I'm new to the world of electric flight (parkflyer). I am looking to get a Crazy Max, this bird looks to be alot of fun. What can those of you tell me about the "Max", or maybe another good plane. I want something I can fly aerobatic and 3D. Also, what is a good combo for the electronics? All the diff. servos.......sub micro, micro, HS55 ultra micro, HS60 Super micro, feather, not sure what I need for the Crazy Max? Which ESC, what amp ratings, ect. I have been flying nitro planes for awhile, and want something to fly, have fun with at the local park. Anything you can pass along will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
EdMan

Hi EdMan,

I just wrote a review in the "user reviews" section.
It's pretty hot for a park flyer. More like a small glow powered "stick" type. I'd fly my UFO for aerobatics in a park.

It's an absolute blast to fly! If you want to get real tight tumbles you will need to support the control rods about 1/2 way back on the fuse. With an 8 cell pack it will pull through a real strong wind, even near the end of the charge. I used the 20A zagi controller because it was cheap and very linear. It also has a BEC that works great. I used the Hitec 555 because I wanted dual conversion and couldn't find the FMA Extreme.
The Cirus C10 servos are working great. There is more flex in the control rods than lack of servo strength.

If I were to start over, I'd get the 1,100 mA sub C cells. Run 8 cells for 10+ minutes. Then maybe a real light 9 cell pack for short "hang on the prop" fun stuff. I'd also add a 4th aileron servo (and possible upgrade to Cirus C21's or equivalent), and try to make up the difference with a lighter receiver.

The foam part of this thing is really tough. The wood part isn't so tough. But a little epoxy and it's exceptionally tough!

At the hinge edge of the control surfaces I'd cut a 45* angle for more deflection, and add the wire supports. Also a piece of scotch tape across the top and bottom of the elevator to hold it straight.

Right out of the box it is total fun! It's not really a slow relaxing flyer though.

Happy Flying!

Scott H.

Thanks for the good info. This sounds like something I'd like. Will the Crazy Max fly slow if you want it to. As far as the servos go, how much torque is needed? I'm sure the name of the game is to keep everything as light as possible! I have been comparing servo weight to torque, but not real sure how much is needed for these little birds. (keeping in mind I will most likely fly it to the limits) Do you think a 10 amp speed control will be enough? I will look for your review, thanks again.

EdMan

EdMan,

I think the instructions call for a 20A speed control. Although I have not checked the current draw, it is a 380 motor, so I would think you could draw in excess of 10A, but probably less than 15A.

If you point the nose up it will fly straight at a fairly slow speed. It will want to tip stall at slow speeds like that though. Also the elevator and rudder need some air to make it move. The fat symetrical wing needs a decent amount of air.

As for servo's I put in the suggested Cirus C10 servo. They are fast, but only have 7-8oz." of torque. I'd worry about that if I built another one with the mods mentioned above. If it weren't for the flex in the rudder and elevator rods, the servos would stall or strip teeth.

With a 300mA 9 cell pack I really think this could hang on the prop. But you would only get about 3 minutes of flight like that. It would also be able to fly slower. With the big receiver and battery I have in mine, it is a little on the porky side.

One other thing, if you get an electric with a brush type motor, break in the motor with water. It's easy and totally safe. You will need two to three cells wired in series. a clear plastic cup, some distilled or de-ionized water and a real light machine oil. wire the motor to the cells and place it in the cup of water while running. When the water gets black-ish dump the water and refill. Complete the same process until the water stays clear. blow out your motor real well until it is completely dry. Then lubricate the bushings with the light machine oil. You will get a whole lot better run time and brush wear, not to mention better power.

Have fun!!

Scott H.

Scott,
Thanks again for the reply, and good info. Again, I'm just starting to learn these electrics, as I've been flying gas/nitro planes. I was looking at some servos with 12-14 oz torque, I guess these will be plenty for the Crazy Max. Who has the best "bang for the buck" on ESC? I was looking to get maybe FMA M5, or Extreme receiver, as they are light in weight. I will try to keep things light as possible. WOW, run a brushed motor in water.......I haven't heard that before. I guess this is some kind of trick for breaking in one of these motors...... What does this do for the motor, and how?

Thanks,
EdMan

EdMan,

breaking the motor in by drowning it in water does a few things. First it gets the carbon dust away from the armature and out of the mica. Second it provides a small load to keep the amp draw up enough to help the brushes seat in quickly. It also keeps the motor cool and keeps brush arcing to a minimum during seating.

When the water no longer gets carbon particulate, the brushes are seated in to the commutator. After a few runs in the plane you should see the armature get a medium brown (like caramel). This film is very desirable and this is the point maximum efficiency is developed.

I paid less than $30.00 for my Zagi speed controller. That is why I picked it. It just happens to be a pretty decent ESC.

Best of luck!

Scott H.

Hey all;

The Crazy Max is a 370 motor, not a 380. I'm running mine with a 7 amp ESC, even though it pulls more than 7 amps. I have a 10 amp that I'm going to install. If you run a bigger prop or batteries, you may need a 15 amp ESC.

I prefer the GWS micro servos. They as small as they come, and they have ball bearings. One of the new 5 channel FMA receivers would be great for the Crazy Max if you want to run dual aileron servos. Otherwise, I run the GWS receivers on all my small electrics. Nothing else is as small and lightweight. I love Hitec products, but a Hitec feather is about 4 times the size of a GWS receiver, and a 555 is GIANT compared to a GWS.

Hey KatMan,

Thanks for the reply. Are you using the GWS pico servos @ 10oz. torque? Is that enough if your planning on doing some 3D with the Crazy Max? At a weight of .19 oz, it does seem to be the lightest.

Thanks,
EdMan

Yes. I'm using the GWS pico's. I have a bunch of them in several small ships. I feel that they are sufficient on the Crazy Max, but I'm running two on the ailerons. For a one aileron serv config on the CM, I would use a Cirrus CS-21BB which weighs 0.32 oz and has 23 oz torque..

Is there any real benefits for using two aileron servos on these little electrics?
I have noticed that Dymond now has a servo, the D60 that offers 24oz. torque, and is light weight (.28oz.), seen them?
Thanks,
EdMan

If you use two servos and a 5 channel receiver, you can play with flaperon/spoilerons and flap mixes.

I haven't seen the Dymond D60's. Are they ball bearing?

I'm not sure if the Dymond D60 are BB, have not seen anything stating they were.
www.rc-dymond.com
You check them out at there web site.

EdMan

At our field we usually have 3-4 guys up at a time. With the GWS single conversion receiver I got swamped. So I switched to the 555 for dual conversion. I no longer have any glitches.

This plane doesn't seem to mind the extra weight. I did take the plastic housing off.

I'm running one CS10 on aileron, it has plenty of authority even with them cranked up. It would be fun to have two servos. You could do such a tight loop the prop would hit the rudder

I can make it snap off elevator alone pretty easily, although I think part of that has to do with the flex in the foam elevator.

So Edman, did you get yours yet???

Happy flying all!

Scott H.

Cut the antenna in half on the GWS receivers..... It's a technique arrpoved by GWS for decreasing interference. I have half a dozen GWS receivers with half an antenna, and one with a coiled 5 inch antenna on a cocktail straw. Never have a range problem because no one I know flyies a small ship far away enough to have a range problem, and I even fly some of mine out with the glow planes.

The new FMA micro receivers are not much bigger than the GWS micro receivers, and they are dual conversion and 5 channel.

Yep,

Already tried that trick. I relegated the gws receiver to a gws Tigermoth. Works great in that.

I simply get swamped out standing on the flight line.

Thanks for the thought though .

I wanted to try the Extreme, but nobody had them in stock, and I didn't feel like waiting on mail order.

Scott H.

No, I have not got a Crazy Max........yet. I wanted to see how everyone out there likes theirs, it will be my first electric.

EdMan