Any E550 on more than 6S?

[JustPlaneChris]

Okay, after much deliberation and agonizing, I have decided on the E550 (instead of a Hurricane 550). But now, the second agonizing decision: What power system?

I've seen some videos of 550s with the stock TT motor on 6S, and it sure seems like it flies well. I've read posts where guys are getting 7 to 8 minute flights on 4000-5000 6S packs. But I've also read "don't use 6S, the performance is poor and flight times suck". This kind of contradictory information makes me crazy. :arggg: I do plan to buy a CC 85HV for future upgrade compatibility.

So, for moderately aggressive sport flying / and "warbird-style" acro, do I need more than the stock TT motor and 6S? Would it actually be more economical to buy a motor / gearing for 8S or 10S, since smaller or lower c-rated batteries can be used? :dontknow

I appreciate any advice you can give me. I had no idea it would consume so much of my brain to make this decision. :roll:

-Chris

[litespeed]

You can't go overboard with this but I would buy with my plans of the future to go higher power. Meaning if you can get a A50-800 and run it on 6s right now and then go to 10s at a later date if you want. But only go this route IF you plan to up the power sometime in the future.

Have you thought about the a123 cells? The heli's definately are not light but perform extremely well. and you can get 10 to 13 mins of flight time at 2100 rpm depending on your collective skills. You can get about 5 mins on a single a123 pack or go to the stretched 620 and run 2 a123 packs for the above stated time of 10 to 13 mins. Each pack weighs in at 1 lb 11 oz. My Raptor is a pigly 9 lb 4 oz but still climbs out faster than any Raptor 50 I have seen not saying I've seen the baddest out there though. I think the nitro's end up about 8 lbs wet.

I think you would be best off to go to the higher voltage systems since really nothing gets hot on them. It's just a better system and your right that you can run some of the cheaper 15c batteries and run for half the price of the cutting edge TP's and Flightpowers.

Good luck and enjoy the confusion! Confusion is good!

Tom

[JustPlaneChris]

Thanks, Tom! I have read (a lot) about the A123 packs, and I've seen some of your posts about your setup here as well. I'm not sure if I want to do the 620 stretch right off the bat (more confusion!) but I do like the way it looks with the longer boom. So you're saying that a 10S1P A123 pack will give me 5(ish) minutes with an A50-800 in the stock 550? Will that require the TPPacks.com lower frame, or can the pack be configured to fit in the stock frame?

I do have a source for 25c 6S 4000 packs for $170, and they are alleged to actually live up to their rating. Based on current draw / flight times I've seen in other posts for the stock motor / 10T / 6S setup, that should give me 7 minute flights. But a $100-ish dollar 10S A123 at 5 minutes is a good time-per-dollar ratio too. Yep, more head banging required. :arggg: :lol:

-Chris

[litespeed]

You would need Gary's frames or you would have to reconfigure the packs which isn't a great idea since they are hard to solder to. I was getting 6.5 mins in my Swift on 10s with a Neu 1910-1.5Y at 2100 with 550 blades so 5 to 5.5 is prolly about right. You also have the option of running 12 or 15s which according to Gary @ tppacks.com is about the most powerful heli he has ever flown. A 12s or 15s will give you another min or two. I like the durability of the metal cells but if your a 3D flyer you may want to just go to the li-po especially if you can get them that cheap. If you do go the li-po way try and get 5000 mah cells and you should get in the 8 to 9 min range on flight time.

Last point, If you still crash or are not a big 3D flyer the a123's are the way to go but for ultimate power vs weight the li-po's can't be beat.

Tom

[JustPlaneChris]

Last point, If you still crash or are not a big 3D flyer the a123's are the way to go but for ultimate power vs weight the li-po's can't be beat.Well, I don't tend to crash a lot. I got that out of my system with my micros. :lol: I'm also not a big 3D flyer.... just not my style.

Thanks again for the info! Much to digest.

-Chris

[Ticidytoc]

I would look into the New Neu 1910/H (heli) motors. My 1910/1Y/H with the new fan design stays cooler than any Z-power motor i tried flying hard 3D on 8s or 10s.
The new "H" models are available right now and once word gets out I'm sure it will be the "hot" motor.