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Thunder Power RC . Real Raptors . Mikado Modellhubschrauber

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e-Minicopter Joker > Need advice on buying Joker
 
 
gpyros
Key Veteran
Location: Palm Desert, California

I've decided to jump into the Maxi-Joker field with both feet, but need some advice from you who have been there before me! I'd like to order this by the end of the month if possible.

This will be mainly used for carrying a camera, but I'd like to do some flying with it, too!

Basic questions:

1) Where in the US do you recommend purchasing it?
2) Brushless motor, which one?
3) Controller, which one?
4) LiPo batteries, how many, what configuration?
5) LiPo charger, which one? Will my Triton work?

I plan on using my Futaba 9CH transmitter and 149DP PCM receiver, and Futaba 9202 servos all around. Sound OK?

Thanks,
Greg

Maxi-Joker helicam
Joker-CX helicam
Graupner Jet Ranger (elec)
Raptor-50
Logo-10
9CH
12-09-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Flying Scot
Heliman
Location: Scotland

Hi, Greg

You wont regret it.
I see you have the airfoil mount.
That is what I am currently using with my Maxi Joker. With the present configuration it is 5lbs. The Maxi on LIPO'S handles it no problem.

I am using the Actronic 70-32hcontroller with the V3 governer and the Actro 24-5 Motor. As supplied by Minicopter

Batteries are 2off Flightpower Pro 8000 (5s4p) Lithiums.

Schultze 330 d Charger. But I feel a more powerfull one would be better as I have not been able to charge at anymore than 2.5Amps.

RX and servos same as yours.

Arthur
12-09-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
edg
Senior Heliman
Location: San Francisco, CA

1) Joe Howard (JokerUSA) or FxAeromodels are both US distribs. Either one would be a good choice.

2) Joker's designed around the Koehler Actro Motors and Actronic controllers. That's what you should get. Great motors.

3) see 2

4) I've been using ThunderPower 7800 Mah capacity. You'll want either 9 or 10 cells (ie 10s4p). 10 is preferable. Great power and duration. I use 10s4p equivalent and my Joker 500D weighs about 15-16lbs and I get easily 15 minutes+.

5) Depends. I'm not sure how many Lipoly cells the Triton will do. You can maybe get smaller packs and connect them in series. For instance, I use two 3s4p and 1 4s4p pack to power mine. So I can charge smaller packs indiviudally if I want. However, mine's in a fuse and I have a lot of room for packs.
12-09-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
TJK
Heliman
Location: Waunakee, Wisconsin USA

I purchased mine through Joe howard At Joker USA. It was a smooth transaction and he can answer your questions.
http://www.joker-usa.com/index.htm
12-09-2003 Over year old.
 
 
gpyros
Key Veteran
Location: Palm Desert, California

Thanks, everyone!

Flying Scot, just saw your first image post! Nice!

Well, it's official - made an agreement to sell the Freya 90 today , Maxi-Joker here I come!!!!

Greg

Maxi-Joker helicam
Joker-CX helicam
Graupner Jet Ranger (elec)
Raptor-50
Logo-10
9CH
12-09-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Glenn in Den
Key Veteran
Location: Longmont, Colorado area

I haven't "been there before you" but I've considered it and passed on it before you. . . . for now.

To do what you want to do, you're going to need those "2off Flightpower Pro 8000 (5s4p) Lithiums."

Do those end up in series for a 10s4p?

Either way, the Triton won't do those. The Triton can only do 4 lithium cells. I concur with the Scultze recommendation. There is also an Oribit model that people have been going nuts over and some say it is even better than the Schultze 330 d.

You should think this through. It is a major investment and it is not for the "plug and play" types (people who like simplicity and low maintenance). The initial costs are outrageous. After you swallow the very expensive heli, there is a motor, speed controller and battery. And YIKES. . . .we're talking almost $700 for ONE SET of batteries. That means 30 minutes of flight and your done for a while. As volatile and difficult as they are (don't over charge, don't run them too low, yada yada) there is a good chance you'll ruin at least 1/2 of a $700 battery in the first month . . . or it might even die of natural causes. People have reported lots of problems with speed controllers too. These things draw 70 amps !!! My entire electric range doesn't draw 70 amps (yeah, yeah I know I'm on 240 volts but it SOUNDS like scary comparison and that is what I was after!)

It can be done. There are several people doing it and they are claiming a great deal of success. I'm just saying to think it through. It is not for everybody. . . . . .yet.

I want very much to do an electric heli but I'm going to sit back and wait a little longer.








Glenn.

I'm not really an R/C pilot, I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night!
12-09-2003 Over year old.
 
 
edg
Senior Heliman
Location: San Francisco, CA

Yes if you put 2 5s4p packs in series you get a 10s4p.

A really nice Lithium charger that won't cost an arm & leg, is the Astroflight. It'll do up to 9 cells and charge up to 8 Amps. $149.

I have an Orbit Pro which costs a lot more. I don't think it will charge as many cells and I think only goes up to about 5 Amps (is there another software upgrade that improves this?). I'd imagine the Orbit that can do 12 Cells is pretty expensive but I may be wrong.

I'm beginning to think I got a great deal on my Joker. I've had it a couple years now and I had to get it directly from Minicopter prior to any US distributors. I got the basic kit + Actro 24-5 + Actronic + v3 + 2 sets of Accucaps for $1250 ($1350 with express shipping from Germany). What do they go for now?
12-09-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
East Coast Scale
Key Veteran
Location: Taxachussetts

I heard the specs on the new charger, then heard that it is going to cost
$1200.00
Joe
12-09-2003 Over year old.
 
 
East Coast Scale
Key Veteran
Location: Taxachussetts

So far so good on the 11S2P. If you want a one flight pack for 8-9 minutes of hard 3-d, it works. If you just fly around and do normal aerobatics or scale, it is close to 14 minutes.
Joe
12-09-2003 Over year old.
 
 
gpyros
Key Veteran
Location: Palm Desert, California

Getting closer...

OK, getting closer to a decision!

The question has come up as to whether to go for the Maxi-Joker or the Joker-CX. In the scheme of things, the price difference is such a small part of the system that it is ignorable.

I'll be using the original version of the AirFoil Helicam mount with a Sony DSC-V1 and a BlackWidowAV downlink.

Which way to go, and why?

Thanks,
Greg

Maxi-Joker helicam
Joker-CX helicam
Graupner Jet Ranger (elec)
Raptor-50
Logo-10
9CH
12-10-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
East Coast Scale
Key Veteran
Location: Taxachussetts

If you do not care about 3-d, but sport flying and carrying a camera, the Maxi is the way to go. It will carry more weight than the CX or CF version, since it is geared to be that way. It also uses 800m blades and has a rpm range of 900-1200rpm making the heli that much more smoother, if that is possible.
Joe
12-10-2003 Over year old.
 
 
ehx
Senior Heliman
Location: Northern Minnesota

I got a CX partly for camera work back before the Maxi existed.
Once the Maxi came out I got one of those. As Joe said, if you
care primarily about carrying a camera and not 3D get the Maxi.
The Maxi doesn't really carry that much more weight, but its
efficency and stability with the 800mm blades is a lot better than
the CX. It can be a bit smoother also. It is definitely not a 3D
machine though.

If you do want a machine that you can really toss around then
the CX is the way to go. Of course a 3D setup isn't ideal for
camera work, but a CX setup that way can still carry about a
4 pound load, maybe 5 pounds with a light Lipo pack. I see no
point in getting a mild setup for the CX. In that case just get a
Maxi.

In short:
Maxi = serious camera work, smooth, gentle flying LARGE heli, no 3D
CX = serious 3D/aerobatics, OK for basic camera work.
12-11-2003 Over year old.
 
 
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GrandRC . CanoMod . Futaba-RC

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e-Minicopter Joker > Need advice on buying Joker
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