Upgrade now?

[flymustangs]

This has been covered to some extent, but I want to ask the question directly. I bought a 5003D package deal that included a Hacker A40-10L. The kit itself has the plastic motor mount and the .5 mod gear. The package also included a 23T pinion for the motor. The question is should I go ahead and change to the .7 mod gear now (16T?) and the aluminum motor mount?

Thanks.
Ken

[Flybar-less]

I run mod .5 gears in my 8s 600. Never had an issue. I think for 10S the answer would be mod.7. Metal motor mount is a definate.

[flymustangs]

Thanks John. I guess I should have mentioned that I was planning on 6S. I also got a CC 85HV esc as part of the package. Maybe there is a better option since I'm sticking with 6S. I was planning on the Western Robotics 5A BEC, but readyheli is out of them. Seems like an ongoing problem with this part based on past posts. Maybe there is a delay while they're fixing the radio interference problem.

Ken

[Flybar-less]

If you use Spkektrum/ JR just run 8717s and 2S, no BEC. Just be sure you have a real voltage regulator for the tail servo. There are several options, Spektrum, Emcotec, CC BEC with a signal lead, a few other new inline regulators. There is also an A123 6.5V RX pack option.

For a BEC I like the 6V6A UBEC.

[BruceW]

You can get the Western Robotics 5A BEC at GrandRC right now (its not easy to find on the site which is probably why they are available).
http://www.grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/89881

I know most people like the JR8717 servos and they are very fast (with lots of torque) but they do take a lot of current so you'll probably want to run them on 2S as John mentioned if you go that way. Another alternative is the Futaba BLS451 which I've been very happy with. They seem to take less current, provide 150 oz-in @ 6V, and fairly fast (0.1 sec / 60Deg). In general, I think they provide more than enough torque for the L500.

You might want to mention the rest of the equipment you plan on running to get more suggestions. If your running a PCM radio, be advised that the WR 5A BEC will not work since there seems to be an interference problem. Its only recommended for 2.4GHz.

I also run on 6S (FP EVOLite 5350) and the L500 has plenty of power with the A40-10L (15T mod 0.7 or 21T mod 0.5 suggested). The 23T mod 0.5 pinion will produce way too much headspeed (~2500). The Hacker motors run cooler with more speed and the 16T definitely made mine run hotter. Currently I'm getting ~2300 with the 15T and it has a lot of pop (+/-13 collective / +/-7.5 cyclic).

Bruce

[flymustangs]

Thanks Bruce. I have a Spektrum and was planning on an AR6200 receiver. For the servos, I'm going to use the BLS451's on the cyclic (already have a couple) and the BLS241 on the tail with a SpartanRC DS760.

That's good information on the head speed and pinions. What size blades are you getting those speeds with? The package deal I got came with a pair of 500mm carbon blades. I was planning on getting some wood ones to start with. I've found some 500's and 550's.

Thanks.
Ken

[BruceW]

I'm running the Rotortech 560mm blades. The L500 will fly with the 500mm and you could definitely spin them faster than 2300 but I've read that the helicopter will feel heavy on that size. In the long run I think you'll be happiest with 515->550mm blades and the Rotortech 560mm are in very short supply since the Funkey factory has been making blades for everyone else (i.e. Radix, Align).

EDIT: I can run 6 minutes at 2300 with light 3D, 5:30 with heavy 3D, and about 7-8 minutes at 2100 with light flying on the EVOlite 5350.