Bixler 3 starter essentials!

Ashafius · August 23, 2016, 10:45:29 PM

Hi guys! So after everyone helped me out a couple of weeks ago deciding on plane and finding the right parts to it, I'm ready to gather it all up and purchase it all, I'd just like to ask for a little help on checking this list over and making sure I haven't got anything wrong or that I'm missing anything?

1. Transmitter: http://www.t9hobbysport.com/frsky-taranis-x9d-plus-2.4ghz-transmitter
2. Plane: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__67941__HobbyKing_8482_Bix3_Trainer_FPV_EPO_1550mm_ARF_UK_Warehouse_.html
3. Motor: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38042__Turnigy_Aerodrive_SK3_2836_1500_Brushless_Outrunner_Motor_UK_Warehouse_.html
4. Prop: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__42495__Aerostar_Composite_Propeller_8x4_Grey_CCW_2pcs_UK_Warehouse_.html
5. ESC: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__29329__TURNIGY_Plush_30amp_Speed_Controller_w_BEC_UK_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=plush%2030a
6. Servox4: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38062__Turnigy_8482_TGY_50090M_Analog_Servo_MG_1_6kg_0_08sec_9g_UK_Warehouse_.html
7. Batteries(How Many?): http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26715__Turnigy_2200mAh_3S_25C_Lipo_Pack_UK_Warehouse_.html
8. Battery Charger: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__78387__Turnigy_Accucell_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_LiHV_Capable_UK_Warehouse_.html

So that's my list so far, am I missing anything or would you change anything on that? Such as the charger or battery etc? Apparently the transmitter comes with a receiver so English Turbines says but would I need to look at getting any other bits like antenna's for the receiver?

Thanks guys for all your help, hopefully I'll be getting bits this week!

Ash

Suggsy · August 23, 2016, 11:03:12 PM

I've got the SK3 1050kv in mine on 10mm long motor mount extensions (NTM ones on HK) running a 9x6 prop. I also use 3S zippy compacts 5000mAh batteries, although I did have to remove the landing gear plastic part in the fuse in order for it to fit. I get about 40 minutes out of that. If you're going 2200mAh I'd say 4 at least.
FRsky Rx's come with antennas, I use X8R's mostly

Ashafius · August 23, 2016, 11:21:22 PM

Quote from: Suggsy on August 23, 2016, 11:03:12 PM
I've got the SK3 1050kv in mine on 10mm long motor mount extensions (NTM ones on HK) running a 9x6 prop. I also use 3S zippy compacts 5000mAh batteries, although I did have to remove the landing gear plastic part in the fuse in order for it to fit. I get about 40 minutes out of that. If you're going 2200mAh I'd say 4 at least.
FRsky Rx's come with antennas, I use X8R's mostly

I could go for larger batteries then? I just chose that battery as it was recommended with the plane link, I have no clue lol

Suggsy · August 23, 2016, 11:29:06 PM

Biggest I can fit in there is a Gens Ace 5500mAh. But I just use the Zippy 5000mAh mostly, depends on how long a flight times you're after and don't forget, I had to take a dremel to the inside in order to fit those batteries.

English Turbines · August 23, 2016, 11:57:14 PM

Quote from: Ashafius on August 23, 2016, 11:21:22 PM
I could go for larger batteries then? I just chose that battery as it was recommended with the plane link, I have no clue lol

The Bix 3 will fly for a good 10 or 12 mins on a 2200 3S....Long enough for sure while you learn how to fly and it makes the plane lightly loaded..
That said, a 2650mah or a 3000mah would still be ok I think....I wouldnt suggest a heavy 5000mah Lipo while you learn....keep it light.
I have a Bix 2, with a 4000mah, 3S ..OSD and FPV....That will happily cruise about for 30 mins easy...but you dont need that yet.

:vulture:

elmattbo · August 24, 2016, 12:09:43 AM

I have a bix3 (flew it today for the first time in ages!) and 2200's are fine. You can also parallel them for longer flight times when you get used to it.
It's a good airframe, the landing gear is a nice to have but can be removed if you don't need it. Mine caught thermals today and it's by no means a sleek machine with bits of fpv gear hanging off it! You can do some basic aero's and it crashes pretty well too!

I have the same motor as you're getting which works great although I think I have an 8x6 on it. You also need 2 extra servo's if you are going to use flaps, but don't install them just yet. The best bit of advice is to keep it simple at the beginning. Good luck and if you have any other Bix 3 questions post here and someone will answer them!.

FPVSteve · August 24, 2016, 11:27:58 AM

I'd also consider buying a £3 lipo alarm that attaches to the battery balance lead - that way if you're running low on juice while the plane is in the air, you'll be able to hear it and land before you trash your batteries.

Set the voltage alarm to 3.6V IMO ... that'll give you more than enough leeway to land etc before the cells drop below 3.3V each.

Here's one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1S-8S-Volt-Meter-Monitor-Buzzer-Alarm-Lipo-Li-ion-LiMn-Li-Fe-RC-QUADCOPTER-UK-/191819056915?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Ashafius · August 24, 2016, 03:39:26 PM

Quote from: Steve W on August 24, 2016, 11:27:58 AM
I'd also consider buying a £3 lipo alarm that attaches to the battery balance lead - that way if you're running low on juice while the plane is in the air, you'll be able to hear it and land before you trash your batteries.

Set the voltage alarm to 3.6V IMO ... that'll give you more than enough leeway to land etc before the cells drop below 3.3V each.

Here's one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1S-8S-Volt-Meter-Monitor-Buzzer-Alarm-Lipo-Li-ion-LiMn-Li-Fe-RC-QUADCOPTER-UK-/191819056915?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

That's a massive help, thanks for the recommendation, I'll add that to my list! :)

Quote from: English Turbines on August 23, 2016, 11:57:14 PM
The Bix 3 will fly for a good 10 or 12 mins on a 2200 3S....Long enough for sure while you learn how to fly and it makes the plane lightly loaded..
That said, a 2650mah or a 3000mah would still be ok I think....I wouldnt suggest a heavy 5000mah Lipo while you learn....keep it light.
I have a Bix 2, with a 4000mah, 3S ..OSD and FPV....That will happily cruise about for 30 mins easy...but you dont need that yet.

:vulture:

Do you think I should go a bit bigger on battery size? 10 minutes isn't too bad to start off with the 2200 I suppose

Quote from: elmattbo on August 24, 2016, 12:09:43 AM
I have a bix3 (flew it today for the first time in ages!) and 2200's are fine. You can also parallel them for longer flight times when you get used to it.
It's a good airframe, the landing gear is a nice to have but can be removed if you don't need it. Mine caught thermals today and it's by no means a sleek machine with bits of fpv gear hanging off it! You can do some basic aero's and it crashes pretty well too!

I have the same motor as you're getting which works great although I think I have an 8x6 on it. You also need 2 extra servo's if you are going to use flaps, but don't install them just yet. The best bit of advice is to keep it simple at the beginning. Good luck and if you have any other Bix 3 questions post here and someone will answer them!.

Thanks, I'll order 6 servo's then for when I'm ready to add in flaps, is the 8x4 prop ok though? I'll have to look into how different size props work, I don't understand that stuff yet :)

Coyote · August 24, 2016, 05:00:59 PM

You don't want to get carried away with large batteries to begin with. All that does is load the plane up and increase the chance of getting caught out with a tip stall.

Ashafius · August 24, 2016, 05:41:39 PM

Quote from: Coyote on August 24, 2016, 05:00:59 PM
You don't want to get carried away with large batteries to begin with. All that does is load the plane up and increase the chance of getting caught out with a tip stall.

Alright sounds good I'll stick to the 2200's then! and if they last for 10 minutes that gives me a good perspective for how many I need, thanks! :)

So if my list is complete, with the added servo's and an alarm for low battery, I'm ready to purchase! Just need to 100% the prop now and make sure it's the right size, I mean BlueFlyer put the build together for me with the motor, prop, esc and everything and I trust him

Coyote · August 24, 2016, 05:48:47 PM

I trusted him with my Talon motor / prop / esc combo as well ....... on the second flight the motor burst into flames :)

Sorry Chris couldn't help it :rofl:

Ashafius · August 24, 2016, 05:53:23 PM

Quote from: Coyote on August 24, 2016, 05:48:47 PM
I trusted him with my Talon motor / prop / esc combo as well ....... on the second flight the motor burst into flames :)

Sorry Chris couldn't help it :rofl:

:o Think I need to reevaluate now! Haha :D When it comes to HK you know it has that discount thing when you wait for a while and it gives you a one time offer, will it work with multiple things and add them all to my basket?

Coyote · August 24, 2016, 05:55:47 PM

Chris's recommendations are fine for this example. I'm just playing :)

The hobbyking thing, yes if you sit and wait on every single page, then add when it offers you.

FPVSteve · August 24, 2016, 06:16:07 PM

Disagree! He also provided me with a link for the NTM motor currently on my Mini Talon and that too gets beyond hot after ~30 secs of use .. proceed with caution, etc etc :laugh:

English Turbines · August 24, 2016, 06:18:25 PM

Stick with the 2200mah 3S......As someone else has said....If later on you fancy a nice long cruise, you can always get one of those XT60 Parallel sockets and use 2 x 2200mah Lipos together....if you can get the CG right...

On the standard kit motor, that will definitely fly for 30 minutes, or even longer on 4400mah...:)....I use an 8 x 6 Prop on mine.

:vulture: