Smitty's TriCopter Build

I hear ya and on that level you maybe right but given HOW good these Back-light KIT's the hobby shops offer are it could be said would add value to the Tx making it an easier sale ... but the argument is bound to swing both ways, back and forth until our poor old brains hurt {LOL} I say nevertheless the quality of these Back-Light KITs are so well done and are truly of the highest quality. Upon seeing you are surly bound to agree so the real question comes down to being ones own willingness or ability to do the work, nothing more  Ouch ;D {LOL} The "Evil eye" is truly in an EVIL mood today {LOL}

EDIT: WOW, we just had a thought (RUN for COVER we're in Bagdad now, LMAO). If and it's probably BIG if anyway and we're not assuming anything but to pretend we're having trouble selling the Tx we could offer the back-light KIT as a sweetener to the Tx deal, of course adding or hiding the price of the KIT where by the buyer would install the KIT themselves ... Or could even offer to install for them at an additional cost again ... In "this economy" we gotta be GONZO in our SELLING methods, yeah! Meh, jus thinking out loud for being so loudmouthed before, so there 8)

I appreciate the input.
I really don't know what I'll focus on.
I don't see me getting multiple aircraft.
I'm a car guy! LOL

Hi Smitty, thanks. Anyhowz JUST putting the info out there for ya ... I tried to include everything I could think of just to be complete. But if you was me and not planing on flying anymore than what you have now I would go for the DX6i. They can be had for relatively cheap in the used arena. Just to brag a little I even got my DX6i for FREE because the GUY had it sitting around collecting dust. So he took pity on me and simply gave it away, he was such a great guy he even paid the shipping from Kentucky up to me in Canada. In any case being darn "Lucky" aside I see em going for around $100 and less used but those didn't include the Rx ...

I think what I'm going to do is wait.
Mid January will be another Umpqua Modelers meeting here.
I'll put it out their asking for a trainer/help with a Tx and Rx.
And see what develops.
Besides, after Christmas may make something available.
Ho Ho Ho! 

HaHa, that BE the TRUTH GC ... When I first looked to Rc I knew I wanted a Helicopter but thought of only buying one which was my dearly loved TRex 450. At the time I didn't see myself or wanting/needing more ... But NOW four years in and ALL my helicopters don't FIT into my Fleet Photo and I have another one coming. When you can say you have a Fleet Photo that's when you know you've GOT it and GOT it BAD

... Meh, gotta luv that "Heli CRACK" {LMAO} It's made me a POOR man and loving it for being POOR. Yes, tell me doctor "I'm SICK! But please DON'T help me"

Well if one takes nothing away from what I say the smartest thing anyone could do is NEVER rely solely on the opinions of one. Which certainly includes any of my opinions, my "voice of one"! Best to get as many thoughts and opinions as one can get. Yup +1 one to everything you say in your quote

I'm here to help, to share my info and not worry about what people think about me. But that's NOT always easy but that's teh challenge I set for myself .............

wOOd, that's a fine fleet indeed.


GC, I'm glad to see you were listening... er reading. LOL


OK, here's a technical question.


Wiring the motor, ESC and battery: Is it better to have connectors or soldered connections?
Obviously, connectors allow for quick changes when and if necessary. But beyond this...?


What I going for is a sleek look with the wiring hidden as much as possible. Which may not be entirely possible. Just a goal.

A solid (EDIT: "solid" is poor or LAZY wording, what I mean is a Wire RUN with the least amount of connectors, if possible BEST is with none /EDIT) wire run is always best for performance reasons however slight the gains maybe ... But there's also something to be said about ease of assembly and disassembly.  My thoughts on this is it's a personal choice and you should do what you feel is right for you and your machine. That said the most likely place your going to have problems are with the ESC/BEC's ... w/ my larger helicopters I use Bullet connectors for the motor to the ESC and obviously were going to need a connector for the battery. So w/ QUADS or TRI's that would at least warrent a DEANS which connects to a three way (sorry NO link) or four way connector for connecting the battery to the ESC's

EDIT: Upon looking again at that 4-way connector I linked to and the 10 bucks (and we need two sets) they want for the stupid thing it would be something I could make myself ... Howz your soldering and your stock of bullet connectors and shrink!?! On a bit of a side note the European Heli Pilots don't even know what a DEANs are as they predominantly use Bullet connectors for connecting everything including their LiPo's ... Just a thought as bullet's can offer a cleaner look while maintaining the MAX performance w/ their ability to take the AMPs. Then it's only a matter of being careful and watching (as the Idiot-Proofing is NO longer there for us) the polarity in a effort to avoid the dreaded spark of LiPo destruction and death ....

Like wOOd said:  wire run is always best for performance reasons however slight the gains maybe ... But there's also something to be said about ease of assembly and disassemble.  My thoughts on this is it's a personal choice.

I've shortened many servo wires and some ESC wires on my models to tidy things up. Not the motor wires though. 
The instructions on a couple of my own motors suggest not to cut the wires from the motors because they are coated under the insulation and quite difficult to re-solder and doing so would void the warranty.
You can find numerous discussions googling the subject, some say it's OK, some, it's not.  ???

A good trick in hiding wires, or at least make the ones you can't do any thing about less visible is to use a braided wire sleeve over them.

Thanks guys for your input.
The motors that I'm using have about 4" of wire without any connectors.
I have no stock of bullet or any other connectors on hand.
I do have solder and some basic skill.
With my plan to house the ESC's in the main frame, I'll need to extend the motor wires (3) about 10"-12" to reach the ESC's. I'm also considering using heat shrink tubing to attach/conceal the wires to the motor booms. I have considered using the braided sleeve. Shrink tube seems simpler.

Not only that, the sleeving protects the wires from chaffing and the sleeving makes the wires look downright sexy.

That's what I'm talking about.
John did a really nice job making his heli look nice. 

Lengthen the wiring off the motor must be what others are doing Smitty.
The shrink tube would do a nice job on the wire down the booms.
I was going to say, it may be more difficult to remove should you have to replace a motor, but giving it a little more thought, it would probably quicker than the sleeving. 

I was surprised this morning with a birthday gift from my wife, whom I refer to as "my bride", tho we've been married for nearly 22 years.


The gift... a brand new Futaba 6J Tx/Rx


I'm now on track to get this venture off the ground. LOL


Wahoo!  ;D

That's awesome Smitty!  Looks like you're going to beat Rick and I into the air.  Rick is making some progress, but I haven't been able to do much at all on mine.  This time of year is crazy for me with the business so I have almost no time to play.  So what else do you have to do before liftoff?

...Tiger

LOL, looks like Lady "LUCK" paid in FULL eh Smitty ...
... it bests my story of luck and my FREE DX6i as the Futaba is no doubt a fine radio
Congrats, looks like we'll be seeing a "maiden" sooner than thought

I may be able to start the assembly within a week or two.
Waiting for some minor parts to arrive.

• Wiring sleeve material
• Bullet connectors
• Heat shrink tubing
• Servo
• Servo extension
• props
• collet (to replace the goofy one)
• 16 awg Silicone wire

This stuff should be here before Christmas.
But the worst part is I must find a way to warm up the garage so I can get the piles of Slash stuff organized so I'll have room to work.

As for now... I'm off to the local casino to celebrate my birthday.

Happy birthday and cheers to you Smitty. May you bring back more than you left home with. 

Where's Smitty ---- Ya flying yet ?? Just teasing looking for an update ... BUMP!
Want more pics to satisfy my PIC addiction so put away the birthday BEER! {LOL}
Must be getting close to a finished bird eh?

Good morning wOOd,
No, as a matter of fact this bird is still a box full of pieces n'parts.
Yesterday I did receive an order from http://www.amainhobbies.com/  with an assortment of stuff.


I've been distracted by some holiday events... http://youtu.be/Z1hRgkButbE

Plus, it's COLD! in the garage.


I will tell you that I got some of that mesh sleeve for the wiring.
And the first order of business will be to fabricate a mount for the control board.
I'm still turning that over (in my head).


Actually, the first order of business is to make the garage habitable!
It's either that or cart everything over to the clubhouse and set up a temporary shop there.

Hey Smitty - I loved your video!  But that clubhouse just doesn't look right without tables full of RC stuff!