FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

[SOB8604]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

The ventilation in these seem to be not that effective, my ESC is pretty warm after each time I fly, where the battery sits the ESC doesn't get that much air across it. how I've been dealing with it is to alternate flights with another plane and just let it cool down between flights

[Loneflier]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

The ventilation in these seem to be not that effective, my ESC is pretty warm after each time I fly, where the battery sits the ESC doesn't get that much air across it. how I've been dealing with it is to alternate flights with another plane and just let it cool down between flights

Thanks again for the inputs. I was looking at the MRC parts for this plane, and it clearly shows a 35amp ESC is included, however, the ESC that came with mine just as clearly is rated as a 30amp ESC. Wonder if FMS somewhere along the line decided that 30 wasn't quite enough and upgraded to the 35? I am thinking I will ground this one until I get a new ESC, probably either the replacement 35amp since everyone else seems to be doing fine with that one, or possibly upgrade to a 40amp ESC.

[Ron1950]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

my steerman rolls very slowly even on duel rate....should I move the control arm up for more throw or just live with it?

[Flygirl]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

What are the high rates set to? 100%? If so then yes you can change the mechcanical settings. Depending on what transmitter you are using you can also add more travel to the servo instead if available instead of adjusting mechanically. On mine I can go all the way up to 150% (Spectrum DX7s).

[Ron1950]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

ill try it mechanically first as I guess it cant hurt.....using a dx6i right now the dx9 is collecting dust lol...

[Ron1950]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

strung the wires and springs today...man I need to get some reading magnfing glases those little springs are tough to get in the wing holes when you are older lol

[Ron1950]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

drill out the radiator on bottom of engine wit a small drill bit it will increase the air flow quit a bit

[Loneflier]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

drill out the radiator on bottom of engine wit a small drill bit it will increase the air flow quit a bit

Thanks Ron1950. I did that initially, but ended up replacing the ESC that came with mine with an FMS 40amp ESC, and added a separate BEC due to some issues I was having with the built in BEC not responding well. The separate BEC made all the difference, and now my PT17 is a fantastic flying machine. Very good manners in the air, flies slowly really well, but plenty of power to pull through most aerobatics with ease. Love the plane!

[Ron1950]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

I cram a 2200 battery down in the hole put esc next to the battery cover. Never even gets warm. Does take a bit of wire stuffing though lol

[Ron1950]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

lost the silver oelo strut that holds the wheel from rubbing on the wire landing gear...only way to get a new one is 22.99 so that's out for now...if anyone should wreck there best airplane let me know ill take the landing gear ....

[skillett]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

I'm not good when it comes to electronics.  Wish I could help, but I've not had any issues.  Close quarters for both esc/bat I agree.

Have the esc in first, then bat on top.  'Bout the only way I can get both in.  

Never have flown WOT on a battery, not saying you have, but just saying.  

Wish you well in diagnosis and hopefully no damage to plane or equipment awaits.

I'm using all stock electronics.

Doc - no on maneuvuer. Currently on its back on table waiting for repairs to be made. Would like to get more vertical rudder and elevator control movement during this time prior to next flight. Looks like elevator rod may be a devil to get to let alone replace. When I finish I'll give update.

Hey Guys,

I've been flying my PT-17 for a while now and while it does fly very nicely, I seem to be having what I think is an ESC issue. After just a couple of minutes flying, I notice a significant reduction in power, and I can hear the motor "pulsing" like there is a low battery warning. However, when I land, the battery still has plenty of charge left. Last time, I checked the ESC, and it was really hot, almost too hot to hold, so I am thinking it is overheating and reducing power by pulsing the motor to protect itself.

My question is, where are you guys mounting your ESC to keep it in the airflow, and have any of you experienced this? Is my ESC going bad, or do I simply need to relocate it? I did enlarge the opening on the plastic motor to allow more air to pass, but maybe I need to make some kind of a scoop to mount where the battery door is to direct more air inside the plane. Maybe just move the ESC really close to the battery door? I know Radio Shack sells small heat sinks, maybe get one of those for the ESC, or simply just upgrade the ESC to something like a 40 or 45 amp size? I'd really like to know how the rest of you have solved this, or ever experienced it.

Any ideas are appreciated!

Thanks!

[Ron1950]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

put my new pt17 together last night....think it says one hour assembly time....NOT!....well at least for me lol took about 6 hrs and didn't do the rigging yet till after I see if it flys ,,, old pt17 got sucked out of my motorhome in a tornado so if u see it around dallas its prob still flotting or in a million peaces lol...noticed the new one has much more of a orange tint to the wings and tail not a problem just saying ...as far as the battery I use a zippy 2200 stuffied in first then the way too long wires and esc on top of that(man it was tough to fit it all in) I may have to cut a bunch of wire off and re solder using the xt60 plugs

[Flygirl]

RE: FMS PT-17 STEARMAN 41"WING

put my new pt17 together last night....think it says one hour assembly time....NOT!....well at least for me lol took about 6 hrs and didn't do the rigging yet till after I see if it flys ,,, old pt17 got sucked out of my motorhome in a tornado so if u see it around dallas its prob still flotting or in a million peaces lol...noticed the new one has much more of a orange tint to the wings and tail  not a problem just saying ...as far as the battery I use a zippy 2200 stuffied in first then the way too long wires and esc on top of that(man it was tough to fit it all in) I may have to cut a bunch of wire off and re solder using the xt60 plugs

Seriously? A tornado? Wow!!!!!!!

[Ron1950]

ya a tornado wiped out the motorhome my pt17 and a fms 55in t28... for some reason it threw the sbd back into the mh not sucked out like the others....

[Iowa54]

I have a PT 17 on its way. Hope I can fly it as good as it looks.

[Ron1950]

iowa54 it will fly great after u trim it out..and very little trims will be necessary...great little plane seems to take the windy days pretty well also....you will love it

[Iowa54]

iowa54 it will fly great after u trim it out..and very little trims will be necessary...great little plane seems to take the windy days pretty well also....you will love it

Thanks, I still haven,t even opened up the box yet. Hopefully I will get to it soon.

[Ron1950]

check the rudder for hinge rips and clearance at the bottom of the rudder...I had to re hinge and then the rudder servo went out as the rudder was scrapping the aft end f the fuse so the exacto knife came out and rounded the aft end of the fuse and repaint...had some servos laying around so all is well now

[Iowa54]

check the rudder for hinge rips and clearance at the bottom of the rudder...I had to re hinge and then the rudder servo went out as the rudder was scrapping the aft end f the fuse so the exacto knife came out and rounded the aft end of the fuse and repaint...had some servos laying around so all is well now

Thanks for the heads up. I assembled the HK PT-17 last night and that seems like it should be a decent flyer. Hopefully I can get to it this week. Not good flying weather here at the moment Rain and wind.

[Ron1950]

build the fms pt17 yet? its a quick build until you start the rigging wires and springs...its kinda a slow build if you are half blind like me lol