Caelus New F3A design by Top RC Model
11-19-2018, 02:09 PM
#427
My Feedback: (8)
The only change is the color scheme. With that said I might suggest you reinforce the internal landing gear block and or read the Etude mod I did or the Caelus build.
if you're running a Himax motor bye the firewall from Mike, it will save you hours of fab time. Also, the Gator battery tray works much better and gives the opportunity to get the CG right. This IS the last step you perform before flying.
if you're running a Himax motor bye the firewall from Mike, it will save you hours of fab time. Also, the Gator battery tray works much better and gives the opportunity to get the CG right. This IS the last step you perform before flying.
11-19-2018, 02:28 PM
#428
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: moline,
IL
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I got the firewall coming . Have a gator tray from another project I might use. I see allot of you bringing your batteries way back to get ch right. What is a good starting cg, so I don't have to move my battery tray once installed. Can't wait.
11-19-2018, 05:33 PM
#429
I ended up at the rear edge of the wing tube.
11-19-2018, 06:37 PM
#430
My Feedback: (8)
I would highly recommend you add a carbon fiber rod to the interior of the fuselage,past the vent holes. The you see here was the last one I did for a friend. The plane was transported to Syracuse NY this past summer and from 1" behind the carbon rod to 12" back, the fuselage was badly damaged and now requires me to repair it. It's pretty fragile and the carbon rod weighs nothing.
If you look at the where the battery tray is placed in the fuselage, with Thunder Power 5S, 4400 pack the plane balances with the batteries in the middle of the tray.
If you look at the where the battery tray is placed in the fuselage, with Thunder Power 5S, 4400 pack the plane balances with the batteries in the middle of the tray.
11-21-2018, 04:57 AM
#431
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: moline,
IL
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Got the plane last nite . Overall not bad for the money. Hinges don't line up. And Axles have almost no threads in them so I got some dubros axles . The hinges are about a half hole off and drilled crocked. I spent some time and got them straighter . A former and one Rib need reglued. I'll post back once I get farther .It'll be a show build for me
11-25-2018, 12:32 PM
#432
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: moline,
IL
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Almost done with the build. Waiting on new turn buckles as the stock ones had to much chrome on them so the threads were filled. With mini servos in the tail, a heavier motor then it calls for, and 12s 5000 packs I'm still slightly tail heavy. I hope it flys better then it builds
07-19-2020, 11:02 PM
#436
does any one have the user’s manual PDF of caelus?
I purchased this plane 3 years ago
came out of the box
but not fully assembled
now I’m planning to assemble it but have lost the manual.
Ehsan
I purchased this plane 3 years ago
came out of the box
but not fully assembled
now I’m planning to assemble it but have lost the manual.
Ehsan
07-20-2020, 04:39 AM
#439
My Feedback: (8)
Here's a link to the manual: 170 Pattern Caelus - Pattern F3A - TopRCModel SCALE WARBIRDS,JET, PATTERN, BOATS & MULTIROTOR scroll down and you will see "download manual"
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ehsanmorshedi (07-20-2020)
07-20-2020, 10:51 AM
#441
Here's a link to the manual: 170 Pattern Caelus - Pattern F3A - TopRCModel SCALE WARBIRDS,JET, PATTERN, BOATS & MULTIROTOR scroll down and you will see "download manual"
Downloaded the instruction
02-26-2021, 10:45 AM
#442
Great forum thread guys! I know it has tapered off to nothing but for me this is "breaking news"! I received my new Caelus a couple of weeks ago. First I read the RCG forum which was a mistake, one of those threads polluted by a bad apple poster IMHO. Then this thread which is chock full of great information and sharing that most of us enjoy. Lots of good info here.
I have had the initial look over and the finish is very nice, The internal glue joints look very good. Amazing quality. Unfortunately both ailerons are warped, about 2mm at each tip and in such a way that they will combine to roll the aircraft. So if there is any way to safely work that out please let me know as on my own I would be afraid to try it!
I'll be re using the components from a 2m Acuity. A Himax 6330 with Mike's rear mount firewall, Jeti Mezon 90 Lite ESC, Futaba BLS171SV and BLS173SV servos.
I do have a question about powering the system as I have lost faith in the Jeti DSM ESC that was installed in the Acuity. The system used the ESC BEC to power the servos, and that was backed up by a 2s LiPo via the DSM ESC (which has a mag switch). Unfortunately the Acuity augered in after loss of signal on short final. I returned the Powerbox CORE Tx and PB Rx for inspection after the crash and they could find nothing wrong but the flight log showed total power loss, as if the ESC stopped powering the Rx but the DSM did not take over. Until after the crash that is! Now everything works fine again on the bench. But I don't trust it now. Mike at F3A Unlimited had a clever solution to simply plug a backup pack into the Rx after powered up via the ESC and removing it before shut down, light and simple. I also have other battery back up systems I can use with the Jeti ESC. Or I can use a powerbox switch with dual Lipo batteries and not even use the Jeti ESC BEC. With the "one latch" canopy system on the Caelus I don't want to put any holes in the fuselage. Any advice here would be appreciated.
My main takeaways from this thread are as follows:
Reinforce battery tray and gear mount area as necessary, adding as little weight as possible.
Consider mounting rudder servo in tail to make battery placement for CG easier to achieve.
Dial in incidences to start. Expect Tcan to be way off fuselage platform. Wing + .7, Tcan + .3, stab 0 CG aft edge wing tube to 1/2" back from there. It seems everyone has different sweet spot.
Possibly need to work on CF gear legs. On mine there are only two screws each, obviously this could allow rocking of gear fore aft to create wear. What do you think?
And finally those warped ailerons. When trimmed for level flight should I be OK or is that always going to cause problems? I don't have enough experience with pattern flying here.
Although I hope to hear from Caelus owners I gotta love a thread where no one has much to say, because they are all out flying and enjoying their awesome airplane!
I have had the initial look over and the finish is very nice, The internal glue joints look very good. Amazing quality. Unfortunately both ailerons are warped, about 2mm at each tip and in such a way that they will combine to roll the aircraft. So if there is any way to safely work that out please let me know as on my own I would be afraid to try it!
I'll be re using the components from a 2m Acuity. A Himax 6330 with Mike's rear mount firewall, Jeti Mezon 90 Lite ESC, Futaba BLS171SV and BLS173SV servos.
I do have a question about powering the system as I have lost faith in the Jeti DSM ESC that was installed in the Acuity. The system used the ESC BEC to power the servos, and that was backed up by a 2s LiPo via the DSM ESC (which has a mag switch). Unfortunately the Acuity augered in after loss of signal on short final. I returned the Powerbox CORE Tx and PB Rx for inspection after the crash and they could find nothing wrong but the flight log showed total power loss, as if the ESC stopped powering the Rx but the DSM did not take over. Until after the crash that is! Now everything works fine again on the bench. But I don't trust it now. Mike at F3A Unlimited had a clever solution to simply plug a backup pack into the Rx after powered up via the ESC and removing it before shut down, light and simple. I also have other battery back up systems I can use with the Jeti ESC. Or I can use a powerbox switch with dual Lipo batteries and not even use the Jeti ESC BEC. With the "one latch" canopy system on the Caelus I don't want to put any holes in the fuselage. Any advice here would be appreciated.
My main takeaways from this thread are as follows:
Reinforce battery tray and gear mount area as necessary, adding as little weight as possible.
Consider mounting rudder servo in tail to make battery placement for CG easier to achieve.
Dial in incidences to start. Expect Tcan to be way off fuselage platform. Wing + .7, Tcan + .3, stab 0 CG aft edge wing tube to 1/2" back from there. It seems everyone has different sweet spot.
Possibly need to work on CF gear legs. On mine there are only two screws each, obviously this could allow rocking of gear fore aft to create wear. What do you think?
And finally those warped ailerons. When trimmed for level flight should I be OK or is that always going to cause problems? I don't have enough experience with pattern flying here.
Although I hope to hear from Caelus owners I gotta love a thread where no one has much to say, because they are all out flying and enjoying their awesome airplane!
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husafreak (02-26-2021)
02-27-2021, 06:18 PM
#447
Nice layout mgosson. I remember you were using the F3A Unlimited tray and now I can see it is at least 2" aft of the stock tray. I plan to use the stock tray so for sure I will put my rudder servo in the tail with a push pull linkage.
Thanks for the PM too! I am going to copy your Rx power system with a new PowerBox Sensor switch and a pair of 500 mAh Lipo's.
Thanks for the PM too! I am going to copy your Rx power system with a new PowerBox Sensor switch and a pair of 500 mAh Lipo's.
02-28-2021, 05:13 AM
#449
My Feedback: (8)
Those are foam cushions to prevent chaffing of the fiberglass, I use then on all removable canopies. They are manufactured by Secraft and I purchase them from F3A Unlimited. https://www.f3aunlimited.com/hardwar...g/floating-pad
As an FYI I use the removable battery tray because It makes services the interior much easier.
https://www.f3aunlimited.com/powerpl...tray-kit-large
https://www.f3aunlimited.com/gator-r...ket-kit-grcrtb
Feel free to ask any question.
MB Gosson
As an FYI I use the removable battery tray because It makes services the interior much easier.
https://www.f3aunlimited.com/powerpl...tray-kit-large
https://www.f3aunlimited.com/gator-r...ket-kit-grcrtb
Feel free to ask any question.
MB Gosson
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husafreak (02-28-2021)
03-19-2021, 01:26 PM
#450
Keep it going
Great forum thread guys! I know it has tapered off to nothing but for me this is "breaking news"! I received my new Caelus a couple of weeks ago. First I read the RCG forum which was a mistake, one of those threads polluted by a bad apple poster IMHO. Then this thread which is chock full of great information and sharing that most of us enjoy. Lots of good info here.
I have had the initial look over and the finish is very nice, The internal glue joints look very good. Amazing quality. Unfortunately both ailerons are warped, about 2mm at each tip and in such a way that they will combine to roll the aircraft. So if there is any way to safely work that out please let me know as on my own I would be afraid to try it!
I'll be re using the components from a 2m Acuity. A Himax 6330 with Mike's rear mount firewall, Jeti Mezon 90 Lite ESC, Futaba BLS171SV and BLS173SV servos.
I do have a question about powering the system as I have lost faith in the Jeti DSM ESC that was installed in the Acuity. The system used the ESC BEC to power the servos, and that was backed up by a 2s LiPo via the DSM ESC (which has a mag switch). Unfortunately the Acuity augered in after loss of signal on short final. I returned the Powerbox CORE Tx and PB Rx for inspection after the crash and they could find nothing wrong but the flight log showed total power loss, as if the ESC stopped powering the Rx but the DSM did not take over. Until after the crash that is! Now everything works fine again on the bench. But I don't trust it now. Mike at F3A Unlimited had a clever solution to simply plug a backup pack into the Rx after powered up via the ESC and removing it before shut down, light and simple. I also have other battery back up systems I can use with the Jeti ESC. Or I can use a powerbox switch with dual Lipo batteries and not even use the Jeti ESC BEC. With the "one latch" canopy system on the Caelus I don't want to put any holes in the fuselage. Any advice here would be appreciated.
My main takeaways from this thread are as follows:
Reinforce battery tray and gear mount area as necessary, adding as little weight as possible.
Consider mounting rudder servo in tail to make battery placement for CG easier to achieve.
Dial in incidences to start. Expect Tcan to be way off fuselage platform. Wing + .7, Tcan + .3, stab 0 CG aft edge wing tube to 1/2" back from there. It seems everyone has different sweet spot.
Possibly need to work on CF gear legs. On mine there are only two screws each, obviously this could allow rocking of gear fore aft to create wear. What do you think?
And finally those warped ailerons. When trimmed for level flight should I be OK or is that always going to cause problems? I don't have enough experience with pattern flying here.
Although I hope to hear from Caelus owners I gotta love a thread where no one has much to say, because they are all out flying and enjoying their awesome airplane!
I have had the initial look over and the finish is very nice, The internal glue joints look very good. Amazing quality. Unfortunately both ailerons are warped, about 2mm at each tip and in such a way that they will combine to roll the aircraft. So if there is any way to safely work that out please let me know as on my own I would be afraid to try it!
I'll be re using the components from a 2m Acuity. A Himax 6330 with Mike's rear mount firewall, Jeti Mezon 90 Lite ESC, Futaba BLS171SV and BLS173SV servos.
I do have a question about powering the system as I have lost faith in the Jeti DSM ESC that was installed in the Acuity. The system used the ESC BEC to power the servos, and that was backed up by a 2s LiPo via the DSM ESC (which has a mag switch). Unfortunately the Acuity augered in after loss of signal on short final. I returned the Powerbox CORE Tx and PB Rx for inspection after the crash and they could find nothing wrong but the flight log showed total power loss, as if the ESC stopped powering the Rx but the DSM did not take over. Until after the crash that is! Now everything works fine again on the bench. But I don't trust it now. Mike at F3A Unlimited had a clever solution to simply plug a backup pack into the Rx after powered up via the ESC and removing it before shut down, light and simple. I also have other battery back up systems I can use with the Jeti ESC. Or I can use a powerbox switch with dual Lipo batteries and not even use the Jeti ESC BEC. With the "one latch" canopy system on the Caelus I don't want to put any holes in the fuselage. Any advice here would be appreciated.
My main takeaways from this thread are as follows:
Reinforce battery tray and gear mount area as necessary, adding as little weight as possible.
Consider mounting rudder servo in tail to make battery placement for CG easier to achieve.
Dial in incidences to start. Expect Tcan to be way off fuselage platform. Wing + .7, Tcan + .3, stab 0 CG aft edge wing tube to 1/2" back from there. It seems everyone has different sweet spot.
Possibly need to work on CF gear legs. On mine there are only two screws each, obviously this could allow rocking of gear fore aft to create wear. What do you think?
And finally those warped ailerons. When trimmed for level flight should I be OK or is that always going to cause problems? I don't have enough experience with pattern flying here.
Although I hope to hear from Caelus owners I gotta love a thread where no one has much to say, because they are all out flying and enjoying their awesome airplane!
I get mine this week. Up to date pics and tips are good to see. Hopefully no warped parts.
