Great Planes 38% Extra 330S ARF is Here

[Hinckley Bill]

Started working on my 330S this evening.....

Tried pulling the aileron servo wires through the tubing after applying heat shrink to the extension and servo connections as per the instructions.......absolutely no way would the connectors pass through the tubes.

Stripped off the heat shrink and went my "normal" way using dental floss to make the connections ...... got one part way through but couldn't get it all the way. Tried the same setup on the second set of connections and couldn't get it past the beginning of the tube!

Anyone else experience this problem and if so your solution was???

Thanks,

Bill

[dbcaster]

You could take the connectors off and plug the wires together and heat shrink each wire/pin assembly individually. You can then heat shrink the three wires together.

[Hinckley Bill]

dbcaster...

Appreciate the suggestion.........just don't see why I should have to modify servo wiring to perform what's supposed to be a "relatively" simple function.


Hey G Rod22X.....

Did you folks in the GP development department have any "problems" getting the servo/extension connector to slide through the tubes in the wings???


Bill

[AEROCOLOR]

All of the tubes could have been a little larger diameter to make the wires pass through easier. I had difficulty on the elevator leads after heatshrinking them together. I think the dental floss method is the way to go on this one.
However, This is the most complete ARF I have ever assembled! Even the Monokote is cut out of the holes in the fuse and ironed in. The hardware kit is complete and well thought out. Everything fits the first time. The paintwork is very good and I`m impressed with the covering. Mine had no wrinkles and all the lines matched up well with the cowl. How about the engine mounting? Can it get any easier? Three nights and it`s almost done. Waiting on servos.... It`s flying season...when the rain stops!
Bill

[Hinckley Bill]

Bill.........

I couldn't agree with you more on the overall completeness of the ARF and the A+ covering job with the Monokote.

Mine will be ready to fly by the time our field dries out from the winter/spring snow and rain.



Bill

[G_Rod22x]

We have not had any problems using the recomended Futaba gear.

What servos/leads are you using?

I will pass your information along.

Hopefully the rest of your build will go smoother for you!

George

[Hinckley Bill]

George,


Hitec 5955's and std extensions using 22 gauge wiring.......nothing really unusual about either of them as far as their width is concerned.


Bill

[AEROCOLOR]

Hey George!
I used the heavy duty Futaba extensions and the shrink wrap that came in the kit.
It`s really no big deal but if the tubes were just slightly larger the issue would not exist. Like I said otherwise a very good job of preplanning on the airplane if that`s all we can find to bitch about. I`m happy.
Bill

[G_Rod22x]

Hello Mr. Cline! I hope you and Dar are doing well.

Bill-
I will share this info with the other product manager who developed the Extra. Again I am sorry to hear you are having a tough time with passing your leads through the tubes. I do not have time on the gear you are using, but I too am surprised to hear that the dimensions of the plugs would be that different than what we use....causing you this hassle.
All the best,
George

[Mr. Nobody]

Hey guys.

Been reading the posts about the guide tubes for the servo wires. There should be enough room for two sets of servo wires (with shrink-covered connectors) if the connectors aren't side-by-side, but are staggered. But yes, even with the connectors staggerd the situation is a little tight. Next time, I'll spec slightly larger tubes.

[Hinckley Bill]

Hey Tim,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I can't even get the single wire/connector through the guide tube leading from the farthest aileron, nevermind about a "second wire" in it.

A wider diameter guide tube is definitely needed.

Thanks for checking into the problem

Bill

[Hinckley Bill]

Just an update on the wing guide tube/wiring issue....

Well if all else fails look for an alternative way to make it work. In this case GP had the good fortune to cut out lightening holes in the wing ribs in back of the outer guide tube. So with some flexible wire and string I was able to guide the wiring for the outer aileron servo through these holes and into the opening for the inner aileron servo.

From there I was able to pull the extension wire for the outer aileron servo as well as the extension wire and the connector for the inner aileron servo through the inner guide tube and out the end of the wing.

Now to move on with the rest of the build ...

Bill

[Mr. Nobody]

My bad Bill.

I should have read your post more closely. I see you are using Hitec servos. Of course, we are using all Futaba equipment. Not that other brand's gear shouldn't work, we (I) just didn't try out the Hitec stuff.

Sorry for the hassle and thanks for the head's up. Like I said, next time I'll see if we can spec larger tubes. Personally, I don't care for the tubes anyway--especially on a plane this large--the lightening holes in the wing are going to be big enoug to easily drop the wires down through without needing a tube to guide them and strings to pull them through. But on the other hand, I guess guide tubes for the wires are kinda nice to keep the wires from flopping around inside your wing.

Hey, do you go to any IMAC contests? I'm assembling one of our 27% Extra 330S's right now--the baby brother to the 38%. I'm planning on attending the one in Terra Haute, IN, on the 3rd and 4th I believe it is of May. If you go, be sure to introduce your self.

Okay then,

Tim

[Matt Chapman]

okay, $67 question....
do I consider selling my Carden 35% Extra with DA 100 and 'move up' to this plane with a DA-150? Will I see or feel a change?
My Extra is way sweet, well built by Terry Boston and all top of the line Futaba gear..what will I gain? Worth the time and money?

Thoughts?

Matt-C

[Jorgy]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Mr. Nobody
	My bad Bill. I should have read your post more closely. I see you are using Hitec servos. Of course, we are using all Futaba equipment. Not that other brand's gear shouldn't work, we (I) just didn't try out the Hitec stuff.

Tim,

I am using Futaba 9155's on ailerons with Futaba J-Series Aileron Extensions for Digital Servos (FUTM4148, FUT4147, etc). This combination will not fit in the aileron tubes. I even took the shrink wrap off the connector and used embroidery thread to tie them together. They did fit the elevator tube.

That aside, I have to echo what Bill said. Everything else is awesome.