Official Freewing F/A-18C Hornet 90mm EDF Thread

[Big Dave]

The navigation lights are constant-on (simple pass-through of voltage & ground), but the strobe and take-off lights operate off logic circuits (pulse & switch) - sounds like bad silicon in the blue box.

You're not using more than 5V to power the electronics? I recall some bad stories of the blue box not liking higher voltages.

They are sending me new blue box. That appears to be the issue. Thanks.

Another question though. I bought the SkyRC B6AC 6S charger and it appears I will need a adaptor for my Admiral5000 mah 6s battery. Can anyone link me to the correct type ?

[Hugh Wiedman]

I apparently missed the 2x batteries for 8S vs 1x for 6S.

Maybe add one of those afterburner units would be just enough? At least it wouldn't be deadweight that does nothing. Or do you already have one installed, too?

Or more radically, do some spine surgery to extend the cockpit/battery hatch, and the hollow out an extended cavity to push back the batteries further.

Already have the AB's and removed the circuit board to jam the battery as far back as possible. Oh well, the 6S 12 blade inrunner does perform incredibly well, almost 5 minutes of flight time and no need to invest in more batteries, so #2 may just end up like #1. At least I won't "love one more than the other", at least that what I tell my kids.

[fredmdbud]

I checked connectors in nav light slots and they both work fine. Lights themselves are fine there is another issue. Here is the pic

The navigation lights are constant-on (simple pass-through of voltage & ground), but the strobe and take-off lights operate off logic circuits (pulse & switch) - sounds like bad silicon in the blue box.

You're not using more than 5V to power the electronics? I recall some bad stories of the blue box not liking higher voltages.

[fredmdbud]

Not sure exactly what you mean. I'm already using the 6S 4068-1835 kv 12 blade inrunner and it comes with a metal duct, same as with the 8S 12 blade inrunner.

I apparently missed the 2x batteries for 8S vs 1x for 6S.

Maybe add one of those afterburner units would be just enough? At least it wouldn't be deadweight that does nothing. Or do you already have one installed, too?

Or more radically, do some spine surgery to extend the cockpit/battery hatch, and the hollow out an extended cavity to push back the batteries further.

[Hugh Wiedman]

If you have a metal FW 90mm duct, you could try installing your 6S motor and fan in that to mitigate the CG-balancing issue.

Not sure exactly what you mean. I'm already using the 6S 4068-1835 kv 12 blade inrunner and it comes with a metal duct, same as with the 8S 12 blade inrunner.

[Big Dave]

You've tried connecting the beacon and landing lights to known working male connectors, e.g. navigation lights, and confirmed they are working?

Have you connected the navigation lights to the LED connectors in question and confirmed it's a blue box issue?

You haven't plugged them in reversed-polarity (black to ground, red to positive)?

Can you post a clear picture of the LED ports with LEDs connected?

I checked connectors in nav light slots and they both work fine. Lights themselves are fine there is another issue. Here is the pic

[fredmdbud]

Finally got everything working except the beacon and the landing light? Both are plugged in to the blue box so not sure what the issue is.

You've tried connecting the beacon and landing lights to known working male connectors, e.g. navigation lights, and confirmed they are working?

Have you connected the navigation lights to the LED connectors in question and confirmed it's a blue box issue?

You haven't plugged them in reversed-polarity (black to ground, red to positive)?

Can you post a clear picture of the LED ports with LEDs connected?

[fredmdbud]

Having 2nd thoughts on the 8S, only because the 6S 12 blade performs so well, not sure it's needed. The real issue is getting it to balance in the range of 105mm to 115mm with 2 5000 or 6000 4S batteries. Even though the 8S fan is slightly heavier, the over 900 g of batteries make it too nose heavy, even after relocating the circuit board, without having to add weight in the tail. Was planning on doing a slightly modified cockpit, but not the full blown 150 gr extra weight cockpit in my other F18, so there's another extra nose weight.

The other big issue is batteries. I have way too many large (6000 to 8100) 6S batteries and virtually no 4S or 2S 5000-6000, so I'd have to go on another battery buying binge. Bottom line, the flight engineers are still working the case, but don't expect them to be much help, just like the rest of my crew; oh crap, they're all the same person. 🤔

If you have a metal FW 90mm duct, you could try installing your 6S motor and fan in that to mitigate the CG-balancing issue.

[Big Dave]

Finally got everything working except the beacon and the landing light? Both are plugged in to the blue box so not sure what the issue is.

[Hugh Wiedman]

I have a few 8S planes so when I got the F-18 I already had some 8S batteries plus some 2S that were matched to 6S's I have. Years back HK had really good 5800mAh 8S packs and then I bought a couple Hobby Star 5200 8S packs. Since then I bought Hobby Star 5200 2S to match the fifteen Hobby Star 5200 6S packs I have. Recently I have been replacing the older HS packs with Power Hobby 5200 and Coddar 5200 2S (I'm really liking the Coddar brand). The old HK 5800 were heavy for the F-18 but the HS and Power Hobby/ Coddar set are 880-890g and balance great in my F-18. I am running a Jet Fan/ HET set up though.

I'll bet it flies incredible. Late last year I got 4 of the HobbyStar 8000 mah 100C batteries and flew them in my F-16 with the 6S 12 blade inrunner. They worked well, weighing in at 904 gr and got over 5 minutes but they are a little pricey at $179 each. Tested those out on my IR meter and the actual C was more like 20C, but still enough to give great performance in the F-16. Recently, I've been using the SMC 8100 mah 20 C, which also weighs 904 gr. All of SMC's Flight batteries I've tested are true to the label, in fact the 8100 tested out more like 24C. Cost was $136 and the fan draws about about 5% more amps & watts using the SMC and I can tell it gives a bit more thrust, but can't tell you the exact number. Their 6000 mah 6S batteries test out the best I've ever seen, always at the labeled C. All other manufacturers I've tested are lucky to hit 50% of the labeled C. They have a good price and their weights are comparable or lower than others, so I'm a big fan of his batteries. I just couldn't come up with the right combo in the F-18 for an 8S system though using SMC. Danny is very responsive though and is working on a set for RudyD54 for an 8S F-16 he's working on.

[Evan D]

I have a few 8S planes so when I got the F-18 I already had some 8S batteries plus some 2S that were matched to 6S's I have. Years back HK had really good 5800mAh 8S packs and then I bought a couple Hobby Star 5200 8S packs. Since then I bought Hobby Star 5200 2S to match the fifteen Hobby Star 5200 6S packs I have. Recently I have been replacing the older HS packs with Power Hobby 5200 and Coddar 5200 2S (I'm really liking the Coddar brand). The old HK 5800 were heavy for the F-18 but the HS and Power Hobby/ Coddar set are 880-890g and balance great in my F-18. I am running a Jet Fan/ HET set up though.

[Hugh Wiedman]

I'm very happy with the 6S setup and there's very definitely no shortage of power.
BTW, Gooniac is currently building my F-4 and F-18 afterburner modules 😎

Andy

Have to agree with that on the 6S setup. Maybe that's why I'm leaning to just "keep it simple, stupid". No having to try new batteries when what I have will suffice!

You'll love the Gooniac fire booties, we can't have too much flame coming out of our rear ends, as long as there's no smoke with it! I won't leave home without it.

[The43rdHammer]

Yes, I have to say that since I've sorted out my short flight times , I'm very happy with the 6S setup and there's very definitely no shortage of power.

I guess any extra weight would be marginal, however in-flight power-to-weight ratios aside there would be extra stresses being placed on the undercarriage (particularly the nose gear) on landing which would put me off.

My F-18 is rock solid with the gyro A3S3 gyro fitted, I'm wondering if it's more stable than my A-10. I've been blown away with how well behaved she's been since my first "interesting" flight with the single jammed flap.

BTW, Gooniac is currently building my F-4 and F-18 afterburner modules 😎

Andy

[Hugh Wiedman]

I'll be watching this one ... love my 8S F-4.

Andy

Having 2nd thoughts on the 8S, only because the 6S 12 blade performs so well, not sure it's needed. The real issue is getting it to balance in the range of 105mm to 115mm with 2 5000 or 6000 4S batteries. Even though the 8S fan is slightly heavier, the over 900 g of batteries make it too nose heavy, even after relocating the circuit board, without having to add weight in the tail. Was planning on doing a slightly modified cockpit, but not the full blown 150 gr extra weight cockpit in my other F18, so there's another extra nose weight.

The other big issue is batteries. I have way too many large (6000 to 8100) 6S batteries and virtually no 4S or 2S 5000-6000, so I'd have to go on another battery buying binge. Bottom line, the flight engineers are still working the case, but don't expect them to be much help, just like the rest of my crew; oh crap, they're all the same person. 🤔

[The43rdHammer]

I'm planning on doing a 2nd F-18 Hornet .... an 8S Hornet.

I'll be watching this one ... love my 8S F-4.

Andy

[Evan D]

Mines on a Jet Fan and HET 1680. I use a Turnigy Plush 120HV ESC and 5200 6+2 LiPo. Flies superb.

[Hugh Wiedman]

I'm planning on doing a 2nd F-18 Hornet to compliment my 2017 Canadian Hornet. I have the 6S 12 blade inrunner in that one and was fully expecting to install another of the same fan in this 2nd one, but all of a sudden got a hair brained thought . Why not try an 8S Hornet. The 8S 12 blade fan produces 5000-5200 g thrust, vs the 6S 12 blade at 4000 g thrust. The battery bay looks large enough to handle two decent high C 4S 6000's at over 75 mm in width. My current Hornet flies great, even on grass, but the thought of an additional 25% of thrust over the 6S 12 blade inrunner has me salivating.

Anyone out there done their FW 90mm Hornet on 8S, I'd love to hear about it!!

[tdford6]

While I agree with your post I think you are being unfair to Fred. He was trying to answer a question that should have been asked directly to whom you where going to buy it from, Motion in your case.

And even then I doubt that they will open a box for you to verify the one you'll get has been updated.

James says they made the update way back in 2018. I can tell you I have assembled F-18's bought last year 2020, from Motion, that hadn't been updated...

Kind of exactly why I asked the question to MRC...

Thanks for helping prove the point of just because the manufacturing had changed, their is still stock being shipped that hadn't. But sounds like all stock should be updated now.

[Evan D]

We really can't help from pictures. It's got to be in the wiring. Not to say it's your case but I have seen leads mislabeled and I've seen leads in the wrong slots from the factory including in the wing interconnection points in the wing roots. Take your time, you'll figure it out.

[Big Dave]

This is really frustrating . When I use the ailerons now it controls one aileron and one flap, and the the same when I use flaps, one of each. Everything is plugged in as it is labeled and as preinstalled from factory. Gear not working at all. Rudder, throttle, and elevator ok. Here are my pictures . Any help appreciated.