EPantera build

[Jermo]

It's all good, parts are on order and I'll continue to finish up what I can. I managed to get the head setup, I just have some minor setup (rudder pushrod), vibration checks, fllybar balance..etc.. I should be ready to maiden this coming weekend!!

[Jermo]

Final look. Just need final cg, pack velcro/restraints, canopy trim, vibration testing, then workups. I hope to maiden Saturday.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[7127]

Wow, it looks great good luck on the first flight. I'm about 90% done with my p6 and cant wait till the first flight. Your canopy is cool, I tried to paint mine and was given some wrong info on the type of paint to use. The end result is not bad but not good, some things are left better to the pro's . I'll be ordering a new canopy from John real soon.

[Jermo]

As is my routine when setting up and preflight; I manually rotated the tail servo (futaba 9254) and it just doesn't feel right. I could replace the gear set or use this as an excuse to upgrade the tail servo to something decent...

http://www.audacitymodels.com/Produc...V/Default.aspx

Decisions, decisions..

[Jermo]

Sooooo close, just tired.. Maiden this weekend weather permitting.. too tired right now.. working out the CG and some last minute checks....
nite

[Jermo]

I ended up needing to change my ESC so John fixed me up with the Phoenix ICE2 HV80.
here are my settings so far.

Castle-Link Program Settings Report
Title:Jermo EPantera's Castle Phoenix Ice2 HV 80 Settings
Date:12/17/2013 7:43:17 PM
Throttle
Vehicle Type
Helicopter
Throttle Type
Governor Mode
Governor Gain
Low (15) (Default)
Initial Spool-Up Rate
Medium (5) (Default)
Head Speed Change Rate
Medium (5) (Default)
Auto Rotate Enabled
True
Governor Mode Type
Fixed
Vehicle Setup - Battery Type
LiPo
Vehicle Setup - Number of Cells
10
Vehicle Setup - Battery Voltage
37.00
Vehicle Setup - Gear Ratio
7.2000
Vehicle Setup - Pinion
10
Vehicle Setup - Spur
72
Vehicle Setup - Motor Kv
540
Vehicle Setup - Motor Number of Poles
10
Desired Head Speed 1
1750
Desired Head Speed 2
1850
Desired Head Speed 3
1950
Brake
Cutoffs
Cutoff Voltage
Auto Li-Po (Default)
Auto-Lipo Volts/Cell
3.2 Volts/Cell (Default)
Current Limiting
Normal (120A) (Default)
Cutoff Type
Soft Cutoff
Motor
Motor Start Power
Low (39)
Motor Timing
Low (0)
Direction
Forward (Default)
PWM Rate
8 Khz
Other
Power-On Beep
Enabled (Default)
Logging
Data Log Enabled
255
Sample Frequency
1 Sample / Sec (Default)
Software
Device Name
Phoenix ICE HV 80 (F367)
Current Firmware
V 3.27

[Jermo]

John was nice enough to swap me back for the Promodeler ESC so I should be ready to maiden soon. I was to have maidened earlier but new job..etc..

I just need to solder up the ESC, verify settings/balance and do some ground checks and I'll be ready to maiden!!
Jer

[Jermo]

Update: Just pulled the trigger to upgrade the cyclic servo's to Promodelers because I'm concerned on pushing the Futabas too close on max voltage. I've never been one to knowingly push design limits where my models are concerned.

So i should be decked out at Joe Nall with 2 Panteras sporting new Canopies. This reminds me that I need a new glow starter mmmmmmm....
Jer

[z_man_95]

Originally Posted by Jermo

This reminds me that I need a new glow starter mmmmmmm....
Jer

I recommend this one.
http://switchglo.com/shop/product_in...phue8uphuh4v01

[Jermo]

That reminded me I have a switchglopro I need to sort out. When I activate it the voltage sags but the pack otherwise passes load testing.. not sure what's going on..

[Jermo]

Last night I finally carved out some time to re-install the ESC all freshly soldered and crimped!! Also replaced the cracked LCD screen on my cellpro 10s so I can once again charge packs. Just want to update the futaba cyclics to the ProModeler and I'll be all set.

Due to time constraints I'll likely be swapping servos around AT Joe Nall. I have a meeting tonight and we are leaving when I get off of work tomorrow.
jer

[Jermo]

I decided to enjoy the weekend and swap the servo's out later....so I'll be getting my maiden in this weekend!!

[Dr. M]

good choice there, Jermo. Have fun!

[Jermo]

The weather kept me from doing my maiden at Joe Nall....rain rain, high winds, rain... I'll get it done.

[Jermo]

Updated Pictures of my birds and table with clamps

[Jermo]

Weather: 92 Degrees, sunny, slight breeze.
Location: My front yard.
Purpose: EPantera Test and shakedown hop.
Setup:
10s, 530KVA PMAX, 80A ProModeler ESC, ProModeler Gyro and Tail Servo, Futaba 8252 Swash servo's (will be swapped out for promodeler 140s), Promodeler 5s NiMH flight pack, Stock gearing.

Headspeed:
Calculated:Main rotor RPM

Pinion 10
Spur 87
Ratio 8.7
Motor kv (rpm/volt) = 530
Number of cells = 10
Voltage/cell = 3.7
Efficiency = 0.85

Main rotor head speed = 1915.92

Measured Headspeed = Just over 2000 at liftoff.

Overall impression: I was running with a totally stock setup 0-100 pitch, no expo, full +-10 degrees pitch..etc and the model felt really responsive. I didn't focus on getting the head 100% level as I knew that I'd be swapping out the servos so I ended up holding left and back a bit to maintain position. I need to buy a data link to get the data off of the ESC but considering the ambient temperature and that I was hovering rather than flying things came down warm as expected.

One of my sons took video with my phone so if that worked I'll do what I can to upload it.

I'm very happy with the electric mod and the Promodeler components. I have a gorgeous Audacity canopy to put on her when I fly next. Due to the hot weather I'm debating adding some air intakes.

I'll upload the video if it's possible and usable.
Jer

[Jermo]

Uploading video now..
not sure why the video lists twice, the URL is only in there once..


This might take a bit to upload/render.
Jer

[z_man_95]

Originally Posted by Jermo

Uploading video now..

This might take a bit to upload/render.
Jer

You're making pucker getting so close to that flagpole.

[jbeech]

Hey Jer,

What was the cause of the zip-zip sound during the first couple of minutes of the flight after lift off? Was the tail rotor gain a little high to begin the flight?I wonder because the sound smoothed out and went away after a few minutes (I noticed it was gone about when you asked him to take a picture of the left joystick).

Your model looks pretty darn good - especially for a virgin lift off - attaboy!

[Jermo]

My best guess was that it was the belt breaking in. It was brand new and very stiff. I coated it down with a silicon based spray lube before flying (it's what I put on all of my models to reduce static).

I'm the active On-Call for work this week but I want to tune it for my flight style and do some more testing. Then I'll be switching out the servos for the production servos (promodeler 140) and properly levelling the head.

Also, I'm not as close to the flagpole as it appears.. 3' or so or more at least..
Jer