RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF
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RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/24/2006 2:49:40 PM

windshadow

Posts: 22
Joined: 10/21/2006
From: southport, FL, USA
Status: offline

thanks Greg I ordered the electristar yesterday it will be here in jan cant wait I went with the nimh batteries. this will be the plane I learn on thanks for all the info in your posts.

(in reply to Greg Covey)

Post #: 26

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/24/2006 2:56:50 PM

windshadow

Posts: 22
Joined: 10/21/2006
From: southport, FL, USA
Status: offline

thanks greg I ordered the plane yesturday, it will be in some time in jan it is on back order. I am going with the nimh batts . this is the plane I will learn on thanks for the info you put in on this plane. have a great x-mas and new year

(in reply to Slo-V Flyer)

Post #: 27

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/24/2006 9:02:17 PM

wingride47

Posts: 30
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Pasadena, TX, USA
Status: offline

I got mine and it looks real good what I need is a recomendation for a cheap ac\dc battery charger for the two 8.4 v 3000 mah nimhs.

(in reply to windshadow)

Post #: 28

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/26/2006 4:21:32 AM

rcinstructor

Posts: 35
Joined: 8/1/2002
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Status: offline

FLIGHT REPORT: Electristar flies very similar to the hobbico Superstar .40 select RTF with the OS LA.40 engine. Thrust is just a bit less then the superstar/avistar but it still leaps off my paved runway in less then half it's 51 foot width. Multiple Loops from level are no problem and the rate of climb is right on target for a .40 size trainer. I'm using the recommended pair of Electriflight 3000mah 8.4v NiMh batteries and the plane is in stock configuration. Out of the box the the control throws are the way I like them; almost 3D and very, very sensitive for a trainer. Make note of that as any newbie student will give his instructor a heart attack if flown that way. My general overall impression of build quality is that is is superior to the Avistar and Superstar. Nice improvement Hobbico; many kudos. Ok thats the good stuff now the minor complaints. Even after triple cycling the batteries 3 times on my Triton2 before the first flight they only gave me 3min 42 sec on the first flight. After 4 flights my flight time is up to 10min 42sec with throttle modulation but that did include 4 touch and goes. The motor and speed control stay quite cool but the batteries come out much hotter then I'd like. Hobbico advertises an 11/7 propeller but the plane came with an unmarked 11/10. I suspect that it's pulling a hair to much current for these batteries. My recomendation might be to prop down one size or get a slightly better battery/batteries from the beginning. Overall hobbico really has the making for a home run here but you will have to have a bunch of batteries. Please post the results of your upgrades here as I will follow them. Thanks.

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(in reply to Greg Covey)

Post #: 29

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/29/2006 5:58:46 PM

JLIN26

Posts: 12
Joined: 5/22/2006
From: USA, USA
Status: offline

RCinstructor--I noticed on the HCA website for the ElectriStar that they are recommending a HCA Dual Peak charger. That must be new. It's for the recommended NiMH batteries for the ElectriStar. You can charge 2 battery packs at 5A at the same time. It has a built in cooling fan & an auto-trickle that will keep the batteries topped off. I'm going to check this out on tower hobbies website too. I'll let you know more if I find anything out.

http://www.hobbico.com/airplanes/hcaa12.html
I really liked how you can click on the included components & it gives you more information about the motor, esc & computer radio.

(in reply to rcinstructor)

Post #: 30

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/29/2006 10:07:07 PM

Greg Covey

Posts: 4333
Joined: 5/24/2003
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Status: offline

We flew the ElectriStar today and it performed very well. The maiden flight was using the two NiMH packs and the second flight used the lighter LiPo pack. Even though the grass was rough and muddy, the ElectriStar handled it well. We could loop it, roll it, and fly some very low passes. The plane flew stabile and landed easily.

The only issue I saw was some pulsing from the maiden flight takeoff. It appears that the NiMH packs had a problem delivering the current at full throttle after their first charge. They should improve after a few cycles. The issue was not seen using the 20C 3200mAh LiPo packs that can deliver 64 amps.

I'll post some video soon...

flying photos by "Papa Jeff" Ring

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< Message edited by Greg Covey -- 12/30/2006 2:42:07 PM >

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(in reply to JLIN26)

Post #: 31

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/30/2006 2:38:22 PM

Greg Covey

Posts: 4333
Joined: 5/24/2003
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Status: offline

The maiden flight of the ElectriStar used the two 7-cell NiMH packs in series as a stock configuration. The take-off used 3/4 throttle as we noticed some motor surging likely due to the new NiMH packs still needing a few cycles to gain strength.

ElectriStar Maiden Flight Video 1 (10meg)

The second flight used a 4-cell 3200mAh (20C) LiPo pack which weighed 1lb less than the two NiMH packs. The short take-off used only 1/2 throttle. Although the plane flew fine using the two NiMH packs, the lighter LiPo pack really gave the ElectriStar extra spirit. It makes for a great (and easy) upgrade once you have mastered the trainer.

ElectriStar LiPo Pack Video 2 (12meg)

flying photos by "Papa Jeff" Ring

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< Message edited by Greg Covey -- 12/30/2006 2:42:26 PM >

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Post #: 32

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/31/2006 1:06:57 AM

Ice Fun

Posts: 142
Joined: 8/8/2006
From: Dublin, OH, USA
Status: offline

Two more questions please, Mr. Greg.
How often should I replace the rubber bands? I would really hate putting the stability of the wing at risk.
And what do you think the top speed of this plane is? (in mph)

thanks for your help!

EDIT: Added a question

< Message edited by Ice Fun -- 12/31/2006 1:08:23 AM >

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Terminal Velocity = Mass/Surface Area Value
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(in reply to Greg Covey)

Post #: 33

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/31/2006 5:37:06 PM

Greg Covey

Posts: 4333
Joined: 5/24/2003
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Status: offline

The manual calls for using 14 rubber bands which are included in the kit. The last 2 rubber bands are crossed over to help keep the others on. This redundancy of 7 bands per side offers good strength and stability so I usually do a visual check for cracked or dried out rubber bands when I put them on. If they are marginal, they usually break when you try to apply them. Sometimes they last for a few weeks or a few months depending on the storage conditions and weather conditions. When not in use, I keep the rubber bands in a sealed plastic bag.

My guess for the top speed of the ElectirStar might be 40-50mph.

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Visit my Web Hangar at www.gregcovey.com/rc.htm

(in reply to Ice Fun)

Post #: 34

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 12/31/2006 7:09:32 PM

Ice Fun

Posts: 142
Joined: 8/8/2006
From: Dublin, OH, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the reply.

My only concern is what if I break the airframe? Do you know if Hobbico will release an ARF version of this plane? Or is it possible to install the motor and electrical parts onto another 40 plane?

_____________________________

Terminal Velocity = Mass/Surface Area Value
Gravity is your friend

(in reply to Greg Covey)

Post #: 35

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 1/3/2007 2:16:37 AM

Johnnyrocco123

Posts: 10
Joined: 12/17/2006
From: Houston, TX, USA
Status: offline

I am very interested in this plane, I like my Superstar ep but really want the bigger plane with the brushless motor. My question is a about the batteries???? I want to go with LiPo. Are there two or one??? Im confused, if using one battery how do you custmize the connections form the speed controller? also what is the weight difference between the two standard batteries and the two Lipo batteries? What about the diffenece in weight from the two stock batteries to the one Lipo???? Appreciate any feedback

(in reply to Slo-V Flyer)

Post #: 36

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 1/5/2007 2:33:00 AM

cram2red

Posts: 8
Joined: 1/20/2006
From: Philly, PA, USA
Status: offline

I was browsing in my LHS and saw this plane. I was immediatly attracted to it. I have only 1 other plane which is a beggining electric plane and I have mastered it. It's small and I wanted to step up a bit. I wouldn't say I'm an expert RC pilot but I'm not awful. Is this a good choice for a second plane?

(in reply to Johnnyrocco123)

Post #: 37

RE: Hobbico Electristar Select EP Trainer RTF - 1/6/2007 1:25:02 AM

Matt Kirsch

Posts: 7014
Joined: 7/5/2002
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ice Fun

Thanks for the reply.

My only concern is what if I break the airframe? Do you know if Hobbico