Carbon Fiber rods... Can you use an CF arrow?? I know some archery stores and I believe Wal-Mart have them. Just cut it to length.
Jeff

Hey Guys. I just finished building my airframe. Is just under 4 oz bare with no electronics a good weight?

Basicly, you can use anything (within reason) as long as the AUW stays low. I'm not sure what the dia. or the wt of the arrows are. You want to keep the wt. of the rod at 6-10 grams. Here is a good source of carbon rods. www.nyblimp.com get the 4mm ones.

Tailslide- that should be fine.

Tim

Santi and Salmon, here you go...

Here is a comprehensive list of the components in the 3dx and the Ultimate. First of all, I have been running a brushed set-up, and a brushless set-up. I’ll list the components for both. Both set-ups have full 3D and hovering capability. However, the brushless version takes it to the extreme. Also is a listing of where to purchase the components.

Brushed:
Power: GWS EPS300C “DS” gearing (6.6:1 ratio) comes with the motor
Speed Control: Castle Creations Pixie 20P
Prop GWS 12x6 or APC 12x6 Slowflyer
Battery: 8 cell Sanyo AAA 720ma NiMh
Servos: (3) Hitec HS55

Brushless:
Gearbox: GWS EPS300C “DS” gearing (6.6:1 ratio) take the motor out
Motor: Razor RZ350 brushless.
GWS 10 tooth pinion gear for motor
Speed Controller: Castle Creations Phoenix 25
Battery: E-Tec 3s1P 1200ma (3 cells in series) Lithium Polymer Batteries
Everything else is the same.


Glad I can help. I'll try to start you off slowly and not overwhelm you with all this electric stuff. I still fly gas stuff too, but the electrics are just so much fun for smaller spaces and less fuss. First of all, what type of Radio do you have? That will kind of determine what receiver direction we can go. I fly most of my electrics with a JR700 receiver with the case taken off to save some wt. JR has some nice smaller receivers too. If you want to go with the best small receiver, I would suggest the Berg 5 DSP http://www.aeromicro.com/berg5.htm It's a great little unit and it Will work with JR or Futaba. Make sure you order the correct crystal too.

Speed controllers are another issue entirely. They are broken down into 2 basic types. ESC's for brushed or brushless motors. For now, we'll stick with the brushed (conventional motor). I just bought a Castle Creations Pixie20P and am VERY happy with it. It will work well for the smaller Front yard/park type flyers. Brushless controllers are a bit more expensive Than the brushed, but brushless motors put out more power, last forever, and are pretty much maintenance free. www.nesail.com has good prices on the speed controllers. Also, Castle creations has a very good special going right now. A Razor RZ 350 plus a CC Phoenix 25 controller for $143.00. www.castlecreations.com

I would suggest Hitec HS 55's for servos. They are light and pretty strong. www.servocity.com has the best prices on those. If you order them, get a few sets of replacement gears too. Hangar bumps tend to strip them sometimes.

I am using an 8 cell Sanyo 4/5AAA 720ma NiMh battery in my plane. Great cells and pretty cheap too. http://www.aeromicro.com/Catalog/8-c...ck_1221781.htm decent price, you can do better at www.cheapbatterypacks.com

Motor and gearbox is the GWS EPS 300-C with "DS" gearing (6.6:1)
http://www.aeromicro.com/Catalog/gws...ds__803630.htm good price.

If you get the razor, you need to get a pinion gear for the motor. http://www.aeromicro.com/Catalog/gws...es_1707137.htm Order the 10T (DS) pinion.

Prop GWS 12x6 http://www.aeromicro.com/Catalog/gws...260_804577.htm
get a couple, you will break them...

Charger, I would seriously look at the Great Planes Triton charger http://www.edogfight.com/Catalog_page/chargers.htm The nice thing about it is that it will charge NiCads NiMh, and Lithium Polymer batteries. It's a bit pricey at 147.00 but the only other chargers that will do everything are in the 250.00- range. I got my charger for 99.00 It's a dymond Super Charger and I really like it http://www.rc-dymond.com/ But i had to buy a separate charger for my LiPo's.

LIpo's www.allerc.com www.b-p-p.com www.aircraft-world.com

Lipo charger www.allerc.com www.b-p-p.com www.aircraft-world.com I use the Apache Smart Charger 1500. It will charge up to 4 cells in series.

I know it can all be intimidating at first. The absolute best thing you Can do is start reading the forums on ezone. I learned everything I know About electrics there. Here is a link to my 3DX thread on Ezone. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=115543

Read some of the other threads too and you will start to understand all of the terms and stuff. If you have more questions feel free to email. Or you can post a question on my 3DX forum too. That way you can get other opinions too. The best advice I can give you is read the threads at
ezone. www.ezonemag.com click on discussions, the foamies, or parkflyers etc. I fly 150mph+ electric ducted fans too. Electric is not what it used to be...

Hope this helps

Tim

Av8er Tim and ghjr, thanks a bunch
I'll be using a Futaba 8U, , I think I'm gonna get the Phoenix and Rz 350 combo. Edwin.

GWS EPS300C “DS” gearing (6.6:1 ratio) take the motor out (see my last post)

Here is a great thread on how to mount the Razor in the GWS gearbox. The Razor Dia. is smaller than the stock GWS motor.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=115736 Long thread, but great info!

Tim

what size li-po are you using? And what amp's are you pulling with that combo?

Thanks.

3s1p E-Tec 1200mh LiPo. I listed everything I have used and good sources for purchase about 5 posts up. Pulling about 11.5 amps at full throttle. 90% of flight is below 1/3 throttle.

Tim

I looked but could not find the mah. My LHS has some 1700 li-ion packs and charger. Think i could use that with a axi 16? I think the axi is the same thing as the razor. 280 size brushless.

The ezone is great! i got a lot of info on the li-po packs. I just have one more question. If you have a 3s2p pack, do you have to take the pack apart to charge the two 3cell "banks" or can you charge the pack with the two "banks" pluged in parral? Did i write that clear enough?

Thanks

Sorry, I forgot to put it in there. I fixed it...

From what I understand, you have to charge each 3s "pack" individualy. Right now it is a charger limitation. I'm sure as these cells get better, so will the charger logic.

Tim

Hey guys,

The 30" Ultimate Bipe plans are done and now available for download. Construction and equipment is exactly the same as the 3DX.

Ultimate Plans

The zip file contains the tiled set as well as a one page plan formatted for printing on 36" paper. You can get the full size plan printed at Kinko's for about 5 buck or so. Most Kinko's have a 36" roll fed printer.

Have fun and post some pics.

Tim

Just out of coursity, what size sheets and how many did you need to cut out the entire plane?

Fan fold, Bluecore, comes in an accordian style (fan folded) sheet that is 4'x25-30' or so. Each fold (one panel) is about 3'x4'. I can get about 1 1/2 to 2 planes out of one sheet.

Tim

Tim,
What's the scoop regarding the "wrapped" carbon rod (per your plan notes)?

Thanks,

what is the cheapest motor for one of these.with the same performance

rcflyer11 - normal carbon tubes (carbon pushrod tubes) are extruded carbon/epoxy. A wrapped tube is carbon/epoxy that is wrapped around a mandrel. Much lighter and stronger. Also about 5 times more expensive. I think www.nyblimp.com carries both types.

$19.00 for gearbox AND motor (brushed)
$79.00 for Razor 350 brushless.

See my big post on componants and pricing one page back.

Here is some video I took this afternoon. I got about 50 min of video (two 25min flights) This is just a few hovering shots. Once again, the neighborhood dumpster was my camera man. I had to try to keep it in close.

Ultimate Video

Tim

Damn...Tim you da..man!! looks awesome. Do you by chance have any video of your 150mph EDF planes? I have a couple of planes that are just about done, then it's on to the foamy!!


Doug

Nope, no video. I just got my video camera about 2 months ago and haven't been out flying them for a while. Been having too much fum with these. The little bobcat in my avitar does about 100mph and it's an EDF. Here is a cool little jet I'll be building soon though http://www.dse.nl/~damjaco/a4-1.ram Here's the website www.jepe.org. I also have his A-10 kit about 2/3 completed.

Tim

Hey guys - This place has great prices on carbon tubes. Both the pulltruded tubes and the wrapped tubes. I use the 4mm, non tapered tubes.

http://www.citystar.com/hang-em-high...%2dLong+Carbon


Here are some part #s
Part CT1570L - Carbon Tube Pultruded '1570' (4mm) 48" $2.50 each. I'm still looking for the correct wrapped size...



Tim

Another quick question... what did your final weight end up being?

Mine weighed in at 13.1 ounces. Plane, "D" geared motor, and 9.6 volt 720mah battery.

Thanks you for the jet link. That is what i was looking for. I love the little jets!!!!

The Jepe stuff is some of the best you will find anywhere. LONG waiting lists sometimes. The A-4 will do about 130+mph. His little pyrhana rocks too!

Here's another link www.rd-jets.de Ralph's El Bandito is incredible.

Tim

Great site! I love that jet. Looks like the bvm bandit. Just wish it was smaller.

Well i got my Mega 1615/4 and conntroler today! YA !!!!!!!!!!

Do you know what gear box and prop i could use for a funfly 3D ship? I also picked up a reno racer mustang. Trying to get it together now.

Well, I got mine built... planning on putting an astroflight 020 with a superbox for the power... should be able to turn something around a 12x6 prop with it. Just ordered the box, so it will probably be sometime next week before it flies. I'll be sure to post videos