The new Fei Bao Jets “Dolphin S” build thread by RCISFUN
04-18-2015, 12:40 PM
#54
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I ordered one through Martyn Little of Ace Jets in the UK, who has been very, very helpful. I'm pleased to say that his consignment has just arrived. I have selected the Ferrari scheme - one which should provide good visibility. Despite the 'S' suffix, this is a BIG model.
The only issue on initial inspection was that Fei Bao mistakenly fitted air retracts to this model in place instead of another one in the consignment and as the mounting brackets on the electric retracts are differently sized I will have a little extra work to fit them.
I will be taking my time over the build and will value experiences and advice posted on this thread. I will try to post my experiences and some photos as the build progresses.
The only issue on initial inspection was that Fei Bao mistakenly fitted air retracts to this model in place instead of another one in the consignment and as the mounting brackets on the electric retracts are differently sized I will have a little extra work to fit them.
I will be taking my time over the build and will value experiences and advice posted on this thread. I will try to post my experiences and some photos as the build progresses.
04-18-2015, 06:40 PM
#55
Chris,
I just happened to be working on the Dolphin S manual today and have been shooting photos.
Catherine provided me with a set of the electric retract actuators when I was at FL jets, so just for fun I removed one of the pneumatic retracts and bolted in the electric unit, the only issue is the electric mounting flanges are slightly narrower, it looks like there is enough material on the rail to re-drill two of the holes if you don't mind a very slight off set fro center.
If you want to center the retract then you would need to fill all four holes with a hardwood dowel rod before re-drilling as the new hole pattern would break into the old hole pattern.
It should not be a big deal to do so.
If your interested in the wood kit that I developed for the install, Eric Clap from Jet Central USA is selling them.
Enjoy your build any if you have questions shoot me a PM.
You can see the two holes that don't line up, a side shot of the electric and pneumatic retract unit.
I just happened to be working on the Dolphin S manual today and have been shooting photos.
Catherine provided me with a set of the electric retract actuators when I was at FL jets, so just for fun I removed one of the pneumatic retracts and bolted in the electric unit, the only issue is the electric mounting flanges are slightly narrower, it looks like there is enough material on the rail to re-drill two of the holes if you don't mind a very slight off set fro center.
If you want to center the retract then you would need to fill all four holes with a hardwood dowel rod before re-drilling as the new hole pattern would break into the old hole pattern.
It should not be a big deal to do so.
If your interested in the wood kit that I developed for the install, Eric Clap from Jet Central USA is selling them.
Enjoy your build any if you have questions shoot me a PM.
You can see the two holes that don't line up, a side shot of the electric and pneumatic retract unit.
Last edited by RCISFUN; 04-19-2015 at 03:49 AM.
04-20-2015, 01:40 PM
#58
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Rich,The tip re: Fitting/gluing the wooden dowels before re-drilling the mounting holes would be the best solution I think, assuming it will be strong enough not to dislodge from a slightly harder than ideal landing.
I would definitely be interested in the hardwood kit. Your build manual too, if available.
I'm fitting a Jets Munt 100 turbine. Does the wood kit include some adapter plates for the smaller diameter turbine?
Thanks, Chris
I would definitely be interested in the hardwood kit. Your build manual too, if available.
I'm fitting a Jets Munt 100 turbine. Does the wood kit include some adapter plates for the smaller diameter turbine?
Thanks, Chris
04-21-2015, 03:07 PM
#61
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Electric motor mod to the existing air unit from FB
I was in FB last week looking over the retract design and brakes. A possible solution to Chris's issue is to use the air struts and use the Lado Black V2 666 which I cycled over 800 times before stopping the test. I work in the wire and cable business and supply the majority of North America and Asia winding wire needs. 
After reviewing the S design air unit, it seems pretty straight forward to just reverse the mounting bracket and bolt on the Lado unit using the 2 - 3 mm tapped holes in the front of the body. The Lado web site has the drawing of the unit. I have not had time to finish the mod but hopefully next week when I get back to my shop I will. The Lado has 2 nice bearings built into the unit and you don't need any other external bearings that the FB suplier use in their electric unit. The picture shows the mounting plate reversed on my large Dolphin and I tapped the trunion pin to 4 mm and have inserted a 4 mm shaft I had in the shop just for this picture. The tire and strut weight is not high enough to go with the next beefier (999) unit they carry in my opinion. I have used the 666 on other retracts that weight more than the FB units. There are several suppliers of strong electric brakes and wheels and I have used Interair which are very strong. If I did not already have a spare 4 mm motor I would have gone with the 5 mm unit and replaced the pin using the same outside OD's so it would fit in the slots but a larger middle section so I could use drill and tap to 5 mm. Catherine is nice enough to sell the units without any of the air parts (valve, tank, lines, wheels etc) so the price to use European retracts and wheels from Interair the delta is not that much. Interair uses a Xycoy controller. When I am back next week hopefully can finish the mod and I will post pics. The quality of the existing strut is quite good and I wanted to stay with that design.
After reviewing the S design air unit, it seems pretty straight forward to just reverse the mounting bracket and bolt on the Lado unit using the 2 - 3 mm tapped holes in the front of the body. The Lado web site has the drawing of the unit. I have not had time to finish the mod but hopefully next week when I get back to my shop I will. The Lado has 2 nice bearings built into the unit and you don't need any other external bearings that the FB suplier use in their electric unit. The picture shows the mounting plate reversed on my large Dolphin and I tapped the trunion pin to 4 mm and have inserted a 4 mm shaft I had in the shop just for this picture. The tire and strut weight is not high enough to go with the next beefier (999) unit they carry in my opinion. I have used the 666 on other retracts that weight more than the FB units. There are several suppliers of strong electric brakes and wheels and I have used Interair which are very strong. If I did not already have a spare 4 mm motor I would have gone with the 5 mm unit and replaced the pin using the same outside OD's so it would fit in the slots but a larger middle section so I could use drill and tap to 5 mm. Catherine is nice enough to sell the units without any of the air parts (valve, tank, lines, wheels etc) so the price to use European retracts and wheels from Interair the delta is not that much. Interair uses a Xycoy controller. When I am back next week hopefully can finish the mod and I will post pics. The quality of the existing strut is quite good and I wanted to stay with that design.
04-21-2015, 06:03 PM
#65
Rich,The tip re: Fitting/gluing the wooden dowels before re-drilling the mounting holes would be the best solution I think, assuming it will be strong enough not to dislodge from a slightly harder than ideal landing.
I would definitely be interested in the hardwood kit. Your build manual too, if available.
I'm fitting a Jets Munt 100 turbine. Does the wood kit include some adapter plates for the smaller diameter turbine?
Thanks, Chris
I would definitely be interested in the hardwood kit. Your build manual too, if available.
I'm fitting a Jets Munt 100 turbine. Does the wood kit include some adapter plates for the smaller diameter turbine?
Thanks, Chris
the manual is under final review, so it should be ready by the weeks end.
As far as the wood kit containing an adapter plate for the turbines, no it does not.
Actually I believe the Jet Munt turbine comes with a mounting plate that should span the mounting rails.
The rails are space approximately 4.35" apart.
04-21-2015, 11:35 PM
#66
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Subscribed......My friend and I each have one on order with Eric. Plan a Jetsmunt 140 in each. Looking forward to your build with great interest 
Last edited by hjnbffc; 04-21-2015 at 11:39 PM.
04-22-2015, 08:08 AM
#67
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Here is a link to Eric's Dolphin S takeoff and flyby keep your eye on it you might miss it.
https://youtu.be/DZlIXlL5VvI
https://youtu.be/DZlIXlL5VvI
Last edited by Albie1077; 04-22-2015 at 08:22 AM.
