Quick funtana Hinge and battery question

[heligrom]

Hey guys....

quick question for yous guys.

i'm picking up a new Funtana X50. Of course, it comes with CA hinges. Although i have never had a problem with CA hinges i pose this question: would it be worth it to use Dubro pin hinges in place of the CA hinges? i figure that they would allow for smoother operation of the surfaces which would decrease current draw for the servos which means less draw from the battery pack which means longer flight times (sooo many which means sorry!!) the only negative i can see to those (aside from spending money on hinges and epoxy for them), is possibly more weight due to the use of epoxy instead of CA, and the fact that the hinges themselves weigh more than the CA ones (i think).

now for the battery question......: First, heres going to be my electronics setup: 3x Hitec 475HB's, 1 JR DS821 (rudder servo) and 1 JR St47BB (throttle). now the question: what size pack would you guys suggest? i ran that exact setup, plus one 475, on a yak and used a 1400 6v hydrimax pack. i got about 5-6 flights depending on how long they were, before i would stop because the packed seemed low. i was thinking of either using a similar pack, or getting something in the 2000 mah range. i'd prefer 6 volts. what do you guys think?

sorry about the novel, but thanks for all the help!!

[Wilki01]

I used CA hinges in a lot of planes. Both of my Funtana 40s's had them in, my Showtime 50. My Funtana X100, H9 1/4 Scale Cub and my Sea Monster all have CA hinges. I have found that in a lot of cases, (not all) the CA hinges will outlast the aircraft, usually a dumb thumb thing. I used to worry about using CA hinges, but now I usually prefer them. As far as them coming apart or failing in the air, always, did I say ALWAYS?, do a proper pre-flight on your aircraft before flying.

AS with any aircraft, weight is a factor, especially in a 3d type plane. I am more of a sport flyer, so I don't usually concern myself if my plane is a little on the heavy side, but so far my planes haven't been heavy. It is ok to go to a high mah rating on your battery packs, but usually at a weight cost. On your Funtana anything around 1100 mah is fine. I try to top up before flights anyways, I never take off without a pre check of the aircraft and battery state anyways. I have seen way too many people fly knowing they haven't checked the batteries after flying and good Ol Murphy's Law show up destroying a plane for nothing. My 1/4 Scale Cub has a 4600mah ignition pack and a 2300mah Rx pack, obviously not conserned about weight. My Funtana X100 has the 4600mah pack on the Rx side and a 2300mah pack on the ignition side, not concerned about weight either plane only weighs in at 9.5lbs with a 26cc gas engine, the Cub however is 17.25lbs, diferent type of flying planes.
I like using 6.0 volts on my Rx packs, just for the higher torques and speed for the servos, but again I am just an average sport flyer, hard core 3d guys will give you better info than I can on that one.

Hope this info helps you, for those of you that have better info jump right on in.

Wilki

[heligrom]

Thanks wilki.

Anyone else have anything to chime in? just trying to get a variety of opinions here.

thanks!

[Vic3D]

CA hinges are fine, and way easier to install. Just pin them in the middle, attach the aileron to the wing and run thin CA on both holes.

On that plane, 1,000 mah is enough for about 5-6 flights.

[BarracudaHockey]

I flew the snot out of the F100 and when it finally hit the ground about the only thing intact was the hinges.

[heligrom]

Ok!! So i guess CA hinges it is. Now i just got to order a new battery pack and we're all good!

[Mithrandir]

What motor are you using?
Vibration is what kills CA hinges... if you plan to have the plane over 150 flights.. use better hinges.

[heligrom]

i'm going to be using a 91 four stroke.

[octanehuffer]

CA hinges are bad for long term. The longest I have had any go was 450 flights. That was just over one summer for that plane. The biggest killer for CA hinges is improper instalation. Once thay are on the plane and properly glued, any difference with one hinge being higher or lower WILL BREAK THEM. Warped control surfaces and hinges not on a straight line are typical from any ARF manufacturer. Double check their work. You will not gain any mechanical advantage over a pinned hinge. I never use CA hinges anymore, even on 49" planes. The pinned hinges last longer, but its just personal preference.

[Highlights]

Go Ca hing for a plane that small. Much cleaner install. If done correctly they last a looong time. Do not saturate the hinge to the point it's exposed portion is shiny. It may become brittle and break. Thats the common issue. Too little ca is bad. Too much is equally bad. Always give your hinges a pre flight . Give a tug on the control surface. If it feels solid then your good to go.

[BarracudaHockey]

Double dipping the CA makes the fabric pull away from the mylar.

Use several drops of thin CA, turn it over, glue the other side and don't be tempted to go back over it with more CA.

Also drill a small tunnel down the middle of the hinge slot as shown in the instructions, to help the CA wick down deeper into the connection

[heligrom]

thanks for all the info guys..

i actually decided to go with the dubro pin hinges over the CA. after talking it over with a fellow hucker at my field, he suggested that i use the pin hinges. me and him have a similar flying style and after hearing some of his horror stories of his CA hinges ripping out in violent maneuvers, i'd rather take some more time (and add hopefully not too much weight) for the sake of safety

now i just gotta wait for fedex to drop off the damn airframe!!