Volantex Phoenix V2 / 2400 Glider - build log / review / mods (Phoenix 2400 update) - Page 4 (2024)

Mar 17, 2021, 04:18 PM

• #46

Papsi

https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/co...ibusf4pro.html

There you will also find the assignment of channels 7 and 8, in case you want to use them anyway.

Mar 17, 2021, 04:45 PM

• #47

federikk

thanks! i saw the wiki, was worried because my board have different label on pads. maybe because it's a v3???

I remember that with old APM board output 1-4 were not assignable and it was necessary to put flapeirons on 5&6 and leave out1 free.
i'm going to use the 1-6 dip output on this new board.

good tips on stock ESC BEC too, i can imagine you've never experienced slowdown due to low voltage on rail

thank you
F

Apr 09, 2021, 01:00 PM

• #48

ror1

where can I get the wing rods for the 2000 V2?

Thanks

Sep 11, 2021, 01:49 PM

• #49

Snarky Bird

I just finished my Phoenix 2400. I installed my own striping. I covered all holes on the fuselage and wings with vinyl to streamline it as much as possible (ie. servo screw slots, fuselage screw indentations, carbon channels ect. The fuselage holes determined the stripe design using no original graphics and it didn't turn out to bad. It is stock power with a 3s 2400 battery. I had to add a small amount of weight to get to 80mm CG. Camber adjustments of -5 and -15 (will continue to refine this). Has crow which helps a lot. First day and maiden went well with little trim adjustments. Climbs out well.

Now trimmed in and ready to fly. Yesterday 80* mostly sunny, slight variable breeze and sun straight up.
First flight I powered up to 500" and cut power. Circled up to 850" and brought it down to 600". It climbed back up to 1005". I brought it back down to 600"ish and it climbed right back up to 1054". It concluded with a flight over 25 minutes on a 30 second motor run. Several other flights show good results. I think the streamlining really help this model slip through the air with very little added weight. Now that it is trimmed in. I will cut all control horns and see if I can lighten it a bit more and fine tune it.
GREAT DAY!

Last edited by Snarky Bird; Sep 11, 2021 at 01:52 PM.Reason: spelling

Oct 31, 2021, 03:48 PM

• #50

rclab1

What 40xx stator sized motor direct replacement can you suggest?

Nov 23, 2021, 09:18 AM

• #51

nedie

Dec 04, 2021, 01:26 PM

• #52

krazyman

I just had a great maiden flight with the V2 2000 mm. This is one fantastic glider, the only problem I had was trying to get it to land. LOL. I have the COG set at the back edge of the circle that has CG in the center of it. I could probably move the GOG back a little further but will leave it where it is for now. I have my flaps go down about 70 degrees and Ailerons as spoilers go up 40%. This set up really slows it down for landing, but it still likes to float along in the ground effect.

I am running it on a 2200 4s with a 50 amp ESC and the stock motor and prop. I did have to add some weight in the tail to compensate for the weight of the 4s battery. All the servos have been replaced with MG servos, just did not trust the plastic gear servos that came with the plane. I ran the motor up on the bench and it was pulling 30.6 amps and around 480 watts. When launching I just give it about 60% throttle and it climbs out so steep that I have to give it down elevator to keep it from trying to loop.

I am really glad I decided to buy this glider. The only other glider I have flown that flies as nicely as this one was the original Radian.

Terry

Feb 25, 2022, 02:24 PM

• #53

krazyman

I crashed the V2 2000 the other day and cracked the Fuse in a number of places. Does anyone know what glue I can use to repair the Fuse? I can not seem to find a replacement Fuse, and I sure don't want to have to buy a new plane.

Terry

Feb 25, 2022, 02:31 PM

• #54

ror1

light weight fiberglass cloth and 30min epoxy thinned out with alcohol

Feb 25, 2022, 02:48 PM

• #55

krazyman

Thanks for the info. I also need to print out the battery tray, which I found a STL file for on Thingiverse. I also need the tray for the RX, but can not find a STL file for it on Thingiverse.

Terry

Feb 25, 2022, 03:20 PM

• #56

ror1

sorry the best tray for lipo is a velcro strap.
for Rx just use double sided tape.
i use the KISS principle.

Mar 08, 2022, 11:09 AM

• #57

Csessa

I just got a Phoenix 2400 for winter flying here in the North East. I got it from Hobby King and all was fine. Quick assembly once I got all the painting done.

I ran into one sort of problem. With the stock motor and prop I was only getting 210 Watts with a 2s 2200mah pack. At 59 oz flying weight that was only 57 watts per pound. It would likely work ok but not enough for me. I like closer to 100 watts per pound. I thought I read somewhere that someone had put a 4s in the glider to good effect.

When I tried the 4s pack the motor would cut out and in, clearly exceeding some parameter. So has anyone flown with a 4s? An how.

I moved up to a 11.5 x 7 Aeronaut prop which is drawing 290 watts or 79 watts per pound. It climbs quite well at that power. Has anyone put a 12x8 prop with a 3s battery? Results?

Mar 25, 2022, 09:38 AM

• #58

cmd

Finished building / painting the Phoenix 2400. Below are my initial settings. Maiden planned for Sunday morning. Please let me know if any of my settings are off - I take all the help I can get.

Seven Channel, independent ailerons and flaps

Painted top wing tips and top of horizontal stab & rudder international neon orange
Painted two (2) six inch wide black stripes on each wing panel (total of four strips)
Painted underside of horizontal stab black

Packing tape on leading edge of each wing panel

AUW with 3S 2200 40C Lipo is 1069 grams

CG: Set at 85mm. Plan to progressively work it back a couple mm at a time

(The spouse has been visiting the grandchildren for a week, hence my use of the kitchen table. She doesn't yet know about the addition of this aircraft to the fleet)

Throw measurements below are in mm measured from the trailing edge of the surface.
I've set some elevator compensation for various modes, but not listed it as it will take some flying and adjustment to get it right

Aileron Mixed with Flap w/ differential: A -8/+10F -8/+10
Elevator: +/- 10
Rudder: +/- 28
Flap: -29 (all I could get)
Butterfly: A +13F -22 (I’m working on more flap down - wrestling with transmitter program)
Thermal: F+A -3
Speed: F+A +4

Question: Is anyone drooping (for more camber) flaps and on ailerons when climbing out at full throttle? If so, how much down are you drooping the flaps / ailerons?

Mar 25, 2022, 10:51 AM

• #59

cmd

Measured / Provided Data (stock):
AUW 59.3 oz w/ 3S 2200 LiPo
Wingspan 94.5 in
Wing Area 700 sq in (measured/calculated - if any one has better data, please post)
Motor 4023 1050 Kv
Prop 9 x 6 folder
Volts 11.1 (Full throttle)
Amps 23 (Full throttle)
Watts 9600 (Full throttle)
Watts / lb 69
Thrust 35 ounces
Wing Loading: 0.76 lbs / sq ft
Thrust/Weight: 0.6

This model appears to be a bit underpowered.
The wing loading is a bit high for sailplane, even a powered one.

That being said, Youtube videos show reasonable performance. Looking forward to it.

Mar 27, 2022, 12:56 PM

• #60

cmd

Maidened the Phoenix this morning. Three climbs to altitude with total motor run of 2:48. Total flight time was 16.5 minutes. Spent a lot of that time checking various control modes, elevator mixing, etc. For the cost, this is a very mince aircraft. It isn’t a competition ALES machine, and is a bit under powered, but it climbs well, indicates lift, can thermal, responds to camber in a thermal, and is quite controllable in crow mode on landing. Be sure to raise the flaps just before touchdown. It isn’t a floater, but isn’t a speed machine either. It is just a very nice motor sailplane for the price. There were no booming thermals this morning, but there were areas of light lift and the Phoenix responded accordingly. I’m pleased with the aircraft.

3S 2200 40C LiPo. Landed with 11.77 VDC. Could use a 1300 mAH battery, get two to three climbs, and save a couple of ounces. Not sure if the balance would be OK, even with the battery pushed all the way forward.

Second flight was 27 minutes on 3:16 motor run. There were only two climbs to altitude. Found some lift and went up. I let a buddy fly it for a while, as he is building his own Phoenix 2400. He ran the motor for a couple of minutes to see how it responded.

If you get one of these, you will not be disappointed!!!

Last edited by cmd; Mar 27, 2022 at 01:06 PM.Reason: Add data