New member with 2 new Helis

[DalePrice]

Hi-

Just joined the group... I have been flying the Blade CX for the better part of a year. Then I moved on to the Rotofly and beat the heck out of it while learning to hover (somewhat).

Now I have the Blade CP Pro and Helimax Axe. What a difference CCPM and heavier body weight make when flying outside!

A lot more finesse is required with these new machines, but I'm definitely making progress.

I messed up with the Helimax; suffered a boom strike, and ended up having to cut one blade holder off the feathering spindle in order to get the whole assembly apart in order to install a new one... the screws were imbedded so tightly on the spindle that heat didn't work in loosening things up. Just finished installing a new spindle & screws along with the parts I could salvage from the original assembly. I haven't used anything to lock the screws in place... but the Heli is hovering nicely through two Lipo's so far.

I've been more fortunate with the Blade CP... just a few dings on the blades.

I've scotch taped the minor abrasions & tears in the blade covering on both machines; adding equivalent strips of tape to the undamaged blade areas to keep weight distribution equalized. Seems to be working out on both machines.

Blade tracking is a bit off, but I think I should wait until I install new blades before I try to work on any problems in that area... since I'm only working on hovering these machines for now.

Several questions:

Which forums should I be focussing on for now? Any suggestions where some one in my situation should be posting (as well as scanning the archives for pertinent info)?

Also... I am using Lipo batteries on both machines. I seems as if both have the equivalent of a 'soft' cut off when the batteries get low; but I'm not sure. I am using E-Flite 3 cell Lipos on the Blade Pro; and Electifly 910 mA 3 cell Lipos on the Axe (15C max disch). I've been flying until each Heli will no longer rise above a foot or so into the air before changing them. Is this a good practice?

If anyone responds to this somewhat lengthy post; thanks in advance.

Dale Price
mbp15@comcast.net :)

[skunkworx]

I would first like to comment on your batteries. Have you been watching your voltages on your batts? LIPOs are very sensitive to overcharge and over DIS-charge. If you discharge too much, it decreases your pack's life span, or can completely kill your batteries. It would be a good idea to get a good charger if your budget will allow. Get a cheap multi-meter from Harbor Freight or Home Depot
($5-$15) to check your voltages. Also you should use a timer or stop-watch and establish a max fkight time countdown.

I.E. if it takes you say 8 minutes to run your pack down, check your voltage, if your batteries are below 3.0V per cell they'll be toast before long! Reduce flying time by a minute or two and check voltage after flight. If you're at 3.2V-3.4V/cell then you can increase flight times a little until you find a good average time where your volts don't go too low.

***NOTE*** Your batteries won't last forever, so you must keep a close eye on your end voltages just about every time you fly (unless you like to buy new batts all the time!!). You will also have to adjust your flight times (less time) the older the packs get. You may start to notice performance drops if you aren't taking proper care of your cells.

As for sites to check out, I don't think you can beat Helifreak! Best bunch of peeps I've found on the 'net so far. Try Googling r/c forums or just enter heli help or something like that if you want to keep looking. :glasses2:

Let us know if you got anything else naggin' atcha'!! :D