new foamie-$$$$$ !!!!!!!

[dorfmann]

I thought that I could get one going for a couple hundred bucks. Boy was I wrong! :shock:

Hi-max brushless outrunner
CC 25
(4) HS-56's
Control surface horns
-------
$250+

D-Lite 3 cell 11.1V 1050mah
D-Lite charger
--------
$115+/-

I still have to get a reciever, props, hardware, etc!

ANy suggestions on the reciever? I have a JR transmitter.

Cory

[Hotshot Charlie]

Man, you are right..... expensive to start...... but after you get the original stuff bought, it gets a lot cheaper. I have been flying foamys for about a year now and I haven't spent much at all since my orginal investment. Very inexpensive after you get over the original "sticker shock" !

[Hotshot Charlie]

Oh, the little JR receiver is very nice, also the Berg's.

[WayneBrown]

cmbheli can get you one of his foamies, with all the gear, Himax 5400 with gear reduction, CC25, LiPo Batteries, GWS reciever, 4 servos, Y harness, prop, and control horns for around what you quoted above. His foamies are bigger than shock flyers, but have way more power. Check my gallery for the night rig foamie that I fly, and it's been beat to hell in the weeks that I've had it. I just ordered two more foamie kits from him this morning for backups.
kits are around $35-40 ? I can't remember exactly.
Kick Ass little foamies for sure!!

[dorfmann]

Bird,

Thank for the info. I just finished all of the electonics ordering.....

outrunner
cc25
hs-56's
e-silver
charger
berg "stamp" receiver

I'm done for a while!!!

I plan on designing my own. I think I will enjoy trying different stuff. After you get all the guts, the foam is nothing! I'm sure that I will go through multiple sheets. :)

[ThBrtmn]

Bluebirds servos are about $14 from....You can also creat the control surface horns out of pieces of zip ties...
6ch receiver...I know Mac has some for about $25 as well as most other LHSs and I personally havent had any problem with the GWS 6channels.
But...once you get past the initial investment.... :roll: Its all down hill. The only thing you really have to start replacing is props and Foam! :mrgreen:

[Hotshot Charlie]

The only thing you really have to start replacing is props and Foam!


Get a prop saver, they work and I haven't replaced a prop since I started using one. Big Al's Hobby Supply keeps them in stock !
http://www.big-alshobbysupply.com/comersus/store/comersus_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp

[sdixon747]

What's a prop saver and how does it work?

[Hotshot Charlie]

Hey Steve,

It is a piece that screws or attaches to your motor shaft and then you put your prop on and wrap a rubber band around it to hold the prop on. You can make your own with a large servo arm, but they are also commercially available.

It is very simple, but when you slide your plank in on the grass, it lets the prop fold instead of breaking. It works great.

I will try to take a photo of mine on my Ultimate to show you what it looks like. There are serveral types out. I am using the simple plastic one, but there is one that is made for the smooth shafts of the HiMax and others that set screws to the smooth shaft. It is really neat.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/4eb62acd23dba5ff0ed474115053595a.jpg

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/b969cd1ba616ea4d8721df365c500b2f.jpg

I will have mine at B'ham !

[sdixon747]

Thats kinda cool. I gotta get me a foamie. Just so expensive to start. I will someday. Does anyone sell a whole package with motor, controller, etc? So many options, it makes buying confusing :?

Steve

[Hotshot Charlie]

Hey Steve,

Drop Alan (rcpylon) an email at: rcpylon@bellsouth.net

He handles a large assortment of electric goodies, all first rate items. I am sure he will help you get the most for your money.

To clarify:
I don't work for Alan or take a commission, he is a flying buddy and had good prices and good stuff.

[WillJames]

Also something to note. Robs Himax motors with the prop savers are not stock. they have had GWS prop shafts put on them. THe stock Himax shafts are smooth with no threads to put your propsaver on. It is an easy change, but I thought I would mention it so nobody forgets to order the couple of dollar threaded GWS shafts when they order their motors.

[Hotshot Charlie]

Hey Will,

Alan now has a prop saver that works on the smooth shafts. It is really cool. I will take a photo of it in the package and post it here.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/1599520a5637eab3af3e0c79a13fa14d.jpg

[WillJames]

ohhhh VERY cool! Al thinks of everything!!

I need some of those Al.

[Hotshot Charlie]

All you do is slide it on the shaft and tighten down the screws, then use the screw heads to run your rubber band around..... taaaa-daaaa ..... prop saver !!!

[sdixon747]

Cool!

[big-al]

Yes I do! okay not really. :cool:

Maxx Prod came out with the new style prop savers around January. We've been having good luck with them so far and they come standard with the outrunners from HiMax. I'll have some with me at B'ham. the nice thng is they work on the original shaft that's included with the gear box setups.

for reference, you can also try a servo arm as a prop saver. you have to have a threaded shaft and use it like the GWS one.

[ThBrtmn]

Will...
Actually Himaxx does have a threaded Shaft for The geared Brushless motors...little more than the GWS.
http://www.allerc.com/product_info.php?cPath=7_47_67&products_id=1191

[dorfmann]

I got the Himax..outrunner-850. Don't remember the whole #. I'm sure you know what I am talking about. Anyway, it came with the above mentions "saver" set up and a cone-like prop assembly. Pretty nice. Looking forward to it. :glasses2:

[dorfmann]

Question:
Anyone know where I can get nylon nut/bolts? I am having trouble with CA-ing the servos to the fuse. I would feel better if I could switch them out as I wanted. I plan on doing a few foamies and mayby a micro. If I can bolt them on, I could be much more versitile. I have the HS-56's, so they have the way cool mounting options. Anyone?

[ThBrtmn]

Put a piece of packing tape (I used the threaded duck tape)on the foam where you want to put the servos....Then put a glob of hot glue on the servo and push it down on the tape so it ooses out from underneath. It holds very well...and when you are ready to remove the servo...apply negative force and it shoul pop off and leave the foamie in tact. The now hardened hot glue will stay on the servo and you should be able to peal it right off with some more "negative" force. This is for the ailerons...For the rudder and elevator I just hot glue them in...if I want to take them out... take the hot part of the hot glue gun and warm up the glue around them...you should be able to pull them out fairly easy then.

[dorfmann]

OK. Thanks, Brt. I'm clueless and like to know what I am doing......How do you feel about the Pheonix 25's "automatic lipo software". Is it very accurate for a safe voltage cut off? Should I trust it? I am using the DL e-Silver 11.1/1050.

[ThBrtmn]

George Hicks told me something that I didnt know...Hopefully I am not giving false info...On the smart technology for Lipo voltage on the ESCs...you have to be careful. He said that once you unplugg and plug in the battery...it resets in the ESC. So if you fly half a pack and unplug..and then plug it back in...it recognizes it as a fresh pack...I think thats what he was trying to tell me.
As far as the usb programming the CC 25 is awesome to reprogram. My buddy johnny has one and do ours. All in all I think you will be safe with the voltage cut off...when in doubt...do what was told to me By Eric Larson....Land and change packs the moment you notice a performance decline...this will save the longevity of the pack.

[big-al]

I don't think the auto function works that way Bart. the way I understand it is the only danger of plugging in a partially use pack is that it detects the correct number of cells. other than that, its all in the electronics as to voltage detection. just remember to count out the beeps each time you hook the battery up.

[dorfmann]

Count the beeps? I read through the not so thorough 8.5x11 that was with it and don't know what you are speeking of. Please know that my reading comprehention leaves much to be desired. I am a math and science guy. :)