Is Here!

The First pre production ION-X kit arrived in England late on Thursday hot from MA's factory. I spent the weekend bolting it together which is a breeze if you have built an
X-Cell before as the head and tail are std Extreme items.

The gear system is super smooth and the model as photographed weighs 5lb 6 oz with all the radio stuff installed.

The motor and controller are due shortly, so once everything is in stock I'll be back with a flying report.

Dave Wilshere

ION-X nears completion - 11th April 2004
The Motor speed controller has arrived and cells are due next week. Hopefully a flight report will follow after next weekend, just in time for Charmouth on April 24th-25th

New MA Fury ION-X kits arrive! - 21st April 2004
The first batch of kits were un packed today and the first examples shipped to Customers.
The kits we have come complete with Hacker motor and controller pre wired.

I've had a few "packs" through my ION-X mainly getting used to the set up-It is different from an I/C model and needs care, there is a LOT of power in this set up. The Li-Poly cells need treating carefully, 42v DC and 7600mAh capacity means a lot of energy.

The performance is un like any other electric helicopter I have flown. Hopefully by Charmouth this weekend I'll have a few more flights and can explore the edge!

Dave Wilshere

Charging The ION-X 29th April 2004
The ION-X uses two 5S4P packs of either 6000 or 8000 mAh (nominal capacity)
There are two schools of thought regarding the charging of Li-Poly cells when two packs are plugged together in series.

We are using the cells as a single pack in series and charging the same way. Care should be exercised to ensure that the cells stay in balance. A digital volt meter should be used before and after flying to gaurantee the cell packs stay within 0.1v.

We are using a single Schulze ISB 636 charger and find that charging from a mains power source at 8A requires a supply greater than 30A and 12.2v. Charging at 6A allows a 22A power supply to be used and it is easier on 12v batteries. Only two charges are to be expected out of 12v batteries around 80A capacity! Do not use your car battery for more than one charge!!

We have made up a charging lead as shown to allow series charging. We also have a conventual lead to allow balancing.

We now have 20+ flights on our ION-X and have settled on the TG 69cm Tapered symmetrical main blade and 95mm tail blades SAB458 with JR or SAB454 with Futaba or CSM gyros.

Dave Wilshere

September 04

I've been flying my ION-X all summer, it's been to Aberdeen as well as Shannon in Ireland and everyone is impressed. The batteries are still behaving with no dramas.

I stopped series charging due to the effort in keeping the two packs balanced.
I now either charge the two packs over a couple of hours with one charger or use two Graupner Ultra Duo Plus 30 chargers.

The gearing on later kits has been changed slightly to reduce the headspeed as some people found it a little intimidating. Any ratio is available to order.

Dave Wilshere
 
Pre Production Pictures

Feature List
  • Fully 3D Capable
  • Designed To Perform Like a 80/90 powered Nitro Powered Helicopter
  • Kit includes all necessary items for complete motor operation [ motor, speed controller, plugs, fan, and wiring
  • Bearing count--44 ball bearings--4 thrust bearings--1 sprag bearing
  • Overall weight w/o main blades: 9.2 lbs (includes all batteries and radio equipment
  • Carbon Main Frames
  • Proven Design Split Gear Autorotation Unit
  • Triple bearinged main shaft support
  • 120 degrees CCPM
  • Two Stage Gear Reduction
  • Accepts gear ratios from 17:1 to 25.3:1
  • Self-aligning first stage Gear Mesh
  • High Level C.G. design. Forward CG easily adjusted by side mounted battery packs
  • New Design Inner Frame Mount for Electronics providing extra protection (Radio equipment and batteries sold separately)
  • Positive control system
  • 680mm to 710mm main blades accepted

 

Picture Gallery

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