E-Raptor setup/suggestions/questions

[snaggle213]

Hello,

I sent a post a while back about choosing a helicopter for AP. I have chosen the Raptor e550 because my LHS sells Raptors (parts availability). I'm hoping someone has had experience with the e550 as an AP ship and can tell me what set-up has worked well. I want to use the a123 cells and an AP2000i as well as a underslung camera mount (probably an Askman mount if he sells them for the Raptor). Here are my questions.

I have a 7CHP transmitter, will this give me enough channels to fly the heli, and still have 2 channels for camera control?

Does the AP2000i need a Gyro like the GY401, or will a GY240 work (GY240 to save one channel)? Is there alot of benefits to the GY401 over the GY240, if there is I may need to look into a new 9ch transmitter.

Also lastly what setups have worked well on the e550 for AP ie. Motor, Speed controller, BEC, Gyro, Main blades, etc. for a Raptor with a AP2000i, a123 cells, and underslung mount.


Thanks for any advice.

[askman]

yes, I have a mount that will fit raptor. there is couple thread with raptors and A123.

with a123 cell, I would recommend getting a tppack frame kit, as it makes fitting the cell much easier.

7 channel would be tight with ap2000i. you will need more channel. if you are not running 2000i, you could go with 5 channel, gy240, tilt and shoot.

[Tonystott]

I reckon the GY401 benefits over a GY240 for AP don't count for much. But if you need to buy a gyro the extra cost of the GY401 is not enough to put you off. You can use the unused 4th output from the AP2000i if your swash only has 3 servos, and then set the gyro gain on the AP2000i

[MarkWebber]

You can use the unused 4th output from the AP2000i if your swash only has 3 servos, and then set the gyro gain on the AP2000i

Yep...easy to do and saves you a channel so you can pick the gyro you want.

[GGoodrum]

Yes, I agree with Tony. The 401/9254 combo is rock solid on the Raptor, even stretched with 700 blades. The 240 doesn't work anywhere near as well with digital servos.

In order to fly the helicopter, with an AP-2000i and the 401 you will need one channel for throttle, three for the swash, one for the rudder/gyro and one for the AP-2000i cal/gain. As Tony suggests, you can use the unused 4th servo output on the AP-2000i to set the gyro gain. Once this is set, it doesn't nned to be changed, usually, unless you've made majors changes to the power system. Anyway, that's six channels, which leaves you one for the camera trigger. You will need at least 8 channels in order to add tilt

The new frame kit, which Andrey designed, allows two 10-cell a123 packs to fit like a glove, in their "native" 5x2 tandem configuration, right out of a DeWalt pack. The battery tray/lower frame support is also "preconfigured" to use Andrey's 360-degree PanCam mount, although you'll need another channel if you want to do panning.

For power, the most cost-efective solution is a Z50A-600 and a 12T pinion, if you plan on doing the stretch with the Titan boom/belt to run 600/620s, or the JR Ergo boom and SDP-SI belt in order to run 700-710s.

If you haven't already, check out rerazor's thread on his e550-based platform: http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=27938