RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report  
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All Forums >> Electric Aircraft Universe >> Electric Training >> RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report
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RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 2/6/2007 11:31:14 AM   
gt5500


 

Posts: 302
Joined: 10/21/2005
From: whitstable, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		I am interested in getting an Easy star would anyone recommend going straight to a brushless system? I just think it makes sense to fit the best right from the start, I assume if going brushless its a good idea to run Lipo as well?

(in reply to jkkrobbins)
       Post #: 51

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 2/7/2007 12:56:03 AM   
jkkrobbins


 

Posts: 52
Joined: 12/15/2005
From: houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I have not yet purchased anything brushless so I can't knock it. However, I would say that for the Easy Star, brushless would be overkill. You can run with the stock motor and propellor and a 2 cell 4000 mAh LiPo. This will run 30 minutes on full power. If you're going for height, the plane will be WAY up there within about 3 minutes. Like I said earlier, with throttle management and a few thermals, you'll be dead tired and ready to land before the battery drains down. So no need to put the money into the Easy Star. Put the brushless into another plane that really needs it!

A friend of mine put in a brushelss and a huge 3 blade prop and his Easy Star and it zips around quite fast. But I didn't buy the Easy Star for speed. I bought it for simplicity, ease of learning, crash durability, long flights, etc... For the cost of a brushless motor and esc, you can get several of the LiPo's I've mentioned. (Trust me, the "Chinese LiPo's" are fine due to the low discharge rate required.)

(in reply to gt5500)
       Post #: 52

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 2/7/2007 12:04:24 PM   
gt5500


 

Posts: 302
Joined: 10/21/2005
From: whitstable, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: jkkrobbins

I have not yet purchased anything brushless so I can't knock it. However, I would say that for the Easy Star, brushless would be overkill. You can run with the stock motor and propellor and a 2 cell 4000 mAh LiPo. This will run 30 minutes on full power. If you're going for height, the plane will be WAY up there within about 3 minutes. Like I said earlier, with throttle management and a few thermals, you'll be dead tired and ready to land before the battery drains down. So no need to put the money into the Easy Star. Put the brushless into another plane that really needs it!

A friend of mine put in a brushelss and a huge 3 blade prop and his Easy Star and it zips around quite fast. But I didn't buy the Easy Star for speed. I bought it for simplicity, ease of learning, crash durability, long flights, etc... For the cost of a brushless motor and esc, you can get several of the LiPo's I've mentioned. (Trust me, the "Chinese LiPo's" are fine due to the low discharge rate required.)

I think you are of the thinking that brushless is only used to make a plane really fast or powerfull, well that simply isn't true, most brushless motors come in different KV ratings so there is no reason it would have to make the plane faster or more powerful. The reason I was asking about fitting one is because they are more or less maintanence free and have much better run times.

(in reply to jkkrobbins)
       Post #: 53

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 2/8/2007 6:34:59 AM   
jkkrobbins


 

Posts: 52
Joined: 12/15/2005
From: houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		It's true what you say about brushless. Certainly you would get greater battery efficiency with a brushless motor in the Easy Star. While there's no downside to going brushless, I still say it would be overkill. Another thing to think about is the cost of the stock motor. I bought a couple for $5 each. Recently, I ordered 5 for $12. Yes, the brushes burn out every few months with very heavy use. Replacement is no problem but brings to light the one area for improvement with the Easy Star - the way the motor is mounted. To replace the motor, you have to cut the halves apart, glue the new motor in, and resolder, etc... (Though I have seen postings where folks have built hatches and other means to make the motor even more accessible.)

That said, I couldn't be happier with the Easy Star, using the stock motor and propellor with a 2 cell 4000 mAh LiPo. I will be purchasing brushless stuff at some point in the future. But I'll be putting in the Hobbico Super Star. That plane needs it much more, as the run times are low with the stock NiCD batteries and only improved slightly with NiMh. The LiPo brushless upgrade would buy me much more in that plane.

Again, absolutely nothing wrong with putting brushless in the Easy Star. Only dollars. I'm saying upgrade something that needs it more. The Easy Star is such a sweet plane as it is that my humble opinion is that brushless is not required.

Try it with the stock motor and a 2 cell LiPo (like I said, 4000 mAh and it should still be tail heavy). You can always upgrade. I think you'll be very impressed.

(in reply to gt5500)
       Post #: 54

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 2/8/2007 4:11:39 PM   
mxerman


 

Posts: 44
Joined: 1/2/2006
From: Montgomery, AL, USA
Status: offline 		You are correct about the EZ flying OK on the brushed setup but...... Brushless does help. Gaining altitude is quicker, the ability to fly in wind is increased, and run time is longer. That said the cost may be the worst thing for a newbe to flying. A brushless with LiPo will run up about a $100 bill quick. Either way its a great airplane. Enjoy... mxerman

(in reply to jkkrobbins)
       Post #: 55

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 2/8/2007 8:21:00 PM   
tekajo


 

Posts: 99
Joined: 7/15/2006
From: , IN, USA
Status: offline 		I have just finished an easystar with a ten dollar 1750 kv BP 21 brushless and 25.00 speed control. I will be running a 2s lipo. I hope to run this weekend if not to cold and windy. I will be teaching my eight year old son to fly. Should be fun. Will get back with flight report.

(in reply to mxerman)
       Post #: 56

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 3/20/2007 3:57:53 AM   
ARD


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 3/20/2007
From: baxter, IA, USA
Status: offline 		New to the forum. I am interested in the Easy Star to learn on. I have a 6 channel Futaba digital computer radio, receiver and servos that I purchased from someone who was quiting. (Purchased one RTF plane w/all equip, and a plane kit and said radio still unopened. Gas planes.) I am thinking that the receiver and servos may be to heavy for the Easy Star.

Should I buy the smaller, lighter receiver and servos? As I am retired and on alimited income I will never move to the expensive side of this hobby, so any suggestions that will keep my expenses down would be appreciated.

There is a gas club about 18 miles from home that I will hook up with, but I do have sufficient flying area a few blocks from home.

Thanks for any help you can give,

Ard

(in reply to tekajo)
       Post #: 57

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 3/25/2007 5:07:36 PM   
pete_486


 

Posts: 259
Joined: 4/10/2006
From: darwenuk, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		hi ard the full size receiver will be fine but the servo's are way to big and you can buy two servo's for less than a receiver

cheers pete

_____________________________

I have not been to hell and back just for the sake of it but a zen starter motor did contribute

(in reply to ARD)
       Post #: 58

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 7/20/2007 2:26:32 PM   
geoffrs


 

Posts: 45
Joined: 5/22/2007
From: Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hi all,

Having never flown RC planes before, could I learn to fly the Easy Star by myself, or would I need someone to help train me?


Thanks.

(in reply to Mikerjf)
       Post #: 59

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 7/21/2007 4:19:27 AM   
jkkrobbins


 

Posts: 52
Joined: 12/15/2005
From: houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		You can learn yourself. Just toss it into the wind a few times and practice landing it. Then add a little power. Eventually, you'll be able to fly a lap in an open area. You might hose a landing or two but you won't ruin the plane.

With a very minimal amount of assistance from an experienced pilot, you'll be cruising in no time.

(in reply to geoffrs)
       Post #: 60

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 7/21/2007 4:20:34 AM   
jkkrobbins


 

Posts: 52
Joined: 12/15/2005
From: houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		tejako - can you post the link or tell me where to get the $10 brushless motor?

(in reply to tekajo)
       Post #: 61

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 7/28/2007 1:15:07 PM   
bluemax50


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 7/6/2007
From: Holyoke, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Found the one weak point with the easy star for a no nothing newbie like me. Took the easy star out for it's maiden flight and got it to do one complete 360 and boom!!! The stock
Gonther prop just broke into 2 pieces!! Figured no problem go down to my local hobby store for a new prop and get told. " Shouldn't have bought a pusher, no one stocks pusher props" .So here I am with my brand new Easystar and no prop. Ended up ordering 4 from Tower Hobbies which means I'm down for at least 2 weeks because of the incredablly slow shipping to the East coast (Western Massachusetts). I'm really surprised how propriatary this plane is when is comes to finding replacement props . Bought the Easy Star beacause of the precieved protection the pusher prop would have bring away from the front of the plane and the prop just breaks in half with no help from the ground. Anyone no of any easilly obtainable replacement props for the easystar besides the generic ones Tower is selling as replacements??? Just bought a slow stick in order to have something to fly why I wait out the two weeks for the new prop at least if I crash this parts are available locally

(in reply to jkkrobbins)
       Post #: 62

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 7/28/2007 5:11:44 PM   
jkkrobbins


 

Posts: 52
Joined: 12/15/2005
From: houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Found a bundle of 25 on ebay once for about $1 per prop.

(in reply to bluemax50)
       Post #: 63

RE: Multiplex Easy Star, construction, flight report - 7/28/2007 5:23:18 PM   
gerald_clark


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/2/2006
From: Ingleside, IL, USA
Status: offline 		It is not a pusher prop. The motor direction is refersed, and the prop is mounted backwards on the motor compared to a puller configuration.

Try an APC 6x4E if you can't find an original.