johndou

I just picked up a new electric at an auction. Other then batteries and a charger ... and some wing bolts (screws), I don't know what I'll need to get it going. It's complete with radio equipment, speed controller, motor and ducted fan. I don't know what size motor these came with ... hopefully someone here does? I'm a glow flyer (don't hold that against me) so all of this electric stuff is completely foreign to me. A complete airplane for $40 seemed like a bargain that I couldn't pass up. Never been flown! Now as long as batteries and a charger don't cost me $200, I'll be happy.

Kiiski

Looks like a Kyosho T-33 shooting star
http://www.greatmodeldeals.com/products/kyosho_t33.htm
Kiiski

johndou

Yep, I think that's it. Thanks!

I'm a little surpirsed that it uses an 8-cell 8.4 - 9.6 1700mAh "NiCd" battery pack. I was assuming I'd have to get into LiPo's. Or, maybe I still should? Can I use NiMh's and/or NiCd's or should I convert to LiPo's? Any advantages or disadvantages with either?

john

Kiiski

You can use either, it's somewhat dependent on the Speed control, you need to have one that is set up for LiPo's if you are going to use them , a speed control for nimh's will work with LiPo's, but it won't shut down at a safe voltage for the batteries, unless you use a Lipo guard. The advantages of LiPo's are, more power and capacity at a given weight. For instance, an 8 cell nimh or Nicad (9.6 volts) at say 800 Mah, will weigh roughly the same as a 3 cell LiPo (11.1 volts) at 1200 Mah. So you are getting 1 1/2 volts of extra power, which can make quite a difference, and a 3rd more capacity, capacity=flight time. Disadvantages are that you absolutely MUST use a LiPo specific charger for lithium batteries, they are more prone to damage in a crash, improper care will likely ruin the battery and possibly cause a fire, and they are quite a bit more expensive. But are they worth it? Heck yes.
Kiiski

johndou

Thanks Kiiski! I'll check the speed controller to see if it's LiPo compatible. One of the reasons I picked this up, other then it’s completeness and “new” condition, was to get into electrics. If I decide to get some LiPo batteries and a charger now, it’s still a bargain.

Flypaper 2

I still have the T 33 and another one, new ,still in the box. Be carefull as it is a brush type motor and won't last long on 11.1 volts lipo. and made to run on 8.4 volts. Would be very tail heavy also. The nicad fits up in the nose to the end. The fuselage is molded to fit the ducted fan unit so it can't be moved forward as is. With the kit that I have I was planning to cut the fuse. about two ins. further forward to fit the fan unit and install a brushless motor. One of those to do projects. It is a nice flier as is, just a little low in the speed department. Loops and consecutive rolls horizon to horizon are no problem, just not a speed demon, but then neither was the real one

johndou

Thanks Flypaper. I haven't been able to find much information on this one. Could you answer a couple of questions I have?

Where's the CG?
The documentation that I have been able to find calls for an 8 cell nicad pack of 7.2 to 9.6 (1700 mAH). But, I'm finding lots of 7 cell packs that fit that same bill. Will the 7 cell pack cause CG problems?
Would the NiMh battery be a better fit for this one?
Any information you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks;
john

Flypaper 2

Hi John:
For the CG, there is a jog in the wing three ins. out from the fuse. At that point CG is two ins. back from the leading edge. I was using 1800 MA seven cell nicads and getting about four to five mins. of fun run time I did a couple of things to improve the performance from stock. Ducted fans need a close fit at the blade to duct gap. I put thick CA on the outer edge of the blades and filed them down for a close fit. Probably 5 to 10 thou. gap. as they will stretch when wound up. I carved the blunt trailing edge at the air outlet of the fuse to a long sharper, tapered edge. The air inlets should be well rounded and smoothed. After you launch it, give it a chance to build up speed, as the faster it goes, the more air is rammed into the front and the more efficient it is and builds up more speed. Make the turns big to keep the speed up. Hope this helps a bit. Any more questions, just holler. I would like to get the one in the box up and running with a brushless motor and lipos. Should be a big performance jump with more poop and lighter.