Has anyone had problems with the Mini Telemaster ARF from Hobby Lobby? Specifically, when the kit arrived, it didn't include enough allen screws for the wheel collars, or servo connections to the control rods. The supplied charger (2030) had a fault and would not charge - Hobby Lobby had to send replacements for all the above. I tried to maiden it the other day and the supplied AXI2208/34 (Silver) with 7cell Nimh wasn't enough to even get it into the air. The battery was fully charged and the model was balanced, it is just extremely underpowered. I would like to upgrade to an AXI2808/24 and Lipo's can anyone recommend a 3 cell Lipo / controller / charger / propeller that they've had success with? Thank you.

What prop were you using? Electrics are very sensitive to the prop size/pitch. If you have "less" prop, the motor gets to whatever rpm it's designed to turn and that's where it runs. And the airplane sucks. If you have too much prop, the motor draws everything it can to reach whatever you're asking with the throttle, and burns up whatever burns up first. Is it possible the prop is too light for the job?

Da Rock thanks for your reply - 8x6 apc. The model was sold as one of their ultimate combo packages and that is what came with the entire outfit.

2808 axi is WAY too much motor for this plane. The 2208/34 will fly the plane very nicely on 3S lipos, but it won't be a rocketship. Somebody dropped the ball at H-L putting that particular combo together--the Kv on the 2208/34 is too low to be any good on 7 cell nimh and that 8x6 prop is too small for the 7 cell, compounding the problem. Things will get MUCH better when you equip the plane with a 3 cell lipo. Anything with 1000mah or around there, and rated for a minimum 10 amp discharge will get you in the ballpark. H-L carries many that meet thsoe criteria.

I've always had good luck with HL. Give them a call...they will work with you to get your Telemaster performing as it should.

Yak

BuzzBomber - thanks for the reply. I've been back and forth with HL Tech Dept on this during the day and they pretty much have reached the same conculsion. They're sending me a some props to try 9x6, 10x5 etc. I'm a little concerned that they will draw a little more than the 8 amp the motor is rated for, but my with my type of flying I would only be pulling that for takeoff's. Do you think performance will be any better with those props and staying with the 7 cell nimh, or should I just switch to the Lipo and be done with it? One other thing, all of my flying to this point has been glow so bear with me - they sent a Smart Chrger 2030 with the combo, it does have a jumper for 3 cell Lipo, I'm assuming it will work charging the 3 cell lipo's or do I need some type of balanced charger? Thanks for your help.

I looked up the 2030 charger, and yes, that will charge three cell packs just fine. You will probably want to get a balancer at some point, but you can live without it until you can find one. I like the Astroflight Blinky. It will work with your charger, costs only $25 and can balance just about any pack you're likely to encounter--there is an adapter to fit most packs that the built in port can't handle, and it only costs $4.50 additional. As far as the nimh battery/prop combo goes, you will probably see a performance increase from the 9x6 and 10x5, but I don't know offhand if you will find it suitable or not. As long as you've got the plane under control, the worst thing than can happen is an underpowered glide to a landing, right? Can't hurt to try the new props before investing in Li Po. I did successfully fly mine on an AXI and 8 cell nimhs for some time before moving to lipo.

BuzzBomber - thank you very much for all your help. I think I'll take your suggestion(s) and try the new props on the 7cell Nimh, if that doesn't work I'll switch to the 3 cell Lipo. I wasn't looking for anything that is extremely overpowered, I was just looking for something that is nicely powered that I can fly around the pattern in the evenings.