a gentle drop out. The 1/2 rolls opposed in Intermediate are easy....not much bobbing. Directional stability is great...no "hunting" in pitch. My gut tells me the c/g is close, k/e flight tells me otherwise.

Dave Harmon

It depends on your elevator sensitivity. The flying stab on the Essence handles a bit differently than a standard stab/elevator config. I think I like it better.
Some guys like very little push...I like a tad more than that....I always set the elevator throws equal...then tune the up and down expo separately to what feels good regardless of the c/g.
Spins may require a different elevator rate.

I don't use the 45 degree lines to determine the cg.
Once you find the sweet spot for the c/g....the airplane will handle much better....no roll coupling, no KE problems...better directional stability, snaps stop instantly....predictable landings...set the elevator stick for the proper decent and hold it there...then fly the throttle to the runway.
All this is of course assuming that the wing incidence is the same as it came from the mfgr.

big_G

Don't you mean aft?...reading Bryans' Triangulation chart...pull to canopy in k/e needs a more rearward c/g. I'll move it some more this weekend and report findings.

Gary

Dave Harmon

Arrrrrgh.....I am working with someone else besides you and I got my wires crossed.
Yes...move the battery aft....sorry bout' that!

big_G

No problem.....easy to do with many posting on same thread.