Completing my setup...

[darkfa8]

I have:

1. h550 with full CNC head, bellcranks, stock "OK" gearing
2. Z-Power Z30a-1110
3. Jazz 55-10-32 esc
4. (3) Hitec 6975HB cyclic servos
5. Hitec 6965HB tail
6. Hitec HG5000 gyro (to be ordered)

I'm trying to decide on:

1. gearing change to get 1900-2000 rpm head speed for good power but better then 5 minute flight times for sport aerobatic flights

2. BEC

3. main blades?

4. any other needs mods for durability?

5. what batteries to stick in it, a123 batteries are getting more expensive so they're not looking as attractive as going with lipos...

[concept1]

for Blades the RCP 500's are good, but if you have the extra $$ the rotortech 515s would be my choice. you will need to try the 13 and 14t pinions to see which suites your style. and if you want 5+ minute flights look for 3300mah packs or larger or a low head speed. for all out power I still think the 8s A123 are hard to beat but 4 minute flights are the drawback, I still see them costing about $75-85 for a 8s pack which is hard to beat for life and reliability. you can consistantly find the dewalt 10 cell packs on ebay for $100 shipped

[darkfa8]

where do you buy the RCP blades?

regarding the Dewalt packs, there are very few on Ebay selling for less then $100. Either way, if I buy one Dewalt pack that's 4-minutes of flight for a about $85.. it's a tough nut to swallow especially since it would be stupid to not have at least 2-3 flight packs so I could flight 2-3 flights consecuitively. =\

I'm gonna take your advice from RR on keeping the z30a-1110 motor and giving it a try. I've been trying to sell it, but no takers. Might as well work with what I have. You felt that the z20 just wouldn't really have enough pop to make it worthwhile and instead it's be really lacking in the power department.

[istandalone]

RCPII 500mm blades at www.readyheli.com (http://www.readyheli.com)

[vicrc]

where do you buy the RCP blades?

regarding the Dewalt packs, there are very few on Ebay selling for less then $100. Either way, if I buy one Dewalt pack that's 4-minutes of flight for a about $85.. it's a tough nut to swallow especially since it would be stupid to not have at least 2-3 flight packs so I could flight 2-3 flights consecuitively. =\

I'm gonna take your advice from RR on keeping the z30a-1110 motor and giving it a try. I've been trying to sell it, but no takers. Might as well work with what I have. You felt that the z20 just wouldn't really have enough pop to make it worthwhile and instead it's be really lacking in the power department.

I am replacing my Z20 with a borrowed Z30 1100, there are a few who will eventually will need that extra pop.

[concept1]

I didn't say the Z 20 would not ave enough, I just said it is hard to say if it will have enough! for a new guy it will have more then enough power, but for someone comming from a 50 glow for example, or a really hot Trex 450 it would be lacking! But since you do have the 2 motors I would deffinatly fly both of them and see, if it's too wild then try the Z20, If I fly my H/18 easy, I can get 6+ minutes 7 if I just hover around, if I really ring it out It drops to 4. I would love the oppertunity to test the Z30 and the RCP H/18 side by side!!

as for the Dewalts, I see you are right they have gone up in the past few weeks, now to around $100-150. I am working on hopefully landing a few "cheap" packs from a buddy who works for Dewalt.

[Vinger]

I use 3300mAh Lipo and get 9 min with the Z20 980kV (14t pinion) motor, FF, circuits, figure 8, odd loop and roll. RCP 515 blades. If you have the stock plastic frame, then 3300mAh Lipos is about the biggest you can fit without serious mods.

Hacker or Z30 (1100kV) gives awesome performance, but flight time for my kind of flying goes down to 6min.

[istandalone]

my z20 is in! vinger, do you use stock gearing? i'll be running this motor with the 14t pinion to start out & 500mm blades, with 6 cell FP evo 30 3200's. is it safe to say i'll get similar flight times as you doing just basic hovering and ff, with a few figure 8's thrown in?

[mjdee14]

my z20 is in! vinger, do you use stock gearing? i'll be running this motor with the 14t pinion to start out & 500mm blades, with 6 cell FP evo 30 3200's. is it safe to say i'll get similar flight times as you doing just basic hovering and ff, with a few figure 8's thrown in?

You should be in the 7 - 8 - 9 minute range with your set up....when I was just putzing around I got long flights on 3300's....when you start max climbs, hard turns, loops...it starts to east up amps...even with the Z20...but 6 -7 minutes of real fun is better than 9 minutes of "Yawning" !!

[medtech]

istandalone, I'm using z20, FP 3200's, 500mm wooden blades, and 14t pinion. My last flight was mostly hovering and up & down rapid pitch changes. I set my timer for 7 minutes. I used 2100mah. Batteries and motor were right around 90. I have room to go even longer! Headspeed is 1950 hovering and 2000 at 0 pitch.