Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Rich, I probably have an older version. It also has a tailwheel setup with a plastic bearing and a thick wire as the axle/tiller. I might change that out. CF landing gear would be nice as well.

Chris, my setup is old skool lo fi sport, with a 2000 mAh 6V NiMH batt for the Rx and servos, MPi switch, and Hitec 485HB servos all around except for the rudder, where a Hitec 645MG will go. It'll work for my style of flying. Your setup sounds like something that more skilled and aggressive pilots would be able to enjoy if they want to push the plane hard.

overbored77

My Feedback: (11)

Cpt, I am going with metal geared servos, because of the gas. i have all the other stuff
switches, lipos etc. I found a nice tailwheel at chief aircraft for $21. carbon fiber tiller
with springs.

overbored77

My Feedback: (11)

OK, the MX2 is off the workbench, with a new firewall (old one looked like swiss cheese with all the engines that were mounted to it).
The Edge is on the bench, first order of business is to build a fuel tank support directly under the wingtube, hinge the ailerons with
pinned hinges, order and mount the engine and the radio will be last, (I don't feel like swapping the radio gear from the MX2 so it will stay
in until the sedge is ready for it) that should take until mid April.

proteus_X3

My Feedback: (16)

Chris,

Thanks for your advice on servos. I have a Goldberg Sukhio 26MX that will needs servos in the near future,so when I start it, I will definitely check them out.

Since I'm not after the 3D performance you're seeking[yet ],I think I'm going stick with my digital Hitec 5625/5645 and analog 645 MG's servos. Power for receiver and servos 6.0volt 2000MA NiMH or maybe a 6.6 volt 2300ma A123 system,I shouldn't a need regulator for the servos. At 6.0 volts' the 5625MG produce 131oz of torque/speed .14 5645'sMG produce 168oz/.18 and the analogs 645MG 133oz/.20,Not lighting fast but should serve my purposes well. For ignition power I'm using a 4.8volt 1500 ma NiMH pack with an remote RCEXL kill switch. I still have made my mind up on throttle servo yet,digital or analog..Also the motor mount I plan on using the GPMG1101 see any problem with this mount?

Cpt.Crash,

Like Chris said Metal gears are good,since your using a glow engine you should be fine with what you have. I would consider using a digital servo on rudder like the H5645mg better response on knife edges and snap rolls imho. Goldberg makes a good semi-scale tail gear.

Goldberg http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYXH5

Cheers: Rich

proteus_X3

My Feedback: (16)

Chris,
 I got my DLE at Valleyview RC just before Xmas came with a Xoar 17x6 prop and a NGK plug $258.00 shipped
http://www.valleyviewrc.com/estore/d...as-engine.html

overbored77

My Feedback: (11)

The servos aren't so much for 3d, as the fact that I have a tendency to do high speed snaps, and flat spins. I have had alot of experience
with the 5645 and 5625 and they are good servos, I have heard alot of complaints about centering but I had 5625's all around on my 69" yak,
and 5645's on the elevator and ailerons of my 77" Goldberg Extra, and never had any complaints. I would definitely reccomend the 2300
A123, very light and easy to setup, no need for regulators, If you go with the ignition battery elimination filter (IBEF) you can run that whole plane
off a single 2300 A123 (as long as your IBEF is regulated below 6 volts).

proteus_X3

My Feedback: (16)

Chris,
Thanks, I'll go with the 6.6 volt, A123's but for K.I.S.S. I'm going to use the NiMH 1500ma sub-C battery pack for ignition power it's small and reliable.

Which throttle servo are you using?

Looking to save some weight I'm using carbon fiber control rods, my rod end are stainless steel from "connectors RC" now known as " Texas Hobbies" anyway here's a link if your interested, they are CNC machine and well made at an affortable price. http://www.texas-hobbies.com/?page_id=484

The Carbon Fiber rods 3/16 od you can buy at your local kite store,there's no kite store around here so I got my rods online from Good winds LLC out of Mount Vernon , WA I use Pultruded Carbon Tubing http://www.goodwinds.com/merch/list.shtml?cat=carbonproduct # 020019 PCT.188x48 6 ea @ $5.79 I probably have enough carbon fiber rods for 7 or 8 planes. BTW the Mfg of the rodend recommends J&B weld when bonding connector to carbon fiber rod,I use Marine-Tex super strong and never gets brittal with age like J&B weld.A 2oz repair kit of Marine-Tex is about 12.00 at West Marine and the stuff last forever. later Cheers: Rich

hobbychina2010

how much EDGE 540? I have one EDGE540 T 30CC

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Almost there. Got the switch and fueler installed. Did final install on the engine and cut the cowl. Had to hack a rather large hole through the bottom to get the twin pipes to fit. Still, this is a very nice looking airplane, and goes together quick. All radio gear is now onboard, and I'm starting to program the plane. Maiden flight will be soon.

coronabob

My Feedback: (10)

Very nice, clean install in a very pretty bird. I am envious. Never owned an Edge but have just about everything else. Have you had your GMS 120 long? Never much luck with mine a few years ago - inconsistent. Switched to gas and have not looked back.

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Bob, thanks for the kind words. I've had luck with the GMS 1.20, but I know not everyone likes the GMS motors. Lots of my buddies fly gas, but I see them fighting engine tuning headaches just as often as the nitro pilots. I suppose it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. For the big planes, gas is the only way to go, but for the 25% and smaller birds that I fly, nitro is so simple when it comes to engine setup. Other pilots on this thread are setting up their E540s with DLE 20 gassers and such. I'm sure this plane would be an overpowered rock star huck monster with a DLE 20.

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Two Phoenix Edge 540s are now done; helped Psyched get his finished off. Just gotta finish radio programming, CG checks, and hopefully maiden it next Monday. So far I like this plane; it's an easy build with lots of "big plane" features and plenty of flexibility in setup. Wish me luck...

coronabob

My Feedback: (10)

I wish you a lot of luck with a smidgen of gravity.

dreamland s4

greetings! im new here and i just received my phoenix models edge. fantastic model im blown away by the price. mines did come with CF gear. guess its standard. 

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Dreamland,

I don't think removing the pilot will compromise anything.

Pull-pull should be easily done since there's so much space, but I went with the stock setup for the weight. What motor are you using? With the GMS 1.20, it still comes out nose heavy, so I have the battery on the former at the back of the canopy. If you're using an ignition gas engine like the DLE 20, you might want to just use the stock setup for weight control.

I didn't have any problems with the pushrods. The only 2 that are the same size are the ones for the ailerons. All the tailcone rods are different lengths. Horky, but it works in the end.

Oh, and CG? Still haven't flown yet, so not sure if the factory CG is correct. I have mine balanced a tad noseheavy off the factory CG for the maiden. Will report back on how well (or tragically) things went.

dreamland s4

capt. im actually going electric. and i thought going pull pull would actually be lighter than having a 3rd servo back there. 

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Dreamland,

What's your battery setup going to be? I'd go with the power 90; that will give you a plane that can keep up with your skills. I'm just going to be flying it around for now, but hope to push it harder once I've got it tuned to my liking. The big issue with weight is where it is relative to CG. The GMS 1.20 is on the heavy side, so I have a Hitec 645MG for the rudder in the tailcone. To get the factory spec'd CG, I just have to move my battery. No added lead needed, giving me the lightest possible plane with this setup.

The GMS 1.20 is about 30 ounces of weight, add a few more ounces for the pitts muffler, Du-Bro anti-vibe mount, spinner, and an APC 16x7 glassfibre prop. Compare that to the weight of your battery, speed control, motor, motor mount, and prop combination to see whether you might need weight up front (use rudder pull-pull setup) or weight in the tailcone (use stock rudder servo setup). Good luck and post your results...

dreamland s4

power 90 comes in at 15.8 oz. 

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Given the light weight of your motor, you're probably right about going for the pull-pull rudder servo for your electric power setup. I'd get one of those Du-Bro HD pull-pull rudder horns instead of the factory stuff. I have the Du-Bro horn on my Phoenix Extra 330, and it's bombproof.

I have the V1 with the heavy aluminum gear, so if you have CF landing gear, even more reason to shift weight forward. At least with different sized batts, you can move your CG around.

As far as tailwheel, I ditched the stock setup (too heavy and clunky) and put on a Du-Bro tailwheel kit. I'd like to eventually convert that to a CF leaf with a tiller (from Redwing RC or Chief Aircraft) but the Du-Bro setup will work for the maiden flight.

dreamland s4

hey are you using the screws that secure the wings? are they really necessary? seems like the 4 nylon bolts secure the wings well. but hey, you never know right?

dreamland s4

a pull pull setup is definitely NOT do-able on this plane. see for yourself lol 

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

On the Phoenix website, they said to just use the 4 nylon bolts to secure the wings. I didn't like the idea of drilling into the wing tube and then putting that big wood screw into the top of the wing. My Phoenix Extra has the same 4 nylon bolt setup, and it's trouble-free after 4 seasons of flying.

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Some shots of the E540 outside in the balmy spring weather. A few things to tinker on, then hopefully tomorrow it's out to the local airport to run a couple of tanks through the motor, then possibly the maiden on Monday.

dreamland s4

wow! cap! 

Cpt Crash

My Feedback: (12)

Prepare to be happy...

Made it out to Maloof this morning and ran a couple of tanks through the engine. The GMS dialed in nicely, with a slow steady idle around 1800 rpm. With the failsafe set, the control throws at the factory spec "low" setting, and the tank refilled, it was time to fly. I taxied it out and pointed south, then rolled on the power. I didn't even make it to 50% before it was off the ground and climbing away at a 45 degree angle. The plane grooved along and sucked up altitude, getting small very quickly. It needed some aileron and elevator trim, but it dialed in quickly. Conditions weren't ideal, with a milky overcast sky and lots of chop, but the Edge handled it easily.

The GMS 1.20 is waaay more power than this plane will ever need. I pushed it to 50% throttle a couple of times, but at that power setting, the plane boogies along very fast. It's just sensitive enough at the "low" throw settings to be a fine sport flyer. I used initial settings of 40% expo which felt right on the sticks. The stock CG is neutral; as you roll off the throttle, it gives a slight tail drop as the center of lift shifts forward. For pilots seeking a bit more stability, balance it a tad nose heavy on the stock CG. Landing is easy; roll off power after base to final, let it descend, then roll on power to check descent as you cross the runway threshold. Fade off the power to set it down; it sort of flares itself.

Still need to finish tuning and breaking in the engine, but this bird is a keeper; I'm looking forward to more stick time with this awesome airplane! Get yer birds done, because this will be your new favorite...