Finally! A Mini Protos!

Discussion in 'MS Heli' started by Beaver, Aug 20, 2016.

By Beaver on Aug 20, 2016 at 9:32 AM
  1. Beaver

    Beaver Well-Known Member

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    Done deal! I finalized payment on my stretched Mini Protos airframe..... my first real non-clone heli, and only $150 with SAB blades, and some aluminum upgrade parts! It should ship tomorrow. I've already been reading up on things and looking for parts at various online sites. This bird won't be in the air immediately as I plan to get better quality electronics for the thing, which may take a few weeks or so.
    Next stop- download the manual and do more reading. :D:D 20160806_181311.jpg thumb-20160806_181329.jpg thumb-20160806_181404.jpg thumb-20160806_181416.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2016
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Discussion in 'MS Heli' started by Beaver, Aug 20, 2016.

    1. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      Right, next question:
      Did you run the thing full-on 100% throttle, or did you run governor and a reduced curve?
       
    2. smakmeharder

      smakmeharder Administrator

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      I just wanted as much power as possible and i would just deal with the fluctuation - 100% was my gov setting. But on the YGE speedy I would recommend 85 to 90%. Rarely does the minip bog down due to loading - I think its why i could run on 100 without issues.
       
    3. Manyc

      Manyc Well-Known Member

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      Your always want to leave at least 10% for governor head room...

      Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
       
    4. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      Here's an odd question:
      Occasionally, I go to power up the Protos equiped with Ikon 1, and the "LemonRx Sat has dropped bind to my Tx, usually when I have no PC with me to reset bind. I have also noticed this in the past with the K-bar fbl...... Could it be the common denominator of the Lemon SATs, or is this little phenomenon also common to Spektrum SATs as well?
      The Lemon SATs work fine when bound, but having to stop and re-bind at power-up on those rare occasions is a bit of an annoyance.
       
    5. smakmeharder

      smakmeharder Administrator

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      Could very well be. However i ran spektrum sats for some time and occasionally (very rarely - like once every 200 flights) this phenomenon occurred. Since moving to futaba however i have never experienced this issue. Not once.
       
    6. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      Oh, snap!! I spotted a Protos 500 (plastic frame) complete minus FBL for $210 (USD) ........ plotting acquisition......
       
    7. smakmeharder

      smakmeharder Administrator

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      Wow... thats a nice find. I would argue that the protos 500 is a better heli than the 450 - expecially when its stretched. It flys soooo well - very symetrical in its movement.
       
    8. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      I wasn't necessarily ready for a 500, but at that price, almost complete minus FBL, hard to pass up! ....... especially since I'm a fan of the nice silent Protos belt-drive system. :D
       
    9. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      I only now realize that I've had this Protos for over a year now. I cant say I've had any issues with it whatsoever. Though I don't have time to fly as often as I would like, the Mini is consistent and sound as it was when I assembled it last year.
      It's due a fresh set of "quality" servos and the long overdue 6S upgrade, but Ill get to that soon enough. :D
       
    10. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      This bird is back in the air. I finally killed the plank I'd been flying daily for the last month, so I decided to take a break and go back to heli for a minute.
      I had to use Align 450se style aluminum blade grips, the original plastics perished in the (first/last) crash. The rest of the bird is mostly original aside from electronics and blades. I thought the Ikon 1 Fbl went to brick, but was able to revive it with a firmware reboot.... good thing, as I didnt want to use a K-bar on it. I've been unsettled on power system first few flights since re-fit. I'm currently running 3S/4S on 3500Kv/ 600w/ 45A Esc/ 11/120 main. I have separate radio profiles for 3s and 4s with throttle curves dialed-in accordingly to keep head speed reasonable, and have been getting over 6 minute flights.
      This time around, I have a nice HD camera that only weighs 35 grams, and strap it to anything I fly.... every time I fly.
      There are also pontoons involved these days...... there are ponds within my airspace.

       

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    11. hgnimda

      hgnimda Ray - Administrator Staff Member

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    12. hgnimda

      hgnimda Ray - Administrator Staff Member

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      If your using it for long duration flights, reduce your head speed - it should help quite a bit but there will be a sweet spot. 6S is usually much more efficient than 3/4S.
       
    13. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      I'm going for around 2300 to 2500. Current ratio is capable of around 3500 at 100% throttle. I'm running +40% throttle curve as of last adjustment. That's around 70% actual.

      6s is next on the list pending a replacement shaft for the msh/scorpion 1300kv. That motor will swing an 8×4.5 prop at 4S with no problem, did the math, cant wait to get it back in service on the MiniP.
       
    14. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      As if fate had intended, I stumbled upon some 4mm hardened rod stock in the form of an old broken screwdriver. With some creative engineering, I was able to machine a new shaft for my 6S MSH motor, that which I acquired from a reputable member of this forum.
      Of course the motor is assembled and tested in the Mini almost immediately, with perfect results. All bearings are interference fit even up to the shaft support.... like new.
      11 minutes at 4S/3200mAh at a flying weight of 1170 grams (~2.5 lbs) with pontoons and camera installed. Not bad for endurance, but head speed seems to be a bit lower than calculated at nominal voltage.
      Very quiet and practically no vibration showing in the video. 20201105_005144~2.jpg 20201105_010206.jpg
       
    15. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      Pontoons removed, point proven, don't like the weight
      Camera relocated back to undercarriage.
      1300Kv motor working perfectly.
      3S power test, 13 minutes... Low head speed but smooth. good for video and lazy flying.
      4S power test 11 minutes... Good enough for everything else... for now.
      Timer set to 8 minutes, safe flight envelope established per current power system.
      All is good, until........

      I heard, then spotted a small to medium sized quad-rotor "invading my airspace" this morning, I assume FPV by the configuration and altitude it flew.
      I had just looked at the Mini for a long moment and decided to fly later that day, as I was about to leave for work before the invasion, or I would have already had the Mini in the air and giving chase. (!!)
      I watched the quad circle around the area for several minutes as if either looking for me or taunting me, then observed it set down a bit to my North.
      If it is a local bird, will meet eventually, and the chase will be on.

      I have also, a murder of crows that have a habit of stomping on our metal roof at early hours of the morning, let me catch one in my airspace while I'm flying.
      Pick on something my own size? I will only weigh 2 pounds by proxy! :D
      ....and I think this Mini is turning into a Sport/Utility Heli. Someone has actually tried to talk me into trying to catch a fish from a pond with my Mini, pontoons or air, bait or fly lure.... but I'll need a little more power, and probably a little more helicopter.



      I would never actually try to harm a bird with an aircraft, but the fish thing is intriguing.
       
    16. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      Oops..... I just got my hands on some FPV gear so go with the micro camera that I'm already using. 5.4gHz Tx, compatible Rx/screen combo that mounts to my radio..... This should be fun!!
       
    17. Beaver

      Beaver Well-Known Member

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      FPV gear installed on the Mini as of last night, and seems to be working properly. I need a few successful ground and low altitude tests yet.
      If anyone has any helpful advice, now is a good time for it. :D
       

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