jmir

My Feedback: (1)

A power 25 using 4-Cell li-po's would do quite well. When I fly my Ultra stick 25e using a Power 25 and 4-cell li-po's it becomes a "mean machine" with lots of power.
However, there is that added thrill when releasing the power of my Eratix's Power 32 motor when pulling straight up from a hover.

jmcmike

My Feedback: (45)

JMIR, been reading back thru all of the posts and think im going to go with the tried and tru 32 setup! Might try to run a 3200mah light weight batt to save some weight. Should maiden mine weekend after next.

lejongleur

My Feedback: (10)

You might consider using a Scorpion outrunner e.g. the Scorpion SII-3020-780. It will give you about 800 watts on 4S with a 14x7 prop, costs $70 and weighs 5.8 ounces, i.e. 2.8 ounces LESS than a Power 32 and 0.9 ounces less than a Power 25.

I used the earlier model (Scorpion 3020-12) and found it responsive and totally without issues. Turnigy also make a number of motors in the 700-1000 watt range which compare favorably to the Eflite motors on weight, and are incredibly cheap. I have had mixed results with them but they are worth a shot.

jmir

My Feedback: (1)

I use 25C; 2650 mah, 4 cells from Horizon Hobby. They are inexpensive and last around 10 minutes for normal 3D type flying. I also use 2300 mah, 4 cells, and get around 7 minutes with throttle management. My old 3600 mah, 25C, lasts a little over 12 minutes. I prefer the weight/size combination of the 2650's.

IdeaBeing

IdeaBeing

Ooops, misused the quote function

I mounted my ESC on the underside of the 3/8" plywood support just behind the motor. I CA'ed velcro on both sides of this support, as I push my battery WAAAAAAY forward through the opening so that just the end peeks out into the open canopy area.



This location provides lots of cooling air and a forward weight boost to compensate for my light-ish motor (Turnigy 3548 SK)

jmir

My Feedback: (1)

Let us know how the Turnigy 3548SK works out for you. Is it equivalent to a Power 25 or a Power 32?

speedy72vega

jmir, the 35-48 is very close to the Power 25, the 42-50-650 is very close to the Power 32. That's the one I ran in my Eratix (the 42-50-650), power was awesome on 4S with a 14X6 or 13X8 prop.
I ran a separate RX pack on mine though, and it was up front on the side of the motor mount, and my ESC was underneath, as IdeaBeing's was. I didn't have to add any weight at all to balance it, just moved the batteries back and forth. I ran either 2 2S 5000ma packs in series, or 1 4S 3300ma pack, and it barely used 2500ma after a 10 min flight.

MAN I miss that plane! Someday I might get another one........

jmir

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks for the information. I buy often from Horizon Hobby, so I'll include a motor next time I order from them.

I destroyed my Eratix just about when they discontinued it. I looked all over and nobody had any. So, I kept watching on Ebay and a couple of months ago I found one that was damaged in shipment and listed as a defective one. I bid on it and got it for $70. The fuselage was broken and one of the wings was damaged. I was able to fix it and it flies great. I'm still looking for another one.... just in case I crash mine. It's the best plane I have and a great 3D trainer. It just hangs on the prop on a hover and can go vertically forever. I have no idea why they discontinued it.

Thanks again for your comments.

speedy72vega

I think they just made some design changes or something, there was supposed to be a re-issue at the end of last year, but at a higher price.

speedy72vega

I just checked, says available mid May 2010, so it's coming back! They're showing a list price of $169.99, so $20.00 more than before. I hope they improved the Canopy attachment!

IdeaBeing

Yes the Turnigy 3548SK is similar in size to a Power 25, but I chose the 1100kv model as opposed to the 900kv as I already had 3S 4000mah packs from my T-34 Mentor (which I recently mangled).

With a 14x7 APC it pulls 730 watts at 62.5 amps as opposed to the Power 25 which is 890kv and pulled 440 watts at 38 amps with the same battery and a 12x8 APC

I think 730 watts is beyond the safe operating range of a power 25, but the Turnigy 3548SK has performed admirably at this wattage.

Don't get me wrong, E-flite motors are reliable and high-quality, but I could buy 3 Turnigys for the price of one of them, so I'll risk a motor failure from the rumored inferior quality of the Turnigy.

speedy72vega

I agree with you on that, IdeaBeing, the only concern I would have is the 62.5 amp draw, That will be a bit harder on the motor and battery packs, and probably chew up the capacity pretty quick, but over 700 watts should move it pretty good.
I was running the 42-50-650 on 4S, and the current draw was down around 32 amps or so, and the packs lasted more than 10 minutes with no problem.

As far as the motor, put a couple of drops of oil in the bearings before you assemble it, and it should be fine. The bearings and magnet glue are really the only weak spots on the Turnigy motors that I have, and I have a BUNCH.

jmir

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks for the information on the Turnigy motors. I've never had any problems with any of my Eflite motors. I've had problems with bent shafts due some unintended landings, so I had to replace them (an easier task than I thought).

Nevertheless, I'll purchase a Turnigy next time I order.

lejongleur

My Feedback: (10)

Yes, mine was trashed about the time they stopped being for sale too. I love this plane.

My only cautionary tale would be to suggest that, unless you are an absolute ace at landing very gently in all wind conditions, open the bottom of the fuse covering and reinforce the area around the gear substantially, because otherwise you will be doing that anyway shortly afterwards, plus a lot of additional fixing nearby.

wrpsr1911

A BIG 10-4 to that, two fixes later!!! I often would see friends with an Eratix and another in a box, unbuilt. I couldn't figure why someone would want two of the same planes. THEN , I got one and now ,I have a spare NIB, Just In Case!!!! Also with Scorpion SII3020-710-60 amp ESC-4 cell 25c, 3600ma-14X7 Xoar Prop-Unlimited vertical and Not too heavy! LOVE MY ERATIX'S-WOODIE

IdeaBeing

Yep,


Just ripped my gear out 2 days ago. Another guy at my club who has an Eratix milled an aluminum sheet with a lip at the front which curves around to grab the front edge of the flat centre plate of the landing gear. This basically allows the plate itself to minimize and absorb the backward twisting motion that ripped the gear out in the first place.

However, since it's winter up here in Canada and I think our "Indian Spring" might be over soon, I am debating installing E-flite's 25-size floats as a ski substitute. Has anyone else tried this?

jmir

My Feedback: (1)

I agree with you. That's the first thing I do when I get a new plane. I reinforce the landing gear area so that it does not snap off on rough landings. On the Eratix, I openned the bottom up to do so and to make it easier to mount the ESC below the battery area. You can hardly notice it.

So far, it has paid off. I've had several rough landings on windy days and the landing gear is still rock solid.

jmir

My Feedback: (1)

The Eratix I got a couple of months ago has two magnets holding the canopy down, instead of just one. Great improvement. Nevertheless, I made a small latch out of a clevice to hold down the canopy in the event the magnets are not strong enough. So far, no hatch off problems.

jumper666

subscribing

trerc

I'm sold on one of these, c'mon May...

skypup50

You and I had the same idea. I just came home with one from the LHS. I searched all day yesterday and couldn't find one either. Walked in to pick up a prop and there it was! An Eratix just waiting for me. I had an E3D that I loved so this is going to be really nice.

jmcmike

My Feedback: (45)

Just came from the field and 6 more flights on my eratix,just cant get enough! I did the e-filte 32and 60 esc 225mg 4s 3700 rhino packs at 4.03LBS AUW w/battery. I bought 3700 packs to use in series on my showtime 90 or i would of went with a smaller packs to save some weight. Ive never put more than 1900mah back in the battery. You will love the airplane. Let us know

skypup50

I was wondering how many are flying just 4 channels with no flaperons or flap/elevator mix?

wrpsr1911

I know of about 12 Eratix's in the air and I know of NO ONE flying with flaperons or spoilerons!! Not needed. It slows so you can walk beside of it and does all the manuvers that I am capable of performing, without anything extra. ENJOY !!