JPEE

Hi Mark,

as another old saying goes, all good things come in time and your 550 has arrived! I really like your canopy brilliant colors and hopefully very easy to see you in tracking the sky when you're going full-blown 3-D big-time! Yes you will love the charger and PS. Funny thing, after arriving here on my first day of charging I smelled hot rubber and one of the cords once again vibrated out one power supply. I was doing three double trays for the 700 and when that system dropped from 25 V down to 13 V it just started tearing everything up. I had to borrow back the power supply I built for Fast Phil to get me through for a few days until I could look into mind to find out what happened. Then I let it run for one day without a load and it seemed to be okay. Just be sure that you take those cords with a plug another power supply and tape them up zip tie do what you want to make sure they don't back out.
We have not been flying for a few days due to wind or we've been going for rides in our RZRs and yesterday we did 70 miles of road GRRRRRRR I needed 4 Tylenol :-( this old boy was a bit road weary. It was fun and we went up to and old abandoned Mercury Mine and one of the guys new the process of how the mercury is separated from the rock.
Have fun with your new Bird and fly safe :-)

Oh yes, one is an instrument and one is a women's name he he he

Aframomum

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Hi JPEE in the desert,

That sounds like the beginning of a song now doesn't it?

Thanks for the compliments on the 550. I don't quite know what to think of the canopy yet, the colors are nice but the physical dimensions of it are a bit 'off', ie the nose is strangely long. Something I'll just have to get used to for now. But it is nice having a large heli again and this time Align actually made it for 550mm main blades, and not 520mm. I can imagine you and Nick with your 700's, wow!

Scarrr-a-ry thing with your charging PS...the cord coming out of one of them during charging. I'm sure the charger was pulling hard trying to use the minute 13V to keep at the amps you were trying doing 3 tray sets. Hope everything is fine now after you looked it over. Lucky FastPhil was there to the rescue with his PS!

Right now I am doing my charging out of the box so I can easily monitor everything until I feel comfortable enough to keep the PS in their container while charging. But thanks for the heads up on the cords possibly loosening up. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

Wow...70 miles on a quad, I would need Tylenol after that too! The Mercury mine sounded cool. Wonder if Mercury is liquid in its natural state (like in old time thermometers or mercury switches) or a solid in rock like most other metals?

Hope the wind has calmed down so you can get back to some open-air flying again.

Mark

JPEE

Hello Mark,

I think that is a grand idea to run new PS out of the box a few times. I just may HOT glue my plugs to the PS because that will hold as well as be easy to remove if I had to.

Funny I bring FastPhil and PS and wind up borrowing back in like three days lol. Seriously that is why I did not bring two this year fro myself like I did last year, I knew that one would be available to me if needed.

The 70 miles was tough on me but others that are 70 and a lot more frail didn't sore up like me. I may be only 66 coming up in 60 days or so but while the wrapper looks good the candy-bar inside is melting lol. I think my real issue was even with eating light during road breaks, and drinking water I got a bit overheated. Once when I got out of the car and stood up I could feel the "known" signs of heat exhaustion "for me". A lot of these guys wives are very thin, and they are shorter than I. While that sound silly you see the proof of the pudding when we are climbing through the rock beds and I am being thrown around the cab and the much shorter guys (I can see then through their back windows) don't get shoved around like I do. Then there is wear large over the glasses Scott skiing goggles to cover my eyes and prescription glasses along with a surgeons mask over the face to reduce how much dust I take in from having so many cars on the drive. When I said to my wife I am feeling a bit punk she suggested I fall back and drop the mast and let my face breath and cool down......................that helped tremendously!

Yes the Mercury Mine was a blast. Unfortunately I could not catch the whole story but the bricks used were imported from from England back in the 1800's. Here is the link and it has photos http://www.paloverdevalleytimes.com/...rticleID=18184 In short the Cinnabar Ore is extracted, crushed and heated with water and as the condensation fills the tower it then cools and runs down the walls and the Quick Silver another name for Mercury liquid runs down the walls or tube that is what you see in the Thermometer. Take the time to read this, I learned a lot.

The wind has let up today so it will most def be a fly day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

PS: Good job on the 550 and Jason just got too and the long canopy is different. With that said, he bought a "Fuseno" or something like that for his 600 and it looked like that too, nothing like any 600 cano I had ever seen.

Smiles

evdreamer

Mark,

On Tuesday I have to go see what the seniors are doing for their projects. The only project I know about is an autonomous quad copter. They have two semesters to finish the design. Electrical and computer engineers work on the design. For my second design I am creating a Tic-Tac-Toe game on a 3in touch screen LCD since a lot of people have designed games in the past. I have all the code written to interface with the LCD. I am just waiting for my partner to finish the code for the game logic. This is the same LCD I have posted in the past. It is much easier to use with writing in a high level language compared to assembly language like I have used in the past.

Work has slowed down, so I have been getting a lot of HW done at work.

That is cool you maidened your heli.

John,

It sounds like you are having fun in Arizona.

Nick

Aframomum

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Hey guys (just a short write up for now),

JPEE,

Those were some great pictures of you and the lil'missus out there on the 4-wheelers! Glad you got the chance to fly with the lul in wind out there.

Nick,

Your senior projects sounds like it'll be much fun as well as learning. Glad the job has slowed down for you.

I got the chance to take my heli for a few flights as well as my Zero these past few days. Suffice it to say I'm really enjoying the 550 and getting more comfortable with her. One thing definitely...she hangs in the auto's much nicer then the 500 did and so I am already hitting TH higher then I ever did with the 500. Very cool!

I was hoping it wasn't so but it seems I have a bad GensAce lipo. I had to do a few more cycles on it just to make sure. Weird thing is it holds voltage and shows all 6 cells at 4.2 after charging but as soon as I hook it to the heli, it will provide enough juice to spool up to headspeed then cuts all power completely. No power at all, even the BeastX cuts off. Needless to say I'm not flying on it! At least there is a Hobbypartz forum on HF that I can contact someone directly about swapping this out.

Mark

rotarydoc

Hey guys,

I'm still alive over here in the Mid-Atlantic! Sorry I haven't posted, but not much to add to the forum, really, since I have not flown since those bat days...

They started development on the old Moose Lodge site, which I knew was coming...one less place to fly now.

I still need to discharge 3 of my packs for the winter, I'm thinking of bringing the helis to work, and just flying them a bit in the shop, so I don't store the packs fully charged (which they have been for a few months now

Glad to see the old thread is still going along...I would type more, but need to get back to work here at some point.

Mark, I did catch your comments on the 130X...and I think some of the reason I don't want to fly it too much, is that it's flying great, have not had an issue with it, and want to keep it that way...all those horror stories of
working on it more than flying it worry me a bit... I think mine has about 6 trouble free flights so far.

In case I don't get back on here before the upcoming Holiday, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, and enjoys time with family and friends!

I'll try to keep up better with the posting, just not much to add to the thread lately.

Take care all,

Glenn

Aframomum

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Hi guys,

Glenn - welcome back! Nice to hear things are going well for you. I know you and Nick are getting hammered with the wintery stuff early this year so I hope you guys are staying warm. BTW, don't always need heli stuff to contribute!

I feel we are in the same boat with losing flying fields to urban development. I lost 5 over the past 2 years and now my search has taken me to at least 20-25 minute drives...no more 5 minute away to fly.

At least with the mcpx yard flying is still possible! Did you by chance see Align's 150 soon release? Keeping an eye on that but definitely waiting for the beta reports before making any decisions, not to mention parts availabiltiy and after-market batt substitutions in these early stages of first release. Plus the price looks to be around $239...

I did unload both my 130x's last month - so got some savings if and when the time comes. Right now I ordered some clone parts for the mcpx from overseas and am waiting for them to get my ole trusty simulator back in the air.

I have been flying my 2 usable lipo's for my 550 and am slowly getting back into it...my flying has been a bit rusty plus I'm getting used to this heli and its size again.

One thing that I am getting really good with (surprising for me) is my auto's. I did my highest one on Friday...took her to a nice high hover (a good distance above my head) and hit TH and kept the collective at mid stick and controlled her descent with a little bit of cyclic. I still consider these mini-auto's as a full auto (to me) is what Bert and Bobby demonstrate in their video - take the heli high, turn her towards you, hit TH and fly her with neg pitch and flare at the end. I know I just need to suck it up and do it once to get it over with. I have been practicing on the sim but we all know sometimes you have to get over that real-life fear hurdle first.

Is everyone getting ready for Turkey day??

Mark

JPEE

Hi Guys,

Sorry I have been quite but I have not gotten notifications for the new posts.


Nick, glad school is going well and your Tic Tac Toe board looks cool. Also great news to see that work has slowed down as you really need a break. Speaking of breaks, do enjoy your holidays and time off with your family.

Mark, wow Mr Auto hey, lol! I have never had the cahonies to auto my 500. I have seen guys do it but even the best fight it a bit....Kudos my friend. Thanks for the nice comments on the pic's....we are having so much fun as well as learning so much about mines too as well as area history. For instance, yesterday we found there is place in the mountains where the spikes in the grant still exist where the Yuma Territory Prisoners from the 1800 were changed to the walls to sleep after cutting granite all for transport to the Yuma Prison down river. I have been to the Prison before and let me tell you, whats left is my idea of a REAL PRISON, not like the country clubs they get locked up in now with conjugal visits. Got to fly the first time in days and days, it has been so rainy here and butt cold. I took off the 700 and heard a growl in here. I flew two passes and landed. This happened last here too. I took the heli home for the holidays and tor her apart and found nothing, then I saw the nut on the tail slider had backed out and was sloppy on the shaft. I tightened the nut in and walla problem solved. So this time as soon as I landed I checked the nut and it was tight and in place...........humm. I found it was a bit sloppy on the rotor shaft and it was a bit drier than I normally keep it. So I went back to the truck and grabbed my dipstick and dripped some motor oil on the shaft. Well that was it................. she flew like a dream for the rest of that pack and the second pack as well...hoorah! I finally got time and room enough to to work on the P-51. I got the landing gear plastic box glued back into the wing. Then I took the gear apart and took that pin that sticks out of the retract and got it straightened out and twisted the so "that" wheel now face perfectly straight and it matches the other wheel so now take off and landings should be fine. BUT...... now my trailer retract and doors are dead!!!! So that is today's project.
Yesterday we drove our 4x4 to the Sand Castles, here are a few picks. OOPS, they are over the 5MB size, Ill have to compress them and re-post later.

In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger...............I'll be back

rotarydoc

Hey guys,

SLOW here at work, been that way for awhile now...as in months...

Mark, I didn't know you had two 130x's...I knew about the first one. I still have not discharged my 3 packs for storage over the winter yet, I'm pretty sure the outdoors is over with now, this weather today is really crappy, although it could be a lot worse...if this rain were all snow... thank goodness it's not, so I won't complain much!

About all that's new here is I FINALLY retired my old Honda Civic, not sure you guys know about it, but it was my back and forth to work (all .7 of a mile) beater...it needed some work, about $500 worth...

Then, a salesman brought a car over to our shop, because the tag screws were rusted...to make a long story short, that car is now mine...

It's a 2000 Mazda Protégé, and the thing is unbelievably clean...even though it has 200,000 miles. Turns out it was mostly highway miles, as they had regularly driven it to Seattle and back over the years...

It needed a clutch, (which was original, 200K !) and it's got a bad cat converter, which I have a work around for....so I'm loving this little car so far! It's a world of difference from the 1984 Civic, let me tell ya...

If I get a chance, I'll take a picture or two, and post them. I STOLE this thing for $400....basically got it for the trade in amount...and, I could not believe it, but I took the CIvic to the local junk yard, a place called "Crazy Ray's" of all things...and they gave me $300 CASH for it!

So, that's the latest non-gadget and non-heli news from here...

Mark,

Glad to hear about the autos...I never have put my mind to doing much there, although I should. I think it's really something that heli pilots should learn early on...I especially should have applied it when I was flying the SDX, never know when the engine might cut.... Of course, I've practiced on the sim, but as you said, not really the same...

JPEE,

Those old prisons sound scary!! Hope your miserable weather (can't be any worse than here, try steady rain, and 33 degrees....) clears up soon.

Hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving!

Glenn

Aframomum

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Hi guys,

Well Glenn - Congrats on the new-to-you car! A Protege is a nice get around town 4-door. And the price was great too. I guess a clutch replacement for a Mazda specialist like yourself isn't a problem.

My lil'ole Saturn is at 179K so I'm hoping the clutch on her holds out...speaking of clutches, is there any way to determine if they are getting ready to go out (like a starter motor at least gives you click, click hints) or is it something like work one day then the next no gear shifting?

Is your junk yard a pick and pay place or do they keep you out (for insurance purposes) and get the part while you wait? When I lived in Ohio I loved to go to the pick and pay places just to look at all the old cars...and get parts for mine. But had culture shock when I moved and found all the local yards were "we can't let you back there b/c of insurance issues". Is this really the world my son is going to grow up in? No, I'll find a pick and pay yard here in Florida so he can get his hands greasy like every other boy has done!

I have to admit I did buy a second 130x, yes the humiliation of falling into Horizon's grip. It did help as it became just a parts heli and came in handy a few times when the main one had parts fail = crash. But I unloaded it for $150 so it wasn't that bad of a loss. As you said it flies great when its flying but when things start to wear (and its fast) then the wrenching starts...and that's when the fun factor drops fast.

I don't know if I ever told you but I had to replace the LCD and digitizer on my Samsung Galaxy S4, yeah I had dropped it. It was a bit tricky but worked like a charm, plus there is a video on youtube that gives you a step by step tutorial so that helped much. Just wanted to share a few pics of that ordeal.

We too have had rain for the past 3 days as a front comes in. I hope they are able to launch the SpaceX rocket on Thanksgiving day and we have clear skies so I can catch it from the house. The last time they launched it was in the early evening and the rocket had this long fire plume that was a spectacular sight from our backyard, I kick myself for not getting a pic of it as it was quite a sight. Maybe this time...

Mark

evdreamer

Happy B-Day Glenn.

Mark,

I went to the senior projects presentations a few days ago and they were mostly robotic related. One was a robotic trash collector and another was a robotic paintball gun turret. There was a cool laser project. They upload any photo you want then they created a program to etch the photo into metal with a 2W laser. It looked like a little CNC mill machine.

That is good you are enjoying the 550. Sorry to hear about the bad LiPo.

I will be working Thanksgiving morning. Do you also have to work on Thanksgiving?

I got some snow and freezing rain a few days ago. The traction control on the Yaris works a lot better than my Impala. I grew a beard to help with the cold walking to school. So far it hasn't been as cold as it was last year.

That is cool you were able to repair your phone. I read an article awhile back that talked about how big of an industry repairing broken phones is.

I really like SpaceX's rocket that can take off and land vertically. I can't remember the name of it.

Glenn,

Sorry you lost a place to fly at the Moose Lodge.

That is cool you were able to get a car for practically free!

Sorry you have been having cold weather too.

John,

Sorry to hear you have been having some bad weather.

That is good you got the 700 flying good again.

I am glad Thanksgiving break has finally arrived. I needed a break from school. I have three exams next week. Then the following week I have finals. So I will be busy soon.

Nick

Aframomum

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Almost forgot, Happy Birthday Glenn!! (thanks for the reminder Nick )

Nick,

whoa, finals week...when the professors hit you with last minute tests and finals, yay! Take a day off then study, study, study.

Yes, I have to work Thanksgiving...but don't go in till 8pm so not all that bad. I have to feel sorry for all those in retail that now, seems starting this year, have to go in on Thanksgiving Day to start Black Friday. What have we come to?

The senior presentations sounded really interesting. I guess robotics is a big deal now, esp with the robot that was sent to the ISS by, I think the Japanese? I bet you came back with some ideas of your own.

Glad to hear the new Impala is handling the snow and ice much better then your old car. Supporting Movember are we?!

I saw repair quotes for my phone repair was in the $200's...I got by with just over $45 in parts (digitizer and LCD) off Ebay, not bad.

You were thinking of the Grasshopper that SpaceX is designing. They did a test of it this past October and got video of it via a quad copter. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1310/14grasshopper/

There is an employee of SpaceX that posts on Helifreak, jrod 155 that is a mechanical engineer and has been working for them for a few years. He said its ironic that 8 years ago he was bussing tables at the Cheesecake factory and now he is a part of this. I asked if he was the one flying the quad in that video.

JPEE,

I wanted to share a video of my latest Zero flight. I'm just finding that some days are better then others with this plane.

Glad that you were able to get some flying in and enjoying your time with the mine exploration. What happened to your P-51 that needed retract work? Hanger rash? I know I've caught my plane in doorways a time or two since its so darn big...dings galore.

Good in-field work taking care of that 700 noise...never would have thought of using engine oil from the car to lube the tail shaft. Nice catch on the grub screw, if its the screw I'm thinking that would have resulted in loss of tail and a crash - very good catch!

Zero video: https://vimeo.com/80445982

Mark

JPEE

Hi Guys,

Happy Birthday Glenn, your going to love getting your first SS# check LMAO. Kudos on the newer car. Sorry too that they have the gall to build over at the MooseI have never heard of a guy that can fall into a cow patty and come out smelling like a Rose the way you did. In the end with some hard work a $100.00 trade off for a upgrade like is so super! We have been watching the weather that came through here is as now up to your way (for I think all three of you guys). This morning on the News they were driving live in Maryland showing the roads EEK! be careful out there fellas. It is semi sun here but with mostly clouds and butt cold at night. We are burning through Propane like crazy! Thank goodness for our electric blanks!!!!!!!!

Nick, I wrote most of what I am submitting today last night and hit the wrong key and lost it. I wished I could blame the thread but it was my dumb thumbs this time! Glad your getting a well deserved break from school, your tic tac doe board is cool! Nick, your just apprenticing now for the later big-time years of you life. Learn everything you can, "knowledge is power" my friend............ but I think you already know that.

Mr Mark, so much to say. So sorry to hear you lost a Gens, another cyber friend in NY lost one two from his 700. He like a lot of guy here are moving to the green packs, cant think of their name at the moment. My GENS are still running strong glad to say with close to 150 flights on the 700 in total with the three trays. But I dutiful on their usage and care, and storage charging them after my flights and I guess it would be fair to say I have just been pain lucky too. Cool on the seeing the Space X and talking with the guy that works there....totally cool. Don't beat yourself about no pics, next time my friend. I haven't looked at the zero flight yet, my hotspot time here is getting thin and watching videos eats my data up. The guys here all have RC cars for the dirt track we have here. I have gone out and watched but for me to put out $300. for a car to race around the track, flip over, then climb down out of the drivers stage and walk out on the track to flip the car upright just aint getting it for me. They all so have their crawlers and right across from the RC track there is a river bed where they crawl! So that interests me, you can sit in a chair and and drive the bed or walk around close to your car should you flip over and cannot right yourself. There is a deal ending today at Tower for a 300.00 car and transmitter too and I will probably jump in on. OBTW great job on the phone too!

Here are a couple of pics. I hate to seal Glenn's thunder but "I too" got a newer car while here in AZ. This area we drove to is called the Sand Castles

JPEE

Hi Guys,

Mark, sorry I am late................ man the video from Space X was off the chart!!! I could not open the Vimeo, I will try on our iPad in a bit. Re my P-51
I got the landing gear fixed on the wing and everything else except the new found issue, the tail wheel and doors are dead! not a whisper. Clearly something came apart perhaps in transportation to AZ. To cold to be in the Cargo Trailer I am using for a shop here right now, but I'll chase it down.

I hate to say I told you so JOHN (i said to my self) but I just dropped the hammer on a new Crawler. While it can haul butt, it is the newest and of the line in crawlers. It should arrive about the Dec 3. Two of neighbors have them and they are cool. I have never used and RC car before so this will be interesting to say the least. Take care all and don't over eat!




http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y0gEf7Z9TSE

Aframomum

My Feedback: (10)

Hi guys,

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wow John,

Congrats on the crawler purchase, that's quite an intricate machine. I had a little nitro buggy type car some years ago but after I started flying planes the car going around in circles seemed...well, not as interesting as planes. Of course that buggy was RTR, not like yours which looks to be a kit, right? One thing that will be a major change is getting used to the style transmitter car guys use - one with a wheel and a trigger, very different from our aircraft tx for sure.

Now if I see a certain 700 for sale in the near future you and I are going to have a serious talking!!!!

Bummer on the retract tail wheel on the 51...can you fly it with it non-retracted? Hope its an easy and inexpensive fix.

My GensAce issue...I made a video of the charging parameters (each cell volt and resistance) during and after the charge and also of the battery on the heli during spoolup, and the battery health afterwards so I can post it on the Hobbypartz forum on HF.

Hope the rep there will chime in and I can get a faster response for replacing it rather then trying to go through their customer service...my hope is a public video will motivate them a bit more then if I tried using less public channels as I hear nightmare stories from guys who use their customer service phone numbers/emails. After all this is a $100 lipo were talking about...


Everything is looking good for tomorrows rocket flight! We had the front that I'm sure Glenn and NIck got hit with and our temps plummeted (its actually 47 out there tonight, brrrr!), lots of rain and crazy gusty winds, so hopefully that has all passed and we got clear skies for the next few days.

I did finally get around to posting that video we took of the rocket launch we went to see in August when we went to visit KSC and the shuttle exhibit. I forgot how incredible that launch was...enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/80535411

And have some cranberry sauce with your turkey today.

Mark

JPEE

Hi Mark,

I am not familiar with the RTR but that must mean Ready To Run? This car come ready to drive with a 2.4 G transmitter. I only need to plug in the battery and I am driving. Don't hold your breath on the 700e, she is mine. I already have a plan that when my skills start to weaken and I slow down a bit I will put a *****en scale fuse on her and just do close in scale flying.

What a great idea for a temp fix if need, just pull the servo arm to the open position....... I like it!

Again I think your idea to let this Gens story play out on the Forum was a brain storm! Public exposure is the way to go. I wish you good luck and hope you win the "fight".

Good luck on the launch and btw your video from the last one was a spectacular as if it was videos on the nightly news, your ability to follow the rocket and keep it near center frame took some skill and a tripod I am sure.

Deff on the Cranberry's my friend!

Take care

Aframomum

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Hey guys,

Hope everyone had a good Turkey Day! I, like Nick had to work so we celebrated on Wednesday which isn't all that bad...get to bring leftover turkey with you and your not too full from eating earlier in the day.

JPEE,

RTR - yep, ready to run. I didn't know your crawler was already assembled, I just checked the online manual and it looked like a kit you build yourself. And it looked rather complicated too! Good thing that was already done for you as it probably saved a lot of time.

A scale fuse for your 700...any idea what you would like? Don't forget the Blue Thunder heli and the Red Bull both do loops.

On my Zero when my one retract was giving me problems I just set it in the open position, unplugged the servo and flew. Since it worked on a worm gear design it was less prone to being forced close even on a rough landing. Is your tail retract the same design?

No go on the launch...they had some engine issue that needs to be sorted out and 45 minutes wasn't enough time. We'll know more next week I'm sure.

BTW, that was my wife doing the camera work...she did a superb job in keeping up with the rocket and with no tripod.

Planning on doing some railfanning with my son tomorrow morning, found an Amtrak station that is unique in that it has an extra long rampway so you can walk along the entire trains length while its waiting for passengers. I know he'll love seeing it!

Mark

Aframomum

My Feedback: (10)

Got an update on my GensAce Lipo...seems there was a bad connection with the powerpole on the ESC side so it was losing connection causing the heli to shut down. Strange it didn't happen on the other 2 lipo's (guess I got lucky there). So I redid the connector, tested it out, and all seems fine. So there wasn't anything wrong with the lipo after all (whew!).

evdreamer

It is really cold here. It has been below zero today and yesterday with the windchill. I thought next week was my last week of school, but I checked and I have two more weeks left. I am finally learning about how internal capacitance of transistors and MOSFETs affect a circuit. I can now design amplifier circuits.

Mark,

That is good your LiPo is ok. Was it your solder joint or the connector itself that was the problem.

John,

You are probably having fun with your RC car by now.

Nick

Aframomum

My Feedback: (10)

Hey guys,

Nick and Glenn - are you guys buried in all that snow? I have been watching the weather and you guys have been getting hit with major cold stuff.

Sorry Nick for the below 0 temps, that is really cold. And 2 more weeks of school...bummer. Cool on learning more about the MOSFETs.

My Powerpole connector wasn't pushed in all the way (ESC side) so the tip of the crimped connector wasn't fully mating to the inside 'lip' on the connector, so when it was mated to the battery it was backing out causing a break in connection. I found the wire covering was a bit too thick and wasn't fitting nicely into the connector so after trimming some leaving just the exposed wire it fit nicely. Walla, no problems. (JPEE's word I was looking for)

JPEE,

Show some pics of that new crawler of yours!

We had our annual Orlando Heli Blowout event this weekend and I took my son out yesterday to take a look at all the awesome flying. I had to work this weekend so we just stayed for an hour but it was as incredible as last year. Also was much warmer this year as temps were close to 87, just walking the flight line we were sweating bullets.

But the pilots were great and the sponsor tents were full of all the latest stuff. Got to see the new 150 micro heli from Align and took a look at their new 450L Dominator, both were nice with some interesting development changes, most notably the motor now on top of the frame (like in the 600 and 700 series) and the battery in a tray system inside the frame on the 450L. Got a chance to hold the Goblin 500 and that is some piece of engineering work! And my son had a great time watching all the crazy heli piroing and flipping going on.

I also recently rediscovered my scuba diving interest as I had a co-worker tell me about starting his certification classes earlier this month.

I dusted off all my old gear I had stowed in storage for the past 5 years (wow!) and took it in to one of the local dive stores that services my brand of regulator. Also gave me the chance to talk to the staff about how to get back into diving. Well as luck would have it got my gear serviced on site that day (seems it just needed the rubber components replaced and one hose, so not bad), and I also setup a time to do a spring dive with one of the instructors for a refresher and that's all I need to get back to diving. So my refresher dive will be this Wednesday at a local spring, as you can imagine I'm very excited.

Mark

evdreamer

Mark,

I am not buried in snow, but we got enough to make the roads dangerous. I saw two accidents on my way to/from work today.

That is cool you and your son enjoyed the heli event.

That is cool you used to scuba dive. Did you see any coral reefs?

Nick

Aframomum

My Feedback: (10)

Hi Nick,

I did get to dive the coral reefs that are located in the Florida Keys back in 2005 but haven't been back yet. I did get to dive the spring on Wednesday and it was very nice. Got to see lots of fish and a few turtles, plus the trench that the spring was bubbling up from. My plan for this coming year is to do a few more spring dives (there are quite a few a hours drive from me) and I would like to eventually get an ocean dive in. Nothing like a boat dive in endless saltwater with no shore visible.

Hope the snow has melted for you. Do you have to work Christmas/C. Eve? I have off so that is a relief.

Mark

evdreamer

Mark,

That is cool you got a dive in.

I have to work on Christmas eve and day. I have seniority, so I got to choose what time to work. I will be working by myself, but it is usually pretty quiet. I might bring a movie to help past the time.

The roads are pretty much cleared off now, but there is still snow on the yards.

I finally got motivated to sell my old hockey equipment and the last of my video games. They have been collection dust for years. I didn't get much for them, but something is better than nothing.

I bought my school books for next semester. I got one on Amazon and another as an etext. I saved a couple hundred dollars from the book store at school.

Nick

Aframomum

My Feedback: (10)

Alright guys,

One week until Christmas - what is everyone getting??? (we already know what JPEE got )

Me...I'm looking to get some dive related gear, mainly a weight belt and weights so I don't have to keep renting each time I want to dive. Might try out some different demo regs to see what differences there are. And since my Canon camera that I have an underwater case for stopped working years ago, I'm looking for a replacement camera and case.

My flying has really slowed down.

Its a bit strange but my last flight with my 550 I was out with my son and I just could not shake this bad feeling I had. I guess the last time I had a 550 I had the solder joint on the BEC break loose - guess all that uncertainty came back during the flight. I believe that right now a 500 and below are the right sizes for me. I pieced out the 550 so to fund a future project - I just can't fly a heli I can't be comfortable with around my son.

So now I just have my mcpx to tinker with.

Nick,

The school bookstore always, always, always charges waaay too much for books. I do believe that is where the rest of student loans goes to! Good call on finding cheaper alternatives.

Did you decide which shift/time to work on Christmas eve/Day? At least you'll be getting holiday pay to watch movies. I'll be having the pleasure to work on New Years Eve, so you know the ER will be...um, fun.

Congrats on your hockey and video games sales. A few bucks is sometimes worth more then old stuff taking up precious space.

JPEE,

Where

Are

You

At

? ? ? ? ?

Take care everyone,

Mark

evdreamer

Mark,

I am getting a weight lifting cage, a heavy duty bench, and a 300lbs weight set for Christmas. Right now I just have a cheap weight bench from sears and my parents worry about the barbell falling on my chest when I lift. There are two heavy duty beams on the cage to catch the barbell if I can't lift the weight anymore. There are also adjustment holes on the cage, so I can also safely do squats. It also has bars to do pull ups and dips on. I haven't bought any RC stuff this year and my CC bills have been a lot smaller.

My parents usually celebrate Christmas in the morning on Christmas day, so I picked to work in the evening on Christmas day. My sister is having a Christmas party on Saturday, so I will have fun playing pool with my dad there.

Nick