TimD.

My Feedback: (207)

Nice Video !

mackone

Great Video Darod !!

darod07

Thanks guys! I'm glad you like it. This year I've made nearly 100 flights and model performs just great. Winter slowly coming so it's time to put Zero on the shelf. For next season I'm planning to install smoke pump. If only there will be enough room for additional tank....

blackbox747

Hi everyone,

about engine weight vs CG...: With a Saito FG84/FG90 installed, is there any additional weight in the front required to balance the plane at +/- 150mm?
A Saito FG90 has a weight of around 3,5kg, including ignition and Keleo exhaust. If there is still some more weight needed in the front, I could try to fit my Moki S150, which has a weight of 4,5kg including accessories... Power would be more than enough, even too much. But the sound is even better when flying half throttle only.

Regards,
Juergen

CK1

My Feedback: (60)

Yes you will need to add additional weight up front if using the FG90 or the FG84 . I had to add several pounds of weight up front with my FG90 as well as placing all batteries , etc...as far forward in the fuselage as possible .

drorso

My friend (Israel Shaked) had the Zero with Moki 150. He didn't have to add any weight.

However, besides the overpower, the torque is very high, with the huge prop, it was not easy to fly. Also, he had to cut openings in the cowl for the valves covers. Not nice....

darod07

I wonder If you manage to install Moki engine without making any surgery to the cowling. I agree that it would sound better then Saito. But if you have to make an extra cut outs for valve covers.... I would rather fit Saito. Additional weight for correct CG is not a big deal. Saito FG 90 has enough power to fly this model scale like. With Moki will be overpowered... please consider airframe strength. I've read that some models disintegrated during flight.

limodune

Nice fun video , well done

Mike

CK1

My Feedback: (60)

I believe the Moki 150 weighs about 2 pounds more than the Saito FG90 so with careful placement of everything else it's very possible that no additional weight was needed with the 150 to achieve a flyable CG

blackbox747

Saito FG90 has a diameter of 250mm, Moki has 255... I saw a picture of somebody fitting the cowl with a Tygon fuel line around the Saito... so maybe the Moki could fit.
Airframe strength has to be considered, of course.

blackbox747

Ok.... I tried, but the Moki won't fit. FG90 is a perfect fit

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

Gentlemen, need some quick advice please. I have the Saito FG90 on order and may have found a TRC Zero. From skimming over this thread briefly I have some questions please.
1. Retracts. Robart has the electric gear package that includes the tailwheel and spinner. Yes or no? What gear should I avoid??? What is the best gear option???
2. Sierra Gear - Yes or no? Sierra may or may not be able to provide the tailwheel at present.
3. The cowl needs to be the newer version to fit the Saito. Do the recently made Zero's come with the larger cowl?
4. What other accessories do you recommend to order with the plane???
5. Any other quick advice before I pull the trigger.

Thanks and regards,
J. Tab

darod07

1. I don't know know Robart gear performance but with this combo set and considering price looks interesting. For sure avoid Top RC gear set ( retracts & struts) - very poor quality. I purchased only Top RC tailwheel retracts. Need some fiberglassing and reinforcments of tail part of fuselage and so far no issues. For me best main retracts is Electron Evo 40. Bit pricy but worth every cent spent on it. I have self made struts - much heavier then Robart or Sierra.. I've made nearly 100 flights, some hard landings. Never had any issues with Electron retracts. I have small gear bay door under spring load (not operated by servo as designed by Top RC). Even with this additional load for Electron mechanism all is working perfect regardless speed of the plane in the air.
2. I would prefer Sierra gear then Robart - looks much more scale like. Tailwheel retracts from Top RC are acceptable.
3.I believe all newly manufactured models have bigger cowl but it's better to confirm with your dealer shop.
4. Good retracts with dedicated wheels + Top RC spinner ( quite heavy but it will help with balancing, for sure you will need extra lead in front of the cowl) . For others it depends on your needs but no dedicated accessories are required.
5.
- Reinforcement of tail part of fuselage (where tailwheel retracts is mounted)
- Additional dowel on the leading edge at the root of the wings.
- Get rid of crappy 2,6x12 mm screws made of "chinesium" and use good quality

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

darod07 - Thanks for taking the time to reply. Great info.
The Robart package looks good for the convenience, but it's has some bad reviews when searching through the forums.
Below are links to the Robart retracts. Possibly someone can comment their experience with the electrics.
Something I notice from the pictures is the Robart struts have the elbow knuckle on the side which would interfere with the closing of the gear doors.
Regards - J Tab

Top R/C Zero 93" Accessories select from the drop down below – Robart Manufacturing
570302ASP (shopify.com)
160WCZESP (shopify.com)

darod07

I think you mean torque links will interfere with gear doors? In fact robart design of strut is quite scale like, the only thing is torque link is too long and middle joint will extend to the side while working under load. I know somebody found clever solution:

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

Clever. I went back and looked at the post. It would require making a top side mounting ring attachment with a hinge so the door can swing outward.
Unfortunately, I don't have a machine shop to fab one. Could this hardware be available somewhere?

darod07

You don't need any hinge. To attach upper part of door to the strut you can use piece of steel sheet and make a band which you wrap around the strut. Band has to be glued to the strut. Ends of the band you screw to the wooden block attached to the door. Screw will be pivot point of the door when lower part will swing outward.



This is what I did in mine. But because door in my case are not moving at all I used thin aluminium sheet wrapped around the strut just to keep the door attached. In your case this wooden block part must not touch the strut at all. I hope it's clear enough.

LtMash1A

Anyone use carbon fiber wing tubes to replace the aluminum ones? I know Gator RC sells them but not sure about the sizing.

bradley

My Feedback: (-1)

I replaced all 4 tubes with Carbon Fiber. Saved ~ 400 grams on all 4 total.
Top RC Aluminum ones are insanely heavy. Spent a lot of time looking at CF tubes to to get it right .They were perfect. lots of successful flights on the CF tubes with Aerobatics too.
Brad


Amazon

2 of these needed

2
Manufacturer: WHABEST Carbon Fiber
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Return window closed on Nov. 11, 2020
CDN$ 46.88
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1 of this one needed.

Manufacturer: WHABEST Carbon Fiber
Sold by:

WHABEST Carbon Fiber Supplier

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Return window closed on Nov. 11, 2020
CDN$ 25.99
Condition: New

darod07

I ordered my carbon tubes from www.rjxhobby.com

They can make exact size and length you need.

darod07

Hi guys,

Finally I found place for smoke fluid tank so started to work on smoke system. Smoke pump already installed. Additional 500ml tank will be on top of fuel tank. I fabricated another exhaust ring for Saito, smoke nozzle is also self made of brass. I hope it will give visible ammount of smoke.
Another thing which was forgotten...finally my Zero got an arrestor hook😀

darod07

Smoke system is ready. The only inconvenience is that I have to remove upper tank every time before battery placement and engine priming. But this is mostly done only in the begining and at the end of flying day, so no big issue. Smoke pump will make fluid tank empty within 2 minutes with present setting. It's nearly 0 outside, once temp rise I'll try how it works in the garden.

CK1

My Feedback: (60)

I see that you must have sacrificed the luxurious (Not..) cockpit to be able to get that tank in there !

darod07

Nope 😁. Cockpit fits perfectly with additional tank. Otherwise I would scrap smoke project. Cockpit starts just behind the walls of both tanks and no anu modification was necessarry.

CK1

My Feedback: (60)

We must have different cockpits . Mine had to be trimmed bck several inches in the feet /pedal area to clear the fuel tank