Hi guys, I'm new to electrics and I'm having mega problems with my Extra 3D.

The plane seems to fly pretty good but it seems that the PJS 550E doesn't have very much power at all. I mean at all!!

I'm using a Kokam 3s 1500mah CC Phoenix 25 and initially turning a 10/4,7 prop. Even at full throttle would sink from a hover so, I changed to an 11/7 and it only slightly improved performance. Still does'nt hold a hover very well.

My buddy torqeroll, is using the Rotex with a 10/4,7 and it simply SMOKES my PJS. His throttle response is instant and his power is ballistic!! It literally rips the Extra out of a hover/TR. Is this normal or could there be something wrong with my motor?

Also, the motor hessitates frequently when powering up on throttle and I'm not even advancing the stick rapidly. It's almost like if it doesn't have enough power to turn the 11/7 or if it were shorting out somehow. However, it wasn't doing this with the 10/4,7.

I changed to the 11/7 per Sal's (nesail) suggestion, but as I mentioned it didn't improve performance by much at all and then it developed that annoying hessitation issue.

I purchased the PJS 'cause the video in this very thread depicts that it's being used at the PRAHA Show and it simply ROCKS!

Any thoughts on this?

Is the ESC the right one ( right amps?)

Brushless motors are sensorless so when starting them up they sometimes go back and forth very quickly.

Not sure FreeDer. Don't know much 'bout electrics, still learnin', however it's the one NESAIL hooked me up with.

I've contacted them and they suggested that I send in the drivetrain for evaluation. I'll do that this weekend and post results when I get the system back.

Thanks for your input!

Johnny,

As the saying goes, "you can't squeeze water from a rock".

You are expecting too much power from the PJS 550 motor. On a 3s LiPo pack, the maximum prop size is a 10x4.7. See if the Phoenix 25 ESC has a hard timing mode and use it.

What you probably need is the PJS 800 motor.

Double check that you have your CC speed control setup appropriately. There are changes to both timing and frequency as well many other changes that can be made to this controller. I do not have the PJS but maybe someone can chime in and recommend the correct setting to use with your motor. If not ask Sal. It may be that the timing is not advanced enough or something along those lines. There are 3 setting for timing and 3 for frequency if I remember right. Be sure to read through those 6 pages of Castle creation instructions. Including the voltage cutoff for your 3 cell poly.
BC

Sorry for the delay and thanks for your replies.

Just got back into town and hadn't had time to re-program the controller.

Greg, the prop I initially used was a 10/4.7, w/ very poor results. However, I'll try it again after I reprogram the ESC.
Many have suggested that the 550E is more of a torque motor and that I should be using the bigger props with it. I'll look for the hard timing mode, as you suggested and I'll start all over from that point.

BlackCloud, I've contacted NESail and I'm expecting a call from Sal this eve. I've gone through the instructions several times and I've hessitated to re-program the controller because there are so many combinations that can be used.

The only program that I've changed from the factory default is the "cutoff" (now, 3 lipo cell 7.2v), however, I've read that there's a typo of some sort on this page and that this is not the correct setting for a 3S Li-Po configuration...Anyone care to verify this information?

Wind's blowin' hard down here in the S.East (25mph wind gusts days and eves[:@]), so, further trail will be delayed.

OK, things seem to be improving.

I've advanced the timing on the controller, set it for hard start, and swapped back down to a 10/4.7 prop.

The hessitation issue has gone away completely and the motor's top end is considerably faster, however I don't think it's still as powerfull as the Rotex.

I spoke to Sal and he told me that I needed to call Castle Creations if I wanted any help in setting up the ESC.

He mentioned that the ideal prop for that motor, is in fact, an 11/7 so, I'll have to try it and see for myself. He also continued to argue that I will find the PJS 550E to be more powerfull than than the Rotex.

I'll call CC tomorrow and then post their suggestions for this set-up.

Based on Sal's recommendations, I bought a PJS 550E motor, Phoenix 10 esc, and APC 11X4.7 E props using a Kokam 3s 1500 pack. I really wanted an AXI, but they didn't have them in stock. Well, after looking at the PJS without using it, I didn't really feel this motor was as good a quality as others, so I returned it. I'm a little puzzled about the varying recommendations for prop and ESC applications made by Sal. I guess both would work, but what is the best????

Well, I could tell you right now jpstakun, the 550E struggles, bigtime, with the 10/7's that Sal sent me.

You're lucky that you were able to return your PJS. You certainly did the right thing. I also wanted the AXI and they were out of stock, so Sal's gang dumped the 550E on me too. Unfortunately, I did'nt know any better and now I've got to eat the motor. It's absolutely worthless to me. I spent over $1,500 at nesail, in a single month and I figured that exchanging one item wouldn't have been such a problem. My fault though, I shoulda' done my homework. Oh well, lesson learned

I also ordered a Rotex 25/6/15 from Sal and he sent me a 25/6/17. When I called him about this, he told me that the "17" was better for my application and that's why he sent it instead. However, I'll be sending this one back, unused.

Does anyone know where to get the AXI's? I've read nothing but positive things about them.

darn man...i did a review on a plane and they sent me the worn gmotor...happened to be the Rotex 25/6/15 but it is the same motor as the one i was gunna get w/e that was...AWEOSME MAN

Dan

I,m using the 550e on a 16 OZ plane(flying weight) using two 830 3 cell Li-poly (thunderpower)& 11-4.7 slow flight prop. this combo will accelerate out of hover on the up line easily and with great endurance (20 min typ.) or until I crash (LOL)
I found the 11 4.7 slow flight prop best of the props I had for thrust. better than thin electric
11-7 sounds too fat I bet your lugging it too much
also my castle 25 is set up for high pole count and high resistance
I find the 550e a great gearless powerplant, durable and efficient

Gee Buzz, then I guess I've got a defective motor.

I've been using the 11x4.7 now, 'cause I too have had favorable results with it as well.

I did'nt even attempt to use the 11x7's that Sal sent me. I mounted them onto the 550E and it just couldn't handle it.

Now don't get me wrong, my 550E (with the 11x4.7) will, in fact, pull my Extra out of a hover, however, just barely and keep in mind, it only weighs 10oz.

Wadda' ya mean that your castle 25 is set up for high pole count and high resistance? Maybe that's part of my problem, right there. I called CC, spoke to their tech and was told specifically how to set up the controller for the 550E. I might've overlooked somethin?...Maybe?


Dan, consider yourself lucky that you ended up with the Rtx-15. That's the one that my buddy's got on his Extra and it'll cook-up anything you want it to with an APC 10x4.7. I've sent the Rtx-17 back to NESail and they claim my Rtx-15 is on its way. I'll be swapping out the 550E with it and I'll be posting the results.

Still looking for an AXI.

Well, I finally got my Rotex 25/6/15 from Nsail and one of the bearings was deffective. It simply wouldn't turn in the right direction. Not even manually.

Called Nsail and was given an RA#. Sent it in and was returned to me with a repair invoice including shipping and a charge to my Visa. Is this normal? I did'nt even authorize this transaction.

They sent me an item that did'nt work and when they suggested that I return it for evaluation, they did'nt tell me that they were going to charge me for the repairs. Why should I be paying for their damaged item NEways?

Well, even though I've nearly paid double for it, the Rotex works fine now and functions much better in my Free-Air Extra.