Stratus - Who's flying it with the DX7?

[heliroller]

Just curious who has converted their Stratus to a DX7..

[buburub]

I recently just converted my Stratus to a DX7 setup from a Futaba 9C super setup. I had about 3 lockout with the bird and decided to go for the DX7. The radio is amazing! the speed and smoothness is unbelievable (similar to the 14 mz), the feel and weight of the radio is only heightened by the silky gimbles. When I fly the heli I can go much LOWER before I pull out because I know the response is immediate and strong. I am currently running the heli with a gv1 governer with no problems. During my last flight with the Stratus the clutch dampeners wore out and the pins were toughing the fan through at least half of the flight. I didn't realise this until I tried to start her up again. This is truly a testament to the robustness and glitch free signal of the DX7. If I were using my previous radio setup or any conventional radio, it would have been a guaranteed lockout. I guess the DX7 already paid for itself. I personally feel that this radio is a very good match for the Stratus since this bird is extremely susceptable to vibration induced RF noise and lockouts. You would not regret this purchase for a second! :D
Regards,
Edmund

[heliroller]

I recently just converted my Stratus to a DX7 setup from a Futaba 9C super setup. I had about 3 lockout with the bird and decided to go for the DX7. The radio is amazing! the speed and smoothness is unbelievable (similar to the 14 mz), the feel and weight of the radio is only heightened by the silky gimbles. When I fly the heli I can go much LOWER before I pull out because I know the response is immediate and strong. I am currently running the heli with a gv1 governer with no problems. During my last flight with the Stratus the clutch dampeners wore out and the pins were toughing the fan through at least half of the flight. I didn't realise this until I tried to start her up again. This is truly a testament to the robustness and glitch free signal of the DX7. If I were using my previous radio setup or any conventional radio, it would have been a guaranteed lockout. I guess the DX7 already paid for itself. I personally feel that this radio is a very good match for the Stratus since this bird is extremely susceptable to vibration induced RF noise and lockouts. You would not regret this purchase for a second! :D
Regards,
Edmund

Thanks for the reply! I already fly my Trex600 with it and it flies it as well as my 12Z does.

[docjoe]

I just did the same with my Stratus, from the 9CHPS, and I am happy with this. I am usng it with a GV1 and the only thing I'm missing is a throttle cut switch. But I love this radio and am so much happier with the prospect of fewer glitches. I have a Stratus because I upgraded my Fury Extreme after a devastating crash caused by a radio glitch.

[furyevo]

I was thinking of buying a DX-7, and you guys seem happy with yours. So, how are you setting up the GV-1 with your DX-7? I like having mine mixed in with the idle- up switch, can this be done with the DX-7?

[docjoe]

There is no problem with the GV-1 and the DX-7. However, if you don't have another channel that you'd normally use for either the remote off switch or mixture. Otherwise, mine is linked to the idle switches so as soon as it's on Idle1/2, it's on.

[saary]

I had about 3 lockout with the bird and decided to go for the DX7


If I were using my previous radio setup or any conventional radio, it would have been a guaranteed lockout


i had 2 lockout with my stratus :( why do you think it locksout?????????? :arggg: and how can i Prevent that?

[buburub]

Sorry to hear about your 2 lockouts with the Stratus. Always a shame seeing a beautiful bird go down like that! :( It took me a while but the following is a list of things to double check if you have a Stratus or else the lockout is in your near future.

1) No whip antenna, run only full length (specific way under the frame).
2) Gap between the clutch and clutch driver must be right.
3) Make sure clutch dampers are in good condition (pins not hitting fan).
4) Cut the crankshaft so that its not hitting the clutch driver.
5) Make sure all wires are protected to prevent chaffing.
6) Put gyro sensor under radio tray (reduced rf noise from shaft).
7) Make sure all screws are tight.
8) Run the arizona regulator with pin flag switch DO NOT USE duralight regulators with futaba heavy duty switch (90% this is what caused your lockout).
9) Make sure all servo extension wires are grounded (ferret ring).
10) Make sure all bearings are smooth (no notchy ones).
11) Shoo goo all wires going into the receiver, gyro, govenor.
12) Compromised receiver or crystal.

Regards,
Edmund

[DavidH]

Couple of these items are interesting.

6) Put gyro sensor under radio tray (reduced rf noise from shaft).


I don't understand how a gyro sensor picks up RF. I would agree on mounting the gyro on an area that is least affected by vibration.

8) Run the arizona regulator with pin flag switch DO NOT USE duralight regulators with futaba heavy duty switch (90% this is what caused your lockout).

Interesting I know of probably 50 pilots using the Duralite regulator with HD switch.
I have never heard them say that this caused a lock out. And these pilots are some of the top pilots in world.

11) Shoo goo all wires going into the receiver, gyro, govenor.
These items don't cause a lock out. They do cause loss of control of that one item if it happens to come lose. All the receivers I have used. It is very hard to unplug the servo plugs when they have been plugged in correctly.

David

[buburub]

Hi David,

1) The shaft has been known to cause drifting because of vibrations being picked up from the sensor. The theory that this causes lockouts are not confirmed and spotty at best but I figure on not taking that chance. It's the paranoia in me =)... its worth the extra time and money to mount it under the radio tray.

2) I'm not saying that the Duralite regulator will not work since most are already using it with success. But I know of 3 people that had full or partial lockout using that regulator. Over time, there are some elements that wear internally that allow the contacts to touch. These friends of mine sent the regulators back to Duralite and it was confirmed that these regulators have indeed failed and Duralite have replaced it free of charge.
The switch is probably the main culprit. The theory is that the switch jumps from the on to off position due to the extreme vibration produced by the engine. This jumping back and forth is minimal and imperceivable but it has indeed caused lockouts! I personally, along with a good friend of mine had the same identical lockout. The common sympton is that the ship will pitch forward/backward or to the side suddenly with no user input. The pilot usually get an intermittent out of control/in control feeling. Imho not a very good feeling :shock:

3) I agree that technically if a wire comes undone it is not a lockout but isn't the result, repair cost and perception to the pilot the same? This is just something that a lot of people including me either forgets to do or don't even bother doing. When plugged in correctly, I agree that servo wires are hard to pull out. However, the one plug that IS easy to pull out is the power plug from the regulator to the receiver because it usually is a universal plug.

I'm sorry if I came across too strong or pushy. In no way was that my intention. I was just trying to share some ideas that might help someone prevent an avoidable crash. Besides, if your going to crash a Miniature Aircraft shouldn't it be because you're doing a Piroflip too low to the deck or when you do a tail slide and pulled out a millisecond too late? LOOOOOWER!!! LOOOOOOWER!!! :D

Regards,
Edmund

[capebob]

Both of my machines suffered from very short duration lockouts, none of which caused a crash, only soiled underwear. :lol: I replaced the base loaded antennas I was using with full length antennas and I haven't had a lockout since.

Bob