Predator Brushless 2018 Hop-Up Installation Instructions

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Here's an easy way to install the 2018 Brushless motor making use of fuselage cut-outs which are also important for enhanced cooling in flight.

You'll need a pen, sharpie marker and hobby knife.

(1) Remove the propeller, motor and speed controller. (2) Mark the inlet cut-out as shown and then carefully make the cut using a hobby knife.
(3) Mark the out-let cut-out as shown and then carefully make the cut using a hobby knife.
(4) Note the mounting face of the 2018 motor has two sets of screw holes. The smaller set has the right spacing to match the existing hole pattern in the fuselage. To avoid confusion, mark the smaller hole set with a felt marker. (5) Insert the motor through the new inlet cut-out and align the small hole set with one of the hole sets in the fuselage motor mount.
(6) Add the black motor disk and then using the two small screws, fasten the motor in place and tighten. (7) Insert the included balanced propeller. Propeller Balancing Be sure to use the balanced propeller provided with the hop-up kit. Later you may use other Predator props you may already have that are in good condition after balancing them.
(8) Affix the speed controller (ESC) using the adhesive backed velcro to the fuselage wall near the forward wing post as shown. (9) Connect the ESC to channel 3 of the receiver. Refer to the connection diagram below when using our standard FlyRite RC 4 channel Receiver.
(10) Remove the foam in the nose. (11) Insert the LiPo battery, back end first into the nose and then press down the front end in position as shown.
(12) Test the motor and servo function. Power on the transmitter and set the throttle to OFF. Make the battery power connection as shown. The cable should rest nicely over the servos with plenty of room for the canopy to close. The motor will first chirp 3 times to indicate that it recognizes a 3 cell 11.1V LiPo battery. Then a two tone chirp follows to indicate the motor is armed and ready for use. Refer to manufacturers instructions for the speed controller features and programmable functions. WARNING: Keep hair, face and hands clear of the propeller at all times! Move the stick and confirm the servos move smoothly. Confirm that none of the wires are wrapped around the servo pushrods. Its best to keep the wires off the pushrods. Use tape to secure them if they don't seem to stay put. If there is no response, check the receiver connections. While holding the plane firmly, increase the throttle and confirm the propeller is pushing. If the direction is reversed, swap any two of the three motor wires. That's it! You'll be amazed at what you can do with this much power but be aware of the potential for overheating.
Overheating Information High velocity air flow generated in flight is important to limit the motor temperature. For this reason, avoid running the motor at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) for more than a few seconds with the aircraft fixed on the ground. The new air-flow cut-outs will do a lot to reduce temperatures in flight, however it is advisable to limit WOT durations to 30 seconds at a time and to check motor temperatures periodically. Cooler days will permit longer WOT times than warmer ones. Reduce WOT times if the motor becomes too hot to touch or the ESC pulsates the throttle indicating overheating.

Overheating Information