Bare Bones Air frame

[Heli 66]

I have a 500 or 550 electric heli. It is just the air frame and motor,I don't know what size. I know i need a battery,Esc,servos and gyro. I am trying to find out what size of everything. Battery, servos, Esc Gyro etc,etc. Can someone give me some general ideas

[dfgipe]

There is quite a difference between the two sizes. Do you have pics?

[seanh]

if you don't have pics, the 550 is very close to a 600 size frame while the more closely resembles a 450. Yea, I know, obvious.

that doesn't help, measure the frame length and height. That will clue us in to which one it is as well.

[Heli 66]

It's not a Align, The closest thing i could find that even comes close is a Century Swift 550,The upgraded Head for the swift looks alot like the one i got. I think the motor is a 600 Plus,I would like to get it in the air,but i just need to know what to get for it as far as size servos,batt,Esc etc etc. not to much $$$ i hope.

[seanh]

Ok, looks like a 600 size bird...

On another post, put the pic there and ask "help identify this bird". Since you really don't know what it is, ask Iit will help identifying the setup for that bird.

for a typical 600 size bird.
Motor-1600-2000 Watt continuous minimum. This is good for typical sport flying/learing. Starting out you really don't need more than that.

ESC: For 6s setup, 100-120 amp will be fine. 12s you can go with 85amp.

Something like the T-rex 600 electric setup will work. The new 600mx motor 6s or 12s setup will be good.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALIGN-T-REX-...item1e6d21ccd9

Since you already have a motor, an esc is all you need. Just need the specs on the motor (Max voltage, KV- RPM Per volt) Typically people are going for Creations HV Ice series. For yours I'd look in the 100amp range for a 600 bird. There are plenty of people using the Hobbywing esc's or the Turnigy esc's (Check Hobbyking.com)

Battery- 6s 5000Mah 40C+, 12s 3000Mha 30C

Cyclic Servos- Anything better than .10 sec and 90oz. I use 6965hb's, have used align 610's, ino-labs, hyperions are decent and not too expensive. I've also used the JR/Spektrum DS821's in my first electric's. They're not good for hammering on but are great for starting out...very inexpensive and quite durable.

Tail, as fast as you can afford. Typically .07 sec or faster and 50oz or better.

blades (Need exact size) difference between 550's and 600's are too great. (measure from blade mounting bolt to tail shaft. This distance will let you know what you can use)- get some decent blades. You can go cheap chinese but you may regret it. If you go cheap, make sure you have a good source for cheap reliable blades. The 3D pro blades are ok.

BEC/Regulator- (CC Pro BEC, Perfect Regulators, Western Robotics- hurcles)This will allow you to use a 7.4v battery with lower voltage servos. If you go HV servos, this is unnecessary.

[Dylan Hudock]

The heli looks to be an Esky E-smart 600

[Heli 66]

Yep, Thats what it is. I just found out last night. apparantly its actually a 550.So do i need just one Batt or do i need a separate one for the Bec. Sorry guys but i am still learning. Just so i know how all this stuff hooks up. Battery to motor and esc esc to Rx? where does the bec go?

[seanh]

on BEC's

The BEC, "Battery Eliminator Circuit" is a type of regulator designed to allow the RX to be powered by the POWER battery. With an electric bird you have HV batteries to power the motor but the RX uses low voltage to power servos and other devices. The "BEC" is part of the ESC.

If your ESC does not contain a built in BEC then you can use a HV BEC that will pull current from an HV source. Another route is to go with a regular voltage regulator. These typically have their own battery source typically from 4v to 11.1v source.

[Heli 66]

OK, I think i got it, just get a ESC that already has a Bec like this and i will be good?.

[seanh]

It's an inexpensive one but that doesn't mean it's not good. But I think the the general consensus would be to save your money for a better unit. I'd look in the classifieds here for a decent one if you're trying to save a buck.

http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=416076


Even the Align 100amp would probably be better and they're about 100 bucks...not bad for what you're getting.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Align-100A-B...item564a88e7db

you can look at hobbyking to get some inexpensive ones that are probably a little better than that.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...hless_ESC.html

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ESC_Ver4_.html