Clement7

Since I have been grounded for almost four weeks now due to typhoon season, I have been exploring my Futaba 6EXAP controller that came with the SAVS and studied the instructions very carefully. Did you know that the best time to recharge is when the transmitter voltage reads 9.4 Volts to avoid battery memory and a crash?

The manual stated that it's a good practice to discharge the battery then charging it again and to do this cycling every two months.. I wonder, when you say "cycling" does this mean it would be a good practice to discharge the Nicad till you hear the LOW BATT alarm sound off (Around 8.5 volts) on the radio controller then charging it to full capacity again for 15 hours? Or will it be OK to leave the controller SWITCHED-ON overnight till it drains all the energy from the battery completely then charging it for 15 hours to avoid battery memory? [X(] I think I read somewhere that doing so will not allow the battery to charge anymore....

I'm just wondering how you guys take care of your controller's NiCad battery so we can clear this up and once and for all.. plus set a good guideline on how to take care of your controller and controller's NiCad battery.

With my tinkering, I was able to rename the MDL1 to SAVS.. and copied all the settings to the radio controller manual's DATA RECORDING SHEET in case I accidentally erase the settings.. I'm planning to get a size 30 heli and a Sports30 camera mount (Helicam Solutions) and use the same controller since it has 6-model memory..

Another concern of mine is that the SAVS' frequency is in FM mode.. PCM mode is better, right? In PCM mode, the controller has a Fail Safe function which you can program the channel settings to default back to in case of loss of control. Plus PCM is less prone to frequency interference.. (mode I plan to use with the size 30 Heli).. I wonder why the DF still uses FM? Or is it because FM is still better?

laceycopter

1) I cycle mine down to 8.4 volts and then recharge.

2) If your getting a 30 size heli with collective pitch you can't use the 6EXAP the (AP) applies to air planes you would need a 6EXH that is the radio needed for heli's. The draganfly dosen't set up mixes like a conventional heli so they can get away with using an air plane radio (cheaper).

3) pcm radios cost more...and you need to use the reciever. the draganflys is build into the main board.

Clement7

Thanks Laceycopter! Things are getting clearer by the minute.. Phew! I'm really starting to appreciate the DF/SAVS a lot.. It seems that there are so many things to adjust, check and take care of before you can fly a real RC Heli... Unlike our DF/SAVS, it's as simple as attaching the batteries, switching on the controller, checking for trim and away you go!

HoverDown3K

My Feedback: (2)

I do not use the stock batteries, they are heavy and require cycling, I power all my Futaba radios with 3S 1320 - 2100mah Lipos, they run forever, they are light and easy to use.

On full charge my radio shows 12.6 volts, and it runs for DAYS, when I get to 10 Volts I charge it.

On my Futaba 9C the 3S lipos fits well, on my Futaba Skyport, the back cover is placed over the lipo and then taped to the radio. it is so nice to have a light weight radio.

I have been doing this for well over a year, on my Futaba 9C without any issues. If fact all new high end radio use lipos now.

scottslc

Can I program my Futaba to run my other draganfly? It operates on a different channel, would be nice not to ave to bring 2 different controllers. I should know this but I don't.

Thanks

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

The A stands for Aircraft the P stands for PCM

detroitdr

Yes you can. I have about 4 different receivers. Hitec Laser, Futaba 6(something), another Futaba 6 something and a Futaba7cthp (i think those are the letters).

The important thing is because the DF uses onboard non-swapable crystals, you need to find out what channel you have. When ever I order somthing I also get the same channel. So my Futaba 7cthp does my DF's and Trex and hirobo .30 heli.

I've just ordered a balloon as per Clement7's suggestion and will have the rig underneith for tilt/pan... I will be able to us my 7 channel on that too.... It has 10 differnt models so the configs are all set and different.

The channel number should be written on the bottom of your DF boards in a black magic marker as well as how many channel... eg 51/6 Channel 51, receiver ports = 6.

Clement7

Hey Scott, I think so,in theory, you just have to switch the crystals.. replicate the settings of your futaba's MODEL1 to MODEL2 and test the controller using your DF's crystal without arming it yet. But don't take my word for it.. let's check what the rest of the gang has to say...

Hey HoverDown3K, welcome to the club!.. Thanks for your inputs! Nice car and great set of heli fleet you have!

Barracudahockey, thanks for the definitions too!

Clement7

Hey Doc! So, you got your self a helium balloon?! Cool!

My turn to ask questions to you Doc... Hehehehe

I am also planning to get a .30 Hirobo next week.. prob with it is the nitro, not good for the fuselage paint, camera and lense.. have you found out an extender/pipe, like sticking a straw-like thingy on the muffler to extend it and redirect the smoke farther from the body on to the tail boom?? Can you give me some advice on this please?? How's the vibration of the .30? What mount are you using? Im planning to get the Sports 30 of Helicam Solutions (no servos whatsoever).. What's the Hirobo .30's lift capacity based on your test flights? 3Kg?? I'm thinking of using my 3CCD Panasonic (1pound) with the mount and hope for the best that it can manage to hover with it.. the .30 I plan to get will come with a .37 engine..

laceycopter

A pound of weight on a 30 size heli sounds like a lot to me. Did you ask them if it can lift that much and fly stable?
Most people I know are using 60's or bigger. The hot setup right now is the the Century Predator Condor (gasoline engine).
It's Big and very Stable, and they are running camper fuel and Amsoil at a 64:1 ratio it's very clean.

Clement7

Hi laceycopter! Thanks for the advice! My prob is our LHS only carries Hirobo Nitros.. They were quick to confirm that it can hover with a payload of up to 3KG.. so I guess I have to make do with what's available in our country so I won't have problems with maintenance and after sales support.. I hope someone can help me find a nitro exhaust deflector long enough to get the residue out and away from the camera mount for a .37 engine? My reason for sticking it out with a .30 size heli is that it's a lot cheaper to maintain plus the crash index is not so high.