RCU Forums - View Single Post - CARF Diablo build thread

09-01-2023 | 07:35 AM

#2

Dave Wilshere

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 13,258

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From: Watford, UNITED KINGDOM

Build is very straight forward, the greatest work is in the wiring-especially with the Vector version. The two prototypes had a small amount of nose weight added to achieve the initial balance (Though after my comments on love of electronic balances the 1000% accurate string method showed the balance 10mm from where the electronic gizmo said!)

Typically, CARF have done a huge amount of prefabrication, there is very little building/assembling to be done. Its limited to assembling the battery mount cradle, making up the vector pushrods and gluing the tank mount in place.

Because of the obsession with kevlar ‘bling’ tanks CARF have made a Kevlar stickered tank for the Diablo and the capacity is just about the maximum possible. So no aftermarket tank needed! Depending on your turbine choice the tank mount either straddles the wing spar, or as mine with a JetCat P-220Rxi-B sits in front. The actual fore-aft position of the tank only varies by around 12mm KT210 to the JetCat.

Any 200-220N turbine will hover the Diablo, fitting anything larger is just not required and since many of the 250N turbines have higher idle thrust it would be detrimental to the landing speed-the pipe is also designed for 220N maximum.

The pipe mount is very clever, it’s part of the turbine mounting plates, the vector unit and linkages stay in the fuselage and the thrust tube removes easily sliding out the hatch area.

I started the build at the back end as my usual process.

My model uses MacGregor servos throughout as the two prototype airframes seen this season. At the time I started building my kit the CARF arms were not available, but now it’s possible to get a Diablo set. Arms are all between 1" and 1.5" length.

My model is using the new Powerbox Mercury SR2 and excellent iSat gyro. Batteries I ended up with 1 x 5000 2s ECU and 2 x 2700 2s Rx packs, as my normal process I will run a separate retract pack.

Because the Diablo uses a single servo per elevator half it needs to be a strong servo, I'm using the Macgregor 55kg Brushless servo. To keep the torque high the servo arm is kept as short as possible, I'm using the CARF 1" arm and because of the servo area depth clearance is required around the ball links at full travel.

The servo screws in without grommets so its solidly mounted.

The supplied pushrod is 4mm with a carbon sleeve, the forked clevis and Ball link are 4mm items. One slight strangle thing with the setup is if you remove the tailplane halves for transport the pushrod hangs vertically. I found some silicon tube that easily slides over the clevis to protect the fuselage. (I have Revoc wing and tail bags coming, but I'm waiting until they have a fuselage bag that fits first time!!)

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