How long have I got?

[geoff2474]

Hi Guys

I am very new to this so please be gentle with me. I have had a few sessions with my SC LP. Flying around, landing, back up, landing etc. I am normally out for a total of about half an hour. Not all flying time by any means.

When I place the battery on charge using the stock charger it takes about 30 minutes to charge.

So, as I am charging a 1300mah battery at 1.3A I have in theory used only 50% of the capacity. Now I know I will never be able to use 100% of the battery's capacity, but would assume I could have stayed out for another 5 minutes of flying time.

My real question is; will I, being a complete novice, recognise when the battery pack is getting low? I am not confident enough at the moment to wait for the low voltage cut-out to kill the motor. I can land dead stick if I am on my approach but not sure just how far out I could bring it back from without the motor.

Geoff

[cubcruncher]

HI Geoff

Sounds like your having fun, I have never done a real dead stick landing like you, how long your all-oft really is down to how hard you push her, the standard battery is good from my experience for between 10- 15 Min's of flight, mainly at half throttle, I do notice she gets a little sluggish after about 15 Min's but that's with about 4 takeoffs and landing , not pushed the battery past that point, others will give you the low down on lipos I'm no expert. What I did do was do the battery box mod and stuff a 2200mah battery in, she's a little heavier, landings are a little quicker, and I've never pushed this battery past 20 Min's either, at first used the standard lipo charger to charge this one too, but now I have a turnigy charger, which I must get to grips with. The bigger battery just gave me confidence I think in that I would not run out of juice if I got carried away with my cub flying

James

PS I have uploaded a couple of vids to youtube, see new topics at top of this page, enjoy lol

[geoff2474]

Hi James

Thanks for that. I am not sure howdifferent the low voltage cutout is on mh and lipo batteries. According to the manual you have a maximum of one short power up after it cuts out.

Possibly OK for the experienced flyers out there.

I think I will wait practice bringing her home from somewhere up wind, limiting myself to just one short power up, and see how I get on.

Just a bit too windy today, 16mph. Lets hope it drops towards evening, it sometimes does.

Geoff

[cubcruncher]

Hi Geoff

That's right on both accounts, you get one power up, and you should always fly upwind of yourself, especially as a learner as downwind you could get into all sorts of trouble especially in wind and not be able to get her back to your landing strip, if you loose power.
Also fly at least three mistakes high (high up ;D), that's better than having ACT on, you could also try while your up there is to see if your ACT works, switch it on, and put her into a dive, into wind, she should level out nearly immediately with no input from you! oh yes Pull back on the stick if she doesn't lol

[geoff2474]

Hi James

It could happen this evening, wind speed dropping all the time??

My take on the ACT (see my previous topic) is to disconnect the sensor plugs. then I can use the switch as a duel rate, as when ACT is 'on' it reduces the elevator and rudder servo throws to about two thirds. Which is good for me at the moment as I can be very heavy handed with the controls.

By the way I did try ACT at first and it did exactly what it said on the tin, but apparently it can also cut in at the most inappropriate time and end in disaster. At least my way I will know who to blame, well as long as she is not within earshot.

Geoff

[cubcruncher]

LOL Talking of an ACT initiated crash I have one on video, I will upload it soon, it happened on my third flight on my first day of flying!

[geoff2474]

Look forward to seeing that.

By the way where are you? I guess somewhere in UK.

Geoff

[cubcruncher]

Hi Geoff I'm from Sudbury Suffolk , and yourself?

At the mo I have allot of time on my hands, hence on this forum, as I had a stroke caused by a brain hemorrhage before christmas, bit of a set back but improving all the time, luckily I have youth on my side as I'm only 45, its put my flying on hold, better in winter than summer! :-)

[geoff2474]

Hi James

Sorry to hear you have not been well. Good that you are improving all the time. As you say you have youth on your side.

I am 64 and took early retirement a couple of years ago. Hang on there!! You probably think, lucky bugger with all that time on his hands. Well it is not like that. I do not have a spare minute in the day, how I ever found time to go to work I will never know.

I do, however, find time to fly the SC whenever the wind lets up. I live in South Lincolnshire, between Wisbech and Peterborough, so not too far away from you. We live in the fens so one thing we do have is 'plenty of sky'.

I had a bit of a problem this evening which I will post in the correct section, in a minute.

I had been flying around, a few good landings etc, plus a couple of bumpy ones (am I the only one who admits to having less than perfect landings?)

The next time I hand launched and within 30 seconds lost control completly!!!!

Back inside I found the problem, the antenna wire had just broken away from the receiver. Not surprising when I looked the wire was soldered to the circuit board but the cable was not supported in any way. The slightest movement from vibration etc had fractured what is the smallest wire size known to man. Obviously it was going to break as the cable was not restrained in any way. I have re-soldered the wire, closed the plastic box and taped the wire firmly to the case, that way it will not flop about and break again.

Perhaps I should do a range check before every launch. In this case it would have proved very beneficial.

Isn't hindsight a wonderfull thing.

Geoff

[cubcruncher]

Blimey you could have had a fly away any damage? luckly I have had no radio problems, at the mo I'm about to convert my cub to a spectrum RX as I have prepared a new wing with elirons and flaps and covered it with cub yellow solar film, watch this space

[geoff2474]

Hi

I will probably go down that route eventually. Got to learn to fly it as it is first.
I have an E-sky 4 channel transmitter which is 2.4G so may see if I can get receiver and servos to match that.

It could save me a few quid.


Remember: Money isn't everything as long as you have plenty of it.

Geoff

[toff]

Geoff, welcome!
I'd recommend trying to get the stock RX fixed, before going down the 2.4 route. It'll cost you a few more quid rather than saving anything, as you have to replace all the electronics, and get a new transmitter as well.
Why? None of the hobbyzone bits work with standard RC kit (so you need to buy: 4 servos (you will want to upgrade to ailerons later, honest), Reciever, brushed speed controller, and new connectors (gold bullet, deans, EC3 or XT 60 - whichever your choice).
Also a new 2.4 TX, as your E-Sky 4 channel has a range of about 300 metres (on a full charge), as it's designed for 'park' flyers and small helis, like the E-sky Lama.
I'm not trying to put you off, just trying to pay back some of the help and advice I've had from this forum. Best if you can fly it with the HZ radio gear, gain confidence in flying, then change everything ( I'm still flying with the stock motor....for now

[geoff2474]

Hi Toff

That's all good advice and much appreciated. I would not be looking to upgrade with the cub. I will use it to learn how to repair model airplanes, No I mean learn how to fly model airplanes, then if I still have the bug will go for a BNF and somehow get the kit together. I am sure you are right about the E-Sky transmitter as I think it did come with a heli quite some time ago.

It is however very usefull at the moment as it has a usb lead and enables me to practice on the Clear View sim, with Ggunners SCLP model.

Thanks again.

Geoff

[renard80]

Jan 24, 2011 20:05:19 GMT 1 geoff2474 said:

I . . . . (am I the only one who admits to having less than perfect landings?) . . . .

Geoff

"Less than perfect"? You are a lucky bugger, Geoff - every one of mine has been an absolute disaster!

On the rare occasions that the wind is kind, I tell the missus, "I'm off to crash the plane again. Put the kettle on, won't be long!"

And so it comes to pass . . .

I'm still waiting for the FUN to start.

Very pleased to note that you are having more success.

[geoff2474]

No not at all Renard. To be truthful I am also waiting for the fun to start.

At the moment it is jolly hard work trying not to crash. The wind whistles across the Fens here almost constantly. Just when I think it has died down, rushed around and got everything ready, it is back up to 12mph and gusting.

I am lucky to have my own field to fly from, but that is very sheltered from tall trees and hedges. So just when I think there is a break in the wind, I take off, get above the tree line and I am wrestling with the controls as it drifts away.

Mind you they say elsewhere on the forum that the wind makes you a better pilot and is more fun.

Odd sense of humor I say.

Geoff