Help on Stratus setup, nitro in general

[CatchmyCorsair]

Originally Posted by Caleb Phillips

Go for the proflex. This is the best option especially since you're not running other nitro helis and since the Stratus was designed to use this wand. This does have a one way in it by the way.
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/mer...TER_EXTENSIONS

For whatever reason, I've never gotten a glow extension to last more than 10 or so flights before breaking. I recommend an external igniter. I know a good number of the MA guys are using the radio south driver although I do use a much cheaper alternative.
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/mer...Category_Code=

Holy crap man! I need things to be CHEAP!

I thought I could get an extension for $15!

I need the cheaper igniter alternative, how about those brackets that mount the igniter plug (not the glow plug) on the side behind the canopy?

I think I'd rather have a more common adapter if I need to use someone's starter.
Is it blasphemy to use the Align 2in1? Or are they crap?

[WillJames]

Do a 6m hex adapter. You can start your heli with anyone at the fields starter. Proflex is MA only and unless you fly with a lot of MA pilots (doubtful) you will be doing yourself a disservice to go with the MA only option.

jmho

[Caleb Phillips]

Originally Posted by CatchmyCorsair

Holy crap man! I need things to be CHEAP!

I thought I could get an extension for $15!

I need the cheaper igniter alternative, how about those brackets that mount the igniter plug (not the glow plug) on the side behind the canopy?

I think I'd rather have a more common adapter if I need to use someone's starter.
Is it blasphemy to use the Align 2in1? Or are they crap?

I know Bobby uses a switch glow and it appears to work. Go ahead and try the Align one since it is cheap. By the way, the Radio South Driver is a glow igniter, not an extension. With the Stratus, you're going to need either a standard igniter like this:
http://www.rcplanet.com/Glow_Plug_Ignitor_s/869.htm

with an extension like this (which will not last long by the way):
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/mer...emote_Adapters

or the radio south glow igniter I posted already
or a switch glo (or something similar).

[DavidH]

If you want to go the least expensive route for a glow plug igniter.
Get a D Cell Akaline battery. Connect you a wire to each end with an alligator style clip on it. Hook one clip to tip of glow plug, other clip grounded on engine. Will work as good as anything else.

You can get this to hold the battery. Then all you need is to solder a wire and alligator clip on each wire coming out of the holder.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

Carry a spare D battery in your flight box. Just swap it out when needed.

Put a hex adapter on the clutch start shaft. Then you can get a hex start shaft for your starter. The majority of nitro helis use hex starter systems

David

Whole setup like about will be maybe $3 for the glow plug igniter

[CatchmyCorsair]

If I go YS91, the gear ratio I want is 8.45:1, correct?

The 7 ratios are for pattern/sport flying I assume?

Caleb, are your 8717's running on 8V? If not, you should do it.

[Caleb Phillips]

Originally Posted by CatchmyCorsair

If I go YS91, the gear ratio I want is 8.45:1, correct?

The 7 ratios are for pattern/sport flying I assume?

Caleb, are your 8717's running on 8V? If not, you should do it.

If you go long stroke, you're going to want 8.18. Also if you're going to be running an O.S. you'll want the 8.18 as well.

This is the y.s. long stroke by the way:
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/mer...ct_Code=YS91SR

If you're going to be running that engine, use the S.B. 19 Hatori pipe.

Actually, I'm running 5.1 volts on my 8717's. The reason being is that I had reliability issues with my last servos hence I want these to last for quite some time.

[CatchmyCorsair]

Originally Posted by Caleb Phillips

If you go long stroke, you're going to want 8.18. Also if you're going to be running an O.S. you'll want the 8.18 as well.

This is the y.s. long stroke by the way:
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/mer...ct_Code=YS91SR

If you're going to be running that engine, use the S.B. 19 Hatori pipe.

Actually, I'm running 5.1 volts on my 8717's. The reason being is that I had reliability issues with my last servos hence I want these to last for quite some time.

Good to know! This is the same long stroke? http://www.readyheli.com/YSE0061_YS_..._p/yse0061.htm

And will that YS engine still fit the 8.18 OS kit? I was planning on the youngblood pipe, much cheaper. I'm going to order the kit this weekend so I just need to figure out which engine/ratio I need.

[DavidH]

I was planning on the youngblood pipe, much cheaper

Curtis has some good pipes. But from what I have seen in the past the YS's do not run correctly with them. That may not be the case now. But I know some of the other pipes that Curtis has produced would not work on the YS's. This was due to the tuning of the muffler.
You need to check around and see if anyone has the CY exhaust system running on a YS 91 SR before you purchase it. Curtis runs OS motors and in the past that is what his exhausts were designed to work on. Just giving you a heads up so you can do some research. I have not personally seen anyone using the MP5 on the YS 91SR. All of the YS 91SR's I have seen were using Hatori mufflers.

David

[Caleb Phillips]

Originally Posted by CatchmyCorsair

Good to know! This is the same long stroke? http://www.readyheli.com/YSE0061_YS_..._p/yse0061.htm

And will that YS engine still fit the 8.18 OS kit? I was planning on the youngblood pipe, much cheaper. I'm going to order the kit this weekend so I just need to figure out which engine/ratio I need.

Yes, that's the same engine. Y.S. has two different .91 heli engines, the SR and the ST. The SR is the one you want and the one that you posted to link to

As far as that engine fitting the 8.18 OS kit stock, I believe it does but then again, I don't run that engine so I'm not 100%. The absolute best thing to do is call MA and ask or you can look through previous posts here or even just PM David H.

[CatchmyCorsair]

Well it sounds like any cost savings of the YS would be offset by the price of the Hatori pipe. (about $190)

So I might just go OS 8.18 and MP5.

I'm glad I asked. Thanks.

[CatchmyCorsair]

The 8.18 OS kit is ordered.

What clear coat gives a nice shine, minus the automotive urethanes? I don't want to mess with that stuff.

[Caleb Phillips]

Originally Posted by CatchmyCorsair

The 8.18 OS kit is ordered.

What clear coat gives a nice shine, minus the automotive urethanes? I don't want to mess with that stuff.

Go check out Dave Yost's website. I think* he has a page on painting canopies yourself. If not, just send him an email. Either way, congratulations on the new heli! You're going to love it.

[CatchmyCorsair]

Is it a bad idea to break-in the engine with 10-15% nitro for a few gallons then switch to 30% for real flying?

And I couldn't find anything on Yost's website. I looked at it before I asked here.
I found a urethane in a spray can, single use, and it's $36 per can. Basically automotive touchup clear coat. If my paint job is worthy I might give it a shot.

I just need something fuel proof as I plan on using water-slide decals.

McDaniel or Hot-Shot ignitor? Long/short?

And which starter?
http://www.readyheli.com/HCAP3300_Ho...p/hcap3300.htm
http://www.readyheli.com/S603_Sulliv...p/sulp1703.htm

[Laurens]

I don't see anything wrong with breaking it with 10% fuel, but you have to reshim the head after running in.

I'd get the Dynatron, that'll start anything!

[CatchmyCorsair]

Originally Posted by Laurens

I don't see anything wrong with breaking it with 10% fuel, but you have to reshim the head after running in.

What does that involve and why do it? If I ran 30% from the start would I need to reshim?

[DavidH]

You will not have to do anything to the head of the motor if you use 10% nitro when you first run the motor. Now if you go to a higher precentage of nitro, your going to have to readjust the needles. And the motor will go thru a period of getting acclimated to the higher nitro fuel. I have switched back and forth between 15% and 30% nitro fuel a few times. The reason I was doing this, I was flying the heli in some TV commericals. So they wanted to know if I could lessen the smoke. So I just switched to 15% with a high viscosity oil. All I did was tweak the needle valve for each fuel.
The fuel is only slightly different. It is all methanol, nitro and oil mixed together. The needle valve difference between fuel, is usually due to the different viscosity and precentage of oil. 15% nitro fuel and 30% nitro fuel, if they both have the same exact oil package. There may be 1 or 2 clicks difference in the needles between the two.

David

[CatchmyCorsair]

So my Stratus has been sitting in a FedEx warehouse for a week b/c someone didn't put a bar code on it, or it got ripped off.

Luckily I called and it's on it way...now to wait another 4-5 days.

[Caleb Phillips]

That sucks. You'll be happy soon enough though.

[CatchmyCorsair]

And I love how the Aurora release talk is heating up RIGHT when I order the Stratus. LOL. You can't win. I'll be perfectly happy with the Stratus though.

[Caleb Phillips]

I like being able to talk to Tim if I have a problem.

By the way, I ordered most of the rest of my parts today. I just need blades/paddles and a receiver and a few other small things.