osterizer

That's actually not bad for not balancing them, Jeff. With the Equinox balancer they all usually charge to exactly 4.2V +- 0.01, but if yours are staying that close while discharging, good.

Either way, as the conversation's developed, I have to agree with the trend-- if you've gotten gas inside the battery, it's on its way out, and it would make me pretty nervous to keep using it.

Regards,

Bill

jw637362

My Feedback: (1)

Well I'm Chicken[]
I cannot get it to go inverted for a loop. What's the problem. I get it going to the top and chicken out, swing the tail around and bring her back down. I went through 2 batteries[:@]
Should I have some expert do it with the heli to make sure it will, but then risk my heli to someone else????????

Jeff

I am doing low and slow figure 8's while doing 360 rotations at the same time. That is Cool. [>:]

jw637362

My Feedback: (1)

Forgot to mention, I am sending the batteries back for resolution. Ask for a warranty thing or exchange. I ended up getting them from Readyheli.com....I could have swore I got them from Grand RC.com, whatever. I am going to look at something similar in size and power in another brand. I will need to figure out how to hook it up to my DN Charger though but that is a different story.

alex k

Well, Ive been lookin for a cheapie heli like this to just put a bunch of stuff layin around in. Heres a real quick question though, Id be using a E-flite park 400 4200kv inrunner. Do you guys think this motor would pull it around pretty good? What pinion combo would probably work the best on this.

O, and Im lookin at the mx400.

Thanks a ton,
Alex

whstlngdeath

My Feedback: (15)

I don't think that motor will fit. It's too small, where the MX400 normally uses a 28mm diameter motor, the E-flite park 400 is 20mm. According to a headspeed calculator at Readyheli.com, you'd need a 8 tooth pinion gear to get the recommended rpm of about 2400 rpm. You might also have a problem finding that pinion gear considering the 2mm shaft of the E-flite motor. I think the biggest problem with the E-flite motor is fitting it to the frame.

Jesse

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

Hey,
I've got the Park 400 4200KV, it will fit into the frame, pinion will need to be 8 or 9 tooth, 2mm, locked with loctite 680 compound....www.like90.com sells the custom pinion to fit, although the gear mesh is a bit tricky to get "just right".....the pinion I have installed is from Like90, the "Zoom Pinion, 8 tooth, 2 mm .05 mod"......got it from my friend who also had the same motor, but installed in a T-Rex.....flew fine untill it made a sideways landing.....another story, anyway, Highly recommend putting the heatsink on it.
Haven't finished dialing in the heli yet, but if I like it, the MX450 with an Align 430LX motor is probably the best way to go......trade off using the stuff you already have versus having to buy more stuff............you know how the story goes.
Ernie

osterizer

I have the 430XL in my MX450 now, with a 10T pinion. It's actually a little more motor than the 450 needs, but the heli really moves out with it.

alex k

Is it gonna have enough power for a little 3D? Or just end up being bog city. I have the 8 tooth hooked up to it rite now.

Thanks,
Alex

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

I haven't flown mine yet....but considering how it powered my Mini-Funtana, I think it should be fine for beginning 3D......although, I think the weak areas for extreme 3D on the MX-400 are going to be the stock heli parts....blades, hub, grips, swashplate, ect, ect......Since the MX450 has the CCPM, and all the alum stuff, Carbon boom and fins, fiberglass blades (although I've heard MAH Carbons are the way to go), that might be something to consider if you outfly the MX-400, since it's not cost effective to upgrade just about all the parts on the stock MX-400.........It's a GET YOUR FEET WET heli, especially considering how little money to get started.

alex k

Im not really all that new to helis, its just this things weird size. most helis jump from like, 21"rotor to 27". but this is right in the middle at 23". Ive seen this heli do a little 3D. Most the time from what Ive experienced, is to throw away the free blades, and put a metal head block and grips in. Im sure it would be fine though with a set of V-blades (if they make this size) and the stock head.

thanks again,
Alex

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

I put the alum center hub on mine.
Venom makes fiberglass blades that are just a few mm shorter than the stock "oddball" size. I have a set, but they are still in the bag.

The larger 315 and 325mm size blades call for a longer tail boom, belt & pushrod.

osterizer

Yes, that's a good reason for the MX450-- that it comes with the longer boom and metal head. As for 3D, yes, it is more than powerful enough-- it'd probably screw the MX400 into the ceiliing with the lighter airframe .

BTW-- I was one of the first to get the tapered MAH 315s when they started importing them a few months ago. They are absolutely the best for the 450 for most flying, and probably also for the long-tail 400. They don't do twitch maneuvers as crisply as straight blades, but for everything else they are unbeatable.

alex k

So, Ive heard different things about the tails on these. On my realflight g3, the tail doesnt hold worth crap on this heli. Is it a lot better in real life? Is my park 400 more powerful than the stock helimax motor?

Thanks,
Alex

osterizer

Which park 400 are you talking about? That's a little generic.

Don't waste your time on an MX400 -- you'll be wanting upgrades to it, and the MX450 has them already installed. I have both, and the MX450XS is what the MX400 would be after you upgraded it, but for less money. Tail control on the 450 is great; on the 400 it's not.

alex k

Its the E-flite park 400 4200kv w/ 8 tooth pinion. Again, Im just looking for a cheapo to throw some stuff I have layin around in. Not really plannin on gettin too crazy with it, I have other helis that fill that gap.

Thanks,
Alex

osterizer

Ha, I know what you mean-- hmmm.... I wonder what I can put this engine in?

Anyway, 4200kV on a 3s LiPo would be way too much spin for a a 450-sized bird, I'm afraid, but even if it weren't the 4200 doesn't look like it has the power for a heli that size-- you should be thinking something in the 25-30A range as the smallest to use.

[]TEX[]

I got a Raptor 50 Titan earlier this week.....what did I get for blades?.......605mm MAHBlades, only the best!

Thanks again Osterizer for that!

[]TEX[]

I bought an MX400, flew it once, went out and bought the MX450 XS.

Osterizer and I think alike, don't waste your time.

jw637362

My Feedback: (1)

Went Inverted

I was freaking out, but just said screw it, put it in idle up 1 Had it pointed away from me, pulled up and over, pulled the gimble back and it started to go up inverted, Flipped it back to right side up!
Did about 9 of them holding it inverted for a second or two. Almost lost it once. I need to practice hovering all over again it seems when you are upside down. But now I am a new domain. I do need to look into the new main blades previously discussed as I am still running the stock ones. I need to go through it and check all connections again,
The Center hub is pissing me off[:@]. The little screws keep loosening and I am getting a lot of play. I need to upgrade to a new hub with bearings setup I have seen on other helis!!
Someone point me in the direction of one that will fit the mx-400.
As Tex has so eliquintly pointed out, Need to just upgrade to a mx-450, but I am half way there anyway and I am having alot of fun with it!
On to the next phase, holding an inverted hover....[>:]

Later, Jeff

[]TEX[]

I practice with the G3.5, you should too.

osterizer

Hear hear. RF has saved me many times its price in parts.

OT-- btw, Tex, you shouldn't have gotten me started. I was on heliproz, and they have some great combination deals on Raptors......

jw637362

My Feedback: (1)

One of the first things I said when I started this thread was " I have extensive Realflight G3 heli experience and it really helps with the dexterities. "
How do you think I am going inverted with my first collective heli in only around 15 batteries Just a little different in the air with wind and a touchy gyro, thoughts of parts flying, stuff like that.
Simulators are the only way to go.

GrandRC finally had the ARK aluminum main blade holders in stock so I just bought them. I also saw the main hub with bearings there for 18.00. I think that would take care of the wobbly screw problem, Agreements?

Of course the longer boom and the 315 carbons are coming. I will then have a mechanical mix MX-450......

Jeff

[]TEX[]

Have a look at HeliHobby too. Sorry for putting the bug in your ear buddy.

[]TEX[]

Ah yes, it's all coming back to me now.

osterizer

Ha, you cost me who knows how much money and hours of tinkering with the engines again. This is going to be fun .