RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Thanks for the info Greg,

Your right. The size intimidation is definitally there. It certainly looks like a great package deal and it's a great price. It would be nice to have a real radio and not have to worry about getting all the components correct.

Now the really hard part, to get the wife to understand. I don't think I can hide a plane that big haha :)

Thanks again.

Eric

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

morning Greg,

in your grass take off video it sounded very windy ? and i was just wondering what type of wing this plane has, is it flat bottom or semisymetrical ? if it was as windy as it sounded and has a flat bottom it flew great ;) .

also a quick qestion about the kokam 11.1 volt 3.2ah battery i know FMA says up 64 amps but that seems a bit high whats the most you have pushed through these packs ? thanks in advance



mitch

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Hi Mitch,

The Magister wing is a semi-symmetrical in the front and undercambered in the back or trailing edge.

As with any Lithium cell, I recommend your maximum throttle be equal to the continuous current rating of the pack.

Regards.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Greg,

so with the FMA pack your saying you should run as close to the max amps as possible ? not to far under ? i have a trainer plane that i have converted to electric and im running a graupner 700 BB motor with a 2: 1 belt drive unit, turning a 12X8 prop.(SET UP PER HOBBY LOBBY ADVISE) it pulls about 45 amps and watts are at about 600 with 14 cells of GP 3300s . would this pack of kokams work well with this set up ? thanks again.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJSJ2&P=0

mitch

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Mitch,

One of the hidden characteristics about all Lithium cells (Truth vs. Marketing) is that if you push them beyond their rated continuous current, you greatly reduce the lifespan of the cell. Unfortunately, many manufactures will not publish cell cycle data per current draw and use attractive marketing techniques to sell their product. As an employee of FMA Direct, I can tell you that only Kokam cells will have this type of data made public.

Keep in mind that the same thing is true for NiCd and NiMH cells. The recent testing on the new 2-cell Scorpion system in the R/C car world has simply blown every existing battery technology away. Look for these results to be published in Fly RC and R/C Driver magazines. The typical NiMH car pack lasted about 20 cycles and the Scorpion packs (2-cell Kokam 3.2AH) lasted over 200 cycles and was still working. This same system will be released in the R/C airplane world first as 2-cell "Balance Pro" packs and then this summer as 2s to 6s Skyvolt packs using 1p to 3p Kokam 2AH and 3.2AH cells. The real key to performance here is Lithium technology, unique Kokam cell plate designs, balancing cells on charge, monitoring cells for discharge minimum voltage, and only charging to 90% instead of 100% voltage.

To answer your question, you can always run a pack under the rated continuous current level without issue. For replacing your 14-cell NiMH pack, you would want a 4-cell Kokam 3.2AH pack (or two 2-cell packs in series). This would drop your plane RTF weight over 1/2 pound so you will also see improved power level and duration.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Greg,
do you know by chance what the max AMP rating is on the ESC that comes with the magister ? ive looked on the multiplex website and could not find any info on it . since its such a good flyer with that motor setu ive bought an extra magister motor set up to try in my super sportser EP ;) just trying to see if i can use the ESC(rated at 30 AMP) that came with the sportster or if i need to replace it. thanks again for ALL your help.

mitch

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Mitch,

I believe that the stock Magister ESC is between 30-35amps.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Greg.

Did you ever convert the Magister to be able to use 3-cell lithium batteries and lengthen flight times?

Other than short flights, is the basic set up powerful enough to handle mild windy conditions (10 - 15 mph)?

Jorge

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Jorge,

Yes I did and it works fantastic!

The stock 1900mAh NiCd packs produce short flights when performing aerobatic maneuvers. I would typically get about a 5 minute flight depending upon the amount of aerobatics performed. I replaced the stock ESC with a JES030 Jeti 30 Amp Microprocessor Motor Controller from Hobby Lobby to try the 3-cell Kokam 3.2AH pack which would provide 150% flight time with 2-cells more power and an incredible weight loss of 6.5oz! The 3-cell Lithium pack hop-up not only lightened the Magister but provided longer more spirited performance.

Something to consider once you have improved your flying skills from trainer to intermediate level.

If RCU doesn't post my review soon, i'll post a link to my unformatted submission here.

[link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jeti.htm]JES030 Jeti 30 Amp Microprocessor Motor Controller[/link]

[link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/kokam.htm]FM32003 Kokam 3 Cell 11.1V, 3200 mAh LiPoly Pack[/link]

or

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJSJ2&P=ML]FMA Direct/Kokam 3-Cell 3200mAh Pack w/Deans Connector[/link]

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

I bought the Magister based on the recent review in RCM Magazine. I have to admit, I'm a little disapointed in the power of this plane. Mine will not take off from a grass field with the stock motor, battery and esc. Plane has to be hand launched when on grass. One of the interesting things mentioned in the magazine article was the fact they crashed the Magister on purpose to test the foam construction of the plane. The article said there was no damage at all. I was flying with my son today and he was taking off from pavement when he veered to the right and struck a pole with the right side of the wing at about 10ft. in altitude. The wing came off and the fuselage nose dived into the grass. Guess what? The foam had really minor damage, but the motor gearbox was destroyed on impact. While the wing has absolutely no damage, the blind nuts that the wing bolts screw into were completely ripped out of the fuselage. Landing gear was bent fairly bad. I got a lot of repairs to do on this plane. Does anyone know of a gear box replacement for this plane? I would hate to have to buy another motor and gearbox combo for this plane at $50.00 if it gets damaged again. It doesn't apear that Multiplex sells the gear box seperately.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Greg,

I still have not been able to see the two videos you posted.
I click on the web link but get an error (Page not found)

Where can I see the two videos?

Jorge

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

I've been learning on the Magister for for over a month, I bought the RTF kit, followed instructions, went to my local field, found a Sr. Pilot and got in the air. All this said my Ups and Downs for the plane are, Ups its tough and can withstand takeoff, flight and landing pilot induced errors, downs the battery supplied is under power for grass take-off with very short flight time, the gear box and prop arrangement don't handle even a low speed pilot induced error without damaging the prop shaft or gear box to the tune of $23.00. But all said, the kit includes a good radio system that has allowed me to buy and build other Multiplex !QUOT!park flyer's!QUOT! class to practice in between trips to the big field.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

I hosted the videos of the Multiplex Magister again for both pavement and grass takeoffs. It was very windy on the day we took the grass takeoff video. The winds gusted from 5-15mph.

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/rcu3/Magister1.wmv]Magister - Grass Takeoffs[/link] (9.1meg)

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/rcu3/Magister2.wmv]Magister - Pavement Takeoffs[/link] (4.4meg)

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Hi greg,

I am getting the 'Page Not Found' when I try and view your two videos. I would love to see them though...

Sam

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Great videos of the Magister.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how smooth it was flying even though it was quite windy.
I fly my Parkzone J-3 Cub on windy days, but I struggle with it trying to keep it flying straight since it gets bounced around easily in the wind.

Thanks for the videos. I think I'm ready for the Magister!

Jorge

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

No problem. I think the review on RCU will be out this week or next.

My ESC swap and hop-up to a 3-cell Lithium pack boosts the flight time and grass take-off power. These were two of the issues mentioned by s3tbolt above. As for the prop and gearbox not liking to get crashed...well that's a user skill issue.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Greg.
Here is the quote I got from Hobby Horse:

I ASKED FOR THIS:

> > Replace the 1900mAh Motor Battery with a 3 cell li-po battery series
> > 4000+mAh
> > Replace the Hitec 308 Motor Battery Charger with one for the li-po
battery
> > Replace the M32 Speed control with one that will handle the above li-po
> > battery

HERE IS THEIR RESPONSE:

Jorge,
The battery that we were talking about in a three cell will not have enough
power to fly the Magister. With the AXI 2820/12 outrunner motor and
controller, which is $188.00, you will need a 6000 mah battery with 5 cells
series and 3 cells parallel. The battery costs $339.95.
You will need the Astro 120 Lipo charger which is $129.99.
Thanks
Hobby Horse

THE BATTERY COSTS $339.95 AND CHARGER IS $129.99 ???

Did I ask for the wrong set up?

I don't think I can afford all of this at this time!

Any comments or help will be greatly appreciated.

Jorge

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

charger wise I'd get a Hobbico [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEYD4&P=0]accu-cycle elite[/link] for AC charging or [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJDH9&P=0]Kokam Multi Charger[/link] if you're charging from DC.
Hobbico: $140
Kokam: $85

and for the battery.. how about a kokam 3 cell 4000mAh. seems like enough power to me? it's rated at 60 Amps. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKBE5&P=7
$132

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Jorge,

The whole thing looks messed up.

Take a look at my rough draft review submitted to RCU [link=http://www.gregcovey.com/multiplex_magister.htm]here[/link].

The Jeti JES030 30 Amp Microprocessor Motor Controller I used to replace the stock ESC can be purchased [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jeti.htm]here[/link] at Hobby Lobby for $45.

The FM32003 Kokam 3 Cell 11.1V, 3200 mAh LiPoly Pack is also sold [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/kokam.htm]here[/link] at Hobby Lobby for $145. You can also purchase it at [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJSJ2&P=ML]Tower Hobbies[/link] for $122.

Note that the Electrifly [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXZJ18&P=ML]C-50 ESC[/link] at Tower Hobbies for $35 will also likely work although it is not Lithium compatible like the Jeti ESC.

Good luck!

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Greg,
Thanks for your response and clarifications. I was getting really confused and discouraged. Great review, by the way!

To summarize, I can purchase the Magister as is for the $299.99 and purchase a higher capacity battery that can be charged with the stock charger for longer flights at same power level. You mentioned in your review that having the front wheel properly set up, take offs on grass is not a problem and there is plenty of power to fly the plane as it comes.

Later on, as I get comfortable flying the Magister, I can then purchase a lipo battery along with a Jeti ESC for added power and longer flights. I will also need a charger for the lipo battery. This will cost me a couple of hundred dollars (I'll add it up later).

I think it sounds possible from a money standpoint.

The only other plane I'm looking at right now is Parkflyers 4-channel Edge 540T that will be available next week. It comes complete with brushless motor, li-po batteries and 72 Mhz radio equipment all for $250. It's not a trainer, it's actually a 3D airplane. Sounds like a little out of my league but I've been flying Parkzone's J-3 Cub and Art-Tech's 182 Cessna without any crashes for quite some time.

Thanks again for all your help and those great reviews! I really appreciate it.

Jorge

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Sounds like you have a good handle on things now.

Since I have the big Hangar 9 33% Edge 540, I must have the new Eflite Mini Edge 540 as well. At least that's how I justify it to my wife. :)

I'll likely be reviewing the Mini Edge 540 for RCU. If not, i'll certainly start a thread on my own build over in the Parkflyer forum. Your Edge 540 model is from Parkflyers.com. Hopefully, they have resolved their 4-channel radio problems by now.

Regards.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Oops! I did not know there was a problem with the Parkflyers 4-channel radio.
Maybe I should wait until some reviews come out.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Parkflyers is very good about returns if you have a problem so you can always try it an see. I would, however, recommend a range check before the first flight.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Finally, my [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=519]Multiplex Magister[/link] review.

On another note, it looks like I'm getting a new 4-channel radio system from Parkflyers.com to see if the range issues have been fixed. Look for my results in the Parkflyers forum in the Cessna 182 thread.

RE: Multiplex Magister RTF
 

Greg,

This is the first time I've ever heard something like this. Would you mind commenting further? No need to go into the technical side of sensored vs sensorless brushless motors, just what it means for Joe Average Flyer.

Thanks.