my hurricane build list, did i miss anything?

[istandalone]

i'm going to be starting the build on my hurricane within the next few weeks (xmas present to myself) and i'd like to list the things i've bought, and see if anyone here can tell me if i need something that i don't yet have. this list is for the build only, i have all the support equipment required and crash parts have been ordered.

hurricane xes arf w/main blades and extra woodies
rcp he35 outrunner
cc 60 amp esc
gy401/9254 combo
towerhobbies digi servos, 82 oz-in .13sec/60 degrees
rx with crystal- using my tx that i got with my mx450
all of the bullet and deans connectors
2500mah lipos and charger

is there anything else that y'all can think of that i'll need? i'd just hate to start the build, then have to stop because i forgot something. thanks!

[istandalone]

anyone?

[Pinecone]

If the XES doesn't have it, you will want the CNC elevator arm. The stock ones has been known to break, and the CNC one allows you to get away from the offset balls.

If the XES has the plastic frame, ReadyHeli has a nice frame stiffener and battery mount setup.

Oh, and you will need 2 packs of Raptor plastic links. The Gaui ones are a bit short, so you need to replace at least one end of every link with a Raptor or Rocket City link.

[istandalone]

Oh, and you will need 2 packs of Raptor plastic links. The Gaui ones are a bit short, so you need to replace at least one end of every link with a Raptor or Rocket City link.

see, i knew i'd forget something! and i even saw that about the links on finless's build vid. there are so many links out there, does someone have a link to the correct ones? in my infinite stupidity i'd order the wrong ones.

[istandalone]

are these the correct raptor links?
http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=803895

[odieser]

yes those will do you fine

[istandalone]

thanks.

[istandalone]

oh, do i need to get a bec or does the cc pheonix 60 amp esc have one built in?

[Pinecone]

You probably need a BEC, as IIRC the Phoenix 60 BEC is only good to 3S or 4S.

I recommend the Dimension Engineering SportBEC.

[istandalone]

would this bec work?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSWL3&P=7
sorry for the dumb questions, but i just don't know what is compatible with what.

[Pinecone]

That would be perfect, except I don't trust mine yet.

My first one was DOA. There have been reports of them failing afte a few flights including one or two that failed in such a way to take out a few servos (high voltage).

I think Castle will get them straightened out, but for now I use mine (replacement, Castle was great about that) to bench setup.

[Mikej]

I replaced all of the self-tapping screws that hold the the link balls on with hex-head machine screws - this is something covered in the Finless vids - a number of the self tappers were only held in with about 1 or 2 threads and could easily fall out they are either M2 x 8 or M2 x 10 and there is something that you need to do to the tail ball link. I also went short-boom and it balances perfectly. Oh and the 9254 is only 4.8v so you will need a step-down for that (I use the Align one).

The Finless Bob videos really are compulsory viewing before you start your build !!!!

[ukgroucho]

This may seem 'picky' but as you are going for 'custom' electronics - ESC and motor - why not go 8S instead of 6S?

An PHX 45HV will give the same peak power on 8S as a PHX 60 on 6S (around 1300 watts) but you'll do most flying with lower amps so more efficient.
Either route needs a separate BEC..
All you need is a motor capable of 8S ...

[istandalone]

i'm doing 6c because i don't want to have to buy new lipos. that's one of the reasons this heli was so appealing. so i need a bec and a step down. sweet, thanks!

[istandalone]

i was looking on readyhelis site for a bec, and saw the same one i pasted above, which is the castle creations bec. mikej says i need a step-down, but the info that readyheli posted about that cc bec says this output voltage from 4.8 to 9 using the Castle Link (sold separately).

so if i have the castle link i won't need a stepdown, because i can program the bec for 4.8v? is this correct?

[istandalone]

anyone? anyone know if i need a separate step down with the castle creations bec?

[ke6d]

anyone? anyone know if i need a separate step down with the castle creations bec?

Most people run the cyclic servos at 6.0V. Depending on you tail servo, you may need a step down. The 9254 tail servo definitely needs a step down converter (I have it on mine)

Dan

[istandalone]

so i should program the esc/bec to send 6v to the ail/ele/pitch servos and use a 4.8 step down on the tail servo? or if my servos have good enough specs on 4.8v i could eliminate the step down? sorry if i'm sounding dense, but i'm not very good with all of this new fangled technology.

[ke6d]

so i should program the esc/bec to send 6v to the ail/ele/pitch servos and use a 4.8 step down on the tail servo? or if my servos have good enough specs on 4.8v i could eliminate the step down? sorry if i'm sounding dense, but i'm not very good with all of this new fangled technology.

I am not familiar with the ESC/BEC that you are using. You probably need to tell the ESC/BEC what the output voltage will be. In this case, it is 6V. Align sells a little step down converter (basically a diode hidden somewhere in the wire) that only connects between the output of the gyro to the rudder servo. The converter only cost about $5 and is very light. I use this device on mine. The other alternative is to program your BEC to output 5V, but your cyclic servos will run slower at 5V.

Dan

[istandalone]

sorry for another stupid post, but will this bec/step down work decent?
https://www.readyheli.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=K10336TA

a dude i work with has one, and i can get it for like $5.

[Mikej]

sorry for another stupid post, but will this bec/step down work decent?
https://www.readyheli.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=K10336TA

a dude i work with has one, and i can get it for like $5.

That should be perfect - the BEC is the same as the un-branded one that come with the standard kit (but un-branded) and the step down is exactly what I use for my 550. You'll basically have exactly the same as I have and it works perfectly for me.

[istandalone]

that's awesome. $5 is a deal! i tried to glean the needed info from readyheli and heliproz websites, but not too much info is there. i also noticed that there was the b3x and the b6x, both bec/stepdowns from align and i could not figure out which one would work better. it's official, i have everything i need to build this thing. hopefully be able to maiden it by new years eve. i could probley build it in a week, but the mts are covered with the white stuff, and snowboarding is priority!

[WhirlingBladesOfDeath]

Not sure that's what your really after? It steps down a 2 cell lipo to 5V or 6V, so you'll need a separate battery. Don't you want a BEC that's powered by your main battery?

[Pinecone]

That's the wrong link, at least when I clicked on it.

But basically you can either progra your CC BEC to run at 4.8 - about 5.3 volts (as I have heard) and be fine with no step down. Or program your BEC to around 6 volts and use the step down.

Instead of buying the step down you can get a package of 1N4001 diodes, or maybe a 3 amp rated diode, and put in in the servo's red wire, with the stripe on the diode towards the servo. You can use a short servo extension or put it in the servo wire itself.

The ALign stepdown is a diode in a servo extension.

[istandalone]

shite i'm starting to confuse myself. that link is for the align bec/stepdown unit. i'm all set though. got that bec/stepdown from a friend. and i've got my cc 60amp esc, motor ect. just need time.....and probly a few shots of cabowabo for the build. all of these electronics are going to drive me batshit trying to install all of them. i'm sure i'll need more help then, but for now thanks for the guidance.