chalmrast

My Feedback: (1)

Here's why you don't take them apart!

OK, after 3 bent 5/32 wire adapters I decided to remove the trunions and drill them out to 3/16" When I did this, I separated the motor from the PCB on one unit. You'd have to be pretty good to solder it back so I decided to bite the bullet and send them to Magnum for professional service. Needless to say, I left the other one intact.

Just in case you're wondering what they look like inside, here are some pics. I suspect that motor and those tiny gears are a packaged unit because I've seen similar looking units elsewhere. I think though that there's some parts unique to Lado inside that thrust block!

Chad

chalmrast

My Feedback: (1)

In addition, if you have any questions about how strong the actual Lado units are, here is a flight with my 12lb+ P-40. This was the second flight and unlike the first, this was at about 6300' elevation. You can see how it kind of "plops" down due to a combination of (1) my lack of experience landing this plane, (2) not enough elevator available on low rates, and (3) 20% reduction in lift based on altitude. But factor #3 had the least affect since no one else had problems landing up there and my other planes didn't seem too much different.

Anyways, this landing resulted in a bent wire on the left side. The bent strut would not allow me to steer the plane after it landed!!!

Damage to the airframe was cosmetic only.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GteNwfFgU

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

I would not be so hard on yourself, it appears that with that hill you have a short ability to make (what looks to be a longer approach ) if you had flaps you could make that final turn , deploy flaps and reduce the throttle , in your case you need to keep the speed up because as you make that last turn , its sharper then normal due to the hill and that wing will drop if air speed is not sufficient .
Good job on the weight as well , thats pretty light considering its an e-conversion .
back on subject , the strut bent , but did the retracts still work

G-Pete

Even with full rudder she did not came around. Watch your rudder at slow speeds - hard tendency's to roll inverted by using rudder at slow speeds. I learned that the hard way...


BtW, she tracks pretty well!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GteNwfFgU[/youtube]

phatbob02

My Feedback: (126)

Hi Guy's,
Without wading thru this entire forum, where do we now order parts from? I need the trunion gear for the 60-2T retracts.
Thanks ,
Bob

chalmrast

My Feedback: (1)

www.magnumrc.com

If it doesn't show in stock, call or e-mail. They may have one or two set aside for the service shop.

Also, you may not be able to just buy that part, you may need the whole trunion.

I just sent mine in to have the trunions replaced.... I would assume they would send me the old trunions back... if so, perhaps we can work something out.... are yours the original Lados or the newer ones made in France?

Chad

chalmrast

My Feedback: (1)

Also, I would like to share my repair / upgrade experience with Magnum RC:

7/29/10, 9:36PM (Thursday); Sent Magnum RC an E-mail requesting availability of parts.
7/30/10, 9:36AM; (Friday) Received response and instructed to visit website to fill out the form and request an RMA#.
7/30/10, 10:49AM, (Friday) Completed the RMA request form on line.
7/30/10, 10:50AM, (Friday) Received a verification e-mail of RMA# request.
7/30/10, 11:53AM, (Friday) Received an RMA# and instructed to ship units with RMA number included in the box. Also given a link to check status of the work.
7/31/10, 12:30PM, (Saturday) Mailed the units USPS Priority to Magnum RC.
8/4/10, 12:16PM, (Wednesday) Received e-mail stating that the work was complete. Given a link to pay for repair / service work.
8/6/10, (Friday), Logged on, paid invoice.
8/6/10, 10:09AM (Friday), Received verification that payment was received. Also received shipment verification and USPS Tracking number.

Now that's first-class service & communication! If anyone still has any reservations about Lados they shouldn't!!! Magnum RC has an excellent system setup and unlike the old manufacturer, THEY COMMUNICATE!!! (yes, Magnum is not the manufacturer, but under the old Lado regime, the manufacturer & service unit were the same).

The only minor complaint I have is that I was only given the option to pay the invoice with Paypal or Check/Money Order. No CC options.

I should get the units early next week.. I'll post some pics of the upgrades.

Chad

Magnum RC

I wanted to respond to Chalmrast minor complaint of the way things are paid for on the website. The Website design we are using is one of the safest and efficient way to take care of online business. The website doesn't take your CC information, Paypal does. When you are ready to check out, you are escorted to the paypal website to finish up. He is right it gives you the choice of using paypal or check or Money Order. However, EVENif you do not have a paypal account, choose paypal anyway and that link will give you the choice of simply using your card. You do have the choice. In regards to repair Chalmrast, your brass gear trunion on one side was bent and no good. I did not send old parts back thinking they are useless because of the size difference. Thanks for the thumbs up, we are trying to make a difference and put a priority on it. This would go for anyone, if you want old no good parts back, ask for them, we don't usually reuse or keep them around. Thanks

Magnum RC

Phatbob02, I am sorry, but the parts you are looking for for the old designs no longer exist. You must upgrade the unit to the new trunion design accepting 3/16 wire. The trunions are sold as an assembly and cost $35. Also, WEDONOTRECOMMEND attempting installation yourself. The PCB Board and motor are one piece and can easily be tweaked or broken by simply separating the case. Should this happen, that part costs $45 plus labor to install. You are welcome to go to our website and open an RMA with the online service center if you wish.

phatbob02

My Feedback: (126)

Thanks guys!
I am bumming about the fact that I can't get parts for the older series. Looks like I'll be sending in both retracts for the upgrade.

phatbob02

My Feedback: (126)

Went to the site and filled out a ticket. Me likey so far!

chrisn

My Feedback: (4)

What If?
Christophe, Stefane and Doug are the same person.

christophe31

and if, like you're in Toulouse like me, you come to see us, you will see my frogs legs!!
pfff!!! seeing this after all my work...and from an froggies!!!! incredible.

fearless fly

Got an e-mail saying there is a couple of new posts.Darned if I can find 'em.

chalmrast

My Feedback: (1)

I saw the first post before it was removed... some jibber-jabber about christophe & doug being nthe same person. The poster was from France too...

j.r.i

My Feedback: (1)

I just installed a pair of lado rotating retracts in a wing manufacturing F6F hellcat.  They look and work very well, however there seems to be excessive mechanical slop when they are "locked" down or up.  I put tiny strips of aluminum tape where parts pinch together and that seems to help some, but i am concerned that landing and other vibrations will make the gaps bigger over time and cause damage.

wolffcub

My Lado experience......

Feb 24,2011 10:13am sent email asking if stock levels would permit shipping.
Feb 24,2011 10:42am reply from Lado stating items are in stock and can ship once I submit order.
Feb 24, 2011 10:50am I order items from Lado via PayPal.
Feb 25, 2011 11;10am Ask Lado for tracking number for parcel.
Feb 26, 2011 12:27am Receive tracking number from Lado for Parcel.
March 2, 2011 12.40am Receive package with my Lado retracts.

I cant complain about service.......however one of my retracts in the lower position allows the wheel to rotate aprox 6 deg. This worries me because the slop will only contribute to the wearing out of the rotating gear. I sent a email today to Lado about this issue and i will let you know what they say and do about it.

Scotty

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at Lado retracts for my Top Flite Gold Edition P-51, the 1:7 Scale version. I presume that the 333's are the ones that would fit this, but where I'm new to this discussion, I'd like to get a warm, fuzzy feeling that I'm doing that right. I have a few questions if you have a minutes or two to spare:

Has anyone put these on to the TF P-51?

Has anyone taken any video of the P-51 with these?

Do I have it right that Magnum RC is the sole US Distributor for Lado Retracts?

How about power? Can I use a separate battery pack?

Is there a downside to using them?

Thanks,

Bob

wolffcub

I ordered mine directly from lado about 2 weeks ago. See my thoughts just two posts up. Lado is sending me a few shims to adjust the gap in the teeth. My next kit build will only have lado retracts installed I like them that much.

Check out some of my videos on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mgmM...e_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffq5T...e_gdata_player

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

What are you using to control the retracts? I don't recognize the unit. Can they be powered by their own battery pack?

Very nice installation.

Bob

christophe31

hi N1EDM,
of course they can, you can now supply them up to 2S lipo's if you have the "Rev C" pcb on your retracts ( don't do this with the Rev B!!!!!)
here the Pdf to do the dual bat supply.
but you can also powered them with your receiver like an servos, cause they 'll consume less than your elevator servo.
regards
christophe

Magnum RC

Hi Scotty, have you been to the Magnum Site to look? It is true that some of the 90 degree rotating retracts have slop or can be too tight. The manufacturing tolerances can vary to some degree and the anodization sometimes needs to be removed from the bearing surface OR a bearing shim installed to take up the slop. In either case, it is warrantable. If you want it fixed, just fill out a warranty service order on our website and send it in. On most of these retracts we check them out before delivery and install a warranty tag on them. This insures they have been checked out, lubed, and are operating correctly. We will be getting our stock soon if E-Retract has stock. If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected].

wolffcub

I sent Christophe an email just after i got my retracts in the mail. I was already taken care of and he has sent out some shims for me already.

Magnum RC

OK, This is an absurd rumor, I know who Doug is and he is out of the picture. Christophe lives in France, he and Stephan own the Lado Technology now, NOT the old Doug Lado Tech. Lado Tech is out of business and cannot be contacted anymore. Magnum RC is the US Distributor and Service Center for Lado Products in the USand Canada. I hope this answers any doubts or questions about Lado products. Stephan and Christophe are E-Retract of France. They have amazingly took over the line and are bringing new products to market as is Magnum RC with the Lado Technology. The retracts are just getting better and better, The RS999 series is an answer to electric large scale operations and more to come with the new Electric Retract Regulator that will offer delay and gear door options as well as failsafe technology for on board battery systems. None of this is or was associated with Doug Pientek.

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Thank you for the information, everyone. I was the one asking about Magnum RC because I was just trying to find out more info about Lado retracts.

Cristophe, I have no doubt about the low power consumption of the Lado retracts. I only prefer to power it from a separate battery in case of jamming, etc., which might deplete the battery excessively.

Thank you all very much for your answers.

Has anyone installed these in a Top Flite P-51D Gold Edition? I'm just curious about what the installation was like.

Thank you all,

Bob