RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Thanks, guys. It was my hope that posting pix and describing the challenges I face, along with the many helpful solutions would benefit others as well as me! :D

Heliaction, were you able to insert the servo after you had the frames connected, or did you, as clutchbob suggests install the servo on the inside with the frames apart? I REALLY don't want to go through the frame assembly process again. :) It wasn't hard, just a PITA to get the first couple of screws and sleeves in place. I started with the motor mount and worked my way back from there, securing one sleeve one sleeve in the frone and one in back on one side. Once the first two or three were in, the rest was simple, thank goodness!

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Here is another question for the collective. Now that I have completed the first couple of steps of the V2 assembly, my thoughts are turning to that magical time in the future when I will be actually flying this bird! [8D] I am starting to think about what supplies and specialty tools I will need.

First, let's talk batteries. Here is what I have for the TREX so far:

1 Align 11.1V 22C 2100 mAH
1 E-Flite 11.1V 20C 2100 mAH

I'm thinking that I should get two more packs. What is recommended?

(I also have 2 11.1V 15C 1800 mAH packs for my Typhoon 2. Will these be at all usable for the TREX? They are electrically and physically compatible, but I'm not sure if the lower capacity will work)

Second, lets talk chargers. I need a better one. Right now, all I have is two E-Flite balancing chargers. I'd like to get a charger that has a cell balancer built in and I'd like it to connect the pack via JST balancing tap connectors. I'd rather not spend $300 on a charger at this point. Something closer to the $100 range would be good. I have been looking at the DN Power Charger and separate DC PWR supply...

Third, blade balancers. I don't have one right now. I can easily pick up an Align balancer at my LHS. However, a Heli guy at another LHS said that "as long as I was buying good quality Align blades, I didn't need to worry about it". I'm curious as to other's opinions on this matter. If you recommend a balancer, is the Align good enough, or should I spend $30 - 40 on a more precise unit?

Fourth, other specialty tools. Items in this category include a watt meter / ammeter, head speed tachometer, IR temp. gauge, and other things that I cannot think of that you may have suggestions for.

I have already ordered a set of Gorilla landing gear and the Gorilla paddles. ;) They should be here next week. I'll run the stock Align landing gear setup until it breaks and then replace. Should I go ahead and replace my flybar paddles with the Gorilla set right away? I'm thinking of adding the additional weight to the Gorilla paddles to make the Heli a bit smoother for my n00by-ness. :D

Okay. enough questions for one post. Thanks, guys!

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Try them, I think they will work. Most of my batteries were first flown in Airplanes. As long as 11.1 v I use them. You will notice slightly different head speeds based on how the battery performs. Since I am not too extream, this has not been as issue for me.

I have two Great Planes Triton chargers. Nice chargers but now with 7 good batteries, I was always around the charger changing batteries. I since purchased a PolyCharge 4:
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKAU0&P=ML[/link]
Although it does not tell me how much current I put back in, it does charge 4 batteries at once. I use seperate balancers. It does require a power source though and now and then tower has a $10 discount on it.

I just screw the blades together and if needed use Align's tape on one of the blades. Save your money for another battery.

I have all the things you mention but only use the head tach for my heli. The head tachs are a little pricey so you may want to borrow one at your local club. You will use them to get setup and then it will sit.

I did, however I did not notice much difference. Another heli guy flew my TRex and thought it was a little more responsive though without the weights.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Thanks, P-47, for your reponse. I looked at the polycharge, but it uses banana plugs and I did not see an adaptor for the JST balancing tap connectors that I have on ALL of my packs. I looked at the links on the site and saw a few adaptors, but not that type.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

I use both of the below which include a connector that goes into the balancer plug.
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRWF6&P=7[/link]
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMGS7&P=7[/link]

I also use Thunder Powers balancer for those battery that require it. Dah:D

They all do things a little differently but with the same outcome.

I made up sever leads to charge with...bananas to deans connector, probably the most common and can charge any battery with it since a deans connector is the "standard" I use.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Okay, I see what's up now. So if I bought the charger you listed, if I wanted to charge / balance 4 batteries at once, I would have to buy 4 balancers, right?

On that V-Balance, I see two banana plug leads for the charger input and two banana plug leads exiting to the right. What are those leads for? Also, is the JST balancing connector right there on top as it appears in the photo?

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

I'm new to this, so forgive is this is a stupid question, but is it normal to pay over $100 for a DC PWR Supply, such as is listed as an accessory for the Polycharge 4? I can get a 15 Amp supply fom Radio Shack for $89...

Do I need a 15 amp supply? I don't mind shelling out the bux now if this is something that will carry me forward in my RC hobby for several years. I'd rather shell out now for something that will meet my needs 3 years from now, rather than skimp now and have to shell out again later anyway. On the other hand, money doesn't grow on trees, so I'd like to keep it to a minimum of expense.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

I've been flying my V2 with FlightPower Evo Lite 2500mah 45A continuous. A bit heavier, but that's offset by the weight of the 9650 servo on my boom. They offer a bit more flight time, but I shut it down after 8 min. so I couldn't give you a maximum.

The Celectra stuff from FMA is real quality stuff. Any adapter you need can be made if you have good soldering skills.

I have a Heli-Max blade balancer, I don't think it was expensive at all. It will find the CG of an individual blade and also balance the pair. The blade tray rides on bearings and there's a bubble level to keep things precise. Part of the fun for me is in setting up my heli, so I enjoy doing this. I've found that the Align blades are pretty well balanced out of the box, but I have added tape to all of them.
The more tools the better.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Correct, however I only own the three balancers I mentioned. One battery does not get balanced during the charge process or when a single battery finishes up I will move the balancer over to the one that did not have a balancer on it. (assuming the right balancer plug - not all batteries are the same and as time goes on, different batteries are aquired)

The bananas on the right I cut off and replaced with a male dean plug that plugs into my battery. That's the main supply of charging current. The tower picture does not show the balancing connector. In the review [link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=883[/link] they do show a picture with the balancing cables provided. That is what connects with your batteries balancer input. Make sure that if you purchace this balancer (or any balancer), the balancer connector is compatable with your batteries.

Any DC source will work. The PolyCharger has 4 outputs each capable of 3 amps max of charging current. So 3x4=12. So a 13-14 plus amp power supply will do the job, allowing an amp or two extra for the electronics of the charger. I am a ham radio guy and I just use an old power supply I had already. It as a 20 amp supply and the amp meter on it never has exceeded 10 amps of current draw. However, I only have one battery that I can charge at 3 amps, the rest at 2.1 amps. If you look around, you can find a power supply for less than $100 for it. Here is one for $70 but does NOT have the max current you would need if you charged 4 batteries at 3 amps at once.
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX3609&P=ML[/link]
Search on tower for "power supply" and you will see a bunch. A 12vdc, 15 amp max or better (the radio shack you found) would handle this charger with ease. The biggest problem is getting the batteries charged back up after use. So I like charging 4 at once. I usually do not charge at the field.

I hope all that helps and there are no dumb questions.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Yes, it does. I am headed to the LHS where I bought my TREX tomorrow for some parts fopr another Heli. I'll ask him about chargers and see what he has to offer as well.

I guess I am headed to Radio Shack for a 15A Power Supply! :)

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

BryFlyGuy67, what has happened? Where are you now in your build process? A few posts ago you asked about batteries, my favorite is a Flight Power:
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRVZ3&P=ML[/link] If you do a search here or over on runrider, you'll find many good threads on batteries.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Thanks for asking! I have been on hold today. I have not heard from the person that's helping me yet, so I have been asking questions around here and on another forum about how to do the next steps. So, I'm studying up on the tail assembly and reading farther to see what's coming. I know that I need to start thinking about the installing the electronics, so I've been asking questions along those lines. Any info you can offer is certainly welcome!

I did head to the LHS today and got a LiPo balancer and a better charger. It's a HobbiCo. I think I may return it because it's not really what it advertises. It claims to be able to charge at 2A, but the instructions say that it won't charge a LiPo at any more than one amp. The catch being that it can do to packs at once (with the right connectors) [&:]. I like the balancer. Forget the name at the moment. I'll post that later. I do need to find some decent charge leads somewhere, or make them myself. What do you do?

Soo. I plan to start working on the tail tomorrow night and on Sunday. I'll post more updates as I they happen! ;)

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Sounds good BryFlyGuy67,

1 amp charge is not good. That almost doubles your charge time. The battery I mentioned in my last post allows you to charge at 2C. So it being a 2170mA battery, you can charge at 2170x2 or 4.3 amps. By the way, the PolyCharge I mentioned cannot charge at that rate but I can charge it at up to 3 amps with it. The other thing you may think about is safty with LiPo's - not saying that you haven't:D. I use both an old ammo box and also a LiPo Sack [link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSEA5&P=ML[/link]

I bought some bulk test lead wire such as found from the Mouser catalog at the bottom of the page... [link]http://www.mouser.com/catalog/631/893.pdf[/link]
and built my own. My common connector is the Deans Plug which I think most people use. I purchased a number of them from some guy at a swap meet selling them for a $1 a piece. They might have been knock off's but they are of good quality.

Dou you have a sim to practice on?

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

I hear you. THis morning I headed back to my LHS and exchanged the Hobbico charger for something a little more expensive: an Elictrify Triton Jr. Pix are attached of the old setup and my new setup charging a pack for my CX2. Thanks for the link to the LiPo bag! I'll definitely order one. Right now, I just keep my charging packs on a fireproof workbench, which is good, but the LiPo bag would be better. As far as test leads, I bought a set of the Blue connectors. They're not Deans, they're the other kind. I'll post a pic later. I've got my soldering station setup and I need practice anyway, so I might as well start on that first, eh? :)

I do have a sim. It's RealFlight G3.5. I have a TREX model for it and I HOPE that the model is pretty close to the real thing. I also have a model of a Thunder Tiger E325 Mini-Titan. The thing is, the model for the Titan flies much better than the one for the TREX. I'm hoping that the REAL TREX will fly like that! :) I am making it a point of practicing on the TREX model, though. Right now, I am just working on hovering and, since it's a sim, trying to get a better feel for the throttle / pitch and the cyclic controls.

BTW, these pix are NOT where I normall charge my LiPos.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Okay. I got the tail pretty much assembled. All I need to do now is to the tail rotor blades and the CF fins that come with it. I've also temporarily lightened the boom clamp in the frame to hold everything together. Pix are attached and the PhotobUcket album is apdated as well.

What is the next logical step after the tail assembly? Is it time for me to warm up my soldering iron and get the plugs for the motor. battery and ESC soldered? Should I mount the motor and ESC after that? What about installation of main gear and the head and shaft? Are the swash plate servos next?

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

I think you will like the Jr. I have the regular Triton (1st generation - no longer sold) and you'll like the ability to know how much current you put back in the battery. Come winter when you store a LiPo, it should be stored at a 40-50% charge. I think on batteryuniversity.com they explain the why behind what I said. I notice you are in MI so your flying season is about over as well. I suggest that you not but any additional LiPos until you need them next spring. The reason being is that the battery degrades even if not used. i.e. Once manufactured, some chemical reaction starts that causes the battery to age even when not used. I am not sure if a better explanation is on batteryuniversity webvsite or another one... I don;t remember.

You'll have to let me know where you found a good TRex for it. I downloaded one from somewhere and could never get it to work. That was last winter so maybe its been updated. Go through the 26-27 lessons on hovering, they're great. I also noticed a GP 4.0 sim is suppose to be announced this week.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

I know the manual is not really a step by step kind of manual but I just when through page by page from the beginning and just made sure the things on that page were done.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

BTW, those little plastic thingies that guide the pushrod going to the tail from the servo mounted on the boom, I taped those in place until I was sure they were where I wanted them. Then I placed a little drop of CA on them to hold in place. When you have a crash (notice the word "when":D) and the boom is bent, use a little CA debonder and the plastic thingies will loosen right up to go on the new boom.

Sorry for the edit's I keep noticing spelling bobo's.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Thanks for the tip. One thing I like about the Triton Jr. is that it also has the ability to cycle (discharge) LiPo packs as well as charge them. This winter, I plan on doing this on a rotation of all may packs that I can't use because of weather.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

At what point should I install the head and main gear into the frame? What about the motor?

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Since the boom/tail is built on page 12, and yours is finished, page 13 shows the head, main gear, motor and tail boom installed. Now it starts to look like a heli:D! Page 14 on come the electronics.

BTW, on page 13 they indicate belt tension, everywhere I read and the guys I know say follow the directions and make the belt a little looser. And, do some searches on runrider.com for belts and TRex. You'll find Gates and Maverick belts recommended over the Align belts. I psrsonally have had the Align belt break after 40-50 flights. After about my 4th belt (I'm a slow learner[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]) I ppurchased a Gates belt. I am upto flight 60 on it and it shows no wear yet. I also ordered some Maverick belts to check them out too. You'll find good stuff on the other forum not to say good stuff isn't here too.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

I have been reading a little about the tail belts. I have heard those names mentioned, especially the Gates belt. I have already ordered Gorilla Gear and paddles for the new Heli, so I might as well get a couple of these Gates belts. Got a link? If you don't, I am sure I can find it for myself.

I noticed that there is a hole at the bottom of the mail gear. I assume that this hole should line up with the hole in the shaft and then a screw / nut attaches it?

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Part # T-HT1003 Tech High Performance Drive Belt - 397T (For 347mm Boom)
Made of Neoprene by Gates (Japan) well known for top of the line belts
[link]http://www.techmodelproducts.com/trex_450_parts.php[/link]
Maverick - This is what I ordered - has not come in yet though.
[link]http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=881003[/link]

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Missed this....
Yep, use a little blue locktight but just snug up. Make sure you don't let a little collar (part no 55 on page 28) get lost. It fell out the first time I went down the path you are now on.

RE: TREX SE V2 Build Log
 

Okay, I'll make a note to check on that and make sure it's there.

Regarding the TREX model in RF, I originally had one that was called TREX450microHELIS that was supposed to be the good one, but when I would try to fly it, it would go nuts on me. I do have another tREX model that works, but it's at home. If I get time tonight, I will try to send it to you. So RF 4.0 is coming out soon, huh? I hope I get a free upgrade, since I just purchased it a month ago!

BTW, I was browsing over at Knifeedge.com and there are a group of people working to make a TREX V2 model. It sounds as if there is a whole team working on it, so hopefully, we get something soon.

I do have a model of a THunder Raptor Mini Titan e325. How would that Heli compare with the TREX? I ask because the Mimi Titan flies a lot easier than the TREX model I have.

Sometimes I wonder about those imported models, though. For example, I have 2 Blade CX2's. I found a CX2 model on Knifeedge.com and it doesn't really fly all that much like a real CX2, in my opinion.