EASY STAR BUYER'S GUIDE
by Jerry Houser, February 2011

EZ Star “RTF” (Ready to fly) set up   

This package comes complete – servos are already mounted and the radio is already installed.  A “basic” peak detection charger which operates from your auto battery or an optional power supply is also included.  After just an hour or two of final assembly, it is ready to fly.

            Advantages:

                        -Simple, complete package, most economical way to get into the air.

            Disadvantages:

-This option usually comes with the “Neon” transmitter that does not include the trainer box connector; however, it can be added for about $15.  The transmitter requires 8 “AA” alkaline batteries that are not rechargeable (optional rechargeable batteries and a charger can be purchased separately).  Addition of the trainer box connector, rechargeable batteries and charger adds considerable cost.       

-The RTF comes with a 6 cell battery pack.  This battery will power the airplane but only marginally. A 7 cell battery pack powers it fairly well, with an 8 cell battery pack giving it very good performance.

-The RTF comes with an 8 amp speed controller.  This is fine for a 6 cell battery pack and has regularly been used with a 7 cell battery pack, but it won’t work with an 8 cell battery pack (an 8 cell pack would likely damage the speed controller).          

-The included peak detection battery charger must be powered from either a car battery or an optional AC to DC power supply.  It also has a fixed charge rate of 2 amps which may not be optimal for the desired battery pack.   It will only charge battery packs up to and including 7 cells – it won’t charge 8 cell packs. 

It is recommended that one purchase additional 7 cell battery packs if he/she is going to go with this RTF option.   Most flyers like to have at least 2 battery packs so that one can be recharging while the other one is powering the airplane.  It is also recommended that the “stock” battery connectors be replaced with “Dean’s Ultra Plug” type connectors. 

It is also possible to use lipoly batteries with the stock EZ Star motor.  If this is to be done, the packs should be 2S (2 cell) packs.  If lipoly batteries are going to be used, it will be NECESSARY to change the ESC (speed control) to one that will sense and shut off the motor as the lipoly battery reaches 2.8 to 3.0 volts per cell.  Otherwise battery damage and a possible fire could result.  If one is going to use lipoly batteries, a charger other than the one that comes with the package will also be needed.  Lipoly batteries require a lipoly specific charger to prevent battery damage and possible fire while charging. 

There is also an option of the Easy Star RR (receiver ready) kit.  It includes the 2 servos and an 8 amp ESC (limited to 7 cells maximum).

            Many individuals customize their EZ Star by upgrading the motor to a brushless motor, using lipoly batteries for power, and purchasing a radio that has more capabilities and can be used more easily for future, more sophisticated models.   A suggested set-up is listed on the next page.

EZ STAR SET-UP WITH BRUSHLESS MOTOR

1 ea     M214192                     Basic EZ Star kit (Maxx Products or local/online hobby shop)          

1 ea     COMBO 2815E            HB2815-2000 motor, Thunderbird 36 ESC & 6x4 prop (Maxx Products or

                                                local/online hobby shop)

                   OR

            1 ea     HB2825-2200              Turnigy Brushless Motor (Hobby King) and

            1 ea     TR_B25A                     Turnigy Basic 25A Speed controller (Hobby King) and

            1 ea     APC 6x4                       6x4 prop (Maxx Products or local/online hobby shop)

2 ea     2817                            Deans Ultra plug set (Maxx Products or local/online hobby shop)      

2 ea     HS-81                           Hitec HS-81 servos (Maxx Products or local/online hobby shop)

2 ea      3S Lipo Batteries        2100 to 2300 mahr, 3S, 20C or 25C lipoly batteries – recommend Zippy or

                                                Rhino brand (Hobby King)

            1 ea     Hitec Optic 6               Hitec Optic 6 2.4Ghz radio transmitter with Optima 6 or 7 receiver                     

                                                            (Maxx Products or local/online hobby shop)

                               OR

            1 ea     Spektrum DX-6i           Spektrum DX-6i transmitter & receiver (local/online hobby shop)        

Glue (CA/super glue) and possibly accelerator (local/online hobby shop)                           

There are many battery chargers on the market today.  Some require DC input power (car battery or an optional AC to DC power supply) while others will operate off of either AC (house power) or DC. 

Many different chargers are available online from Hobby City/Hobby King.  Some chargers will charge only Nimh or Nicad batteries, some will charge only lipoly batteries and some will charge all common types of batteries.  Two important items to look for in a charger are:

            -Digital readout/display

            -Ability to “balance” lipoly batteries while charging them (see note below)

If you purchase a charger that requires 12 volts DC input voltage, you may want to consider ordering a 115 VAC to 12VDC power supply.  Hobby King has these power supplies available.  One should select a power supply capable of about 5 amps output (at 12VDC) or more. 

There are several different (at least 4) types of “balance taps/connectors” on batteries.  These taps/connectors are used to balance a lipoly battery while it is charging.  It is important that the style of connector on the battery match the style of connector on the charger that you purchase otherwise adapter cables/connectors would need to be obtained or constructed. 

Suggested charger:

            ACC6   Turnigy Accucel-6 (Hobby King) charges all types of batteries and balances lipolys

            PS-6     12V 5A (12 volt, 5 amp) 110 volt AC to 12 volt DC power supply (Hobby King)

  There are many online supply sources.  Some of the more popular are:

            Maxx Products:           www.maxxprod.com

            Tower Hobbies:           www.towerhobbies.com        

            Hobby King:     www.hobbycity.com