help..plane nosediving on launch..

[cartercub]

ok so I haven't gotten my new lipo's yet so I decided to take the plane out today to fly it on the 7 and 8 cell batteries I have..got up and charged both batteries...

got to the park and started to take off...I noticed that the plane was loosing power only when i had the power on and the flap thing pulled back...

I got it up a couple times only for like 3 seconds...what do you thing is wrong...both batteries charged for atleast a hour before they showed fully charged....and I bought new remote batteries as well..

cause of this my plane took quite a nose dive and now needs repair on the wings, nose cone, propeller and wheels...what a bummer..

any ideas...

[SCC]

Hi cartercub.
Check that your Low voltage cut off jumper is still in place.


Another popular reason for loss of power are the Tamiya connectors. Mine lasted about 15 plug ups before they started to play up. The rolled pins start to open up and a good connection is lost. Changed mine to Deans and never had a problem since.


If you are using the stock car charger it could of shown a false reading, they are not that good.

One last thing, did you make sure ACT was off ?

[cartercub]

I always try to take off with the act on...then when I get up there I take it off..

so I went in by your pictures and looked everything over.. looked good.

so I checked the battery. still had a good charge but it seems when I walk away more than 10-15 feet the power still cuts out when I have some throttle and the flaps pulled in any direction..

I am going to hobbytown usa today...for replacement parts and some of those dean connectors...hopefully they work.

thanks for the help so far

[flydiver]

Disable ACT! REMOVE! DESTROY!
The WORST time to use it is on take-off and landing. It REMOVES control from the pilot and effectively neutralizes control. Close to the ground you have NO chance of recovery. Marketing trash, don't believe it.

Agree with SCC, Tamiya connectors get old and lose their connection. Change them.
And, the PZ chargers are not too good. I had one that would NOT charge more than 5" without kicking out and 5 that died. OK, one was my fault but the others were not.

fly

[cartercub]

I love this site..you guys all have great advice for a rookie flier..

I will replce those connectors...and see what happens..I am hoping to have the lipos in the next couple of days or so...


thanks again..and any advice is more than welcomed...

[flydiver]

Since we're ladling out good advice I suggest getting a GWS 10x6 HD prop (NOT slow fly) or an APCe 10x5 (thin electric) - they are almost equivalent. Using 3S on that system pushes it to the edge electronically. Some have done fine, quite a few have been known to melt down, usually the ESC/RX. These props are cheaper than the somewhat lousy PZ prop anyway.

Comb the site for other reinforcement mods too (wing, struts, battery box, tail, etc.). It's a tough plane but there are a number of known weaknesses, especially in the hands of new fliers.

I generally suggest prop savers but at that level of power they start to become unreliable.

fly

[cartercub]

still waiting on my new lipo's ...but they will be here soon...

as for the act...all I have heard is that it is a waste of space for this plane...

please let me understand this right.. don't use it....I will try it out when I get my new parts...just spent another $25 on replacement parts that I have already replaced twice..lol...i'm a sucka for this plane...

[mrmugen]

Yes indeed....toss the ACT. It will make you crash more than not.

Kevin

[pvtzemerak]

mrmugen and scc, they have great ideas

[cartercub]

Thanks all again..I unplugged the batteries and plugged them back in after it said it was charged...it worked.. that was my problem..batteries weren't recieving full charge

then decided to fly without the act...oh I was scared..but it went well..fly for about 20 minutes..got allot of loops in and even some low passes...

then switched battery and put it into the ground again.lol..

But thanks again for all the answers...

[higgsbosonman]

ACT only works once your up to a safe altitude (150+ feet) and is a pain in the @!#$% after that. i was doing a landing and forgot to turn it off, and three feet above the ground, the motor shuts off, elevator pulls up, plane leans right, and cartwheels. a little epoxy and it was good. NEVER USE ACT. see if yu can have an expirienced pilot get it up into the air for you and than trade the controller. same thing for landing.