neilt6

Hey all! I've been seeing a lot of mod questions in the forums so I thought I'd prepare this guide. Ahem!! AHEM!!!!!!!! AHEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok ready! Here goes:


Structural

----Stersman's Tail Boom----
-Lowers Weight
-Reduces Resistance
-Improves Wind Handling
---------------------------------
PM: Stersman
E-Mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.boomtownhobbies.com
---------------------------------

----Stersman's Skids----
-Improves Durability
-Absorbs Impact
-Prevents Bouncing
----------------------------
PM: Stersman
E-Mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.boomtownhobbies.com
----------------------------

----Assorted E-Flight Bodies-----
-Improves Look
------------------------------------
URL: http://www.e-fliterc.com/
------------------------------------

----Dimension Engineering EasyLights-----
-Makes a Great Searchlight
-Improves Looks
-Fly in The Dark
------------------------------------------------
EasyLights: ~$15.00
URL: http://www.dimensionengineering.com/EasyLights.htm
------------------------------------------------

----LiGlow V2 Light Kit-----
-Realistic Strobing Navigation Lights
-Improves Looks
-Fly in The Dark
-LiPO Low Voltage Alarm
------------------------------------------------
LiGlow V2 (Partially Assembled): ~$40.00
LiGlow V2 (Fully Assembled): ~$50.00
URL: http://www.tjtrc.com/LiPoV2.html
------------------------------------------------


Motor

----Dynam Vortex Motors----
-Increases Power
-Decreases Noise
-Decreases Temperature
-Decreases Battery Drain
-Cost Less
-May Require Break in
---------------------------------
VTX-018 (Both Motors): ~$8.00
URL: http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=A1972394
URL: http://www.slickzero.com/Merchant2/m..._Code=VTXParts
---------------------------------

----Xtreme Production's E-Sky Lama Bearing Motors----
-Increases Power with Silver Brushes (Optional)
-Decreases Noise
-Decreases Temperature
-Decreases Battery Drain
-Last Far Longer Than Stock or Vortex
-Cost Considerably More
-User Replacable / Exchangable Brushes
-Silver Brushes Option for 30% More Torque
----------------------------------------------------------------
ESL-001 (Left Motor): ~$16.00
ESL-002 (Right Motor): ~$16.00
URL: http://www.miracle-mart.com/store/in...edc33aa40737bd
----------------------------------------------------------------

----Main Motor Heatsink----
-Improves Looks
-Lowers Motor Temperature
-Lengthens Motor Life
-Extra Weight
-------------------------------
EFLH1208: ~$4.00
URL: http://www.e-fliterc.com/
-------------------------------


Radio

----Spektrum DX7 Transmitter----
-Control 4-in-1's 6th Channel
-Substantially More Range
-Programmable Mixing
-Expensive
------------------------------------
SPM2712-250: ~$350.00
URL: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=SPM2710
------------------------------------


Mechanical

----Micro Heli Aluminum Swahplate----
-Improved Looks
-More Durability
-Extra Weight
--------------------------------------------
MH-CX012: ~$27.00
URL: http://www.microheli.com/mhshop/inde...0be8692c9ed46f
--------------------------------------------

----Micro Heli Aluminum Lower Head----
-Improved Looks
-More Durability
-Extra Weight
---------------------------------------------
MH-CX002LHB: ~$25.00
URL: http://www.microheli.com/mhshop/inde...0be8692c9ed46f
---------------------------------------------

----Micro Heli Aluminum Upper Head----
-Improved Looks
-More Durability
-Extra Weight
---------------------------------------------
MH-CX065: ~$20.00
URL: http://www.microheli.com/mhshop/inde...0be8692c9ed46f
---------------------------------------------

----Micro Heli Aluminum Blade Grips----
-Looks Awesome!!
-Extra Weight
-Fly Like Crap Unless Properly Modified
--------------------------------------------
MH-CX002BG1 (Lower): ~$30.00
MH-CX002BG2 (Upper): ~$30.00
URL: http://www.microheli.com/mhshop/inde...0be8692c9ed46f
--------------------------------------------

----Micro Heli Aluminum Bearing Housing----
-Improved Looks
-More Durability
-Extra Weight
--------------------------------------------
MH-CX027: ~$6.00
URL: http://www.microheli.com/mhshop/inde...0be8692c9ed46f
--------------------------------------------

----E-Flight Aluminum Upgrades----
-Same as MicroHeli
----------------------------------------
URL: http://www.e-fliterc.com/
----------------------------------------

----Dynam Vortex Shafts-----
-Decreases Blade Clacks
-Cost Less
---------------------------------
VTX-003 (Inner): ~$5.50
VTX-004 (Outer): ~$3.50
URL: http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=A1972394
URL: http://www.slickzero.com/Merchant2/m..._Code=VTXParts
---------------------------------

----Dynam Vortex Flybar----
-Increases Power
-Decreases Noise
-Improves Response
-Costs Less
-Adjustable Weights
---------------------------------
VTX-002: ~$3.00
URL: http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=A1972394
URL: http://www.slickzero.com/Merchant2/m..._Code=VTXParts
---------------------------------

----Hirobo Lama XRB Flybar Paddles----
*Remove Paddles from Flybar. Add Them to Stock Flybar*
-Improved Looks
-Better Responsivness
-Improved Stability
---------------------------------------------
0301038: ~$9.00
URL: http://www.helihobby.com/html/LAMAXRB1.html
---------------------------------------------


Power

----Mega Power 15C 850MaH Blade CX 2-Cell 7.4v LiPO----
*Recommended Battery*
-Larger Capacity
-Fits Stock Battery Mount
-Fits Stock Charger
-Costs Less Than Stock
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MP850152STK (Fits Stock Charger): ~$17.00
MP850152 (Won't Fit Stock Charger): ~$17.00
URL: http://www.helidirect.com/product_in...oducts_id=2108
-------------------------------------------------------------------

----DN Power 10C 900MaH Blade CX 2-Cell 7.4v LiPO----
-Larger Capacity
-Fits Stock Battery Mount
-May or May Not Fit Stock Charger
-Costs Less Than Mega Power
----------------------------------------------------------------
DNP10C9002S: ~$16.00
URL: http://www.readyheli.com/DN_Power_2S...np10c9002s.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------

----Any 3-Cell 11.1v LiPO----
-Larger Capacity
-Substantially More Power
-Won't Fit Stock Battery Mount
-May Fit Stock Charger
-Costs More
-Decreases Motor Life
-May or May Not Smoke 4-in-1
-Motor Heatsink Necessary
----------------------------------

----FMA Direct CellPro 4S Balance Charger----
-Safely Charges Batteries in 50 min vs 2 hours
-Can Charge Pack Immediatly After Discharge (No cooling needed)
-Can Restore Overdischarged Packs
-Idiot Proof Automatic Charging Method
-Requires E-Flight Node Adaptor or Battery Pack Balance Node Change
----------------------------------------------------
LIPOCH4S03: ~60.00
LIPOCH4S03-A123 (A123 Compatible): ~65.00
URL: http://www.fmadirect.com/
----------------------------------------------------

***Note that This Guide is Frequently Updated***

Authors
---------
-NeilT6

Special Thanks
-----------------
-makatron
-bulls
-bigbore
-heyok

bulls

HI

Can you guess what the $$$ might be for these up-grades ?

Much of it sounds real worthwhile..

bigbore

Neil, here is a 900 mAh LiPo for $16 DN brand. I don't know how good they are but IIRC there is plenty of info if a search is done.

Lon

http://www.readyheli.com/DN_Power_2S...np10c9002s.htm

neilt6

Awesome! thanx for the tip, I was just about to order a Mega Power, but this one looks better!

pstreck

Does anyone have any pointers on how to the setup the CX with DX7. I would imagine you would need the AR6100 receiver instead of the AR7000. Also, would the receiver from the CX2 work with the DX7 or is it complete different?

p01rogue

Would a three cell battery not fry the 4-1 and make short work of the motors as well??
I'm tempted to try but not to fussy on the idea of burning up a 4 in 1.

neilt6

The reciever in the CX2's 4-in-1 is an AR6100 with slightly altered servo pins (A few connect to the mixer board). If you want to use the DX7 there was a thread listing all of the variables that needed to be entered. Other than that, a CX2's 4-in-1 would be all you need!

neilt6

Someone on these forums runs 3 cells all the time and doesn't have any problems. He says he's researched the 4-in-1 and found it rated to handle 3 cell packs. My theory is that E-Flight uses the same ESCs in all it's products. Anyway it would definatly shorten the motors life, but at $8 for a vortex set. well....

bzinfinity

Well, I posted this in the previous thread, but it was overlooked I supposed.

Buyer / User beware on the 11.1v cells on a CX2.

I have seen a 4-n-1 completely fried (smoking) through use of the 3 cell packs.

In both cases, the heli would fly like a monster for about 2 minutes (even under normal power levels, I'm not saying it was being flown hard) and then the 4-n-1 just smoked out, wrecking the heli in mid-air.

Yours may or may not do it. I don't know, and I really don't care enough to test it on MY personal 60$ 4-n-1.

Someone on the boards said he had good luck with it, my friend did not, it seems to be a risk you have to take on a case by case basis, I guess.

neilt6

Hmmm..... Interesting. Perhaps some of the older 4-in-1 units used lower voltage ESCs. I'm not sure, in that case it seems to be some 4-in-1s are 11.1v certified and some are not. Are you sure he wasn't flying a CX's 4-in-1?

Either way in light of this new info I'm upgrading my guide and am going to allocate the $70 I could spend on a new 4-in-1 for trying a 3 cell pack on a CellPro 4S LiPO Charger.

neilt6

bzinfinity

Older units?

The CX2 is not even 2 months old, I'm not sure how much "older" or how many newer version 4-n-1's could possibly be released yet.

Also, a CX 4-n-1 will not operate a CX2, the 2 runs on the spektrum radio. He would have had to swap his whole setup, and I know he is using stock equipment.

I'm not saying don't do it - I'm just saying that there are risks that may be associated, as with any modification.

BTW - Good guide so far!

heyok

Hey neilt6,

Any chance of adding part numbers to your list? That would sure help someone like me avoid ordering the wrong part.

Awesome work!

Cheers,
Al

neilt6

Thanx!

Exactly. I was wondering if he had been running a CX's 4-in-1 so that he could use some expensive FM radio he might have had.

neilt6

Sure! I'll add them tonight along with approximate prices!

DaveG55

Any info on 4-in-1 interchangability for the CX? I know it won't switch with the CX2 because of the Spektrum thing but the Vortex is susposed to work (I think)....are there any others that will/might work? Last time I saw a vortex 4-in-1 it was like $35.

neilt6

Ya, I've heard the vortex units work well in the CX's. As for the CX2, you could stick it's 4-in-1 in a CX providing you had a Spektrum transmitter, either the stock one or the DX7.

neilt6

Alright, most of the mods now have part numbers and approximate prices! So:

ADAT

neilt6,

I run a 3 cell lipo in my CX and CX2 all the time.
The only time I burned a 4in1 is when I decided to see just how much it could take so, I ran 2 batts. back to back......it smoked about half way into the second pack.

Oddly....the CX seems to run better with a 3 cell. It hasn't "glitched" but once or twice and the tail drift isn't as bad either.

The CX2 is just flat out awesome with a 3 cell. No great "improvements" other than power and flight time.

I can say, it's been about a month or more now since I started using the 3 cell lipo in these and I haven't had any trouble other than the one time.....and seriously doubt that would have happened if I hadn't pushed it.

neilt6

I see... Unless some came from E-Flight weak... I dunno I'd really like to try that someday though. Any chance you could post a video?

ADAT

I suppose I could.....If I can figure out how.

I'd have to wait for some time when buddy is here so I can fly while he records.

p01rogue

Anybody have a donor 4-1 for a cx experiment?
I'll hook it up to my cx and fly the hell out of it on video with a fresh 3 cell and we'll see what happens.
I'll go through as many packs as I have to in order to see if the 4-1 will hold up and if so what will the lifespan of the motors be.
I'll then post video and results.


Or could somebody else please do this?
I'd like to know!

ADAT

Well, like I said..... I run a 3 cell lipo down completely (well, I don't destroy the thing) from a fresh charge and I haven't had any problems with that. (yet) I've been running it for a while now. I only lost a 4in1 when I tried to run 2 fully charged packs back to back.

My motors are fine. My 4in1 in the CX1 is fine. I have no plans to use a 2 cell again. If I can find time (and help) I'll make a video sometime.

neilt6

It sounds like it may be a good idea to open up your 4-in-1 to dissipate heat if you're going to use a 3 cell. At least if you want to run multiple packs back to back.

heyok

How does the length of your flight time with a three cell pack compared to a two cell pack?
I would expect that you could stay in the air a little longer with three cells. Is that what you found?

Al