New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (Full Version)

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Dale_G -> New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (8/16/2007 2:55:12 PM)

xheli.com and raidentech.com are showing a new "Vulcan 450SE" all-metal heli that uses a lot of "Trex 450 compatible" metal parts. It looks very good, esp at the price of $170. Has anyone flown one, seen one, bought one yet? Does anyone know anything about it, who makes it, etc?

I think I'm going to take the leap and try it out. All that anodized aluminum bling is pretty irresistable.



DKhairho -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (8/17/2007 1:32:57 AM)

I sent a post with the same question and got hits but no answers. I'm not much on heli's, just learn to fly me Axe CP but heard that the better quality and ease is in a belt driven heli. Everyone talks on the T-Rex and the Vulcan is supposed to be similar for a lot less. I like the look of it but want more info before I buy it.



chopperdown -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (8/17/2007 7:23:43 AM)

The frame doesn't look very strong, the tail drive is very different to that of a trex. I didn't see if it had auto rotation capabilities. My opinion is if you want a clone then go for the HDX. You can get them for 200 on eBay and they come with a motor.



ptb -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (8/17/2007 6:03:20 PM)

[:)]he heli is also called a ROBO 450 or PIGEOM M1, on E BAY. The lower frame section is slightly different on the VULCAN but the rest is the same. It's every bit as good as my Trex, or HDX450 se, and the tail belt doesn't use the idler pulley, just straight to a pulley on the main gear. A very nice heli !!



Dale_G -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (8/18/2007 3:03:32 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: chopperdown

The frame doesn't look very strong, the tail drive is very different to that of a trex. I didn't see if it had auto rotation capabilities. My opinion is if you want a clone then go for the HDX. You can get them for 200 on eBay and they come with a motor.


It does have auto-rotation. Can't wait to get it!



Dale_G -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (8/29/2007 6:09:57 AM)

I received it a week ago. Been accumulating all the necessary bits and pieces since then. The heli itself is nicely made with mostly metal parts. Plenty of bling to go around. It comes in a pretty generic box that just says "Helicopter". There are NO instructions or manuals!! NOT FOR BEGINNERS!! You have to already know what you're doing. Fortunately I have an expert in the house and an assembled Trex 450SA as an example. We will both be using JR 8103 radios and HiTec HS65HB servos. I just started working on it tonight, and fortunately the expert is home but leaves for school tomorrow. I've installed the horizontal fin and boom supports and screwed in 2 servos. Servo install is a little awkward as the "aileron" servos point right at the main shaft so you have to remove the servo to install the servo arms, so I'll have to mount the servos, center the arms, and remove them to install the servo arm screws. You're on your own figuring out how to install the tail servo, there are several possibilities. The tail does not have the reduction gear a la Trex 450, but drives the belt directly around a cog wheel under the main gear. Parts availability is a concern regarding the tail drive belt. I don't know if the Trex belt will fit b/c of the different arrangements.

I'll be going over all the installed fasteners to make sure they all have been treated with thread-lock.

So, first impression: pretty nice. Lots of bling but no manual or instructions whatsoever. You need to know what you're doing (and I don't but I'll manage). Thank goodness for Finless Bob's vids on HeliFreak. The Trex450 pilot in my house is very interested in this bird.

I'm a little worried about getting parts b/c the two sites that sell this heli, xheli.com and raidentech.com don't seem to have parts specific to this heli. It has a unique frame, so until they are selling parts, if you prang the frame you may be grounded for a while. Most of the remaining parts - no problemo. It looks like the parts for the Trex450 and HDX450 will interchange freely.

Over and out.



DKhairho -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (8/31/2007 9:58:11 PM)

Thanks for the review. Let me know how she handles when air born. That's the real test. The canopy is fiberglass right? Post some pics once you get her completed!



ccpmheli -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (9/18/2007 11:17:30 AM)

ptb, Though simplicity is nice in the way there is no secondary gear for the belt, the benefit of having the secondary gear will be evident when you need a new belt. With the simpler belt drive, the mainshaft will have to be removed to facilitate a belt change. On helis like the Trex, SJM400 and HDX, the mainshaft does not need removing for the belt swap. It really comes down to a choice, neither one necessarily better than the other, it is a personal preference sort of thing. The Vulcan looks like a pretty decent bird from the pics. I will be anxious to hear how she performs.

Dale_G, As far as belt availability, copy the number on the belt when you get it, they are usually marked such as 425MXL, 375T, etc. I cannot remember whether the number indicates the belt's length or the number of teeth & width. Many parts places will have these types of belts. For instance, helihobby.com sells a variety of replacement belts...>>> http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=99&products_id=1370 Or Tower Hobbies...>>> http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLBJ4&P=FR You may also want to check helidirect...>>> https://www.helidirect.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=belt&op=list&sort=2a&page=3 Also, you may want to check XHeli...>>> http://yhst-94582326164583.ecommerce-site-search.com/?page=1&query=replacement+belt They are not terribly expensive. Just make sure you get the correct length/# of teeth and width. Some electronic parts suppliers will have them as well, as these types of belts are used in printers, flatbed scanners, etc. I don't think you will find it too difficult to find one. Don't forget, it is a good idea to lube these belts with the appropriate lubricant, non-petroleum based, such as a food grade silicone(WD-40 may attack the belts material). In any event, the lube greatly reduces the effort to turn the belt(wasted power), in addition, it may also reduce radio interference from static electricity generated by moving a synthetic belt thru a metal tube at high speed(A.K.A a Vandergraph generator). Certainly it will reduce the friction and wear caused by the belt striking the wall of the tube(boom). Have fun fellows. -ccpmheli



Dale_G -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (9/18/2007 8:24:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DKhairho

Thanks for the review. Let me know how she handles when air born. That's the real test. The canopy is fiberglass right? Post some pics once you get her completed!


Canopy is plastic. Looking for a painted glass canopy. I can't just cover all this nice aluminum with a plain-Jane plastic canopy!!

I'm still working on it - slowly. Been hitting Ebay to buy all the necessary stuff. Man, this gets expensive quick when you have to buy it part by part. I got pretty good deals on a Castle Creations Phoenix 35 ESC and a Logictech 2100t gyro which has had good reviews - and it's TINY!. Just got a 2200mah 18c li-po for about $45 shipped and looking for a JR7202 or Spektrum DX7 heli transmitter and rcvr - but I do have a xmitter and rcvr to use.

I'll try to remember to take some pics.



Dale_G -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (9/18/2007 8:44:07 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: ccpmheli

Dale_G, As far as belt availability, copy the number on the belt when you get it, they are usually marked such as 425MXL, 375T, etc. I cannot remember whether the number indicates the belt's length or the number of teeth & width. Many parts places will have these types of belts. For instance, helihobby.com sells a variety of replacement belts...>>> http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=99&products_id=1370 Or Tower Hobbies...>>> http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLBJ4&P=FR You may also want to check helidirect...>>> https://www.helidirect.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=belt&op=list&sort=2a&page=3 Also, you may want to check XHeli...>>> http://yhst-94582326164583.ecommerce-site-search.com/?page=1&query=replacement+belt They are not terribly expensive. Just make sure you get the correct length/# of teeth and width. Some electronic parts suppliers will have them as well, as these types of belts are used in printers, flatbed scanners, etc. I don't think you will find it too difficult to find one. Don't forget, it is a good idea to lube these belts with the appropriate lubricant, non-petroleum based, such as a food grade silicone(WD-40 may attack the belts material). In any event, the lube greatly reduces the effort to turn the belt(wasted power), in addition, it may also reduce radio interference from static electricity generated by moving a synthetic belt thru a metal tube at high speed(A.K.A a Vandergraph generator). Certainly it will reduce the friction and wear caused by the belt striking the wall of the tube(boom). Have fun fellows. -ccpmheli


Thanks for the 411. Not sure that one has to remove the mainshaft to replace the belt as the belt goes on the bottom cog. Depends on how far it will stretch-but it doesn't need to stretch much. I haven't tried to do it without removing the shaft. I've had the rotor head off for some work on the links and screws. There was some binding and some tight ball links that needed resizing. Roger on the belt lube as well. I have a tube of silicone grease that my son has been using on his helis, and he's pretty happy with it. As far as "food grade" silicone, there is another source.....silicone "personal" lubricants. Look for the "ID Millennium" or "Wett Platinum" brands. They seem to be the cheapest and you can get it in small squirt bottles for not too much money. It's high-quality and high-purity silicone liquid. I could recommend a couple websites, but they're adult-oriented so I'll leave it to you and Google to find it.



ccpmheli -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (9/18/2007 10:47:40 PM)

Hello Dale_G, My mistake, I could not tell from looking at the pics on XHeli's site. I thought there was a bearing block on the bottom of the shaft. As far as stretching the belt, on my HDX450 I just loosen the tail boom mount and slide it forward to get the slack I need in the belt, and then re-tighten the belt by moving the tail boom back. I wish I had a belt tensioning gage as I always worry the belt is either too tight or too loose.
Kudos on the silicone supplement. Gives a new meaning to "do'n your heli". I don't think I would have ever thought about that. Might have a time getting my significant other to buy the, "Honest honey, the lube was for the heli, there is no one else", explanation [:D]. She already calls herself an "R/C Widow". I experimented using condoms to make a bladder for an "air-free" fuel tank back when I was flying gasser helis, she almost did not believe me when she found them in my modeling supplies. For now, I have a new can of CRC HD Silicone Lube(Aerosol), that claims it contains a "Food Grade" silicone and also claims no propellent/carrier damage to rubber/Nylon, though I wonder, as it contains a Hydrocarbon base. It was $3.35(US) for a 7.5oz(213g) can at our local Ace hardware store. I use it on my "belt converted" Shogun 400 as well. This is it...>>> http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=05074&S=N I hope it lasts for a while. It's little delivery tube does make it easy to apply.
On the canopy, my HDX came with a FG canopy, I think a replacement is about $10-$14, though I am not in love with it's looks. I would think almost any 400-450 size canopy could be made to work. For now I fly with the one it came with, but am looking for another. Helihobby.com has a bunch of canopies. One day I think I will go for a full-blown scale fuse kit.
BTW, I have bought some really cheap stuff from unitedhobbies.com. All has worked very well(BLDCs, ESCs, RXs, LiPos, Servos). Some peeps have complained about their service regarding delivery time. But for the most part, I have been satisfied. I will not trust my HDX to the cheapest gear, however, I use it in my Shogun and several small electric planks. They have all done well so far.. They do have some very nice, inexpensive BLDCs(Brushless motors). Check them out. All of their ESCs carry a 12 month warranty and S&H is reasonable.
Let us know how she progresses. What helis does your son fly?



Dale_G -> RE: New Vulcan 450SE-anyone fly one yet? (9/20/2007 3:11:59 AM)

Can't follow your suggestion about loosening the tail boom and sliding forward - this heli has an indexing pin and corresponding slot cut in the tail boom. It can't be slid forward to loosen the belt! I purchased a couple spare tail booms intended for the HDX450, and they don't have a slot. I'm going to have to cut slots in them if I ever need to use them.

Son started with a Raptor 30 and flew that for a while, through his "crash period". Then he got tired of all the hassles with nitro. He got a Trex 450 SA from his girlfriend last Christmas and has been flying the heck out of it since. He just recently bought one of those "Mini Zoom Pro" helis (they go by several different names). It has a silver CF frame and the entire heli is about a foot long. Blades are maybe 120mm. It's a full collective pitch heli with belt-driven tail. He flies that little thing pretty well, but told me "you don't want one of these". I think it's a bit of a handful for a novice pilot.

I've been flying an Esky Lama v4 that I've hopped-up with an Xtreme tail boom and landing gear kit and some aluminum bling, hard blades, etc. Now it's time to move up.

The Raptor was sold recently. It's all electric for us now and we both really enjoy the hobby.

Son is an engineering student and his professor enlisted him for work on an engineering project when he found out that son flies RC helis. He's been using the Trex to fly a small video camcorder for aerial images as proof of concept to be used for measuring earth movement in landslide/sinkhole situations. They're going to Peru in October to image some target near Macchu Piccu. They are supposed to be getting a large electric heli, but I forget which one they're using - it's not a Trex 600.



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