Thanks ASAT I'll pickup the Triton Charger. I drained one set of Nicads by just leaving the TX and RX on - old fasion cycling, and wow I see the difference after charging. It held the Voltwatch to full without fluctuation for the first flight. The transmitter battery didn't drop much either. It's good to know how to keep up the batteries before I start flying the beautifull Patty.

Basil,
Go and read Red's battery FAQ about three or four times. Cycling the "old fashion way" is a really good way to screw up your batteries. I used to think the same thing before I lost a plane to battery failure and was motivated to get eduacated.

Bottom line is you don't want them to go below 1.05 volts per cell and without a proper cycler there is no easy way to be sure this won't happen.

The Futaba manual states this as a way to discharge.
I'm going with the Triton the only problem I can see with this unit if ASAT is talking about the Electricfly unit is that it needs a 12volt power supply to power it off 110v at home and this runs another $90. Is this the unit or is one made with it's own supply. I like the idea of being able to use it at the field to charge batteries but the added $90 makes it too expensive. Any other alternatives. Usually you won't need to charge TX and RX batteries in the field unless your competing at an event anyway.

Get an old computer power supply and make yourself one. Can get it complete under $20.00.

I did because I have the Triton on the way and wanted to use the house power most of the time.

Look here for instructions.

It is really easy!

I also used bannana plugs on the supply.
I will cut off the alligator clamps off and solder on bannana clips. I already made the adapter for the clamps in case I want to use the truck battery at the field.

I will post pics later if it helps.



Jason

Woohoo,

I got my Wagstaff today and a Fuji 50SA too! I know its not the best engine in the world but its cheap and reliable thats why I choose it. I know have to get servos here's my idea so far Suggestions please:

All Sanwa Gear (Airtronics):
Throttle: 102
choke: 102
Alierons: (2 X 4kg/cm can't remember what they are but my dad has them in his shed)
Elevator: two ERG's don't know what yet though!
Rudder: Contest HH

Am i right that servo quality goes down in this order:
Elevator
Rudder
Alierons
Throttle
Choke

Thanks Alan

That's a great Idea I even have a couple of old AT Power Supplies in the closet.

Then you are in luck!

Have fun. It's kinda cool to do as well.

Jason

$90.00 for a DC power supply. That's kind of high. I paid $39.95 for mine at Radio Shack. Didn't know about converting an old computer power supply at the time but it seems like a great alternative project. Also, the Triton wasn't on the market at the time I bought my Dymond and I wasn't about to beg for an Alpha 4.

Basil buy the best peak charger/cycler and don't worry about the price because it will be cheaper in the long run.

Basil, I'm sorry but how many times are you going to do this? In post #5218 this was brought up and discussed for about three more posts and then the directions were posted. TEN posts later you ask the same question! Do you even read this thread and think?

I'm sorry if some of you guys think I'm being harsh on Basil here but he has done this about ten other times regarding the PW and it's really getting old.

the fuji 50 will be fine its a strong engine. you realy need a starter to start until it get's broke in. i use a 20x10 pro zinger.. make sure you use high tork servo's ..good luck, you will love this patty

If only using one, my biggest is on the rudder and i put equals on the elevators and ailerons. As has been noted many times, don't skimp on the tork on this one.

Jumping tracks a bit I have a question...(Long winded,sorry.)
As some may know I am comming back to RC after a 8+ year break.
I have a Old somewhat heavy GP Extra300 kit w a superTiger 90 up front...

Yesterday a friend (who is a rc instructor at his local field.) took me out to get me reaquinted w RC.. I actually did well I think. On his Trainer that is...
I landed the first time up and was free of the buddy cord from that point on.


Now at this point we decided to check out my Extra on the table. It seemed to run well enough to merit a flight so out to the strip we went.
He attempted to take off but as it climbed ~6' in the air the engine just died!
He pitched it down, but none the less it smacked the ground so hard it put a nice crack down the L wing and blew out part of the R fuse.

FINALLY my point and question!!

I was seriously thinking of the PW Extra but after seeing my old extra fall so roughly out of the sky, I'm having second thoughts.


How bad is the PW300 in regards to deadsticks and such ? It seems as though if one pushes the nose down enough to keep some speed all should go fairly well..Right ?

Just concerned a bit...

Thanks!

It flies like it has wings.........

Really, it glides very well. With enough air speed it will not fall out of the sky, and it does not have to be fast.

Get it, you will like it.

Heheh OK ok!

It flies great deadstick. I would also get something in between (read less expensive)to sharpen your skills.

Walt, I've had a few dead-stick landings with my Patty and I was able to land without any problem. As a matter of fact, they were some of my best landings. This 300S has never tip stalled or dropped even when coming in slow and low. Maybe I'm just lucky but she is a great flier at any speed.

The recommendation by BasinBum to fly something in between the trainer and Patty, I believe would be in your best interest. Remember she is a fully aerobatic aircraft and she takes some skill to handle. It could get real expensive quickly without recently honed flying skills.

Does anyone here have the GreatPlanes G2 software ? I understand its not going to replace the real thing but I figure it can't hurt to reaccuire dulled skills.
(What skills I had!)
Man that would be cool as heck if there was a Extra 300 on G2 that someone who owns the PW Extra could vouch for being somewhat simmilar in flight characteristics!

Or perhaps someone may have edited a aircraft in G2 to more closely a large scale Extra?

Thanks!

If you were capable of flying this type before, you'll be fine. Once your knees stop shaking and the rust is knocked off, she'll make you look good. I"ve had 3 dead sticks. All right after take off. !st, after a vertical take off. Couldn't get the nose back up after the tail slide. Broke the whole nose off at the fire wall (loose spark plug). 2nd, was able to turn 180 and make it to the run way, perfect 3 point. 3rd, couldn't make the turn and mushed into the tall stuff after a low and slow 135 deg. turn. Both these were caused by me reversing the vent and supply lines when i put things back together from the first. No tip stall and we're talking full of fuel and very slow here. Don't worry about it.

There are several extras in the G2 software addons. I find that they are close and a good way to practice.

Jason

If you have the G2, go online and go to realflight.com. There, they have a gallary of planes that other people built, modified and otherwise created that can be downloaded. Some have TOC ships with DA motors and some are just modified planes with different paint schemes. Go there and look under downloads and you'd be amazed at what other people must have spent hours building.

Thanks ! Yup, I've been to the GP site and have downloaded a few of them...
I guess I was more curious to hear from someone who has first hand experience w the Patty Extraa 300 and with G2.

What seemed the most accurate and all...

I find the G2 300s a little lighter on their feet, so to speak, but the actual pw 300 more capable that its cyber counterparts. I have all the add ons but the stock G2s geometry is a little off and i haven't downloaded any mods others have made, so their may be some better renditions out there. I still use it to keep the dust off and feel i'm a better pilot because of it.

Hmmm... So perhaps a edited G2 Extra w a touch more weight might get close to what you feel w your real life version ?

How does the stock G2 Extras feel to you in slow flight and more importantly, in the landing phase of flight?(Comparied w the PW 300)

I think thats more what I'm curious to find out about...

Thanks man !!

Not to divert to earlier, but here is my charger supply.

$20.00 for the Supply
$4.00 for the Light Bulb Jack
$2.00 for the bulbs.

$26 total for a regulated charger supply that provides a 16A 12V supply and a 35A 5V as well as a nice blue light for the shop.

I put the bulb jack in the hole that the original wires all came out.

Was a lot of fun and educational adventure. Re-learned a bunch of electrical theory from years ago as well.

Hope this helps.

Jason

FYI: the second bulb on the right is not attached but a sample of the bulb used and the bulb holder.

Not to get off of the subject but does anybody know where I can buy Moki propellers? I've been doing searches but I'm still not coming up with anything. Thanks,

Kevin