Ray,
For those who don't know what a sans canopy is, it's flying naked(not you, the heli) or without canopy!
Sounds like you're on to something there. One thing you're fighting is the ambient temperature, 100 degrees outside, so that's where your battery starts out at... I flew my HBK2 last night in the basement, it was about 70 degrees. After a 10 minute session the battery was only 93.8 degrees. Since yours starts out at 100 degrees, with it working the motor it will get 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the ambient. Modifing the canopy for better airflow, would be a great idea in your area. I have a Trex 450 canopy on my HBK2 and it's much bigger and probably helps air flow to boot. See if the B400 canopy fits the HBK2, it should be pretty close.
On batteries, the EK1-183 is 1500 mAh and 10C, the 0184 is 1800 mAh and 15C, the 0185 is 1550 mAh and 20C and finally the 0186 is 1800 mAh 20C.
Also, double check to make sure that your belt tension isn't to tight, if your not doing any 3D yet, a little loose is okay. I usually run mine loose. But not to where it's slipping. And it still gives me unbelieveable yaw control. with snap 90's and piros.
Dave / Choppersrule
ORIGINAL: rayelljay
OK gentlemen......
After her first flight I tore her down to check the freedom of movement in the swashplate system and now is much smoother and better. Her controllability is better and I'm getting good flight times.
My HBK2 has the brushless system (as pruchased from Jags) and she has been doing a good deal of hovering......not proper flyin'.
From that I kinda surmised there is a lack of air flowing over the battery.
I only assume that the battery (EK1-0183) is a 10C because when I set up my Triton charger for a 3 cell LiPo rated 1500mAh, it starts charging at 1.5 amps.
This morning I flew a pack sans canopy and the bettery temp felt just a little warm and not hot as it has been with the canopy.
Just to make a comparison I ran the 400 through a pack sans canopy and it's temp was lower too.
So I'm wondering whether I have an air circulation problem. The HBK canopy has two grilles adjacent to the motor and the poor battery is located right up front in "dead" air.
The top opening exposed to rotor downwash is a bit small so I think I'm going to cut the lower front of the canopy on each side to aid ventilation. I've laid it out on the canopy and I can get an opening about 1 1/2" long and about 1/8" wide on each side so I'm going to try that this eve.
We've now got a temp near 100 outside so I'm imprisoned in the house....us european types can't take the combination of heat and humidity.
"Mad dogs and Englishmen........"
Later gentlemen,
Ray
PS,
Just read about the Pros for a low price and "should I invest for spare parts" (paraphrased)
My reaction after owning two Pros is to suggest an HBK2. Don't get me wrong, the Pro is a good little machine but you're stuck with "non-changeable" electronics and replacements tend to be over-overpriced because there's only one supplier.
I believe you'll get a more friendly and adaptable and modifiable machine in the HBK2..
Ray