E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions

E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions
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E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 4/20/2008 2:14:21 AM

jmir

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From: Laurinburg, NC, USA
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I'm considering purchasing the E-flite Ultra Stick 25e, but I'm a little confused.

For a general, sport flyer set up, they recommend the E-flite 25 motor along with a 12.0v 1800 Mah NiMh battery OR an 11.1v 4200 Mah li-po battery.

An 1800 mah battery ($39.99) vs a 4200 mah battery ($159.95) sounds quite different to me. Can anybody explain this to me?

I would like to get at least 10 minutes flight out of a battery.

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 4/20/2008 1:45:02 PM

Charley

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From: Kerrville, TX, USA
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That's marketing for ya! A search of their web site reveals that's the only 10 cell NiMH that Horizon has to sell! No way they'll spec a NiMH battery from another seller. It would weigh a ton anyway.

Search the web for LiPos. Lots of less expensive, good quality batteries out there. I have some Common Sense RC and True RC batteries that are doing fine so far.

CR

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 4/29/2008 3:38:21 PM

P-51B

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I had one with the 25 and flew with the 3s2p 4200. It flew fine on a 12x6 e prop.

BUT, if you are buying new equipment go with the power 32 (or equivalent) and a 4s setup. MUCH better performance (another guy at my field had this set up)

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 4/29/2008 7:36:18 PM

jmir

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From: Laurinburg, NC, USA
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Thanks for the suggestion.

I was trying to stick with the Power 25 so I would not have to buy another charger and a 4S2P battery.
I can put two 11.1V 3S in parallel to supply the Power 25.

However, I have read on several postings that Power 32 is the way to go. So..... looks like that's what I'll be doing.

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 4/30/2008 2:51:40 PM

Doc Austin

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Power 32 and 4S power is the only way to go. I was so disappointed in the plane on 3S that I put it away and was going to sell it. I ended up with some 4s packs for another project and tried them in the stick. It saved that airplane for me.

OK, some people will be fine on 3S, but it wasn't enough for me. If you want the thing to be really aerobatic and thrilling to fly, you don't have a choice but to go Power 32 on 4s. A 3850 pack is good for about 10 minutes and the weight is just about right. The plane will hande 4500 just fine, but it's getting a little pork at that point.

On, Power 32 on 4s will handle an APC 12/9E prop, but we use a 12/6. It drops the amperage from 60 to about 42 or so. The 12/8 doesn't give enough performance increase to make the amp draw and heat penalty worth it. The 12/6E works great.

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/5/2008 12:44:58 PM

jmir

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Well, I got my US 25e. It went together quick easily. In order to trim a few dollars, I went with the Power 25 and a 3S2P pack.
I flew it several times for a couple of days, just making sure everything worked properly and timing the battery. Based on the tests I estimated flight to last about 15 minutes the way I fly. The plane flew great, only two a couple of clicks on the elevator and ailerons to trim it. Great loops, rolls, inverted flight, low passes, etc. So the Power 25 set up is adequate for my style of flying.

Yesterday, I took it out to the field, set the timer on my TX for 12 minutes, just to make sure I had enough power left for landing plus.
Well, after 10-1/2 minutes, I lost power in flight. Wind was around 10 mph and I was trying to bring it in, but short of the field, it just stalled and rolled to the ground. The battery ($124 !!) got all mashed up, so that's gone. The rudder servo got stripped. Too much damage to the wing and fuselage, so I just ordered a new one. Should be here middle of next week.

I measured the voltage on the battery and it was 11.4v. That indicates there is probably another reason why I lost power. I don't think it is a range problem since that checked out well on the ground before flight. So, now I'm concerned about RX/TX combination. I'm using a brand new Spektrum DX6i. I've been using a DX6 since they first came out but , decided I needed a full range set up for the US25e. By the way, I really like the DX6i. It's quite an improvement over the DX6.

So, for the time being, back to the Parkzone Typhoon and Stryker 27C plus the E-flite 540 Edge while I wait for the new plane.

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/5/2008 11:51:32 PM

MrMulligan

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From: Keyport, NJ, USA
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I have one of these planes. It's powered by an AXI 2820 and I usually use 3cell 3700 Enerland packs. Last year I flew to LVC and was going downwind. When I turned into the wind to avoid the heavy weeds, It stalled at the end of the runway and crash landed. The landing gear was torn out and the wingtip damaged. I recently repaired it and flew it last week. It flew like it did originally and was a joy. Got a lot of nice compliments on it. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/6/2008 4:51:45 AM

Charley

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One thing you should take away from this is that a measurement of elapsed time in flight doesn't always cut it. Different days, different flight patterns, different results. Another is that if you run out of power, level the wings, keep the nose down and try not to hit anything.
If you stall it by trying to keep it up, it may drop a wing tip and cartwheel.

CR

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/6/2008 9:43:58 PM

jmir

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It happened on a turn while approaching the field for a touch-and-go landing.
I noticed that lack of power right after the turn and I tried to bring it in rather than just landing it where it was.
Can't believe the amount of damage with a no-power stall and roll to the ground.
My replacement came in today. Unfortunately, I'm out of town for the weekend, so won't be able to put it together until Monday or Tuesday.
Thanks for tips and info!

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/15/2008 3:14:47 PM

jmir

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I've flown the replacement for about 4 flights. I also had to buy a new battery since the first one got all crushed up and I'm afraid to use it.

So far, flights have gone very well. Plane is very steady even in some wind. I do have to land it a little fast compared to my other 3D type park flyers since it's heavier. And, I'm constantly checking response to the throttle to be ready if the same thing happens again.

I've been flying it for 10 minutes executing the normal loops, inverted flights, rolls, etc. Full throttle probably about 1/3 the time. Power used has ranged between 2700 and 3100 mah for these 10 minute flights which I think it's about normal. Manual claims up to 17 minute flights with the 3S2P 4100 mah battery.

I contacted ThunderPower and they are sending me a replacement battery for 50% of original cost. Not bad.

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/16/2008 10:54:59 PM

patnchris

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One thing to keep in mind it that when you hit LVC, most times, you can rearm the ESC by dropping the throttle to ZERO and then running it up to partial throttle. this will give you some power and control of the control surfaces. This has saved a number of planes for me in the past......Just a thought....Pat

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/16/2008 11:38:55 PM

jmir

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From: Laurinburg, NC, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: patnchris

One thing to keep in mind it that when you hit LVC, most times, you can rearm the ESC by dropping the throttle to ZERO and then running it up to partial throttle. this will give you some power and control of the control surfaces. This has saved a number of planes for me in the past......Just a thought....Pat

Thanks Pat,

Yes, I have been doing as you suggested and I know it works. Is just that I was not expecting it on my first one when I was turning around to land about 15 feet or so off the ground! It just stalled and hit the ground. Again, that dog-gone gravity problem!

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RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/18/2008 5:53:33 PM

P-51B

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quote:

ORIGINAL: jmir
The battery ($124 !!) got all mashed up, so that's gone.

Aren't you glad it wasn't glow powered, you may have lost the cost of 6 oz of fuel!

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Post #: 13

RE: E-flite Ultra Stick 25e questions - 6/18/2008 6:28:00 PM

jmir

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From: Laurinburg, NC, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: P-51B

quote:

ORIGINAL: jmir
The battery ($124 !!) got all mashed up, so that's gone.

Aren't you glad it wasn't glow powered, you may have lost the cost of 6 oz of fuel!

Better than that! I would have saved the entire plane! You see, I would probably still be there, flipping that prop, trying to get the motor started after flooding it several times, or running too lean or too rich, or wrong fuel, or bad spark plug, or discharged battery in the glow starter, or who knows what else!

I get teased by the other members of my club. Except for one other member who flies an electric profile plane every now and then, I'm the only one that flies electrics. They are all pushing for me to get a