Just one guys take on the toys he likes to play with.
INFO ALERT! Click eBay link on the left!!
2/25/2012 - Trex 700e DONE!! - CLICK FOR LATEST INFO
4/02/2012 - Slowly learning the Futaba CGY-750
FREE 2GB of Dropbox storage - click here to take FREE
INFO ALERT! Click eBay link on the left!!
2/25/2012 - Trex 700e DONE!! - CLICK FOR LATEST INFO
4/02/2012 - Slowly learning the Futaba CGY-750
FREE 2GB of Dropbox storage - click here to take FREE
Align Trex 700E V2 - Build & Setup Video
3GX v1.2 / Castle ICE HV120 / Spektrum DX8
updated: CGY-750 and Futaba 8FG Super
CGY750 setting spread sheet - click here
3GX v1.2 / Castle ICE HV120 / Spektrum DX8
updated: CGY-750 and Futaba 8FG Super
CGY750 setting spread sheet - click here
Starting no later than mid February 2012 we will begin an Align Trex 700E V2 3GX build. The new style head was also ordered and the entire build will be documented on video. Using the factory FBL controller along with a new DX8 to handle the TX functions, we are looking forward to building and flying this beast.
The kit I ended up getting was a special promo part from Align. My local builder buddy, Raptor Dave hooked me up with a great deal on this limited time kit. The kit has the old FBL head, but to help push those out before they all come with the DFC (new head) is standard, Align was kind enough to toss in a couple batteries.
Here is the page from the AlignRC USA site for the deal.
Needless to say I just cant wait for the kit to arrive. From what I have found out it is fairly complete, just needs a few odds and ends and of course a radio added. Speaking of radio, the new DX8 is here and I have got to say, its an incredible radio. Not as nice to program as the JRx9503 (mainly due to the fact that its missing a lot of screen real estate), but this radio is powerful. Loads of functions, DSMX which is great, and even has an SD card for memory management and firmware upgrades. The cheapest I found it is on eBay for $325 landed, no tax, for RC Authority. Showed up brand new and ready to go.
Check back often as the build and review will kick in ASAP once the kit arrives from Asia.
2/20/12
Kit arrived Friday. Before it did I also decided to switch to Futaba due to the fact I was reading the scare stories about 3GX - and while I am sure its like the Audi 5000 issue from the 80's, I was not interested in testing the theory. :) Going with Futaba throughout got me the CGY750 gyro. This is a 3 axis Gyro that replaces the 3GX and has a SWEET display. Another cool thing about it is that the gain for all 3 axis are controlled from the remote (8FG Super) - very sweet system.
The build was fairly straightforward, I guess I have about 12 hours over 3 nights in it. The only challenge was for the life of me I could not get the bullet connectors soldered to the included castle ice controller for the motor. I ended up using some EC5 connector parts and upgraded both the motor and the controller to the larger size. Much easier to solder and I have no worries now that the solder job was good enough. Other than that, everything went very smooth. The torque tube bearings were challenging at first, but instead of oil I sprayed the inside of the boom with non stick spray from the kitchen. worked like a champ.
Programming the Castle Ice was pretty easy also - had to configure it to the remote first with the end point instructions and then did the software setup via USB. I did not go governor mode (for now anyway) as I am just more comfortable with a throttle curve the way I have always done it. Pitch curve for normal and hold are set to -2 through +12 and idle up 1 and idle up 2 are set to -12 / +12 making sure that the positive pitch side matches normal mode. This way the helicopter will not jump when switching modes. The test hover went well - I am VERY impressed with the CGY750 - the big 700 acted like it was suspended in the air with steel bars. Amazing. Will play around with the gains a little more to get a different feel from it, but for now its nearly an auto pilot. Just love it. Will update more as I get some more stick time on it.
2/25/12
All Dialed IN!!!! Made some final adjustments on the CGY750 (with the help of my friends at helifreak.com) - the main one I would have never figured out myself. There was a slight 'shudder' or 'shake' that I could see in the skids at times. For the life of me I could not figure this out. At first attempt searching for info I was told to double check blade balance, tail balance, even Jeff Fassbinder from Align chimed in and said to double check the thrust bearings in the head. I did it all, and nothing changed it. Including lowering the base gains on the flybarless controller. The questions was then posted again on helifreak but this time under the CGY750 forum. Within minutes I was given a technical tip about a certain setting burried down in the expert menuds of the controller.
In the CGY750 under the expert menu for the aileron there is a gain called D gain. By default, when you select a 700 size helicopter it sets itself at 200%. I was told by Greg on helifreak to drop that down to 50% as he is sure that is what was causing the shimmy. Low and behold - PERFECT! No shake at all! So impressed with the depth of knowledge out there when you dig around. And VERY appreciative of it. Excited to get out to the field and let her run a bit!
Here are some pics from today the 25th.
The kit I ended up getting was a special promo part from Align. My local builder buddy, Raptor Dave hooked me up with a great deal on this limited time kit. The kit has the old FBL head, but to help push those out before they all come with the DFC (new head) is standard, Align was kind enough to toss in a couple batteries.
Here is the page from the AlignRC USA site for the deal.
Needless to say I just cant wait for the kit to arrive. From what I have found out it is fairly complete, just needs a few odds and ends and of course a radio added. Speaking of radio, the new DX8 is here and I have got to say, its an incredible radio. Not as nice to program as the JRx9503 (mainly due to the fact that its missing a lot of screen real estate), but this radio is powerful. Loads of functions, DSMX which is great, and even has an SD card for memory management and firmware upgrades. The cheapest I found it is on eBay for $325 landed, no tax, for RC Authority. Showed up brand new and ready to go.
Check back often as the build and review will kick in ASAP once the kit arrives from Asia.
2/20/12
Kit arrived Friday. Before it did I also decided to switch to Futaba due to the fact I was reading the scare stories about 3GX - and while I am sure its like the Audi 5000 issue from the 80's, I was not interested in testing the theory. :) Going with Futaba throughout got me the CGY750 gyro. This is a 3 axis Gyro that replaces the 3GX and has a SWEET display. Another cool thing about it is that the gain for all 3 axis are controlled from the remote (8FG Super) - very sweet system.
The build was fairly straightforward, I guess I have about 12 hours over 3 nights in it. The only challenge was for the life of me I could not get the bullet connectors soldered to the included castle ice controller for the motor. I ended up using some EC5 connector parts and upgraded both the motor and the controller to the larger size. Much easier to solder and I have no worries now that the solder job was good enough. Other than that, everything went very smooth. The torque tube bearings were challenging at first, but instead of oil I sprayed the inside of the boom with non stick spray from the kitchen. worked like a champ.
Programming the Castle Ice was pretty easy also - had to configure it to the remote first with the end point instructions and then did the software setup via USB. I did not go governor mode (for now anyway) as I am just more comfortable with a throttle curve the way I have always done it. Pitch curve for normal and hold are set to -2 through +12 and idle up 1 and idle up 2 are set to -12 / +12 making sure that the positive pitch side matches normal mode. This way the helicopter will not jump when switching modes. The test hover went well - I am VERY impressed with the CGY750 - the big 700 acted like it was suspended in the air with steel bars. Amazing. Will play around with the gains a little more to get a different feel from it, but for now its nearly an auto pilot. Just love it. Will update more as I get some more stick time on it.
2/25/12
All Dialed IN!!!! Made some final adjustments on the CGY750 (with the help of my friends at helifreak.com) - the main one I would have never figured out myself. There was a slight 'shudder' or 'shake' that I could see in the skids at times. For the life of me I could not figure this out. At first attempt searching for info I was told to double check blade balance, tail balance, even Jeff Fassbinder from Align chimed in and said to double check the thrust bearings in the head. I did it all, and nothing changed it. Including lowering the base gains on the flybarless controller. The questions was then posted again on helifreak but this time under the CGY750 forum. Within minutes I was given a technical tip about a certain setting burried down in the expert menuds of the controller.
In the CGY750 under the expert menu for the aileron there is a gain called D gain. By default, when you select a 700 size helicopter it sets itself at 200%. I was told by Greg on helifreak to drop that down to 50% as he is sure that is what was causing the shimmy. Low and behold - PERFECT! No shake at all! So impressed with the depth of knowledge out there when you dig around. And VERY appreciative of it. Excited to get out to the field and let her run a bit!
Here are some pics from today the 25th.
