Phoenix HV85, Where will it fit?

[skigolfmike]

I just got the $399 550 kit special from ReadyHeli with the motor and ESC upgrade. I also upgraded to a Phoenix HV85 while I was at it. I'm about 60% complete with my Hurricane 550 build - so far so good. However, with the canopy since the canopy doesn't leave much room and the HV85 is so big, I'm wondering where I can put it on the heli.

Anyone else done this? Got pics? I should have all the pieces Monday. Basically, I'm waiting on blades and the pinion gear which won't take long to setup if I can figure out the ESC placement.

It's the Gaui Hurricane 550 CFS Version Kit (Free 1500 Watt Motor & 75 amp ESC) (http://www.readyheli.com/Gaui_Hurricane_550_CFS_Version_Kit_Carbon_Fiber_S_ p/204006.htm) with: Phoenix HV85 ESC upgrade, DS8717 CCPM servos, JR 770 gyro, 8900g TR servo, DX7 TX with AR7000 RX, 2 3S1P 3200 30C lipos to run in series, 2S1P 1350 receiver battery with Spektrum Dual Voltage Regulator step down for TR servo & gyro, 550 wood blades and either a 21 or 22 tooth pinion.

Should have it flying Monday or Tuesday if I can get the ESC placement figured out.

[ukgroucho]

The CC85HV is a bulky ESC for a Hurri. I'm sure that it will work from a power delivery perspective but you will definitely need to look at placement.

My initial reaction is that you will need to place the ESC in the body of the Heli somewhere. This really depends on the packs that you use - and I cannot really offer advice on all of the packs that are out there,

[vicrc]

Try in middle just under the main gear, that way it will balance easier

http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=43381&d=1206583685

[skigolfmike]

Thanks!

vicrc - I have the stock CF frame. Mine doesn't look anything like that.

ukgroucho - I looked at the center of the frame Not sure that's a good spot either. I still have a receiver battery I have to fit in there some where.

I'm planning to run 2 3S1P packs in series in the 3000-3300mAh range. I got a pair of FlightPower 3200 30Cs just to get it in the air. I'm researching lower cost lipos and looking at getting more pairs of batteries in the future.

I'm going to on the right side. It's going to be a pretty tight squeeze and I may have to trim the canopy a little to get it on. If it doesn't fit, I'' move the ESC. The canopy is so tight I barely have clearance on the servo linkages.

[michael88997]

worse case just cut the canopie so the esc sticks out lol... it will always stay cooled.

[skigolfmike]

Actually, I started grinding the canopy a little, I did find a place for the ESC though, right side of the fuse just behind the canopy. The wires are long enough to get to the batteries and I can route the motor wires around the servo and gears.

So far, IMHO, this build has went really well. Yes, a lot of screws needed locktite so I pretty much had to take it apart and put it back together. I was warned about that though. So far the only problems I've had, besides where to mount the ESC, is getting the linkage to work correctly with boom mounted TR servo and working with that flimsy a$$, POS plastic canopy. I guess I'll be getting a glass canopy after I get it flying and sorted out.

I did get the ESC programmed tonight and setup in the heli. I have my throttle endpoints set and the motor spins. It rips at full throttle. I've got no gears yet, so I can't run the drive train. I suppose I should get my TriFlow out and lub the belt before I fly it. I'll try to get some pics and video when it's flying.

[vicrc]

Good job in relocating that Gargantuan of an ESC, placing it back where the stock one would make CGn very very difficult, specially with 3300 packs. Still wait'n on my Castle USB link and hopefully try and use the Governator part of it.

[istandalone]

are you using other then stock gearing, though? if your going for 21t or 22t pinions with stock gearing your HS will be 3000rpm+! readyheli's website suggests 21 or 22t pinions, but i'm not sure why. are you using the HS calc on ready's website? if so you'll need to use 42t as the main gear not 60 or 61. it's confusing to say the least.

[skigolfmike]

Main gear is a 61, The HS calculator gives 2488rpm @95% efficiency for the headspeed with a 21T pinion. I'll be looking for about 2000-2100rpm initially.

The ESC location is going to be on the right frame rail pretty much centered under the main shaft. I have the receiver battery I can move around to get the CG right. I can also move the TR servo off the boom if I have to and mount it in the frame if I need to move the CG forward.

[istandalone]

just under 2500rpm? that's pretty high! idk if anyone here has even run a HS that high. i really hope you've got a full alloy head. plastic would evaporate at that speed lol.

[skigolfmike]

Initially, what I'll do is set the normal throttle curve to 0 straight across. Then at mid stick, 0 pitch, I bump up the throttle curve until I get 2000 rpm and I figure out my curves from there. If I get there at 40% throttle, I need to drop 2 teeth, if I get there at 60% throttle, I should be pretty close.

I put in some pics of what I got so far. Should fly Monday or Tuesday.

[istandalone]

man that is one big honkin esc!

[skigolfmike]

I went back to the headspeed calculator and it figured that 17T-18T is about what I want. I'll know more on Monday or Tuesday when I fly it.

I do not have the CNC head. It does have the CNC swash, the upgraded see-saw and the CNC anti-rotation bar.

[ukgroucho]

Yeah that is probably the only placement other than inside the frame. I've got a CC HV85 sitting around here and I know how big that is - especially compared to the Jazz 55 10 32 I have which fits on the side of the frame inside the canopy....

[istandalone]

if i were you, i'd not go above 2100rpm with the stock plastic grips. it could be bad.

[Vinger]

If it was me I would not even bother with the CC HV85 as it really is a piece of c:wow2:p. Let me explain, you have to have the Castle Link to set it up, then your nightmare will start, with endless unplugging, plugging of throttle wire into RX, then the governor mode kicks the tail so badly that it broke the belt on my TT E550. All that CC say is to wait for firmware upgrade, but this is mia still as of Aug last year. :arggg:

Get a Jazz or stick to the Gaui stock one or even a cheap Hobbywing, they are all better and LIGHTER than this piece of lead!

[ukgroucho]

Yeah.. I bought the CC HV85 as a prospective purchase for a 12S config (which I have yet to build) .. There are not too many 12S ESCs out there right now, although it is improving as people seem to be waking up to the benefits of HV setups. The Kontronik power Jazz device is a monster, too much / too big IMO..... I love Kontronik stuff but their range is limited at the top end - it's all or nothing.

I've fought with CC ESCs and the eternal 'firmware upgrade' promise in the past (yes I have the Castle Link) and it really dismays me that a company that seems to make great hardware (and wants to support their customes) has not got a grip on this stuff yet.

WAY too many firmware releases - and a history of breaking things when they (claim to) improve something ekse.

[skigolfmike]

I setup a Phoenix 35 in a Blade 400 with no problem adn I am running it in governor mode. I would think the HV85 should work just fine.

There are some nuances to getting the governor mode to work right and it takes a little experimentation too. It's neat when it works though. The biggest thing in getting governor mode to work correctly is getting the governor gain right. Too much gain and the tail kicks, Too little gain and the tail oscilates, plus it's gets hard to lock onto an altitude in hover. Feels like you are chasing it. Also, it's best to go with conservative settings, even in heli fixed endpoint mode with low spool-up and low throttle response. Better to bored waiting for your heli to spool up than to watch it tear itself apart because the start up was too aggressive.

For the 35 I followed the Finless vids to do the setup-up and I experimented from there.

[istandalone]

the problems with castle creations esc's begin with the HV line. there aren't too many issues with the regular phoenix's i guess. i love mine, but can only go up to 6 cell lipo, 8 cell a123 and i've not set gov mode yet, so i might change my opinion!

[worldofmaya]

@skigolfmike: to you really think it's an good idea to place it there? I just think about what happens if your heli crashes...
@Vinger: have a look at the Jive... an cheap alternative to a Powerjazz with nearly no weight (compared to a Powerjazz). There are a few Mikado people using a Powerjazz without fan... saves weight.
-klaus