Thunder Tiger Raptor 30 Owners Thread

This thread is for Raptor 30 helicopter owners to dicuss their helicopters

Helitown's link page
http://www.helitown.com/Raptor30.html

[npm108]

No one has posted here, so I thought I would!

Just got my second hand Raptor V1/V2. Its originally a V1 but has some upgrades on it where apparently most of it is now a V2 but it would be nice to be able to identify what is what, in terms of parts buying and all.

Just realised that my 6 ch receiver isn't going to cut it because I don't a ch for the remote gyro which is a bit annoying. It's a GY401 and I don't think a channel can be split?

To that extend any advice on Receivers, the heli is pretty much a Futaba set up, S9202's and 9254/GY401 on the tail, 7CHP Tx for now.

Nick

[Fireant]

Hi Nick

There's a mis-conception over channels. Your 6 channel rx is most likely 5 + battery. In fact any channel may be used for the battery as the pins on the receiver are all parallel. Voltage is delivered to the servos immediately you switch on. The servos only move when sent a command to do so. Therefore you could connect the battery and any other channel via a Y lead.
The most commonly used futaba receiver is the 138DF (7Ch + batt). This is a dual conversion FM unit with 8 channels. RRP in the UK, £40-50. However, if your wallet can stretch to it, go for the 138DP. This is the same receiver, but PCM which gives you added protection against glitching and also has a failsafe option. UK RRP, £70-£80.

[swatson144]

Quick mention that if you have a PCM TX the RX has to be the same brand to work in PCM. Each brand has a different way of implementing PCM. PCM is well worth it! and you can't do much better than Fireants recommendation.

Alternatives to PCM are the digital signal processor rx. There are a lot of them showing up now. I have no experience with anything other than the actual "Berg" brand (both old Bergs and Berg by Castle Creations), and am very pleased with them. The RX has a processor onboard and any noise that isn't a signal gets dropped. Probably the best explanation of this is done by CC http://www.castlecreations.com/products/berg_7-channel.html I don't think it's available on 36Mhz yet.

Since there is plenty room on the 30 I'd go with fireants advice.

Steve

[npm108]

Thanks guys. I already have a Berg (Hyperion) 6 Channel DSP-II in which is marked Ch. 1-4, 5/7, 6 so I think its a full 6 channel.

So if I can Y split the remote sense channel with the Power to the servo's and another channel for the Volt Watch I should be sorted. Didn't realise I could use a Y lead there.

:)

[swatson144]

Certainly can. All the reds are connected together and all the blacks are also common.

In my fueler days when using a Y I removed the signal wire from the Y for anything that don't reguire it like the RX pack. Probably not needed but I couldn't see leaving a open ended wire connected to a signal pin on the RX. Logic being that certainly nothing good could come from it and there'd be some potential for something bad.

Steve

[npm108]

Thanks Steve for the tip, will prolly snip as well!! I'll pick up some Y leads on the way home or tomorrow morning and the next thing to sort out is either digging up my old starter or getting a new one.

In the meantime want to test the Corona a bit.

Nick

[Fireant]

The gain lead on the 401 is a single wire, so you could hook it to the battery through a Y lead with no problems.

[scaleheliboy]

Hi all

Just dropped in and thought I'd add my name to the hat.
I have 2 Raptor 30's and am looking forward to contributing to this thread over the coming months.

[npm108]

If anyone is using a Loaded Base antenna, was wondering where they are mounting it? Any pics would be welcomed too.

[Sleepstalker]

Welcome to Helitown , Scaleheliboy it's always good to have another contributor to the forums...enjoy...Sleepster... 8)

[NeilM]

Welcome Scaleheliboy.

I just wanted to say I'm not jealous of all the people who already have Raptors...not jealous at all....no really, I'm not........ :evil:

Neil

[scaleheliboy]

Thanks for the warm welcome - it certainly is a pleasure to be here.

[cmaxim]

Thanks for the warm welcome - it certainly is a pleasure to be here.
scaleheliboy,
You have come to right place ! The more you know about each one of us, the more fun you will get. 8)
Chinda

[NeilM]

Tail Servo Question.

I have been tinkering with my latest acquisition ( V1 R30). The previous owner has been flying it for three years without incident, and I'm pretty amazed, as it has Sanwa SN102 servos fitted all round.

For the moment, I may well leave the gyro alone, even though I have a CSM 400 and a Thunder Tiger TG8000 in stock, but I HAVE to change that tail servo.

R/C will be Spektrum 2.4 gHz and so I am looking for suggestions please.

What tail servo?

EDIT: I may change the gyro, as the unit fitted is a Vision 2000, and I can't find any information on it at all.


Neil

[swatson144]

Good rule of thumb on tail servos is fast and strong. Good centering is a plus but not a real requirement as the gyro will keep adjusting it anyway.

It's all probably a "no biggy" until you get into backwards flight and flying in high winds. Frankly at the hovering and FF stage I doubt you'll see much difference between decent gear and perfection, so unless there is a reason to change things I'd likely just leave it as is. Go to a digital capable gyro and matching digi servo when the need arises.

Some other reasons for changing is if the freaking thing is hard to setup and every time you do any work on the tail you have to go through a couple hours of setup :( . You may want to change the gyro etc. Temp drift is another especially on the smaller electrics. You carry the heli out and in the large change from conditioned air, it starts to drift in flight. That probably won't be an issue on a glow as by the time you get everything setup and started it will probably be equalized at temp.

Another very good reason is if you just want to change it :lol: . Sometimes combinations on the tail just don't act right even though they should and changing up will solve it (my corona is one GY 401 and digi servo, on a over geared belt drive I have to run 110 tail blades and cut 3/8" off the tips or it resonates and swims like a fish).

Steve