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[jvaliensi]

I have a few capacitor packs laying about. I generally add them to models I care about. RTF foamy's are okay out of the box without the cap's.
YGE has a capacitor pack that looks to be the easiest to install. But they are hard to find; no USA hobby shop carries them.

Accessories – YGE

www.yge.de

I like YGE ESC's because I can get real-time telemetry from them. However, you pay for the feature, because they seem to be the second most expensive ESC on the market.

I have a thrust/test stand for EDF & Turbines. I plan to set up both fans, 12S & 6S to see the difference in thrust and current. I know the 12S will have more, but I never considered limiting it to get longer flight time. Maybe I can program my radio with a throttle limiter and have two flight modes -normal and high speed. Interesting idea!

 

[Konrad]

I've used both the YGE and Castle Creation Caps, both are easy to install. If my Foamies have more that 8 inches of lead I add the caps. Both Hobbywing and ZTW ESC (most foamies have one or the other) benefit from the caps. I hate to loose a model because the foamy project manager was saving a few pennies not including the caps. As they say quality pays it does not cost!

I don't like to limit the full power of my EDF ships by the throttle. This puts a great deal of load on the ESC. I like to select the motor (KV) and cell count (voltage) for the power I want at full throttle. Yes, it means that if I make a mistake I have to buy a motor with the correct KV.

I've been known to set up some 12 cells to have LESS power than the 6 cell set up. I don't like 6 cells if I have an ESC that can take 8 or more cells.

6 cell (lipo) EDF* looks to me to be a lot like the 7 cell (Nicad) trap of old. That is it works but is rather limiting!

I choose 6 cell for my F-14 as going to a "real" set up would have cost me another $200+. Besides its a Freewing foamy not worth the added cost. My foamy Taft Super Scorpion is an 8 cell set up and is a lot easier on my batteries.

BTW: Where do you get your Sebart models.

*I do use 6cell in my smaller 70mm edf.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[jvaliensi]

HI,
I got this Avanti from Neil at SebartUSA. He's taking deposits now for the next shipment. I think they'll get here in early May.
I have a Freeewing Avanti (foam) and a T33. They come 6S out of the box. I upgraded the Avanit to 8S and it moves pretty good. But I upgraded the T33 with the Freewing 12-blade all aluminum EDF and it really goes fast. I think it is faster than the 8S Avanti.
I'm not sure why running an ESC at less than 100% would be hard. on it. The FETS are just going on/off slower. I know that for industrial or HVAC drives (VFD) running some motors at too low of a speed can lead to overheating, but this is generally at 20% speed or less.

 

[gp49]

Where are you finding Denatured Alcohol to hoard?

Western Tool in Livermore sells it by the gallon for about $15.00 They are a machine tool supplier. I'm pretty sure they would do a cash/cc sale at their pickup counter. Because of the Corona virus they were running a little low on supply - call first...

 

[jvaliensi]

Where are you finding Denatured Alcohol to hoard?

I have bought it from Amazon recently and Ebay. Local stores quit carrying it last summer. It blind sided me. Else I would have bought 10-gal from Lowes.
California is getting ridiculous.
The Gov' shut down gun stores, I'm glad I hoard bullets too

 

[Konrad]

It is my understanding that it as a result in switching losses (heat build up).

Our brushless ESC have two basic switching functions. The first is the commutation function that actually turns on and off the field windings. The second is that PWM frequency that actually controls the mean voltage to the windings. At full power this PWM is close to being 100% on. At partial throttle is where we see the PWM actually coming into effect with the associated switching losses. So at partial throttle there actually are more switching losses than at full power. I hope some can see why the higher the PWM frequency the more the motor reacts like it is being fed by a straight DC voltage. But this higher PWM frequency that put more stress on the ESC at partial throttle.

I have to be honest this is why I like to spec my EDF ESC for at least 50% more head room. I know I will be flying at 50% to 70% throttle for most of the flight. With our ESC, peak power (as seen on an oscilloscope) is the same regardless of throttle position. It is the RMS (Root Mean Square, area under the curve) power value that changes. So to protect my ESCs I use a lot of CAPS* and spec my ESC to have 50% more amp head room. An added benefit is that most higher amp rated ESC have a lower on resistance value. This is another added benefit in that more power makes it to the motor. A win, win, for most set up! Ok, there is the added cost and weight of the larger ESC. But if looking at the project as a whole these factors are a minor issue.

*Caps have little to do with the on rating of the ESC it actually has to do with voltage issues as the MOSFETs are turned off. (AKA ripple voltage seen on the input side. Weak batteries and long leads are the issue here, triggering the protection circuits of the MOSFETs).

LOL; You might have seen that box of PMC cartridges in my Attic photo

 

[Konrad]

Love the stock straight wing T-33. I think it is the best Freewing 80mm jet. And she is scale!

I've been thinking of upgrading her to the FMS 80mm 2100KV set up. I have to say I don't really like the "ChangeSun" metal 12 bladed Freewing fan.

 

[thenated0g]

 

[Konrad]

Alright! Not sure where you were going to add the control horn to the control surface. From a resonance perspective (control flutter) you don't want the horn mounted in the middle span of the control surface (node). I like to offset the horn at the 60/40 point maybe even in a more extreme offset.

 

[Wayne]

That lands like a snowflake is encouraging!

The GWS F-15 has always looked like she has had too much wing. With that report I'm thinking it might be workable to cut 30mm from the wing root to get the wing area closer to scale.

Did these both have the stock GWS fans and inrunners?

Seeing how much movement it takes from the full flying tailavons on the F-14 I'm thinking that the GWS set up (directly off the servo output splines) might actually be practical (with higher resolution servos).

A4 on 4 cells how did they look (perform) together?

Yep - using the stock fans. Jarron here does a little side business of balancing props and fans, he loves doing it and he does a great job. The 4S in the A4 seems to be the right fit. I do think the A4 is a little more sporty than the F-15 when it comes to the GWS versions. Both are good flying planes and dirt cheap.

I'm building a Sebart Avanti.

We have the all metal EPF on the way. We picked one up at a show sometime ago and finally tested it on an airframe and have been very impressed. They look amazing and perform and sound as good as they look. Excited to offer them.

 

[Konrad]

Yep - using the stock fans. Jarron here does a little side business of balancing props and fans, he loves doing it and he does a great job. The 4S in the A4 seems to be the right fit. I do think the A4 is a little more sporty than the F-15 when it comes to the GWS versions. Both are good flying planes and dirt cheap.

Yep, Don't I know it! I've used the GWS F-15 more than a few times as the aircraft to get the package deal you have, on the "rest" of the electronics if bought at the same time as an airplane kit. There is nothing in the package deal that says the electronics need to match the aircraft.

 

[Konrad]

HI,
I got this Avanti from Neil at SebartUSA. He's taking deposits now for the next shipment. I think they'll get here in early May.
I have a Freeewing Avanti (foam) and a T33. They come 6S out of the box. I upgraded the Avanit to 8S and it moves pretty good. But I upgraded the T33 with the Freewing 12-blade all aluminum EDF and it really goes fast. I think it is faster than the 8S Avanti.
I'm not sure why running an ESC at less than 100% would be hard. on it. The FETS are just going on/off slower. I know that for industrial or HVAC drives (VFD) running some motors at too low of a speed can lead to overheating, but this is generally at 20% speed or less.

That really is looking like a great product! A far better value than the 80mm Freewing stuff! The cost of entry is a bit higher but the quality is so much more. I'm now in negotiations with SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed). Actually I'm thinking how long could I fly her before the FAA shuts us down.

 

[jvaliensi]

I don't think the FAA will shut us down. From what I understand there were 20K comments from their proposed rule. They are required to read them all and this may take a year or longer. I think there is a path that can satisfy both sides - air safety and the continued freedom to fly traditional model aircraft (TMA). I don't believe any FAA rule making has ever received as many comments as this one did. And I'm not so cynical to believe that the FAA just wants to shut down TMA's. We'll see.
Live like you'll die tomorrow, but dream like you'll live forever!

 

[Konrad]

I hope you are correct. Now as I worked with the FAA weekly almost daily at times I fear it isn't a question of if but rather when. I think it will take a while that is why I finished my F-14 and am working on my SU-35.

This will be my third Freewing Su-35. I got them from MotionRC, when they were a reputable firm just staring out 6 or 7 years ago. As whom one buys a product is almost as important as what the product itself. I now get most (many) of my throw a way (foamy) jets from RC Castle. Yes, it is a bit of a pain and often 2% or 3% more expensive, all said and done. But it is worth it for not supporting MotionRC.

 

[Hank]

I hope your are correct. Now as I worked with the FAA weekly almost daily at times I fear it isn't a question of if but rather when. I think it will take a while that is why I finished my F-14 and am working on my SU-35.

This will be my third Freewing Su-35. I got them from MotionRC, when they were a reputable firm just staring out 6 or 7 years ago. As who one buys a product is almost as important as what the product is. I now get most (many) of my throw a way (foamy) jets from RC Castle. Yes, it is a bit of a pain and often 2% or 3% more expensive, all said and done. But it is worth it for not supporting MotionRC.

View attachment 3514

What happened to Motion RC? Not that I ever was an avid follower of theirs. But I dig juicy gossip.

 

[Konrad]

It was after sales support (engineering is piss poor as is their concern for safety). They (the sales staff) did not know what they were selling as a result gave erroneous information about the products.

Ok, finding good help is problem. MotionRC has been experimenting with remote hiring of support (sales) staff. So I thought it was an issue with the knowledge of the founders (management) wasn't getting down to the staff*.

I asked upper management about the another safety issue, and they stated that the unsafe callouts in the manual wasn't a concern of their as the product had been on the market for years with no issues reported.

Yet, their own flight crew in their own sales video was screaming cut down the rates. I pointed this out to them and tried to give then a detail explanation as to the problem and the correction**. Their response was to not sell me any more products.

I now think the issue is systemic in the corporate structure of MotionRC. In the intervening years this seems to be holding true as you can find a lot of mention of "Motion Sickness" and terms like "LotionRC".

MotionRC is good at replacing failed crap with more of the same crap. If you call this customer support then you would most likely be happy with MotionRC.

I go in to detail here. (Look under any thread with the name Freewing)

Jets

Jets

www.hippocketaeronautics.com

This is also a fun read

Login

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www.hippocketaeronautics.com

Where you buy your products is important!

All the best,
Konrad

*Aloft Hobbies is set up that there is a lot of cross pollenization between the management and the guys on the floor. That is to say there is very good communication going both ways. The staff can and does let management know of issues they see in the product or business. Wayne is fast at letting the staff benefit from his experience. And get this, if they (Aloft) doesn't know the answer they will tell you so! Not like the sales staff at MotionRC where they fake it, a very dangerous way to do business.

**MotionRC has as of late put some notices of this issues on their web site. It is buried somewhere where the customer would not likely see it at first. It is not on the sales page for the product. You might have noticed that Aloft does place a notice on the sales page for major known issues with a product.

Also Horizon Hobbies is very fast with addendum updates should real issues (safety) be found.

 

[jvaliensi]

I got into a pissing match with Extreme Flight a few years back. I bought one of their motors, which were new at the time. The motors required a specific ESC (Castle Creations) with a specific firmware (4.22) and a very exactly setup. I missed something, set one parameter different than what worked. The motor & ESC combo worked perfectly in the shop, but at the field the motor screamed and stopped on take off. I was in a bad spot to loose power and the resulting hit to the ground did some damage to my new airplane. I was not happy. I final discovered the issue and fixed the set up on the ESC.
I wrote the problem on RCG and noted that the manufacturer's instructions were not clear enough. I write construction specifications as part of my career and understand how hard it is to convey needed information clearly and concisely. I welcome constructive criticism, if it makes me better.
Extreme Flight did not feel good about being criticized. Their representative started to attack me on RCG, made him look like the ass he truly is. Their position must be very weak to respond in such a manner; fixing instructions is simple, they could even publish the updates on their web site and RCG.
In the end, I don't send them money anymore and wouldn't recommend their products to friends or otherwise.

 

[Konrad]

... I write construction specifications as part of my career and understand how hard it is to convey needed information clearly and concisely. I welcome constructive criticism, if it makes me better.
...
In the end, I don't send them money anymore and wouldn't recommend their products to friends or otherwise.

I too wrote repair instruction, for the repair of turbine engines and parts. That was the was the most difficult part of repair development. I often made assumptions as to the level of training and competence that the end user had, that often proved to be false. I had assumed that the FAA license meant something, it doesn't! I tried to find the lowest common denominator in the shop. And if he could accomplish the repair as written I knew I had a good repair. It often took several rewrites! Both for my inability to get across information and their inability to apply the information.

Communication is a two way street.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Wayne]

Aloft Hobbies is set up that there is a lot of cross pollenization between the management and the guys on the floor.

Wait just a second, who you calling management? I'm not sure we have that here. It's more like channeled chaos.

I do not believe in meetings. I do not do a lot of things we are told we need to do in business. Instead I try and do what is right. As the company has grown we have had many challenges, growth is very hard to do well. The more people you have, the harder it is to control some of the really important parts of the business. There are so many things to watch for and seems like less and less time to do it all. This is nothing new. I find it best to have my staff help me watch for problems, but many companies do not have this approach, and I feel that is a major flaw.

 

[Konrad]

Sorry, as you know I think corporate management is a bad phrase. But when done right, all can see its benefits!