Prototype SWAT RC helicopter

[swatpilot]

First I want to give a big thanks to CASTLE CREATIONS for donating the HV 85 ESC and for 2 Berg 7 channel recievers. Also I have to Thank MAXAMPS for donating the 5s battery packs, if anyone need a GREAT battery try these, I am using 2 of there 5s 4000 mah packs and these are great. The packs keep their voltage up and I was very inpressed, not to mention a 5s 4000 pack is only 139.00. You cannot go wrong. I also would like to thank N74DV and AZCHOPPERCAM for loaning us the mount. The follow pictures and video if I can post it was from a quick test flight to show some of the Sgts. This morning we were suppose to do more but somehow my gyro gain got turned to 100 so I wsa glitching like crazy and I grounded it. Tomarrow we are going to do some mor flights and make to video to be shown to the commard staff.

http://www.comiccavern.com/markblog/initialtest-helicopter-email.wmv

[LoopBaCK]

That is sweet!!! And an excellent use for real-time aerial video. My local sheriff's office and I are starting to work on possible aerial platforms to provide live video during drug raids way out in the country. Likely to be fixed wing, however, but we'll be testing heli's as well.

Are you recording the live video? I've thought about using the Archos unit to view/record live video.

[swatpilot]

switched to a camcoder and use a laptop with Media Center to record to. Workes very well, I do have some vibration, but I think that because I havent balanced anything. I will have another video in a couple days, should be alot better, the first was just goofing around

[Nitrospazzz]

That is really cool, wonder if the local station would let me bust college parties with them :) Then maybe they would stop bugging us when we have ours

Very good use of AP

[fitenfyr]

Be careful with those MaxAmps packs.
Balance them often for best life span.

I got only about 50 cycles out of my 5s4p's before one puffed.

Austin, Steven and the gang are great people and back their products well though.

This was just a case of not paying attention to the pack when I first got it.
It was too far out of balance and I should have sent it right back to them for repair.

Looks like a good setup.

[swatpilot]

Thanks, I checked them when I got them and they were perfect, I also never exceed 80% and balance ever charge. I am very pleased with their performace and the Voltage stays very strong thoughtout the fly. Im getting 8 minutes and putting back around 2600 to 2700 mah. I could probobly go to 10 minutes if I wanted. I agree with you also, their customer service is SECOND TO NONE.

[Menno]

if anyone need a GREAT battery try these

Not trying to be negative, but how many cycles have you put these batteries trough?

I was very happy with my Tarabat LiPo batteries, used a balancer on every charge. Never did any 3D flying with them. Never discharged more than 75% (usually only 60%). Always charged with 0,6 C.

Had to repair the first battery after 24 cycles. Puffed another battery after 27 cycles. Grounded all batteries (4 packs) after 28 cycles because they barely provided enough power to hover with them.

I bought these batteries a lot cheaper than the Flightpower batteries. But after dividing the purchase price with the number of flights these batteries have cost me $ 15 a flight (2 batteries in series). :roll:

Now I'am flying Flightpower batteries. I will report about them when I reach 50 cycles.

Well, back to your topic again. YOur setup looks promising. I hope to be seeing some more video of it!! :wink:

[WillJames]

Thanks, I checked them when I got them and they were perfect, I also never exceed 80% and balance ever charge. I am very pleased with their performace and the Voltage stays very strong thoughtout the fly. Im getting 8 minutes and putting back around 2600 to 2700 mah. I could probobly go to 10 minutes if I wanted. I agree with you also, their customer service is SECOND TO NONE.




Be sure to check your motor temp, depending on which Hacker that is, you can damage the motor and possibly your ESC or packs if you run it above 225 or so defrees F. After 8 minutes, my Hacker Motor is over 180 degrees on my E-RaptorCam. I would not push it to much hotter than that.

[MLaBoyteaux]

Will,

Is your setup using the 12L motor? I'm running a FlightPower 5S and a 6S in series for an 11S 5000 pack on my Raptor with the A50-16S motor. The hottest I've seen it so far has been 155 when the ambient temp was 95. And that is while lifting my 13lb 10oz skypig. I ordered an EagleTree data recorder yesterday so I can start logging my flight data. Should be in by the weekend.

Not meaning to Hijack the thread, but thought some of my numbers might be usefull.

Is it ok to charge the FlightPower packs at 1C? Or will it increase their life span by using a lower, say .6C charge rate?

[WillJames]

Would love to see the numbers you come up with Mark. I will FDR mine as well so we can compare notes/graphs.


1C is OK, they may last longer at .5C but so far mine and a lot of the team's are holdign up great at 1C.

[dreslism]

I have the eagle tree on mine also and have been logging. Even have a log of when my Hacker let out the smoke the other day! :)

I have a temp sensor for the motor, but with it being an outrunner, I don't have a way to log the motor temp for the flight. I'd like to see that to see how fast it heats up and if it keeps climbing or reaches a max temp at some point.

Sitting here looking at blue skies, no wind, and my heli with no motor... :(

It will be here Wednesday, but that will also guarantee that is will be cloudy, windy, and rainy...

[MLaBoyteaux]

Swatpilot,

Some things I would recommend. Put the stock heavy (30 gram) paddles on and get some flybar weights. Rick's has 'em to fit the Raptor flybar. It will really help to smooth out your hover (not suggesting your hovering skills look bad or anything).

Get a good set of blades. I'm running the FunKey 660mm semi-syms and I really like 'em. Haven't done any autos yet, maybe I'll try some with the video onboard this weekend and post 'em up.

The woodies are ok.... but you'll be happier with a better set. :D

[swatpilot]

Thanks Ill try that.