I knew I would need a charger so I picked one up from a LHS (My previous blog post has that adventure).
So what else did I need to pick up?
- Servo extension cables (The stock servo leads are just long enough to get inside)
- Battery connection adapters or new leads to solder on
- Epoxy since there wasn't enough that came with it.
- Power transformer for battery charger (You might not have to pay for that if you get a different charger)
- A five wire balance plug to a four wire plug.
Tools that I have used
- Hot wire foam cutter. I made mine out of chopsticks, a clothespin, 9V battery, a rubberband, and some florist wire. One of the ailerons stuck during movement against the body.
- Digital Multimeter To check my solders on the connectors.
- Soldering iron and solder
- Pliers
Some elaboration:
My SkyFun came with a Deans connector (the unsoldered part) while my batteries came with a XT60 adapters. My biggest problem seems to be what plug to go with (I like soldering) a compulsive person would get a scale and weigh them. I am going to be lazy and bet on the XT60 gaining a majority so it's time to cut the plug off my SkyFun and get to soldering.
I ended up picking up a CellPro from FMA Direct since HK was out of stock for the US warehouse and I was impatient and I didn't want to spend another $20+ on just S&H. I did buy batteries from HK though since they had them in stock from the US warehouse. The charger however did not come with an AC adapter so I either have to charge from my cars battery or get a power transformer. The other caveat is that my charger is a four cell charger while I only have three cells. What this means is that I have a five wire plug that needs to go to a four wire. Luckily the manual describes the wiring schematic so you can buy your plugs and crimp your own adapter wires.
Comments
Ahhh I thought I hit the draft button on this I hadn't proof read it and I have more to add. This is my second electric plane but since the first was a kit skyfly that a gf bought me it doesn't count. My first plane was a high wing trainer that had enough gas for 45min and finicky exhaust when I was 12-13.
Besides SkyFuns are easy to replace when I do crash it.
I hope this helps...
El1m1nate/Rafal
Is this your first plane?? If so, i wouldnt recommend the skyfun... [btw funjet is a different plane from a different manufacturer]
I got myself a skyfun after my flying wing [crashtesthobby.com - assassin] got 'stuck' in a tree.. This was my second plane. I had read the threads on how easy it is to break, and I still broke it into three peices on the maiden! and it didnt even fly! [well... only had elevator controls!]
I would recommend going for something simple as a first plane, then moving onto the skyfun. Its very __FAST__..
When you do want to proceed with it, i have these hints:
1. get some gorilla glue. that stuff is slow, but tough
2. install spars [i used glass fibre] everywhere!
3. tape 90% of the plane in bi-directional tape.. ie leading edges, motor mount [i put spars there aswell], vert stabs, elevons, whole nose section upto the wing!
4. take the plastic canopy part off the plane... even after gorilla gluing it in, it still came off.
5. set your rates pretty high on the controller. My assassing flying wing [also elevon] has large surfaces, and i couldnt control the plane on the maiden which led to the crash.
6. if you intend to fpv/ap with it.. i would place the battery as i did, in the back [you have to cut a bit of foam out].. just slide it until the 3s cannot fit back anymore.. i currently fly with a 70g weight velcred into the front for balance.
7. put a large peice of foam [the skyfun comes with lots extra!!] just infront of the battery to prevent ejection!
8. chage the servos to metal gear. i had it cartweel for 5-6 spins and one of the servos is broken..
I had a very similar crash to the maiden, and i just picked it up, replaced the prop, and flew it. no damage!
i would recommend xt60 as HK seem to be moving to them... and HK are cheap.. READ the rc groups thread(s) on the skyfun.. they all say dont