Carbon Falcon

[nhedler]

Pics of my "packaging" of electronics. Stripped the ESC heat-shrink to solder the motor leads directly, keeping wires short. Big wrap of heat shrink holds the ESC to the frame. Note insulating heat-shrink around carbon tubes to prevent stray conductivity risk.

Antenna whiskers are simple zip ties and heat-shrink - heard of the technique from quads.

 

[Wayne]

Soon the kits will include servos with wires that are shorter to clean up the extra wire mess and eventually we will have the ESC and motors prewired again with correct wire lengths.

 

[miksterr]

I like your rubber band hiding spot: Wayne, I have only flown a couple of times however have already lost a rubber band (Due to poor launch) there are 2 spare included I think but maybe a good idea to include half a dozen as they are tiny and hard to find.

 

[Wayne]

Can do - We buy them on Amazon. We can put up smaller quantities on our site.

 

[RafaelAvila]

I like your rubber band hiding spot: Wayne, I have only flown a couple of times however have already lost a rubber band (Due to poor launch) there are 2 spare included I think but maybe a good idea to include half a dozen as they are tiny and hard to find.

The packs now are included 2x complete sets.

 

[miksterr]

A good idea for sure - the link to Amazon may help.

As with the spares - I am In Australia so the postage will be the hurdle.

 

[Wayne]

No problem, here is the version we have been using, but there are a ton of others out there:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BCPKFLLZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We have been using the latex versions as I think they have a longer life, but rubber should be fine too.

 

[miksterr]

Thanks Wayne - what size (I can se they have locally) Mike

 

[nhedler]

Manual says "rabbit" size, 3/16"x6.5oz

 

[nhedler]

Finding that my battery tray slides around quite easily; I had some bits of silicone tube around that fit the keel rods, so I put a 5mm-long section on each rod behind and in front of the battery tray to stop it. Maybe something to include in a kit update?

 

[Wayne]

If yyou like we can send you a new tray, they should be snug on the keel tubes.

 

[nhedler]

I think the silicone tube bits should do well for me.

 

[RafaelAvila]

I think the silicone tube bits should do well for me.

Also you can do half to 1 turn of clear tape.

 

[hardlock]

Looks great. Slope em yet?

Sure! Here's a link to a coastal video: CF coast soaring

 

[gospike]

I've installed the electronics for the Falcon. I've calibrated the ESC for my Tx. The mounting screws for the motor are not touching the motor windings. When I apply the throttle, the motor chatters a little but doesn't spin. Any troubleshooting ideas?

 

[Wayne]

Please confirm all 3 wires are properly connected. No cold solder joints, loose plugs, etc. Otherwise it may be a bad winding on the motor. Let us know if things look OK and we will go from there.

 

[RafaelAvila]

I've installed the electronics for the Falcon. I've calibrated the ESC for my Tx. The mounting screws for the motor are not touching the motor windings. When I apply the throttle, the motor chatters a little but doesn't spin. Any troubleshooting ideas?

Please make sure the back of the motor is clear from the motor mount. I noticed on a rare occasion the mount has a bit residue from the 3D printing, so it's catching the motor axle clip and does not allow the motor to turn. If I rotate the motor by hand it will start to run free and you don't need to do anything. Or clean it with a screwdriver or a drill bit.

I've modified the motor mounts for future production to avoid any repeats of this issue.

 

[Wayne]

We designed something really cool for the Falcon today!! Can't wait to show you all some pictures. Or maybe we can sneak out and capture some video tomorrow.

 

[Wayne]

We made up a nice very light hang glider pilot! This simple 3D printed pilot is attached via a magnet to the keel so the pilot can simply break away from the main unit in the case of a ground landing.

First flight was a total success despite it being rather gusty out there! Sorry the photos are not very sharp, could not fly it very low with the wind gusts.

We will share the STL files soon if you would like tto print your own, and we will also offer them on the site pre-printed with magnets. Assembly is super simple, and requires 3 drops of glue.

We have thrown the little pilot all over the office here testing for durability and I doubt you will hurt it.

Also works as a kick stand when your Carbon Falcon is not in flight.

Magnets mount means no added stresses onto the Falcon's frame should you need to do a belly landing.

Does not seem to effect the handling of the Falcon, but sure adds a great new look.

 

[Konrad]

Looks great!

Maybe add some curves to the spine so the body doesn’t look so rigid.