Check my Hurricane setup please!

[erbrou]

I have ordered the Hurricane 550 XES PRO SE kit, and it will probably arrive in a day or two. I am now starting to look at the electronics. Can you please tell me what you think of it? I want a good setup but not necessarily THE best one, so if you think I will pay too much or not enough for certain parts, please feel free to suggest me an alternative.

Motor: Century 600+ or Z20 980
ESC: Castel creation phoenix-60 (w/ BEC) (is that enough?)
Receiver: AR7000
Servos: 9452 (MG)
Gyro: GY401 and 9254 for tail servo (with Align 5.1V Step-Down Voltage Regulator)
Batteries: Evo 25 2170 (my current T-rex 450 batteries)

Thanks !!

[Kepler]

All looks good but flight time will be a bit low. I firmly believe 3200 packs are the minimum for this Heli.

[hommer75]

From what I've read, I'd suggest the Z20 motor to get the longest flight times.

[cd5]

Your set up looks good but i agree with the flight times being short. I think the servos you are going to drop in might be a bit of overkill for this heli.Overkill yet nice to have. I run th futaba s3151 on my cyclics, their around $31 U.S.D. And are going fine for me so far. I am not up to wild 3d but thet seem ok for flips rolls loops and tic tocs etc. My mate flies wild 3d and he pushed the hurricane and the servos were fine . THeir is also a similar priced mg servo in this price reange from futaba also. and yes they are digital.
This could free up some cash to invest into larger capacity packs. And from what ive read, if you are going to run 6s, most prefer the 1100kv motors to get the power , but are running the larger capacity packs to reach a reasonable flight time.
I am not sure about the amp rating on your esc. I think the new stock esc went toa higher amp rating. I could be wrong on this though but 75 amp sounds familiar to me. Their are posts on this subject though if you go through some of the older threads. Also does your esc have a BEC built into it. If not you will have to get one or run a receiver pack.
Since you have no electronics would you consider a 8s set up. You can have heaps of power and good run time to!!
This is my set up and i really like it
futaba s3151 on cyclic $31 usd from tower hobbies
401/9254 on tail
Ewatts HV 80 amp esc $150 A.U.D wattsuprc.com.au
Western robotics BEC readyheli
Stock gaui 850 kv motor for now
Two fp 4s 2500mah packs (8s)

My timer is set up for 6 mins ,and i am running at 75% throttle curve.My flight consist of about 2 mins hovering ,2 mins of figure8s then my mate thrashes it for 2 mins. I am then putting 1800mah back into the packs. My next packs willbe the kong power 2200mah 4s ,They are a bit more forgivng on the over discharge apparently so ican still have my 6 min flight but their pricing is awesome.


In saying all this iknow of another bloke who flies on the stock motor with 2200mah airthunder twin 3s .he does ff a few loops and rolls and gets a good 5 mins out of this configuration. So flying style seems to have a huge outcome on flight time as well. just depends on what your into.

[erbrou]

I think the servos you are going to drop in might be a bit of overkill for this heli.Overkill yet nice to have. I run th futaba s3151 on my cyclics, their around $31 U.S.D. Thanks cd5 for your time, I am appreciative. Concerning the servos, I know that the Futaba 9452 are a little expensive, but I want MG servos to reduce the possibility of gear stripping when crashing. I do not really know the other futaba MG servos... I do not know which one to choose, there are so many possibilities (see the chart!)

[mbigby2]

Thanks cd5 for your time, I am appreciative. Concerning the servos, I know that the Futaba 9452 are a little expensive, but I want MG servos to reduce the possibility of gear stripping when crashing. I do not really know the other futaba MG servos... I do not know which one to choose, there are so many possibilities (see the chart!)

On a side note, I have broken my (plastic) frame 3 times, but never stripped a servo on my 550. I even use fairly crappy DS821's. This is in sharp contrast to my Trex 450, where every hard wreck seems to take out at least one servo. It would seem that the indirect linkages add a fair amount of protection. The strongest argument for the low end servos, in my mind, is that the Spektrum/JR servos have a stock large wheel that is pre-drilled for both the straight and offset positions. You can get the same if you're willing to drill a wheel or if you buy the CF futaba arms from ReadyHeli.

[Stallion]

I have one thing to add to this servo discussion. I Use the 3151 as well. They are great servos but i had 3 crashes so far and the last two i stripped 4 servo gears in total. I don't have any experience with MG servos. But if the MG gears do not strip during a crash something else has do to take the heat and plastic Servo gears are cheap and not so difficult to replace.

[erbrou]

I have chosen to buy the 3151 servos. I will upgrade them later if I am not satisfied. For this heli, at the beginning, my idea was to get a relatively cheap (but good) set-up. However, I have ordered the PRO kit which almost cost the double of the standard one, and I was now about to buy expensive servos... So, I will save some money by buying the 3151 servos.

I got the pro kit by mail yesterday :lol:. Everything look great except that the clear coat of the fiberglass canopy (upgrade) is not top notch. Also, my first thought was that I am going to break that plastic frame and tail fin at the first crash. It does not appears to be robust. On my t-rex 450 SE, the bottom plate is made of plastic and it is the only part of the frame that break in crashes, while the rest of the carbon frame and carbon fins remain intact.

However, Hurricane parts are cheap and, overall, I am satisfied with my new heli.


My final set-up:

Motor: Z20 980
ESC: Castle creations phoenix-80 (w/ internal BEC)
Receiver: AR7000
Servos: S3151
Gyro: GY401 with 9254 for tail servo
Batteries: Evo 25 2170 for now (my current T-rex 450 batteries). To be upgraded soon.

Thank you all for the input!

[bstock]

That's a nice setup... you should be happy with that.

When you get it flying... let us know how you like that motor with those batteries, and what flight times you are getting. Not many of us have that motor... but are looking to get one if it flys well with smaller batteries.

thanks - Brent

[erbrou]

let us know how you like that motor with those batteries, and what flight times you are getting. Not many of us have that motor... but are looking to get one if it flys well with smaller batteries.Sure!

However, I will take my time to extend the pleasure of building! I am not as hurry as with my first helicopter because I now have something to fly on hands. I still have great fun with the little T-rex 450!

[ping]

You can't run the internal BEC on the PHX80 above 3 cells. You will need to run an external BEC the CC BEC is only 25 bucks I belive. I have heard it has some issues with spectrum radios though (and their is a workaround). Their are many other external BEC's you can checkout though. I would recommend a UBEC myself http://www.koolflightsystems.com/ultimatebec.htm I have been using them in aircraft and never had a problem with them.

Also checkout the 3152's they are just a bit more expensive (4 bucks I think) but have more torque. Here are the specs side by side.

S3151
- 60° speed: .21 sec @ 4.8v
- 60° speed: .17 sec @ 6.0v
- Torque: 43.00 oz/in @ 4.8v
- Torque: 54.00 oz/in @ 6.0v
-- 1.59 x.79x1.42 inches
- 1.50 ounces

S3152
Speed: .22 sec/60° @ 4.8V, .18 sec/60° @ 6V
Torque: 69 oz-in @ 4.8V, 87 oz-in @ 6V
Weight: 1.5oz (42g)
Length: 1.6" (41mm)
Width: 0.8" (20mm)
Height: 1.5" (38mm

[Pinecone]

I am putting DS821s in my Hurricane (building this weekend). One BIG reason, I got 4 servos for $70 shipped. :) People sell them in sets out of DX7s all the time. And they use the JR large wheels.

I picked up a CC BEC also for mine.

And an Elfiernz (here on HF) for a good lipo alarm (I already have 4 of his alarms).

[erbrou]

You can't run the internal BEC on the PHX80 above 3 cells. You will need to run an external BEC the CC BEC is only 25 bucks I belive. I have heard it has some issues with spectrum radios though (and their is a workaround). Their are many other external BEC's you can checkout though. I would recommend a UBEC myself http://www.koolflightsystems.com/ultimatebec.htm I have been using them in aircraft and never had a problem with them.

Also checkout the 3152's they are just a bit more expensive (4 bucks I think) but have more torque. Here are the specs side by side.

S3151
- 60° speed: .21 sec @ 4.8v
- 60° speed: .17 sec @ 6.0v
- Torque: 43.00 oz/in @ 4.8v
- Torque: 54.00 oz/in @ 6.0v
-- 1.59 x.79x1.42 inches
- 1.50 ounces

S3152
Speed: .22 sec/60° @ 4.8V, .18 sec/60° @ 6V
Torque: 69 oz-in @ 4.8V, 87 oz-in @ 6V
Weight: 1.5oz (42g)
Length: 1.6" (41mm)
Width: 0.8" (20mm)
Height: 1.5" (38mm

Hi, I already ordered the S3151 servos (3 of them for 77$). Yes, the torque appears to be a little weak. Do you think I will notice the difference? I went for the S3151 because I preferred to order everything at the same hobby shop instead of adding an extra 25$ shipping fee to also order elsewhere (I am in Canada and I usually order in the US). But at least, I will run the servos at 6V.

For the ESC, you are right, I will need to get a separate BEC. I did not notice that when ordering. The castle creations BEC run at 5.1 by default instead I get the Castle link (another 25$) to program the unit to run it at 6V. So, I am looking elsewhere.

The UBEC 6 volts is interesting but, at 36$, I can also get the Medusa Potencia 3.5 Amp 5v/6v HV BEC or Western Robotics Hercules 5amp BEC HC which are selectable. The latter seems interesting at 5 amp.

I also need a step-down for the tail servos but I do not see the difference between the Align "regular" step-down and the Align two-way step down. It looks in the description that only the "two-step" one could be placed between the BEC and receiver if necessary, instead of only between the gyro and tail servos (???). Look at the description below:


K10333A 5.1V Align Step-Down Voltage Regulator
Allowing use of Futaba servo models 9241.9251.9253.9254.9255.9256, and other digital servos not capable of handling 6V. Connect the regulator inline between the Gyro and the rudder servo. If you are using a servo that can accept 6V input, the regulator is not required.

K10381A 5.1V Two-way Step-down Voltage Regulator
For some servos such as Futaba servo models 9241, 9251, 9253, 9254, 9255, 9256 and other digital servos are not capable of handling 6V, please connect a 5.1V step-down voltage regulator to the rudder servo, or connect it between BEC (ex. RCE-B6X) and the receiver for all servos. It could avoid the servos overloading and damaged.

Again, your comments are VERY helpful!!

P.S. My first language is French and I do not speak often in english, so forgive me if it looks unclear or laborious.

[erbrou]

I am putting DS821s in my Hurricane (building this weekend). One BIG reason, I got 4 servos for $70 shipped. :) People sell them in sets out of DX7s all the time. And they use the JR large wheels.

I picked up a CC BEC also for mine.

And an Elfiernz (here on HF) for a good lipo alarm (I already have 4 of his alarms).Since few guys appear to have problems with the CC BEC, I will try another one. For the servos (which do not come with large wheels), I have ordered the Futuba carbon fiber servo double arms. If someone use that upgrade, does this thing work well?

[ukgroucho]

I also need a step-down for the tail servos but I do not see the difference between the Align "regular" step-down and the Align two-way step down. I

The 'regular' one is fine. The 401 can take 6v the 9254 is the only component that needs protecting.

The Hyperion TiCool SBEC is very nice... 3S - 10S, 4amps continuous 5 amps burst, selectable for 5v or 6v with a jumper (no programming lead BS). Small enough - about the size of a CC35 ESC, maybe a little bigger.

I'm using one on a 10S 550 with 5v for now as I'm waiting for the Align step down to come in (I have DS821 cyclic and 401/9254 rudder). Once I get the step down I'll flip it to 6v.

Don't take too long over the build.. I've been a long time 450 flyer and it took me a little while to get my Hurricane built because I was waiting for parts... AND then I was pretty nervous when I first spooled it up... But after 20- 25 flights i just love this thing. Still enjoying the 450s also ut the Hurricane is something else.

[erbrou]

Ok, there is my final setup (bis!). All parts have been ordered!

Heli: Huriccane 500 XES PRO SE kit
Motor: Z20 980
ESC: Castle creations phoenix-80
Receiver: AR7000
Servos: S3151
Gyro: GY401 with 9254 for tail servo
BEC: SportBEC Switch-mode 5/6V (3.5A)
Batteries: Evo 25 2170 for now (my current T-rex 450 batteries). To be upgraded.

+ Western Robotics Spectrum Lipo Battery Monitor (option audible alarm to be bought)
+ Western Robotics Step-Down Voltage Regulator

Wououu!

:lol:

[ping]

Did you buy those ready heli arms that are pre-cut to fit the Hurricane? If you did let me know how they work for you I'm thinking about picking up a set myself.

[erbrou]

Did you buy those ready heli arms that are pre-cut to fit the Hurricane? If you did let me know how they work for you I'm thinking about picking up a set myself.Yes, I bought the Futaba Carbon Fiber Servo Double Arms (Straight, for the CNC bellcranks) from readyheli. Ok, I will come back on that...

[ping]

Yep those were the same I was looking at. I'll be using similar servos (the 3152's) so let me know how those work for you!

[wis1]

Iv'e been using 3152's, have 50+ flights on them, no problems flies great.
Love this heli!

[Mikej]

And an Elfiernz (here on HF) for a good lipo alarm (I already have 4 of his alarms).
I have one on my 550 as well - very good - I went for one with twin Deans' on so you just plug it between the ESC and the Y connector.