CX2 upgrades

[Kindling Maker]

Well my CX is down, I got in a gust and went down HARD it broke the ears off the lower rotor head. It happens I guess. Well I figured that since it was down, I would look at upgrades. I went to the second hole on the Servo arm, but what upgrades are worth it. I would like to be able to get a little more power out of it. Are the aluminum parts really worth it? From what I have read here it sounds like they are more problems to deal with. But hey I am having fun I just wish I did not have to wait 7 to 14 days for parts.

[eddo22]

Aluminum parts are shiny and pretty, less likely to break and will be less prone to slop. Problem is when you crash they will survive but the energy will be transferred to something else...and that's what will break. If it's power youre after, you may want to stay away from the bling due to the added weight.

[Kindling Maker]

That is what I thought but i just wanted to make sure. I willl be flying againg in less that a week we already had the parts on order. :mrgreen:

[carlo_the_wonder_frog]

Get better batteries, the stock e-flite bat can handle a max of 8 amps, a good Thunder Power or Evo pack will do twice that. Makes a good difference in how it flies.

[Kindling Maker]

Cool I just asked about Eflite packs in another topic I guess that answered my question.

[kgfly]

My research indicated that the upper head had a tendency to snap so the alu version was worthwhile. Also that the bearing cup for the upper head was often out-of-round and the Alu upgrade fixed that problem and the associated toilet bowl affect. There are also super-tough landing skids from boomtownhobbies.com that seem a sensible choice if you break the stock ones. Better batteries are available from several sources but finding ones that fit the stock holder is a bit harder. There are some available from boomtownhobbies.com (850/15c or 900/10c), cx2parts.com (850/15c) and www.truerc.com that are known to fit properly.

[Kindling Maker]

Cool thanks I hope that they are APO friendly

[teshreve]

I have been tinkering with CX2's for while. A friend and I fly them after a few drinks :D
The aluminum stuff is mostly worth it. The aluminum swash will notably improve performance. If you can do more than hover, you will see the difference. Hovering will be a tad more work, but transitions will happen with a bit more authority. The aluminum outer shaft blade holder thingy is merely for durability. And durable they are. Same with the aluminum inner shaft/flybar holder. Get this one first, then the outer shaft, then the swash. The aluminum bearing carrier that slips on the out shaft is pointless, except to round out the blingage.
After you get all the alu on there, pick up a 730mah 3S pack. It will be chaos, but it is fun as heck. Longer run times too.

[teshreve]

FWIW, I hooked an ammeter between a 2S pack and he heli and it maxed at 8 amps (!).
With a 3S pack it is 11 amps.
...with stock motors.

I have not noticed much difference between battery brands, except that the e-flight packs suck. Get anything but those.

[kgfly]

How do you mount your 3s 730 packs ?

[teshreve]

I cut off the little retainer pieces, cut a piece of lexan to fit in that spot and secure it by putting the screws through the lexan, through the skids, and into the frame. The I use velcro. Then it doesn't matter what kind of pack I velcros under there.
I think I have a pic...

[teshreve]

I can't find them :roll:
I'll post them up if I find them

[kgfly]

OK, thanks.

[teshreve]

OK, I found them... right where I left them. On my camera :lol:

Here is the velcro trick:
http://pics.theshreves.com/rc/heli_pic3.jpg

And here is a pic showing some JR 285 servos I hacked in there. Not worth it.

http://pics.theshreves.com/rc/heli_pic1.jpg

[Kindling Maker]

wont going with the 3s packs burn the motors out? I have a couple of 11.? well what ever goes with the CPP will they work also?

[teshreve]

Yes, the motors will eventually fry running on 11.1
They will last quite a few runs as long as everything is spinning free. Messed up gears will cause them to cook with a quickness. Sometimes the motors seize when they fail. Seized motors will take out the 4-in-1 really quick. I ruined one by giving it juice when I was investigating what was wrong...
But if you know the risks and understand what not to do, buying $20 worth of motors every 20 runs might be worth it. There are other motors that will work with the CX2 that have bearings and are much higher quality. I'd bet they would last much, much longer on 11.1.
I have never had a 4-in-1 cook just because it was hooked to 11.1. They cook because the motors fail. So higher quality (but not "faster") motors would be the ticket.

...and ya, I have been flying these WAY too long. I pretty much only fly them at night in my yard :D I have a 1500 watt flood light on my roof. It is actually easier to see at night than during the day. Instead of being against a super bright backlit sky, it is forward lit. A buddy comes over often and we get to drinking and start flying CX2's at night. I'd not do either with my (not quite yet finished) T-Rex :smokin:

[teshreve]

well what ever goes with the CPP will they work also?They are quite a bit too heavy IMO.
The best ones I have found are the TP 730 3S (part no. TP730-3SPL)

[Kindling Maker]

Where did you order the TP730-3spl from and what motors would I use?

[teshreve]

I got the TP730-3spl at a local hobby shop.
If you order one, be sure to get a set of motors too :)

[Kindling Maker]

What was the part # of the motors? You have really got my intrest peaked. I have a CPP but because i spend so much time down for parts I fly my CX a lot more. Are you using the stock motors.

[teshreve]

Ya, I just use the stock ones.
Search for "xtreme 180" motors and see what people say about them. They appear to be similar, but with an open endbell, bearings, and replaceable brushes.

[helimech66]

I have the xtreme 180 motors they are better than stock!!! :glasses2:

[txflyer]

woud there be a way to use a bl motor or 2

[helimech66]

I heard it isnt worth what you would pay for brushless. :glasses2:

[mantral]

Can I use this skids and battery holder with the CX2?

http://www.miracle-mart.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1092

This parts are for the lama 2 but looks like interchangeable with the CX2

thanks