I bought an Extra260/27%. Put most of it together, but when it came time to install the electronics, and the DA 50 I was lost. So I hired a builder, thur a Quality shop. Well, after the plane was built, I moved to Michigan. I had not flown the plane yet ,but we had run the engine and the smoke system. Things seemed fine. So, I get to the local field here in Michigan, and check the batteries, and I'm getting a 5.6v reading on the volt meter, at the switch. Now, I have 3 Li Ion batteries, and the reading should be 8.3 or so. So, I check the batteries at the source, and get a 7.5 v reading and I find out that the guy wired in the volt regulator from the battery to the switch. Which we know should have been wired in to the output of the switch, not the input. So no problem. Well guess what, he supergluded the connectors together. So, after 12hrs of trying to rewire everything, I think I have it figured out. The batteries are dead, at least 2 are. So, I call the builder, and ask for some money back. He says sure. Called me back in 10 min and says to sent the whole plane back, and that he'd buy a new Extra260/27% Hanger 9, and start from scratch. I was so worried that I would have a problem from having to rewire the whole system, that a crash was in the future. So, I'm glad that there are some builders out there that take Quality to the limit.
I will keep you posted as to the outcome of this nightmare. He's also going to pay for shipping and packing. If I have problems with this builder, during the exchange, I will let you know his name and the company who refered him to me. Thanks, John

I think that this thread has the potential to do more damage than good in what should be a private matter. Something like this should be brought out in public ONLY as a last resort if no positive resolution can be found.

Also when on a forum there is no way to determine tone, inflection, sarcasm, or true intent. To top that off you usually only get one side of the story.


The point of all of that is be careful.

i agree with lomcevek you should keep this to yourself, dont mean it in a bad way, just dont jump the gun to flame, degrade, someone's rep or a company's rep, this can really get nasty if not handled properly, good luck.[:-]

I disagree as to the nature of the post. How many others are out there who've had problems with builders. I didn't mention names, just the problem. If it was you going thur this, I'm sure you'd want a place to vent. There's alot of money tried up in this plane and I just want it right. Thanks

QS - I don't blame you... I set my Extra up with an older Futaba radio along with the required servo reverser. I was always fighting problems with that thing, checking weather or not it had vibrated to a different setting (the pot), or weather the temperature had caused the elevator halves to come out of balance. I kept waiting for something to go wrong, and you definately don't need that lurking in the background. If this guy's willing to work with you to fix the problem, then it'll be worth the wait on your part. You haven't revealed anything to us about WHO this guy is anway, so nothing wrong with the post.

Good luck

He's gonna build a whole new plane because the battery switches were wired improperly? Why not just pull out the batteries and swtiches and reinstall the properly? if the connections are super glued then replace those too. Am I missing something here?

Thats kind of what I was thinking. Wonder why the builder didnt mention that.

I agree with aviti and FlooredCOBRA. Something doen't make sense. Why not just fix the problem? It seems relatitively minor.
Phillip

Dude it takes like 5 mins to switch out batteries and a switch. I dont see how complex a H9 260 can possibly be? I mean even if you go nuts on a 28% plane you might have 3 batteries right? 1 ignition and maybe 2 for the rx.

So it goes battery to switch, switch to regulator and from regulator to RX. You do realize a lot of other people have been running regs with non lion batts to keep everything consistant for a long time.

Fwiw I flew a plane wired the "wrong" way when I was first into big planes and it didnt crash. So long as your RX gets the juice thats all that matters. If anything your batteries drained as a result of being hooked up to the regs.

If you run miracle switches you had better disconnect them from your battery or they will drain.

All poking aside this is really something so small and easy to fix. I mean I think wiring an RC car is more complex in than wiring a battery, switch, and regulator. Getting a new plane would be like the extreme.

If you go this crazy with the wiring man then wait until its time to mix the gas for the DA and set the carb needles.

I agree with rebuilding a new plane was rather extreme on the builders part. But, as most of you stated, just replace the parts, which is what we're going to do. I spoke with the builder yesterday, and he's sending new batteries, switches, regs. So, all is good. As I said, it's great to have someone admit to their mistake, and be willing to rectify it. Thanks for the input everyone. I'll keep you posted on the maiden flight. Thanks, John

Let me tell you that it takes much longer to change out parts, when their superbonded in. Try to take a connector apart after it been superbonded together, especially when it's in the plane. Thanks, John

Have you tried Golden West Super Solvent? It should loosen up the CA and I doubt it will effect the plastic connectors. If not, break out the wire cutters and your problem will be resolved very quickly! He He He!
Phillip

I would not mess with the glued connectors. Just cut them off and solder on new ones.

Odd that he super glued the connectors in first place. I never heard of that before. After you get the new parts in use heat shrink on the connectors and they wont come apart. You can always cut off the heat shrink if you need to and put another one on. Or I think DUBRO makes a clamp cover thing that you can snap around the connectors, you may try that also.

Wow he sure got those new parts shipped to you fast. If I had 4 minute shipping over here I would have been done with my plane a long time ago

Wow![sm=lol.gif]

O.K. here's update on the Hanger 9, 27%/DA50. Batteries, switches, regulators, are replaced The builder never sent me the parts. He told TBM that he never supergluded the connectors together. So, I called TBM and asked if they would sell me the new parts{mentioned above} at cost. No problem. I put in all the new parts, and go to a field in Gaylor, Mi, where I know someone who builds Giant Scale and is willing to help on the maiden flight. We first do a range check, 150ft plus, with the antenna half way and with the engine off. Everythings O.K. We then do a range check with the engine running, no problem. We then taxi the plane up and down the runway, and find the engine need a small tuneup. So, then we start the engine again, and go through a range test again and find the ailerons, freeze in the up position. We try again and find the elevators freeze in the down position. So needless to say there's a glitch in the system. So after many hours, I find that My Builder put the Ignition wire to the battery, which is in the rear of the plane, right beside the receiver. Problem solved. I move the battery to the front of the plane
So, all is good. I have a friend hold the plane as I try to start it and after a couple of flips of the prop, I notice the muffler moving. So, I turn everything off and discover that the engine is loose. I unscrew the nose cone, and find the screws that are holding the prop on, are all also very loose, like to the point of falling out, as is the spinner screw. I take the cowl off and find the engine mounting bolts are almost all the way unscrewed.
I'm so Thankful that this engine didn't start. The engine was at a point where nothing was really holding it on the plane. It could have flown off, hit my friend or my wife who was watching. I'm not building this story up to make my-self look like the good guy. If I knew how to upload pics, I'd show you. Now, the good side of this story is, I'm going in for a total knee replacement next tuesday, and a guy at the field who's been building giant scale for 10 years told me to bring him the plane and he'd go over the whole system, and fix what ever needs to be repaired. I can't begin to tell you guys the frustration I've had with this plane. I just Thank God, that I didn't try to fly it. And looked for some help.
So, my problem is, should I give the so called Builder's name on RCU? This guy is passing himself off as a qualified builder. TBM, want nothing to do with this guy.
So, let me know what you fliers think. Thanks, John

Honestly, I think you need to learn how to assemble an ARF, so that there's no one to blame but yourself. Consider this a learning experience and leave the guy's name out of it. You learned that if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. If you don't know how to do it, learn how to do it. If you can't figure it out, you aren't ready for it. If you're not interested in learning it or figuring it out, you're in the wrong hobby.

quietstorm366,

If the builder was just someone that you knew and said that he was a "Quality Builder" then you have just learned things the hard way. If this was a company that was offering a service to the public then you indeed want to let people know who it is so others don't get taken advantage of. This is no different than someone posting about a plane they bought or the bad service they got from a company. You see it all over RC Universe. Just make sure you state the facts and not go overboard or start bashing the company. The part about him saying that he'd rebuild you a new plane and send new parts and never coming through with anything is really bad business and he probably wont be in business very long anyway if he treats to many that way.

I'm sure there won't be a shortage of replies on this thread. However, I would just point out that with a gas engine especially, you must retighten all of the bolts related to the engine after starting it up for the first time, because they come loose after running the engine for the first time. If you look on TBM's website, you will see that they tell you that after tightening up a prop for the first time, you should run the engine for a couple of minutes and then re-tighten the propellor, and that if you don't re-tighten it, it will come off. Also, a good pre-flight can eliminate the inevitable things like this that always plague this sport. There are a lot of things to check before making a first flight on a plane especially. Taking the time to give the plane a thorough going over can not only give you a better chance for a successful maiden flight, but is also mandatory from a safety standpoint. Use lock-tite on screws on a plane of this size especially. Also, turn to your fellow club members for a hand and follow their advice.

Please don't slander anyone's name on this website.

My personal opinion is the loose prop and engine happened after the initial start up. My recent adventure with my CAP 232 27% resulted in the same thing. And I put the thing together and I'm certain everything was tight. It just came loose after running the initial time. But mine came loose in the air.

I'm sure if you are ready to fly a gas plane you should be able to figure this stuff out. If you can't, then you might not be ready for a gas plane yet. The big planes are much different than the little ones. Much more serious.

Thanks
Barry

PS: Hope you do well with your knee replacement. Good luck.

Thanks everyone for you're input. You guys are right, this is a different hobbie, with much more to do before flying. I have learned alot, and will be able to put the knowledge I gained to good use in the future. This was truly a learning experience for me. In the future, I'll put the plane together. Thanks, John

Hey John, my name is Nick... I am a member of TRAMPS here in TC, I'm sure if you saw my face you would remember who I was but its kinda hard on here. I fly the Showtime. I was flying my foamy edge at the last fun-fly. However, there are lot of us here at TRAMPS that are willing to help you out and get your plane going as well as helping you fly it also. Just come to our meetings or out to the field sometime and get in touch with the guys who are qualified, there is also a member list with phone numbers for everyone.

I hope you don't give his name but more important than that. I hope you learned something. Some of these problems have to fall on your shoulders. It would not matter to me who built the plane. You should have checked every nut,bolt,screw,clevis and connection before you ran it the first time. I build all my own stuff and still check it all out with a flying buddy.
David

I"m with Nick. Visit the TRAMPS field. These guys have been fly Giant Scale since before it was fashionable. There is a wealth of experience in that club. Take advantage of it.