I love a twin. If it had stayed in production, I really was looking forward to picking up the Eflite Twin Otter was my dream aircraft, but they discontinued it before I could get one (they were quite expensive). I was very excited when Great Planes announced it was coming out with the Twinstar EP.
Given my doldrums with the RCGF 10cc engine, I made myself happier by pulling the trigger on the Twinstar, from Tower Hobbies for $139 delivered. I first went through my stock: I have nearly everything I need. I have a HURC Power Up 480, close to the Rimfire 30-35-1250, so I only had to buy one more. I have a HURC 40A ESC, but decided to buy two new Sky Power 40A ESC, and another Power Up 480 Plus motor to pair up with the one I have. I have 4 Hitec HS-82MG micro servos, NIB, perfect. I also have a Spektrum AR600X receiver, and a couple of 3 blade Dynam 8x6 props (or I could use a couple of the Master Airscrew 3 blade 7x4 props, but I really don't like the short chords on Master Airscrew props). I decided to use a voltage regulator rather than the Linear BECs that come on the ESCs, not being a fan of them. The only thing left is to see if I can use the 4S 3300 mAh batteries I already have, or if I need to buy the 3S 3800 mAh batteries they recommend. All of my 3S are 2200 mAh and 2650 mAh. I will pick up a couple of APC 8x8 props since they are recommended. I'll have to wattmeter and time the different props when I am all set up.
Well, the experiment using an RCGF 10cc engine has ended, and its a fail*... Many others have had a lot of luck with this engine, but its been a bust since I got it. I am so disappointed, I really like the look of this motor, and the service RCGF-USA has offered. There is still hope, but its fading.
*UPDATE (11/13/15): The engine may be giving me grief, but the service from Joe Nelson at RCGF-USA is exceptional! I woke up this morning thinking that the only thing I haven't done is bypassed the pump using a simple siphon feed. In my conversation with him he test runs them on a bench tht uses a gravity feed without the pump. It ran. this fits with my work identifying the pump as the likely culprit. He's looking at my pump pics too, but in the meantime he's sending me a new pump. I will test the motor without the pump and I wholly expect it will run. I will replace the pump when it gets here. He's made it clear if I want at anytime to send it back he will replace it with a new one. We can't expect perfect parts, but with perfect customer service anything is possible!
I opted for it as it has a ringed cylinder, it uses the 30:1 mix, and has a standard muffler. It was priced similar to the Evolution10cc, which prefers 40:1, has a glow type muffler, and has a non-ringed cylinder that requires a tender break in period. The RCGF was just easier.
I got it about a month ago to go in my Sukhoi SU-26. I couldn't get it to start... I went through everything I could think of. I finally pulled the spark plug to check spark and the plug came out with its threads and wouldn't go back in (but it did spark). RCGF-USA took it back (I think it cost me $20 to send it by ground). They had it a week, I wrote and found out that despite my email exchange, they had no idea why it was there and were waiting to hear form someone (hello, name and address on the box). Joe at RCGF-USA changed the cylinder head, got it running, and sent it back. I got it today, totally psyched to have it running. Installed, and... nada. Once again went through everything and just couldn't get it started. I isolated all the systems, electrical and fuel, and the only thing I found was a dry fuel pump. I put some fuel directly in the carb through the wide open throttle, and it turned over for a couple of seconds but there was no fuel to keep it running. That was the only time that worked. I took apart the pump and it was bone dry. The Quickfire is wet, there is fuel to the pump, and I primed the line from the pump to the engine. I took apart the pump, and I tried changing the metal plate and the butterfly valve gasket order to see if it was put together wrong, and that didn't work. I put it back the way it was when I opened it. I couldn't find an exploded drawing of it to see the right arrangement, but the outer gaskets are clearly against the outer plates, so there really is not much variation left. It 's got a metal plate the Walboro's don't have with the butterfly gasket on one side, and gaskets sandwiching that between the outer plates that hold the metering line and the fuel in and out lines.
RCGF 10cc Fuel Pump Disassembled.
Then reassembled:
I have a couple of emails and a call message in at RCGF-USA. If they can't help me get this running and soon, I will need to return it. I don't see a point to trying an exchange for a different one, I mean this is a simple engine, and it ran when they had it, so what's left?
I decided, once I realized this cost me $25, I need to return it to HK for an exchange. Recall that I planned on using this on the Eflite Stearman but when I plugged it in it didn't light up and then shorted out. Got the RMA today and will mail it out to the return site in NY tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: HK quickly replaced it, no problem. Haven't installed this one in anything yet.
She is a curious flier, one moment docile and balanced, the next cartwheeling across the grass on takeoff. A few months ago she tore off an engine and smashed up her fuse a bit. I fixed it and used wood filler to gap the gouges. I left her in the wall for a few months.
Today I sanded down the filer, pulled off some of the stickers and used up the last of the of the olive drab paint for the topside. Tomorrow I'll finish the bottom with gray, and complete the stickers. Then, another try at flying without drama!
Headed out to Joppa with a heli, the HDX 500, and my 30cc MXS-R.
I have not had luck with my helis lately. They are all plagued with one mechanical issue or another. I continue to fight off butt wiggles. The HDX had a seizure issue I finally nailed doen to Van De Graff energy and fixed by lubing the tail boom and belt. But now it too has a tail wag...
So I took the 30cc up and worked on approaches and landings. I am finding her way. I increased the landing flap config to 60% and now she floats like a butterfly. The grass is clumpy and high, so on rollout before the tail wheel comes fully down her prop touches and the engine stops. Cracked the prop ever so slightly, but I don't need drama so I replaced it with a Zoar Black Sword. Sweet! Need to pick up a couple of these!
Pretty much finished the Eflite Stearman. I
decided to build it stock, 3S with a Power 15 electric motor. I had a bad gyro reciever from Hobby King. It wouldn't talk to the motor and then shorted out. I don't think it's worth trying to work with HK customer service to get it replaced, so I tossed it and put in a Spektrum AR600x. Setting up weight in the nose for CG, then maybe maiden tomorrow.
