RE: flyzone diablo
 

Despite reading a few negative things on here about this plane, I have to say I am impressed with it after flying my brother's for the first time today. All of this modding for what? I was flying the plane 100% stock in wind with no problems for over 15 minutes and I landed it nice and easy. It flies great even at under 50% throttle. I thinks its a good looking plane too and you can get parts with ease not to mention the easiest plane to put together. Another thing I thought was really good is the way the plane is built. The wings attach, not glue, the canopy uses magnets, all the electronics are easy to get to. I really like it and surprised to see others that don't. One thing I did notice, it seems the elevator control surface is rather small but it never seemed to matter once that thing got flying. Probably a great second plane after someone masters a super cub and they want to try their hand out with edf jets.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

paul: tell me more about watt meters and how they work if you don't mind.

animal: you should talk to the guys at hyperflow. they might be able to shed some light on this.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Aircraftking: There are a lot of better second planes out there than the Diablo. I think the Diablo is a first plane since it's so slow.

Northchim: The watt meter is a must have if you are going to stick around in electrics and especially experiment with set ups outside of what comes from the factory. If you take an electric out of the box and stick with the same power set up, you will be fine. However, when you start going to bigger batteries and more powerful motors, that's where you need one. There are really two things that you want to see on a watt meter. First, how many amps your set up is drawing. If you have a 25 amp ESC and pushing 40 amps through it, you are going to cook something. The other item is watts. I have an Astro Flight. You can get a compete description by going to their site:
http://www.astroflight.com/store/sto...ZnVlEU4Ok2g1C6
They cost about $50 and will save you money down the road.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

paul: Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

I agree Paul , thank you for the info. I felt like I had done my homework before but now I know better, life's lessons are sometimes bittersweet.

North: Im not sure if hyperflow will be of any help since I bought an e-flite motor from horizon hobby, can you be more specific as to what they may be able to tell me? I do understand why you went with the set up from them now, it takes the guesswork out of trying to marry up different components. In leiu of a watt meter. I do want one now.

Lastly: When is this L-39 coming out it looks like the brushless guts of a diablo in a better plane.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

AC: The L-39 was supposed to come out right about now. It's going to have the same set up that the Syapse has. I was not impressed with that when I flew it and sold it. The L-39 sure looks cool though. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket and have to buy something now, I would take the sure thing, the Twister. And no, I do not work work them.
Paul

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Thanks paul, but the twister is a larger plane than I want to fly for now, but it is nice.
My LHS guy told me to look on this site for a plan or layout for the twin brushless diablo but I cant find it, Now I know this plane is a turd but I am curious so if you or anyone knows of this stuff please do tell.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Paul: I bought a watt meter today.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

I ordered a new motor today, An Ammo 20-40-4040 this one will not burn up like the e-flite did. I looked at the park 400 4200 kv by e-flite but it says the max surge amps was 24 for 15 seconds. Whereas the ammo can go non stop at full power, and its cheaper. What gives? I thought e- flite was so good and this is what I have encountered so far. Remember I am using a 3 cell 1500mah lipo with 1.5 amp max charge.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

North:I saw the funjet that chippedprop has, its very fast, I may look into this one how's yours coming? also the turd.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Hey animal: Funny you ask about my funjet. I just bought all my components today. I will be building my funjet over the next couple of weeks. I bought an e-flight six series 28-36-2700kv inrunner, Hitec HS-65hb servos, SS45 amp esc, Spektrum 6100 receiver, 5.25 x 6.25 prop, and a 3s 25c/50c 2070mAh LiPo. This combonation should be good for around 100mph+. I have always heard good things about e-flight also. I'm sure what happened to you was a fluke thing.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

I know at least one of you saw the light and purchases a Wattmeter. For the rest of you who are experementing with different set ups, you really need to get one of these or you will cook stuff.
Paul

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Yes paul you are right, but I am on a budget, so I will just get up and flying again, then purchase a watt meter. It will obviously save money in the long run. Not to mention frustration.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Just found this forum, enjoyed catching other people's opinions of the Diablo.

My thoughts...

Issue 1 - Radio glitches- Yes, my radio system has a stutter in it. It does odd things even at close range, but hasnt seemed to do so while actually in the air. At least I can't blame any of my crashes on that.

Issue 2 - Weight problems - My diablo flew great right out of the box. I am even flying it now with a 2.5oz wireless video camera on it, no problems. I'll try and post some of the cockpit-view videos soon. I haven't added any weight with any combination of upgrades to make it work, everything has been shifting the battery.

Issue 3 - Underpowerment - With the single power pod and trainer wings, everything was nice until the fan started getting loose. Then it flew like a chicken with clipped wings. With the dual power pod and advanced wings i had the same problem. I used loctite on all the motor/fan junctions, and my problem is fixed. Flies fine with both sets of wings on dual power pod (stock) and fine on trainer wings w/ single. havent tried advanced wings and single pod.

Issue 4 - I get reverb in my fans. In the single power pod at 1/3 throttle i get a positive feedback system going, and things shake terribly. In the dual power pod this happens at 1/2 throttle. I was told to use chokes (magnetic) on my esc wiring... doesnt cure the problem though it seems to help a little. Wondering who else has solved this problem, bc i havent.

Bottom line... I recieved this as a present and I have really enjoyed it. For severe underpowerment, check all your connections. Probably have some slippage going on at the fans. For weight, I must have gotten a better fuselage than most of yall.

Thanks for your feedback

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Hello,
I just got my diablo in from tower yesterday, I plan on taking it up today and will post some results, everything was ok, except 2 things

1. Elevator flap was bend, I took a blow dryer and flatted it out not a big deal
2. CG (center of gravity) was way off, I had to add 1oz to the nose the get her to balance

Heading to the park be right back with the results.
P.S. wind is about 8-10 mph [:o]

RE: flyzone diablo
 

gonna have to try later or tomorrow way too windy.......[:o]

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Jrodri,
I recomend carving out the foam and moving the battery forward rather than adding weight. I would also advise moving the powerpod to the top of the fuse as posted earlier in this thread by northchim I believe. I have been flying daily this week in winds up to 15mph. It is a handful in wind but can be flown. I actually landed it vertical at my feet yesterday with about a 15-20mph headwind. My radio is still glitching with the pod on top but it seems to be less often and nothing serious enough to cause and major problems even at low altitude. I've even had a few while doing low altitude flybys at 5-10' off the ground and have never lost control. Good luck and safe landings.
Sparky

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Guys: Do not add weight to this "chubby bird" carve out something to make a battery fit. It shouldn't take too much. Also, chuck the radio that came with it. You have about a 50/50 shot of flying glitch free. I got rid of mine and put in my a good Futba receiver in it and use my 9C with no problems. It's not really the electronics in the plane that are causing the problem, it's a cheap radio. For you beginners that want to advance in the hobby, you're going to need a better radio anyway. I would not take this to another plane where you would just have another set of problems with a plane that might not be as durable.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

flew her and she just nose up's in the air, almost lost her but she came back safe and sound, been flying 8+ years, but this is my first foamie, i added another .5 oz and she has 1.5oz in her nose, maybe I should cut the battery and move it foward instead?
please advise

RE: flyzone diablo
 

ok, just got back from the park, that .5oz of weight i added made THE WORLD!!! of difference, she flew very well despite the 10-15 mph winds, I just wanna fly...lol anyways good flying not too fast kinda glider type with a little pep. Good landing no damage. So guess the CG needs to be perfect inorder to fly!! i will try to post a flight video soon

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Or, if you have a battery charge besides what is provided, you can go to an 1800 mha battery. Battery weight, better than dead weight.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

While I have had a few glitches they all seem to have been on the channel with the ESC. I have yet to have any issues losing control of the plane that I can blame on the electronics. I did make the mistake of flying in unfavorable conditions a few times before getting back in the swing of flying and learning the characteristics of the diablo. I have more than 20 flights and 15 full battery packs this week alone and all have ended in sucessful landings. I enjoy the plane because I leave it in the truck and fly most every morning before I go into the office in a field beside our parking lot. I keep my batteries fully charged and have pulled off of the road several times to fly at the spur of the moment. My first diablo I paid full price for but I have a second one hanging in the shop from scratch and dent that I bought for $80. I can't see myself spending another $50 on a reciever for my 4EX to put in an $80 plane. I will continue to fly my diablo as-is and if I do crash it beyond repair I will pull down my backup with the new Junk radio and keep on flying. For someone on a tight budget wanting to learn to fly I see nothing wrong with the diablo for less than $100. It's easy to fly once balanced and easy to repair after a mishap. For an experienced pilot, probably not such a good purchase. Newbie with limited funds, CA, epoxy and packing tape are cheap. Fly away.
John

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Paul, I want to get a bigger battery and you mention an 1800mah, would there be a problem with something larger like a 2200mah in 11.1 of course. I also got a new motor from horizon, not contact from them just a new motor, I dont want it though I got an ammo 20-40 4040, tried it today and am loving it. Im gonna call horizon and ask to send it back for a credit maybe a watt meter!
As for the weight and balance issue, I am flying the advanced wing and have my battery all the way forward, and trim all the way down and still she wants to nose up. I must push down a bit on the stick for level flight, but I am happy with it now just more time from a battery would be nice.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

AC: A 2200 might be a bit too much assuming you are using the stock motor or a brushless? That motor you mentioned might work with the battery but I think it's going to be nose heavy. 2000 mha would work though. I get mine at the LHS and they are Common Sense batteries. About $25. If the LHS doesn't have them look on the internet. I have tons of them and they last a long time. Remember the Wattmeter if you're changing things up a lot.

RE: flyzone diablo
 

Concerning higher mAh batteries, what's most important is the weight of the battery, not the mAh rating. The BP1500 3s that comes with the Diablo weighs about 4.1 oz. Hobbico recommends not going over 8oz in batery weight.

I tried a my new set up this evening and I think I may have damaged my esc and hyperflow. I have an Ammo 24-45-3790 powered by a SS35 esc and 4s 2170 mAh Flight Power battery. While testing my set up in the garage, while using my new watt meter (thanks Paul), I was pushing over 400 watts and over 40 amps before I shut it down after hearing odd noise. (I still had more throttle left) Who knows how many RPMs the motor was spinning. I'm going to contact Hobbico and get some answers because this set up was OK'd by them.

I tested the BP1500 3s battery and is came in at about 220 watts at full throttle and 20 amps.