How's this new ElectriStar RTF from Hobbico?
11-05-2006, 11:50 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 301
How's this new ElectriStar RTF from Hobbico?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXNVC0**&P=3 The only question I have is how long will it last on 2 x 8.4v 3000mAH battery packs...
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07-03-2007, 12:19 AM
#3
wcmead
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
We've had our first few Electristar flights, and the plane handles very nicely, for the most part. Missed the runway once, hit a (little bitty!) cactus, and the nose required some reassembly and reinforcement. So far, landings are very bounce-prone. Landing gear seems a bit too bendable-- will soon modify, and perhaps improve technique. Power train seems fine for a trainer.
09-08-2007, 05:31 PM
#6
wcmead
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
Electristar upgrades & problems
I like this model. It has well-designed and good quality construction. Also has nice, predictable flight characteristics. But, I have found it needs a few upgrades/improvements for my use as a trainer.
I've improved the bounce-on-landing syndrome by replacing the main gear with an aluminum gear from the Ugly Stik. Four nylon bolts and a reinforced undercarriage accepts bad landings without much damage. Still need to stall the plane during landing, but bouncing is reduced greatly.
Nose reinforcement has stood the test of some rough landings.
Some unsolved problems:
1) motor power sags on second flight of the day;
2) servos chatter at a range that I thought should be ok.
Anyone with hints, please comment.
I've improved the bounce-on-landing syndrome by replacing the main gear with an aluminum gear from the Ugly Stik. Four nylon bolts and a reinforced undercarriage accepts bad landings without much damage. Still need to stall the plane during landing, but bouncing is reduced greatly.
Nose reinforcement has stood the test of some rough landings.
Some unsolved problems:
1) motor power sags on second flight of the day;
2) servos chatter at a range that I thought should be ok.
Anyone with hints, please comment.
10-01-2007, 02:41 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 110
Electristar upgrades and problems
Originally Posted by wcmead
1) motor power sags on second flight of the day;
2) servos chatter at a range that I thought should be ok.
Anyone with hints, please comment.
2) servos chatter at a range that I thought should be ok.
Anyone with hints, please comment.
My current problem is that Uri Geller visited the field and bent my motor shaft just by looking at it. Or maybe it had something to do with the little cartwheel I did on one of the takeoffs. It's a very slight bend, but the propeller wobbles visibly, and I can't get the prop adapter off. Hobbico says you can't replace just the shaft, but have to replace the whole motor. Shall I just buy a new stock motor (Hobbico outrunner $54), or is there something else that I should get for this plane? It has plenty of power for a newb like me. Is there a motor that would extent flight times?
10-01-2007, 05:03 PM
#8
wcmead
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
Speed controller problem; motor options
Re. the speed controller fading. I can cut the throttle, then turn it back up, but there is only a momentary recovery, then the motor cuts out again. Not enough to get me back to the runway. BTW, I've checked the batteries involved using a dummy load at about 1/4 of the motor's current, and no slumps show up.
I'm thinking about replacing the speed controller with a programmable one. More $$$.
Re. bent shaft: I've been lucky enough to survive some rough landings without a shaft bend on the Electristar. However, I've bent three shafts on a Vista EP sailplane and have had to replace the whole motor. The first shaft was on the stock (brushed) motor. The second two were on an Electrifly Rimfire replacement (nice motor). The folding prop wasn't enough to protect the shafts. I'm going to try a non-folding prop with a "prop saver", which should really, I hope, be called a "shaft saver".
It's a bummer that the shafts are so fragile and are not replaceable.
Re. a replacement motor for the Electristar: I'd go with the same motor. I doubt that there's another option that's significantly cheaper and/or that would extend flight times by much without degrading flight performance (though I'm guessing based on what I've read rather than from specific knowledge).
I think the only way to extend flight time significantly is with higher-capacity batteries. In order to do this, you'd probably have to go to either heavier NiMH's or with LiPo's, which I find prohibitively expensive.
[Philosophical groaning: My experience so far is that electric flying has come a long way, and has some real advantages compared with glow, but it still has some very serious weaknesses, especially for inexperienced pilots. Can't have everything?!?]
Good luck. Let me know how your situation works out.
Anybody else have some good ideas about either problem?
Cheers anyway, - Bill
I'm thinking about replacing the speed controller with a programmable one. More $$$.
Re. bent shaft: I've been lucky enough to survive some rough landings without a shaft bend on the Electristar. However, I've bent three shafts on a Vista EP sailplane and have had to replace the whole motor. The first shaft was on the stock (brushed) motor. The second two were on an Electrifly Rimfire replacement (nice motor). The folding prop wasn't enough to protect the shafts. I'm going to try a non-folding prop with a "prop saver", which should really, I hope, be called a "shaft saver".
It's a bummer that the shafts are so fragile and are not replaceable.
Re. a replacement motor for the Electristar: I'd go with the same motor. I doubt that there's another option that's significantly cheaper and/or that would extend flight times by much without degrading flight performance (though I'm guessing based on what I've read rather than from specific knowledge).
I think the only way to extend flight time significantly is with higher-capacity batteries. In order to do this, you'd probably have to go to either heavier NiMH's or with LiPo's, which I find prohibitively expensive.
[Philosophical groaning: My experience so far is that electric flying has come a long way, and has some real advantages compared with glow, but it still has some very serious weaknesses, especially for inexperienced pilots. Can't have everything?!?]
Good luck. Let me know how your situation works out.
Anybody else have some good ideas about either problem?
Cheers anyway, - Bill
I must of had too much pop then
12-14-2007, 09:20 PM
#12
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 99
Hobbico Electristar FOR SALE
02-07-2008, 11:38 PM
#14
r/c crash test "DUMMY"
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: eaton rapids michigan
Posts: 922
make sure the esc is set for nmh and not lipo if set for lipo it will cut off
Originally Posted by wcmead
Re. the speed controller fading. I can cut the throttle, then turn it back up, but there is only a momentary recovery, then the motor cuts out again. Not enough to get me back to the runway. BTW, I've checked the batteries involved using a dummy load at about 1/4 of the motor's current, and no slumps show up.
I'm thinking about replacing the speed controller with a programmable one. More $$$.
Re. bent shaft: I've been lucky enough to survive some rough landings without a shaft bend on the Electristar. However, I've bent three shafts on a Vista EP sailplane and have had to replace the whole motor. The first shaft was on the stock (brushed) motor. The second two were on an Electrifly Rimfire replacement (nice motor). The folding prop wasn't enough to protect the shafts. I'm going to try a non-folding prop with a "prop saver", which should really, I hope, be called a "shaft saver".
It's a bummer that the shafts are so fragile and are not replaceable.
Re. a replacement motor for the Electristar: I'd go with the same motor. I doubt that there's another option that's significantly cheaper and/or that would extend flight times by much without degrading flight performance (though I'm guessing based on what I've read rather than from specific knowledge).
I think the only way to extend flight time significantly is with higher-capacity batteries. In order to do this, you'd probably have to go to either heavier NiMH's or with LiPo's, which I find prohibitively expensive.
[Philosophical groaning: My experience so far is that electric flying has come a long way, and has some real advantages compared with glow, but it still has some very serious weaknesses, especially for inexperienced pilots. Can't have everything?!?]
Good luck. Let me know how your situation works out.
Anybody else have some good ideas about either problem?
Cheers anyway, - Bill
I'm thinking about replacing the speed controller with a programmable one. More $$$.
Re. bent shaft: I've been lucky enough to survive some rough landings without a shaft bend on the Electristar. However, I've bent three shafts on a Vista EP sailplane and have had to replace the whole motor. The first shaft was on the stock (brushed) motor. The second two were on an Electrifly Rimfire replacement (nice motor). The folding prop wasn't enough to protect the shafts. I'm going to try a non-folding prop with a "prop saver", which should really, I hope, be called a "shaft saver".
It's a bummer that the shafts are so fragile and are not replaceable.
Re. a replacement motor for the Electristar: I'd go with the same motor. I doubt that there's another option that's significantly cheaper and/or that would extend flight times by much without degrading flight performance (though I'm guessing based on what I've read rather than from specific knowledge).
I think the only way to extend flight time significantly is with higher-capacity batteries. In order to do this, you'd probably have to go to either heavier NiMH's or with LiPo's, which I find prohibitively expensive.
[Philosophical groaning: My experience so far is that electric flying has come a long way, and has some real advantages compared with glow, but it still has some very serious weaknesses, especially for inexperienced pilots. Can't have everything?!?]
Good luck. Let me know how your situation works out.
Anybody else have some good ideas about either problem?
Cheers anyway, - Bill
02-07-2008, 11:52 PM
#15
r/c crash test "DUMMY"
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: eaton rapids michigan
Posts: 922
the speed control could also be overheating here is the tech info from tower
SPECS: Length: 2.76" (70mm)
Width: 1.30" (33mm)
Height: .39 (10mm)
Weight: 1.76oz (50g)
Input Voltage: 7-14 cells NiCd/NiMH
4 cells LiPo (Two 2S packs)
Max Output Power: 500 watts
On-resistance: 0.008 ohms
Operating frequency: 8.5kHz
BEC: 5V/2.0A
Low Voltage Cutoff: Battery voltage x 0.67
Thermal Cutoff: 230°F (110°C)
Timing Angle: 12°
Brake: ON/OFF
SPECS: Length: 2.76" (70mm)
Width: 1.30" (33mm)
Height: .39 (10mm)
Weight: 1.76oz (50g)
Input Voltage: 7-14 cells NiCd/NiMH
4 cells LiPo (Two 2S packs)
Max Output Power: 500 watts
On-resistance: 0.008 ohms
Operating frequency: 8.5kHz
BEC: 5V/2.0A
Low Voltage Cutoff: Battery voltage x 0.67
Thermal Cutoff: 230°F (110°C)
Timing Angle: 12°
Brake: ON/OFF
06-06-2008, 06:55 AM
#19
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 140
Originally Posted by thrawn150
They work in series. If your new to the hobby stay with the nimh's. If you are having no issues soloing this plane then move to the Lipos. I fly it with 2 x 2s 3200 20c and 2 x 2c 6000 20c Lipos.
Thanks. In series makes more sense. What kind of flight time to you get with 2 2S 6000 packs? I have a couple 4S 5300 packs.
Thanks
Jim
06-18-2008, 12:33 PM
#20
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Plant City, Florida
Posts: 408
Discontinued
This fine airplane has recently been DISCONTINUED by Tower Hobby:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXNVC0**&P=ML
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35865
read the thread above !!
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXNVC0**&P=ML
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35865
read the thread above !!
06-20-2008, 01:20 AM
#21
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Finger Lakes Region, NY
Posts: 377
The Hobbico site still lists them. I e-mailed Hobbico to see if they are still available. I don't have a reply yet. I realize that Tower Hobby is a division of Hobbico so if Tower isn't selling them anymore, no one else will sell them either.
06-20-2008, 10:54 AM
#22
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Plant City, Florida
Posts: 408
Originally Posted by Voltron
The Hobbico site still lists them. I e-mailed Hobbico to see if they are still available. I don't have a reply yet. I realize that Tower Hobby is a division of Hobbico so if Tower isn't selling them anymore, no one else will sell them either.
>>> 6/19/2008 6:40 AM >>>
Did you DISCONTINUE selling the Hobbico ELECTRISTAR SELECT EP ??
Wen,
Thank you for your recent email. I am sorry but yes, it has been discontinued.
If you need further assistance, please contact us. You may contact us by email at [email protected], by phone at (217) 398-8970 option # 3, or by fax at (217) 398-7721. (Please be sure to copy all previous email's into any future questions.)
Sincerely,
Mary Ann
Product Support Technician
06-20-2008, 10:43 PM
#23
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Finger Lakes Region, NY
Posts: 377
Thats pretty much the same response I got. I wonder why they would discontinue such a nice aircraft? My Son in Law has one and likes it very much. It has just about the same power output as a 40 size glow engined plane. I was hoping they would come out with a low wing RTF with the same motor and ESC.
06-22-2008, 04:15 PM
#24
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Plant City, Florida
Posts: 408
ElectriStar REPLACED BY NextSTAR
According to Hobbico and other sources like Tower Hobbies, etc. the Hobbico ELECTRISTAR which is now DISCONTINUED is "replaced" by the NexSTAR SELECT EP:
http://www.hobbiconexstar.com/nexstar-ep/index.html
http://www.hobbiconexstar.com/nexstar-ep/index.html
06-22-2008, 04:30 PM
#25
RAWR!!! Lets fly...
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Fredonia Ny
Posts: 4,302
what powers these birds? are they big? how come you guys only get 10mins of flight?
I ask because you guys say you have 3000mah packs, are the motors really big? oh wait i think i remember how big these birds are...
I ask because you guys say you have 3000mah packs, are the motors really big? oh wait i think i remember how big these birds are...
Last edited by GreenAce92; 06-22-2008 at 05:08 PM.
