If you prefer different connectors please be sure to
select the best quality you can find. All contacts should
be gold-plated.
Connect all the positive wires to a common connector pin,
and do the same with all the negative wires to a different
pin. A separate contact is required for each signal wire.
If you have to connect three servos for each wing you will
need to use all the contacts of the 5-pin plug (1 x positive,
1 x negative and 3 x signal).
The connectors are installed as a non-flexible plug-in
system which couples automatically when you fit the
wings on the fuselage. Don't worry about the lack of "flex"
- we have been using this system for more than 20 years
without any failures. Loose cable connections tend much
more often to result in fractured wires. Complete the wiring
to the connectors by soldering the joints carefully and
insulating them individually with heat-shrink sleeving,
then install the sockets flush with the outside of the
fuselage and secure them with thickened epoxy applied
from the inside. When the resin has cured connect the pre-
wired plug from the wing and check that it fits in the wing
root. When everything fits correctly, glue the plug in the
wing root using thickened 5-minute epoxy again.
[Fig. 21]
[Laenge = Length]
There is space on the battery tray for the receiver. Fix the
receiver to the plate using Velcro (hook-and-loop) tape
(MPX Order No. 68 3112). The adhesive on the tape does
not stick well to wood, so fix the "hook" tape to the plate
using cyano. Slip the aerial into a snake outer, tie a knot
in the end and leave the sleeve loose in the tail boom.
The capacity of the receiver battery should be
commensurate with the model and its intended use, so
please be sure to select a battery of adequate size, bearing
in mind that the model carries at least 6 servos. We
recommend a pack consisting of at least four 1.5 Ah NiMH
cells, Order No. # 15 6007.
Your model is now complete.
Nevertheless, there are a few important points to be
checked while you are still in the workshop:
Centre of Gravity (balance point) and longitudinal dihedral.
Provided that you get these two settings right you will
encounter no problems in test-flying your new model and
in general flying.
Successful test flying always boils down to good
preparation.
At Multiplex the CG and longitudinal dihedral are first
determined theoretically, then checked and confirmed as
part of the practical flight testing programme.
A CG position of 100 mm, measured from the wing root
leading edge, has been found to be ideal for this model.
The easy way of checking this accurately it to use the
Centre of Gravity balance, MPX Order No. 69 3054.
A longitudinal dihedral of 1.0° has proved just right for the
Alpina 4001 ELEKTRO, and this can be checked using the
incidence gauge, MPX Order No. 69 3053.
We strongly recommend that you stick to these settings.
The control surface travels stated below have been
established as the ideal values during practical test flying,
and have been confirmed by several experienced model
22
pilots. Set these travels for the time being, and alter them
as and when you see fit. We are confident that you will never
need to change them.
Alpina 4001 ELEKTRO control surface travels
All control surface travels are measured at the widest point
of the surface, and are stated below in millimetres. The
elevator travels are also stated in degrees, so that you can
check the travel using the incidence gauge.
Input
Aileron servos
Aileron
Flap (slider)
Flap (switch)
Spoiler (butterfly)
Input
Camber-changing flap servos
Aileron
Flap (slider)
Flap (switch)
Spoiler (butterfly)
Input
Elevator servo
Elevator
Flap (slider)
Throttle (motor)
Spoiler (butterfly)
Input
Rudder servo
Rudder
Now your Alpina 4001 ELEKTRO is ready for the air!
The first flight
The "old hands" amongst you will now be eager for the first
opportunity to take your new Alpina 4001 ELEKTRO to the
flying site, where you will test-fly it in the accustomed
manner, carry out any minor corrections required, and
then, we hope, have many hours of pleasure flying your
new model.
The following is intended to help the less experienced
modeller to test-fly and trim the model correctly, and to
exploit the model's fine performance to the full.
Test flying
Every flying machine, from the humble chuck glider to the
full-size aircraft, has to be test-flown and trimmed after
completion; your Alpina 4001 ELEKTRO is no exception.
The slightest inaccuracy in construction can lead to a
minor variation in the model's flight characteristics and
control response. Test-flying is the process of optimising
the CG, and of fine-tuning the model's control response.
Avoid at all costs repeated hand-glides at a flat field site
with the motor stopped. The most dangerous time for any
down / up
12 / 22
2 / 1
2 / 1
0 / 20
down / up
0 / 10
2 / 1
2 / 1
25 / 0
down / up
6°
10 / 10
1 / 1
1 - 1.5 / 0
1.5 - 2.5 / 0
right / left
45 / 45