The build thread is here...finally went large electric my self!

[ualdrivr]

Well guys, I bit the bullet. Me..., a hard core Nitro guy, broke down and purchased my first large electric. I waited until Align had a kit that included all their upgrades and their new HV servos. I normally build my Helis with JR cyclic servos and Futaba tail, but the new Align servos look very nice.

So, as I did with my Nitro 700 back in 2009 https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=181234, I will be posting here my building progress, which at times is slow as I like to take my time building these things and off course like most of us, I have a day job as well.....

Here is some pics of what I have so far and as always I would like to thank my friends at GrandRC that were as always quick to put the package together and ship it to me.



As you can see I got a 5300mAh 12S 30C pack from Progressive RC. Those Spyder packs are incredible. Friends over here that fly them have more than 50 cycles on them, while charging them at 3C and the packs are pulling hard all the time. IMO, for $290 are a hec of a deal. http://www.progressiverc.com/spyderb...00mah-30c.html

I know blades are included, but I always like the stiffness of the Radix blades and this time I went with the V2s



I looked at pics of the canopy on the web and I was not that impressed with it, but after I unpacked it, all I said was wow! Very, nice coloring and the shape is a bit different toward the back, but according to Leon Luke, from Team AMainHobbies, the canopies can be interchanged with previous 700E versions.

The motor is a pretty large and it's the new 750MX at 530kva. It's rated at 4400W continuous and 6260W max pick power for 5 seconds.




Here is one more:



I will be using the Spectrum AR 7200BX Rx and I'll be powering it with a 2S LiPo. I have not decided yet on the placement of electronics. The Align manual shows two options for the placement of the Castle ESC. I like the one behind the battery tray, because it keeps thing clean, wiring wise. Most of you that know my builds, I'm a pretty much a stickler when it comes to neat wiring jobs. I will be using EC5 connectors for my battery packs to the ESC and Deans for my RX pack. I'll power the AR 7200 BX through one of Spectrum's 6" EC3 to dual JR Y-Harness, only I will be taking the EC3 out and solder Deans on.
http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...odID=SPMYHEC36

Everything looks good in the kit, but my disappointment was that Align is cutting back on some things that were included in previous kits. The biggest item missed is the towel , it would be nice to get a new one with this kit. The other thing I noticed is that the manual is just plain ole' paper, no more nice glossy paper that was used in previous manuals. Also, for those wondering, a Voltage step down is included, in case you want to run the servos at 6 Volts.

One thing that I notice when I pulled the Castle ESC out, was a little sticker on the instructions booklet, with a note on it saying : "Configured to Align Default Settings". I guess that means that the ESC is plug and play, nothing to setup as far as Governor, polls, PWM etc.??? Anyone can add to that?

If anyone that's build one already has something to add or suggest, feel free, that's what this forum is all about.

Stay tuned for more.

If anyone is interested in an Align brand new 3GX, unopened box, let me know.

[OnTheSnap]

Wut? No 3GX?!

[ualdrivr]

Originally Posted by OnTheSnap

Wut? No 3GX?!

I'm so used to setting up the BeastX and I do not want to learn another whole new system.

[raptorz499]

Beast is best

[DominicD]

The towel might just be a nitro thing for obvious reasons.

[smaze17]

Very nice! Looking forward to watching your progress

S

[Napoleon_Tanerite]

Good call on the 7200BX. By far and away the best option for ANY FBL helicopter. Good luck with the build!

[snoshoe62]

I wouldnt jump to the conclusion and say the best, but certinly an upgrade over 3GX. A couple notes on your build thread, That step down regulator was designed for use with the tail servo only, but not needed with HV servos. Also, dont make the mistake assuming the ESC is setup for plug and play. It just has asterics next to their default settings, most of these are fine, but if your going to use governor mode you have to set that up.
Good build tread, lottsa detailed photos...great job. We all appreciate it

[ualdrivr]

Thanks guys, I just e-mailed my buddy Clint Akins from Castle and hopefully he'll help with the ESC setup, maybe he'll send me a file to upload to it. I do have an ICE 75 on my good old 500, so I'm not entirely unfamiliar with the Castle products.

A bit more progress today. Finished putting the head together, same thing like my DFC on my Nitro. Off course in total Align tradition the thrust bearings needed greasing.



One more disappointment was that the head button was not etched with letters I liked how they had etched the head button on my 700LE, maybe that's what made it a Limited Edition eh?



Off course as always I used the Lynx M6 5mm spindle bolts. http://grandrc.com/Nitro-Helis-&-Par...duct_info.html I've been using them on all the different heads I've changed on my 700N, from Flybar to Flybarless and now DFC. I love that product, it makes taking the grips apart, soooo much easier.



I also changed the plugs on the motor and ESC. The ones that Align uses are 4mm banana plugs and they are too small for the 10 gauge wire that is on the Speed Controller. Instead, I soldered 5.5mm Castle plugs and they look and work great.





Stay tuned. Frame next.

[ualdrivr]

Clint actually came through for me once again....thank you Clint.. He send me a link with Castle setup for the 120 HV. What a guy!

Here is a link if you guys are interested, the setup is for the 700MX 530kVa, but it should work with the 750MX

There is an available download of this in PDF format on the same page.

http://www.castlecreations.com/suppo...0mx-530kv.html

[smaze17]

The gearing info is incorrect. Should be 9.33 instead of 9.58. Type in 112 teeth for the main gear and 12t for the pinion and it will be 9.33.

All the other info should be fine. BTW, awesome photos and commentary Bro!!!

-Spence

[ualdrivr]

Originally Posted by smaze17

The gearing info is incorrect. Should be 9.33 instead of 9.58. Type in 112 teeth for the main gear and 12t for the pinion and it will be 9.33.

All the other info should be fine. BTW, awesome photos and commentary Bro!!!

-Spence

Thank you Spence, Clint did mention that. He told me to make sure the gearing is correct, I forgot to mention that. .

[ualdrivr]

Today I was able to get some quality time with the DFC frames. I put them together and they look great.

Half right side frame:



Both sides bolted on loosely for now till I slide the main shaft through on a glass surface of course...!



On the glass surface with the main shaft through all three bearings:



I'm testing some new RC Booya canopy mounts and I'll report on those later.

[61Espo]

Originally Posted by raptorz499

Beast is best

+1

[ualdrivr]

After a bit of trial and error, I got the RC Booya mounts to work just fine. The key to making them work is that, you have to use a 3x5mm button head or socket screw. I went to my LHS and found a set of 10 3x5 button head screws to mount the RC Booya 15mm standoffs that Jeff send me.



If the screw is any longer the quick release pins from the RC Booya kit go up against the mounting screw and they don't engage to secure the canopy.

Here are pics of the mounts, aft mount:



Front mount:



Here is the aft mount with the canopy and the quick release pin engaged and secured:



Front mount with canopy and pin:



And the canopy from a side view with the RC Booya mounts:



I think Jeff will be having those available shortly and introduced at IRCHA.

[nynextel88]

Those set of pics didn't show up.

And BTW where do you fly on Long Island? I'm curious to see one of these in person to figure out if I like the new design, let me know

[DominicD]

Look fine for me.


P.S. who still builds frames with a glass surface

[K2Freak]

I can't see them. Android running ICS.

[ualdrivr]

Hmm, they looked fine earlier. I will try to reload them but you guys have to wait a day, got to go on a trip. Sorry, I don't know why it happened, maybe an HF problem. Stand by.

[what-d-heli]

I am also having problem seeing your pics on post #15.