Blade 400 or the Mini Pred 3D?

[terrybeb]

Ooh, well I have the one from my esky charger. Can I use that one? It says "Input: 100-240v - 50/60Hz 0.7A" and "Output: + 12V 1.5A"

I'm not an electrician but that sounds right to me.but mine is 10 amps constant at 13.8V DC Yours may not have enough of an amperage output.
http://www.etronics.com/p-23882-pyramid-ps-12kx-regulated-12v-12amp-power-supply.aspx

you need to find one like this for your Voltage.

[HFG]

Not if you plan to charge at 2C. With your existing power supply you will be forced to charge at 0.5C.

[Superand]

Im not following you guys. So I need this: http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=173_197&products_id=5452 to charge my battery. Now, if I take a wall adapter with it, will I be able to charge this battery: http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=4433

I just dont get, why there are those thingies, on the charger? They look like something you use on a car-battery and also, why do I need that big box of a power supply? I figured that a powersupply for heli-battery-chargers, looked a bit like cellphone-chargers. Or like my lama v3 charger's powersupply.

[HFG]

The power supply needs to be able to supply the current required by the charger. Even if the charger is 100% efficient then charing a 2200mah hour pack means the charger will require 2.2A from the power supply. In reality nothing is 100% efficient and you can add 10-20% for losses.

[Superand]

Oh! So I need a pretty powerful powersupply, to charge that battery, I linked to, right? And I cant use my old powersupply, right?

[HFG]

I used an old computer power supply i modded. Outputs 12V with 16A which is enough to run about 5 chargers for 3S packs. here is my setup.


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/hfguy/DSC00705.jpg

[Superand]

Woah, looks really advanced. :shock:

Ive got a Dell powersupply too, but its in my computer.

Omg, the hard part should be over. I found a heli!..

You see, this is what I have, so you can probably understand why Im confused. I think.

PS sorry for bad quality, it was taken with my cellphone.

[shaggybirdman]

that power supply will probably be a bit small for anything bigger than your small balance board charger. if the leads are correct your existing charger will charge a trex battery, but it will take a long time to do it. watch evil bay for a 12 amp 12 volt power supply, or get the schematic to convert a pc power supply.

here is a great charger. i have one, and want a second:

http://shop.boomtownhobbies.com/product.sc?categoryId=6&productId=11

get a power supply, and your set. it can do from 1 - 4 cell packs. it can also do 2 2 cell packs at the same time. mine came wit all kinds of adapter connectors to do most any pack.

[shaggybirdman]

just looked at your Thunder Tiger Mini Titan. with the canopy on it looks almost the same as a trex. with the canopy off it would seem after a bad crash the battery, and speed control would break off the frame. that heli looks better than a trex? ok if you say so :tongue

[shaggybirdman]

Superand

i take it your getting the copter x combo? the futaba may be a lower end radio, but it's a good name brand. if it's like the one i smoked. it's a rice radio. has 3, or 5 model memory too. little computer radio if i'm not mistaken.

i'll be getting there head, and tail for my cde ounce i can hover without crashing.

[Superand]

The helicopter Im gonna get, is the CopterX CX 450SE V2 Combo Set RTF, so yes.

Ive already found a charger! Its the power supply Im looking for. The charger: http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=173_197&products_id=5452

[JasonJ]

Before you commit to the CopterX, make sure you research the problems people have had. Also, since for some reason I can't get the link to what you are thinking of buying, is the tx as good or better than the one you would get with the Blade 400? If it is not 2.4, then you are doing yourself a disservice by going the clone/low end 72mhz route. Since you are coming into the hobby, you really want to get into a 2.4 radio right off the bat. The clones can be good, but some people have had problems with part fitment. Some people have ended up frustrated and, you guessed it, bought a T-rex. All I am saying is in the end, you are better off, in my opinion, getting the Blade 400 and then moving on to the next helicopter down the road. The reality is you never own just one helicopter, so you want to maximize your entry into the hobby. The Blade 400 will give you more bang for the buck than the clone/low end fm radio combo's that are out there. The Blade 400 will perform as well as a clone, be cheaper, and you will have a better radio. The Blade 400 will give you all you need to get started, in one box, plain and simple. If you don't like the hobby, you didn't waste time and money screwing around with a clone and old fm radio. Seems pretty simple to me....

[Superand]

Hi Jason
Well, the clone T-Rex comes with a Futaba 6EXH PCM Transmitter.

If I'm gonna get the Blade 400, then I might aswell could buy the Mini Pred 3D. I 've seen/heard a lot better comments on the Mini Pred 3D, but is it better?

And doesnt the Mini Pred come with a 2.4 Ghz transmitter?


The reason why I would like the Mini Pred a bit more, is because I know a good danish hobby shop, who has it + reserve/upgrade parts. http://www.holte-modelhobby.dk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=10_210&products_id=8723

[JasonJ]

Hi Jason
Well, the clone T-Rex comes with a Futaba 6EXH PCM Transmitter.

If I'm gonna get the Blade 400, then I might aswell could buy the Mini Pred 3D. I 've seen/heard a lot better comments on the Mini Pred 3D, but is it better?

And doesnt the Mini Pred come with a 2.4 Ghz transmitter?


The reason why I would like the Mini Pred a bit more, is because I know a good danish hobby shop, who has it + reserve/upgrade parts. http://www.holte-modelhobby.dk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=10_210&products_id=8723

Just reread my second post on this thread. The mini-pred is the same thing as a Falcon 3d, does not come with 2.4 and is not in the same league as the Blade 400.

The Futaba 6 exh pcm is an entry level fm radio. I bought one to replace the junk radio that comes with the Falcon (mini pred) and it works, but I got mine dirt cheap on ebay right when 2.4 was really getting widespread so I wasn't on board with the 2.4 concept yet. I will be buying a DX7 later this year but since I am the only one who flies in my area, I don't worry about interference. If the Blade 400 existed when I was in your shoes, I would have bought it, plain and simple. I understand why you would want to go mini-pred for the support, but I think you would be better off with the much higher quality Blade 400 and waiting for parts than the lesser Mini-Pred.

If you want the scoop on the Falcon/mini-pred, read this thread:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=642411

There is a ton of fiddly crap to deal with on this helicopter that you won't have to deal with on a Blade 400.

[shaggybirdman]

Jason

try this link to it:

http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5583

same link as above here, but if it still doesn't work try this then go down to the copter x.

http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/index.php

isn't the b 400 the only heli that comes rtf with a spektrum radio? i'd bet the original dx6 can be had very cheap on evil bay now. also support is a big thing in helis in my opinion. hell any form of rc for that matter.

Superand

are there any heli pilots locally? if so what are they flying? they will be your biggest support.

[Superand]

Jason: Allright man, I'll get the Blade 400 then. And just hope that its a good n lovely model. Btw. do you know how much wind it can take?

Now I just gotta find a online shop, who ships to Greenland, and has European 220v powersupply/charger.

shaggy: Uhm.. No, I really dont think there are any RC Pilots in my city.. Unfortunately.

[shaggybirdman]

that's a bummer :( , so i take it your local hobby shop doesn't have anyone really versed in helis as well? well i have heli guys locally, but have gotten more info here. not that i can't get info from them, but i work the same hours as my lhs. you'll enjoy the b 400 very much, but it's not a trex. sorry Jason i just couldn't resist. i'm a trex lover/supporter.

as far as the power supply goes do the conversion of a pc power supply. if you can follow a schematic, and solder you should have no major problem. finding a old pc case shouldn't be a problem, and cheap to. a old at, or xt case should be had for free. check the flea market or swap meets if you have them there, or the paper. try a pc shop. they should have throwaways there that you can cannibalize a power supply out of. tell them what your doing. they will probably even give ya one for free.

[shaggybirdman]

Jason: Allright man, I'll get the Blade 400 then. And just hope that its a good n lovely model. Btw. do you know how much wind it can take?

well starting out? zero wind is best. as you learn you will be able to fly in more wind. indoors is best starting out.

Now I just gotta find a online shop, who ships to Greenland, and has European 220v powersupply/charger.

shaggy: Uhm.. No, I really dont think there are any RC Pilots in my city.. Unfortunately.

the charger isn't the problem. it's the power supply. talk to your lhs. they should be able to help.

[Superand]

What do you mean with "versed in helis" ? And no, I dont have a lhs.

So everything is just working out fine! :arggg:

EDIT: I have just sended an email to my favourite hobbyshop in Denmark, and I'm pretty sure they have one I can use. Btw. I still havent found a good, reliable online shop, I can use to buy the Blade 400 :(

Which online shops are good?

[shaggybirdman]

What do you mean with "versed in helis" ? And no, I dont have a lhs.

So everything is just working out fine! :arggg:

EDIT: I have just sended an email to my favourite hobbyshop in Denmark, and I'm pretty sure they have one I can use. Btw. I still havent found a good, reliable online shop, I can use to buy the Blade 400 :(

Which online shops are good?

well not having a lhs it really doesn't matter, but i mean someone with actual heli experience.

not sure, but the advertisers here should be of great assistance. i'd even bet they could ship a b 400 to you for the cost of shipping being a bit higher than shipping to the states. give em a try, or ask someone here to ship to you. i'll see if i can get a shipping cost for you. pm me your address (e mail address to), and i'll see what i can do for you. you have ups, and fed x delivery there i'm sure. ups could even pack it, so it would arrive safe, and sound. i'd even look into making a power supply for you. a friend probably has some spare cases sitting around.

i'm willing to help out another no0b like myself when, and where i can :thumbup:

[shaggybirdman]

just contacted rchover. a advertiser her about your situation, and pointed them to this string. lets see what happens. i'm willing to help as well. gotta find the link to building a power supply.

[Superand]

Oh, do you mean that they will try to offer me a blade 400 from their shop? or?

[JasonJ]

You should be able to still do the computer power supply trick which would be the cheapest. If you have a computer repair place, you should be able to buy a power supply cheap. I bought one for $10, did the wiring mods, and it has worked great. here is a link to a vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26oqItOY3lE

As far as wind, 450 class helicopters do okay up to around 20 mph. For your purposes, you should learn in calm conditions, or at least anything below 5 mph. if you have access to a large building like a stadium or gym, even better.

Try to stick to reputable shops like the ones linked to helifreak if you are buying online.

[Superand]

So I should go get an old computer powersupply, and just do the things in the video? Wouldnt it be a lot cheaper just to buy some little thing to put on the american stik/pin ?
That is what I would prefer to do ^^

Im pretty sure that Im going to buy from rchover.com.

[JasonJ]

Not necessarily. A good power supply costs more than a used pc power supply. You need to have a power supply that will provide enough amps to the lipo charger. A computer power supply provide clean, stable power to the lipo charger. A wall wart just kicks the a/c down to 12v d/c, and the amperage a wall wart provides is not very high. It really depends on what you have locally. If you can find a power supply that puts out at least as much amps as the lipo charger needs and pay less than a used pc power supply or is at least cheap enough to make not having to build your own power supply worth it, go for it. In the end, a converted pc power supply costs a fraction of the price of a power supply that puts out equivalent amperage. Might be different in Greenland though, so check around.