RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: metabolicmaggot
  Printable Version
       

All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> E-Flite Helicopters >> RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods
Page: <<   < prev  4 5 6 7 8 [9] 10 11 12 13   next >   >>  

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/18/2008 11:01:53 AM   
jdkxtreme


 

Posts: 286
Joined: 4/21/2007
From: elverson, PA, USA
Status: offline 		I have been well over the 100 feet..mine is all stock besides the landing gear..I have been in the neighborhood of 300 feet before by mistake..Now I could not see it but I did get it back..

(in reply to pearl400)
       Post #: 201

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/19/2008 1:31:16 AM   
pearl400


 

Posts: 14
Joined: 5/14/2008
From: Warwick, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		Thats interesting, I found a good thread where a guy conducted his own tests on the AR6100 and claims between 800 and 1000 feet however there is also an email directly from Horizone stating 300 to 400 feet. I think the latter sounds like better advice.


"...thank you for the email. Go on and send the reciever in for
evaluation. The range is for parkflyer use only. 300-400 feet and slow
flying aircraft and micro helis. The AR6200 is a full range lightweight
receiver and you should be able to go as far as a full range plane"

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6555830/tm.htm

< Message edited by pearl400 -- 6/19/2008 1:49:43 AM >

(in reply to jdkxtreme)
       Post #: 202

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/20/2008 7:06:18 AM   
cobra525



Posts: 76
Joined: 12/2/2003
From: Miami, FL, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: xyster101

cobra525
That Align cage you put on there, does the stock flybar still work on it? that CF flybar looks huge! Or did you put a CF tube over the stock flybar?

Its just carbon tube with the original flybar inside. Seems to be working quite well too. It also takes the guess work out of replacing the flybar. If I go by the tubes I can replace a new flybar wire without measuring the sides lengths. But the best part is the flybar wont bend so easily when stuffed in the carry case foam.

(in reply to xyster101)
       Post #: 203

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/20/2008 2:02:27 PM   
kevin8105


 

Posts: 10
Joined: 8/24/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		The problem you are experiencing could likely be due to the stock e-flite esc. This esc has been known to overheat within two minutes of even hovering, therefore shutting off power to the entire heli. I had the same problem on mine in stock form and then after upgrading to all digital/metal gear servos and the 401. I thought maybe the built in bec couldnt handle the servos,gyro and motor, so I added an external cc 10 amp bec i had laying around. Same problem, two to 5 minutes of flying and dropped like a rock. Replaced the esc with a scorpion 45 amp esc and have not had a problem since.

(in reply to pearl400)
       Post #: 204

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/20/2008 2:28:43 PM   
pearl400


 

Posts: 14
Joined: 5/14/2008
From: Warwick, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		You may have hit the nail on the head because one week after my heli arrived the ESC caught on fire during a flight and my supplier replaced it under warranty. I haven't given it another thought since then, Thanks for your input

PS. Is there any problems when installing a 45amp considering the stock is only 25

Pete

< Message edited by pearl400 -- 6/20/2008 3:04:37 PM >

(in reply to kevin8105)
       Post #: 205

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/20/2008 4:12:27 PM   
rotarydoc


 

Posts: 921
Joined: 3/17/2008
From: Laurel, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Pearl400,

Just curious, was your heli a B400? And was the "supplier" Horizon?

I think I have a failing ESC as well here, kinda strange, because it's been working fine for at least 50 flights, then, last night, it started getting very hot within 3 minutes, and shutting down the power to the motor.

I am also curious about the 45 amp ESC...if anyone can comment.

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions!

Glenn

(in reply to pearl400)
       Post #: 206

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/20/2008 6:25:03 PM   
kevin8105


 

Posts: 10
Joined: 8/24/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		The esc doesnt "push" 45 amps to the electric components. The "45 Amp" esc means that its max current draw is 45 amps. A brushless motor will only pull the amps it needs. The problem with the stock esc is that the motor and servos require at some point more than the stock esc can offer (and therefore it gets HOT). You can never go too big if weight is no concern. The 45 amp is a good balance between max weight/amps.

Which also means that having Horizon replace the esc with another stock one will most likely be a waste of time. You will probable spend more money replacing parts that are destroyed when the esc fails than you would buying a decent esc. ($45-$50)

(in reply to pearl400)
       Post #: 207

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/20/2008 9:53:30 PM   
rotarydoc


 

Posts: 921
Joined: 3/17/2008
From: Laurel, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Kevin,

Thanks for the explanation on the ESC's.

So do the "aftermarket" ESC's still have the arming tone, and the slow startup mode like the stock Eflite ESC?

I think I heard someone mention that they "programmed' their ESC? What is that, exactly?

I do agree that the relatively low amperage rating on the stock Eflite ESC is probably marginal at best, and a larger capacity ESC would be a good idea.

Thanks again!

Glenn

(in reply to kevin8105)
       Post #: 208

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/21/2008 12:35:30 AM   
kevin8105


 

Posts: 10
Joined: 8/24/2007
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		Glenn,

Many after market ESC's have a programming mode that can be entered through the use of a programming card (which came with my scorpion esc) or through moving the TX sticks from full throttle to zero throttle upon startup (before arming the esc). All ESC (to my knowledge) have an arming tone that is created by sending small bursts of current to the brushless motor thereby creating the "arming tone". They are programmable to have a soft startup, fast startup, brake (not used for helis) etc.

This is the esc i am using: Scorpion Commander 45A V2 ESC $59.99

It is a high end esc and probably overkill, but when replacing all of the electronics on the Blade 400 I wanted to make sure that I could transfer them all to a larger/higher end heli when I got bored with this one.

(in reply to rotarydoc)
       Post #: 209

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/21/2008 4:25:53 AM   
rotarydoc


 

Posts: 921
Joined: 3/17/2008
From: Laurel, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Kevin,

Thanks a million for the info! I went to the LHS, and picked up an Eflite 40 amp pro ESC. It looks very heavy duty, especially compared to the stock 25 amp ESC. I like it because it comes with the E3 connectors and motor connectors already on it. It wouldn't fit in the frame where the stock ESC goes, so I mounted it on the side. Should have excellent airflow over it out there anyways.

I see now about all the programming options, never knew all that was possible with an ESC! It took a while to figure out, but I think I have everything dialed in now...

I won't know if it fixed the issue until I can fly it tomorrow, but I'm pretty confident that it will.

Thanks again!!

Glenn

(in reply to kevin8105)
       Post #: 210

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/21/2008 5:22:25 AM   
pearl400


 

Posts: 14
Joined: 5/14/2008
From: Warwick, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		rotarydoc

Yes I have a Blade 400 from Horizon as well,

I also ordered a new ESC yesterday, I agree with Kevin8105 in that I will spend more money repairing damage than I would buying another ESC. I went with a ALIGN 35-Amp Brushless ESC w/Governor Mode, 5V BEC w/EC3. I believe this is same ESC used on the T-Rex 450. Got a good deal on Ebay for $50 US including a Align 430 Brushless Motor. Don't need the motor at the moment but for the price i couldn't say no. Now I hop it doesn't get lost in the mail when shipped to Aus. The same thing cost $68 over here with no motor.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250260398064

I don't have any LHS near me so buying on line is as good as it gets. Hopefully this new ESC will solve my problems.

Good information posted on this topic

Thanks Pete


(in reply to rotarydoc)
       Post #: 211

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/21/2008 5:51:07 AM   
evdreamer


 

Posts: 2026
Joined: 8/12/2007
From: Lincoln, NE, USA
Status: online 		Pete,

I have used the same ESC on my Belt CP and loved that ESC.

Nick

_____________________________

Since I started this hobby money seems to keep disappearing. :)
Blade CX, Blade CP Pro, T-Rex 450SEV2

(in reply to pearl400)
       Post #: 212

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/21/2008 2:48:59 PM   
Mr67Stang



Posts: 2123
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: , NC, USA
Status: offline 		Hello all, I am new to this thread. Yesturday I was at one of the local hobby shops when a young (disgruntled) man came in with a Blade 400. He had bought it four days ago and was comming back after his second crash and decided to just sell the heli. I asked, "how much" he replied. "$375". I examined the heli and said, "I was not sure I would be ready for it." So I milled around the shop for awile as he discussed selling it with the counter person. After about 15 minutes he was down to $300 and the counter person said that he just did not have the money. I went back and said, "If you'll take $260 for it we can go to the bank machine now." With some hesitation he accepted my offer. So now I have a Blade 400 with a bent feathering shaft, a stripped main gear, and two stripped servos. Just some minor scuffing on the main blade tips but good enough for my entry level flying.

So before I go by direct replacement parts, should I upgrade any of these damaged parts? Obviously the servos should be replaced with some quality Hitec 56's or better. Oh, and does anyone want to buy a used Blade CP in near new condition

_____________________________

He who dies with the most toys wins!

(in reply to evdreamer)
       Post #: 213

RE: Blade 400 - Tips, tricks, and mods - 6/21/2008 4:55:34 PM