My EPP Yak lit up!

[akent]

I decided to add a few dozen of those uber bright LEDs to my Yak!



This thing is blinding until it gets up in the air a ways!

I flew this first at the Fun Fly they had a few weeks ago. I tried to fly it in a hover in the dark through one of the tents there. That was unsuccessful! I'm just no that good yet with plank 3d!

Anyway, it's sure bright!
Kent

[Gabe]

Jeez! That's insane!

Where did u pick up the lights?

[19000rpm]

And that's another plane I haven't built yet. ;D

This one's going closer to the top of the list since it should be great indoors this winter.

[akent]

Yep, 19k, these EPP Yaks are awesome indoors or out.
The lighter you can build it the better.

Saying that, I'm about to remove the LEDs from mine. All of those added over 100 grams to the weight of the plane and it just doesn't fly as well as it used to.

I am putting all of those plus MORE LEDs into a Multiplex Acromaster! The wings and fuse are two piece, so mounting them INSIDE would be awesome. This thing is also big, so that weight won't be an issue. The light shines right through the foam!

Gabe, those LEDs came from Hobby City! The come in strings of 60 super bright LEDs for CHEAP! The white and blue ones are under 5 bucks per string. The other colors are under 8 bucks per string. They come in green, red, blue, white and yellow.
The very cool part is you don't need drivers. You can just hook em up to the battery, or you can do like I did and use a switch from HC. These can switch up to 10 amps. I plugged this into the gear spot in the receiver.
These LEDs will run on 3s batteries, dimmer on 2s. PLUS, you can cut them every three LEDS and they will work like the whole string does. Nothing extra needed. They come with a 3M sticky back too!
Here's a link to the blue ones:
www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8942
These are all REALLY bright!
Kent

[19000rpm]

Kent, Could you post a list of components on the Yak or PM me. I've got some 9mm EPP some light servos and a couple of motors that might work.

I've been eyeing that Acromaster for next spring. Right now I'm going to focus on indoor and "winter" planes. I imagine I could put skis on the Acromaster, but somehow that just doesn't seem right.

[akent]

On the Yak, here is what I used:
Turnigy 2730-1300kv motor
Turnigy plush 18 amp ESC (you could go smaller here)
500ma 3s 20c
HXT-900 servos
GWS 9x5 prop

There are probably better power options, but this is a nice and light motor if you keep the build light. You could go less on the ESC, too. A 12 amp would be enough.
You could use lighter servos, but I like the power of the bigger ones.
Kent

[19000rpm]

Thanks, Kent. That's a good starting point. I'll probably use 8g servos and a 18A ESC since I've got it and one of a couple of motors in that size range.

How did you do the control hardware?

[akent]

Control hardware? I assume you mean the horns and stuff?
I bought a bunch of those from HC a long time ago of different sizes. I cut these off, then cut a slit in the surface to be controlled. Then I just hot melt glued those in.

I surface glued the servos on. I did not cut the foam for them.

I guess I need to post some more pictures of this thing.

I love how it flies! I can hover this better than any other plank I have. It has so much hot glue from repairs though that it's starting to get heavy. I need to build another one.

If you build one of these, you really should stock up on Welder glue, available at Lowes and probably other hardware stores. It sets up in about an hour, but is FAR FAR lighter and STRONGER, but just as flexible as hot melt.

I'm sticking with Welder glue for all EPP now, unless I'm in a huge hurry!

Oh, and I finally had my first HXT-900 servo fail! It was on the aileron of this Yak. It just started to quiver at the center. I could have perhaps taken it apart and cleaned the pot, but heck, 2 and a half bucks for a new one??? I just slapped a new one on there. Perfect again!

Really, I'm flying dozens of these servos now. Some are under a lot of stress, too! This is the first one that did anything, and I can't even count how many flights are on this thing.

Kent

[akent]

So far, I would say, don't bother with the Acromaster.

Here are my opinions on it:
1. It is too big for the foam that Multiplex uses.
2. The foam is far too thin in the front by the motor.
3. The thing is VERY sensitive to any vibration from the power system. Mine vibrated some and it was AMPLIFIED by the airframe. The foam started to come apart in the front. I carefully balanced everything and it did not go away. I changed motors, props and everything. What made it better was changing the prop adapter to a shorter one. Go figger. There are threads on RC Groups about this problem. It's called the Mad Cow syndrome where it goes 'Moo'.
4. The landing gear is far too weak. I have reinforced mine. I don't know if it will survive a landing or not.
5. The build is not an easy one like most other foamies. It's not hard, but there are a lot of parts.

All of that said, there is a TON of room inside for virtually any power plant, battery system, or anything else like your small dog.
The ventilation is very good.

I ended up installing SIX of those 60 LED strings in this one! One green and one white in the right wing, one red and one white in the left wing, and one blue and one white in the fuse. It is not as bright as when the LEDs are in the open like the Yak, but the fuse looks like a big fluorescent tube of different colors! I hope to fly it this weekend!

Oh, and this thing would not very likely survive a crash well. It's heavy. But it should still be reasonably easily fixable. I'll probably only fly this thing high in the sky. No low level 3d with this thing.

Moo!
Kent

[19000rpm]

Yep thats the hardware advice I was looking for.

Thanks for the info on the Acromaster. Not on my shopping list any longer.

[scarface26]

Hey Kent;
What would you recommend for a EPP 3D plane to start out with?

[akent]

If you want to scratch build one, then this Yak is a wonderful flier.

If you want a kit, then I would recommend the Hyperion Sniper II, or the SU-29 from RC Factory. The Yak-55 from RC Factory is supposed to be awesome, too. I just don't have one of those.

Here is a link to the only RC Factory reseller that I am aware of and they are in Canada. Look under EPP kits:
www.icare-rc.com/park_flyer.htm

Sniper II:
www.rcdude.com/servlet/the-135/Hyperion-Sniper-3D-EPP/Detail

www.allerc.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_87&products_id=5229

I posted the scratch Yak plans somewhere...

I have one of each of the above planes and they are all seriously awesome to fly, but are all different to fly.

The scratch Yak is the lightest and most durable, but it doesn't like much wind. The SU-29 that I have will fly in any wind and is the best 3d flier of the bunch. It also flies hands off inverted and is the most balanced. The Sniper does the best knife edge loops.

As far as looks, the SU-29 wins hands down with it's radial engine look, the carbon fiber landing gear, and it's paint is very durable. It's also the most expensive.

I powered all of these with Hobby King stuff. Let me know if you would like a list.

3d planks are too much fun! That's about all I fly any more with planks.
Kent

[19000rpm]

That SU 29 is a great looking flier

[akent]

Yep, it is a seriously good flier!
That is my favorite of all.

I mentioned these are about all I fly any more. Well, these and the Funjets!!!

I relax with the 3d birds and then I can light my hair on fire with the Funjets!
Kent

[scarface26]

I emailed the Icare folks about the SU-29. They want $105.00 for the plane plus approx $21.00 shipping. I am curious about the Hong Kong power system items if you could spare a few minutes to list them Akent. Thanx in advance.