HK Phoenix 2000

Hi all, thought I'd start a thread for the assembly of the Phoenix 2000 I got the other day from Hobbyking, in the UK warehouse. I thought it was worth a shot at £38 odd.

There are lots of threads about on other forums (fora?) but I thought one here wouldn't go amiss, if anyone is interested.

Anyhow, here is a picture of the postage box (which was huge)

More shortly

Edited By Andy Butler on 21/07/2012 17:07:36

On opening the outer box, the model box itself is fairly big

Closer look at the specs bit

And a look inside

And an impressive amount of hardware is included. I ordered the ARTF kit not the RR kit which has the motor, ESC and servos included as I wanted to use my own power setup and servos. Even so I was impressed with the amount of hardware in the box - including some servo extension leads and even a screwdriver!

The clevises will be consigned to the bin as there are stories around of some failing in flight. I will probably use different horns too but I'll give everything a close look before use and make the decision then. I'm not going with the recommended motor, a 2815 1050Kv unit, I have invested instead in a nice Turnigy Aerodrive 2836 1050Kv which is rated at about 300 watts - more than enough and I'll be adding the optional flaps too, and trying the glider functions out on my new Aurora 9 that I got a couple of months back. Running 6 servos from the ESC (Hobbywing 40A) would be a bit marginal so I have a Turnigy 5A BEC to fit as well. A 9 x 5 folding prop with a 40mm hub / spinner will provide the urge. So that's the running gear sorted.

More soon

Edited By Andy Butler on 21/07/2012 17:36:08

I have never heard of a clevis with a bit of fuel tube as a retainer fail. On an electric glider the ones in the photo look fine for the job

Looks like David Gilder beat me to it. I'll post anything further on his thread.

Sorry Andy. You should keep yours going as your doing a new motor install aswel!!

I'm sticking with the stock motor!!

Dave

Good idea David - will do. Are you changing the ESC or sticking with the stock one? Also what size Lipo are you thinking of using?

I am thinking of going with a 3s 2200 as I have several but others recommend a 1300 as they're lighter. I have a 40A ESC with a seperate UBEC as I will be using the flaps - hence 6 servos.

I've modified the nose, added cooling slots and a ply disc either side to insulate it from the heat generated by the motor which on some has melted the plastic firewall. I'm also going with Garbo's suggestion of fuel tubing on the tail feather clevises. I do this on many models, but opinion seems about 50/50 on using them or not. I'll go with them for now and see how they hold up. For the ailerons and flaps I'll probably use M2 threaded rods and z bends as I have plenty and can use standard clevises.

A friend of mine has had a Phoenix 2000 for a few years now but flies it solely as a slope soarer with no motor fitted. It actually flies very well and the "squidgy" fus seems able to take the knocks. I don't know about flying it from a flat field but he definitely doesn't need flaps to land it on the slope. I've been thinking about buying one, with motor fitted for those marginal slope days, (like yesterday) when there is virtually no wind until a thermal comes through.

Andy,

She flies like a dream!!

I've gone with stock motor and esc but have decided to fit the flaps. Without them it takes a LOT of slowing up!!!!!

I,ve gone with a 2200 3cell 25C lipo and with 15 mins flight and 1 motor run of about 25 seconds, the voltage had droped from 12.1 to just 11.8!!! So that bodes very well for L O N G flights!!!!

Hurry up and get her built. You wont regret it!!

Dave

David,

Great news. Mine is well on the way now.

There is a 139 page thread here that has loads of information and great video's too.

I did read the link posting 'how to' in the tutorials, I hope I've done it right.

I won't be out this weekend but maybe next. The only problem is that my flying site has a concrete runway - I wonder if I could fit a wheel ?

Well it's all together and the Tx programming is done - took about 30 minutes with the A9, camber reflex, launch and landing flight conditions all sorted on 2 3 position switches. Landing has butterfly on the throttle stick in Landing mode. If anybody wants the set up, PM me for the zipped .SET file.

While running the motor to get the wattmeter readings, I had an awful vibration at about 3/4 throttle - which slowly got worse so shut down and had a look. It looks like it was the front of the fuselage was flexing as the steel plate was slightly bent outboard of the screws. I used an open nosed spinner that when checked wasn't running true. That's the third one of these that has been out of true and one even disintegrated when tested. I shan't be using them again.

I'll retry the motor when I've sorted the front out. I was using a 9 x 6 folder but might be better off with an 11 x 6 as it was revving it's heart out but drawing very little, 18 amps and just under 200 watts. At 2 1/4 pounds I want around 230 watts for a decent climb which should be achievable at a relatively low rpm from this 1050Kv motor.

Put the motor back in and used a cut down cross mount too as moving the original mounting holes out a bit to fit had removed the countersink and the mounting screws were standing a little proud. I put on a Graupner Cam Gear 11 x 6 spinner / prop combination and it ran as smooth as silk. I won't be buying cheap spinners in the future. I don't have any figures yet as with the 11 x 6 it gets a bit windy in the workshop so I'll leave that until I'm at the field - so far the weather for Sunday looks brilliant. I'll try and post some pictures later.

OK so it's finished - but then I think I've got to do some more on the wing servo wiring as it looks very tight in there. I might have to re-think the Rx aerial placement and open up the area behind the servo's to get the wiring to sit without fouling anything.

A bit crowded - definately needs a re-think.

Hopefully the next set of photo's will be the maiden.

Looking very neat.

I see you have put an extra shelf in!

You will really enjoy the flights!!

Hi Andy, I'm enjoying following the build because I've been tempted by the pheonix. Is there an option to add another pair of servos to the wing for flaps?

r.

Ignore, me. I've just seen a video review and yes, it has pre cut slots for flap servos!

Must do more research before asking questions!

r.

Robin - Dave Gilder has added the Flaps to his, and having had a fly, they make it far easier to land.

I'm trying to persuade SWMBO I need to buy another aircraft....

Well I have been threatenning to order one of these for a while after seeing a glider only 4 servo wing version fly at the Bwlch last year. As HK now have a UK warehouse I have ordered there so no C&E charges! Not bad value either £45.00 with 24 hr shipping. I am going to use mine as a general hack to try out new slopes and a bit of close in fun without too much of a worry.

Ta Olly, noted. Presumably any 9g servo will fit those wing cut outs?

Conwy Soarer, you too huh? I plunked down fifty notes for one last night as well I went for the receiver ready variant because I'd have to buy all the it's anyway. I'm assuming the electronics aren't top quality, but they'll do to get me started. This is going to be left in the mother in laws garage down in Wiltshire, too many good hills round here to not have something of a half decent size handy!

r.

The only thing I would say from all the information gathered so far is that the ESC is the weak link, but then some have flown on the stock set up and been absolutely fine so maybe something to watch for and be prepared to replace if necessary.

I used 4 Gening AS90MG's from Airtek in the wing and a pair of Tower Pro MG90's I had for rudder and elevator. I'm using my Aurora 9 and have set up full span camber / reflex and crow braking in landing mode, in which I have disabled the motor and the crow then works from the throttle stick. There are lots of other mixes too, aileron diff, coupled aileron & rudder, crow and flap to elevator and throttle elevator. I downloaded a Cularis setup from the net and modified it to the Phoenix which is incredibly easy to do with this radio. I'll happily share my set up with any other A9 users out there.

Couldn't get out yesterday but so far, next weekend looks good as long as the weather co-operates I maight actually be able to get some flying in.

Andy, are you using an external uBEC with the full compliment of six servos?