Substitute controller for Ion-X

[Wild Moose]

Hello Everyone,

New kid on the block here and I have an observation and a question regarding the Actro 32-3, 9.5:1, 10S, Hacker 77-H-O setup.

I just tried out a set of new batteries on this bird and noticed that the headspeed was waaaaay up. I do not have an optical tach so I do not have any hard number on the actual headspeed but it was definitely noticeably higher than before. A good friend who has a great deal of experience with helis said the headspeed sounded like it was way above 2000 RPM.

After searching through the numerous posts on this board I cannot seem to find any references to the Hacker Master Acro 90 controller being used on this heli. The reason why I am leaning towards using this controller (yes I do happen to have one), is that I feel that I need to run the heli with less than 100% throttle. The Acro 90 most likely can handle the lower throttle % that I am looking for whereas the 77 would just overheat.

So, here is my question: Has anyone used this controller in lieu of the Opto 77 model?

Any help here is surely appreciated. Thanks!

-Roger

[misskimo]

Roger, hey , what are those white things , TANICS ! man you should have stuck with TP 8000 , the hacker 77 will work great , just run a V curve on there , dont even have to change the timeing , just plug and play ,

[fitenfyr]

Well the Ion will sound a bit speedy IMO, but you shouldn't have been more than 1800 unloaded on that gearing unless you are not running 10S.

I assume you are using at least 690's on there.

Somebody back me up with the actual numbers, but that is the gearing suggested for that motor and the 3D setup. Which I recall was an 1850 or so unloaded headspeed.

[WillJames]

My actro setup is running around 1950-2K unloaded from what I remember. It is a little early and I forgot the exact numbers. I have been runnin the 77-O-H for a while, at high 80's to lower 90's on the curves with no overheating or anything like that on 10s4p.

[Wild Moose]

My sincerest thank you all for the feedback folks. I was hoping someone has been using this controller (Acro 90) as I was under the impression that keeping the 77' at 100% was the only way to go. If I can dial back to the low 90's then I will try that. I just do not want to pop this controller in flight.

The heli currently has 700's (V-Blades) with 5mm blade bolts.

Hey Tony,

The heli has been running on a 'tired' set of 10S4P TP8000 Gen2 Lites and I was just breaking in these new Tanic cells (10S2P) while preparing a 33% Fixed wing project for a Fun Fly this coming weekend in Arizona. I do not plan on flying it much with these packs as the heli comes out over 12 lbs!!!

-Roger

[ChrisS]

Hi Roger

The 32-3 setup on 10S at 9.5:1 will unload over 2K on a fresh pack. The calculator actually says over 2100. Not to worry, this is done all time.

My only concern with the Acro 90 controller is about it's lack of a true slow start. I know it has a soft start, but in practice with helis, that doesn't do much. I'm sure you can make it work, but probably will require giving the blades a little spin first and then slowly advancing the throttle trim to get the head going.

In regards to using the 77-O controller to slow down the head....wellll, I have done it. Did it all last summer in an attempt to see how an Ion could be setup for contest work, I needed a true 2 speed setup. It worked, the controller never thermalled off the way the earlier 48's would. Never interferred with the radio the way the 48's would either. Now, in slow speed mode I ONLY hovered around and whenever I went upstairs I flipped back into full speed. That controller is still doing fine and turning a Neu motor now, quite well. Understand though, your mileage may vary and this is not a recommended practice.

Chris

[Wild Moose]

Hi Chris,

Thank you for the information, and the conversation earlier today. Today was a good day to perform some RPM measurements at the field, 2250 RPM with the batteries at full charge, unloaded. Once in the air, RPM's came down (100-150 RPM maybe?) and after about 1-2 minutes the RPM drop 'sounded' like it was right around 2K.

Performance, to me, was nothing less than spectacular.

I rechecked my throttle curves, 75% in normal, 85% idle up 1 and 95% in idle up 2 flat across for each flight condition (no V curve). So far three flights today and all is well. :D

[ChrisS]

Yup, that sounds pretty typical Roger. The Actro setup spins fast...gobs 'O power and fun.

Chris

[WillJames]

The Actro setup has the POP!! The NEU 1521 has the grunt and torque. I hope to get some video of HC and Clint wringing out both models at the Sheep this weekend. I will post the findings.

As for the actro POP I am talking about, there is a video of me flying it (or my poor excuse for flying anyway) at Clint's last weekend at the link below. As you can see when I got disorientated, you can hear me load the Actro to the point of bogging nad it is really sagging. The Neu shines when loaded like this, but again, it does not have the POP of the Actro. I am running the 48T secondary gear on my Ney, the stock gearing on the Actro.

http://www.helifreak.com/about10476.html

[BobbySmith]

Well said Will all you need is a set of those 5300 TP'S and you will see some real pop :smokin:


Roger fly man you will love it that 12lbs will rock when it is windy

Bobby