Airwolf MCT + HeliBoard = Ultimate Airwolf! Full Review Inside

[Lewis]

Does anyone know where to get a Heliboard now?

I would like to see if it will fit in the redwolf.

 

[aussiegav]

Lewis from what l understand there is a slight difference in the electronics between the Airwolf and Redwolf.

Airsupply has made contact with the guy and will be able to give you the details.)

 

[Lewis]

Excellent, thank you.

 

[MP44]

Regarding the Heliboard for Airwolf, I noticed, in looking carefully at pictures and video of heliBoard, that it uses an electrolytic capacitor with the same capacity/voltage rating as the original Daystate circuit board does. That is to say, the original Daystate board and the Heliboard both use an electrolytic capacitor of 2200 mfd, at 62 or 63 volts, yet the Heliboard version is feeding up to 70 volts, or somewhat higher, to this capacitor. Anything higher than the rated voltage of 62 or 63 volts exceeds the specifications for the working voltage of the capacitor, which it can withstand, but such use lowers the life expectancy of that capacitor. It would be much better to use a capacitor with a higher working voltage, of say 100 volts, which would work beautifully for the 70 or more volts being fed to it, and, more importantly, it would increase the life expectancy of the capacitor. Problem with using a higher voltage capacitor, is that it is physically larger, especially in length, so wouldn't fit in such tight spaces on the board in gun, but with some ingenuity, I think it could be done. Anyone care to comment on this?

If you use the board for no more than the factory max FPE, would you need the higher volts that reduce the life of the capacitor? I wanted to get the board so I had the option of running lower FPE, 20-22fpe. I don't even use the factory max, 34fpe IIRC, I only use power 2, 31fpe with 18.1 JSBs. I like the option of more power levels but do not want to risk damaging the electronics.

 

[MP44]

Regarding the Heliboard for Airwolf, I noticed, in looking carefully at pictures and video of heliBoard, that it uses an electrolytic capacitor with the same capacity/voltage rating as the original Daystate circuit board does. That is to say, the original Daystate board and the Heliboard both use an electrolytic capacitor of 2200 mfd, at 62 or 63 volts, yet the Heliboard version is feeding up to 70 volts, or somewhat higher, to this capacitor. Anything higher than the rated voltage of 62 or 63 volts exceeds the specifications for the working voltage of the capacitor, which it can withstand, but such use lowers the life expectancy of that capacitor. It would be much better to use a capacitor with a higher working voltage, of say 100 volts, which would work beautifully for the 70 or more volts being fed to it, and, more importantly, it would increase the life expectancy of the capacitor. Problem with using a higher voltage capacitor, is that it is physically larger, especially in length, so wouldn't fit in such tight spaces on the board in gun, but with some ingenuity, I think it could be done. Anyone care to comment on this?

If you use the board for no more than the factory max FPE, would you need the higher volts that reduce the life of the capacitor? I wanted to get the board so I had the option of running lower FPE, 20-22fpe. I don't even use the factory max, 34fpe IIRC, I only use power 2, 31fpe with 18.1 JSBs. I like the option of more power levels but do not want to risk damaging the electronics.

????

 

[fe7565]

MP44, I believe you can use the capacitor in the heliboard at the factory voltage or even lower. There is (was) a version ("extreme power") with an extra capacitor that seems to have supplemented the main capacitor if you wanted to exceed the factory capacitor's max.

 

[MP44]

MP44, I believe you can use the capacitor in the heliboard at the factory voltage or even lower. There is (was) a version ("extreme power") with an extra capacitor that seems to have supplemented the main capacitor if you wanted to exceed the factory capacitor's max.

Thanks for the reply. I took a leap of faith and ordered the heliboard a few days ago. Since the max power I want is 32fpe I was hoping I could just turn down the voltage and have the max setting equal my desired max.

 

[FredAZ]

That capacitor voltage rating is a problem - the general rule of thumb for longevity of electrolytic caps like the one used is to stay under ~80% of the rated voltage.

The second, higher voltage, cap is not taking any voltage stress off of the larger as that's not how electronics work.



Sounds like the Daystate design is also has marginal headroom - but at least there is headroom. Overvoltage of a cap like this WILL cause them to fail, sometime dramatically.

 

[MP44]

The second, higher voltage, cap is not taking any voltage stress off of the larger as that's not how electronics work.

" Since the max power I want is 32fpe I was hoping I could just turn down the voltage and have the max setting equal my desired max." Is this logic flawed?

 

[FredAZ]

The second, higher voltage, cap is not taking any voltage stress off of the larger as that's not how electronics work.

" Since the max power I want is 32fpe I was hoping I could just turn down the voltage and have the max setting equal my desired max." Is this logic flawed?

Hard to tell what YOUR gun requires for voltage to attain 32fpe so I'm not able to answer you question, but staying under the 63V rating of the bulk cap would be advisable if you seeking to not overstress the device.

 

[MP44]

The second, higher voltage, cap is not taking any voltage stress off of the larger as that's not how electronics work.

" Since the max power I want is 32fpe I was hoping I could just turn down the voltage and have the max setting equal my desired max." Is this logic flawed?

Hard to tell what YOUR gun requires for voltage to attain 32fpe so I'm not able to answer you question, but staying under the 63V rating of the bulk cap would be advisable if you seeking to not overstress the device.

From the factory, my gun is shooting 34-36fpe on power 1. I only shoot power 2, 31.1fpe. IIRC, the heliboard puts out up to 37fpe, which is why I am hoping I can set it on power 12 then reduce the voltage to get the boards max/12 down to the max I want. 

 

[DellaDog]

The second, higher voltage, cap is not taking any voltage stress off of the larger as that's not how electronics work.

So then what’s the purpose of the higher 80 volt cap?

When does it kick in?

(Obviously electronically challenged)

 

[kmd1984]

I haven't had a chance to read the whole thread yet, but I read the last page and this is way too technical for me. : (

Having said that, all I would like to know is, if the HeliBoard (or any other, similar board) can be used to get the same results on a Pulsar!? Would I be able to create 12 power levels on a Pulsar as well?

Thanks,

Kmd

 

[FredAZ]

The second, higher voltage, cap is not taking any voltage stress off of the larger as that's not how electronics work.

So then what’s the purpose of the higher 80 volt cap?

When does it kick in?

(Obviously electronically challenged)

I suspect the pair were chosen to provide as much bulk capacitance as possible within the limited space.

Cheating on the voltage margin allowed a bigger cap which must have been needed so the total energy storage was sufficient.

 

[fe7565]

As of about 2 years ago on the “extreme” board there are two capacitors. First is a 63V 2200uF, and the other one is an 80V 680uF. The two capacitors are connected in parallel so the total capacitance is the sum of the two capacitors. Since one of them is rated at 80V and the other is rated at 63V the maximum voltage used should be for the lowest rated capacitor for the entire circuit (the 63V). I would have to examine the circuit closer to see if the 63V rated capacitor is isolated (and only the 80V capacitor is used in the circuit) when the power is set to "extreme" and calling for a higher than 63V charge. What I read about it that the "extreme" version of the board has a more powerful MOSFET for the solenoid to open at higher pressures and allow up to 50ft/lbs energy.

 

[Souhaib]

Is it available for the new redwolf or pulsar HP 

 

[AirSupply]

This is such a great tread and I’ve leant so much reading through it several times. Through it might be interesting to continue as there is now a Heliboard for the RedWolf HP. I haven’t had mine in for long and am excited about tweaking some settings when I have the time. This is apparently the same as the board used in the pulsar with some small changes. 

Im interested in what the electronically minded think of the capacitors now being used. There are now 3 and they are all physically larger than the stock capacitors on the Daystate board. In fact the cover over the board only just fits now. 

I cant see a voltage stamped on them or is it the 81wj?? 81volts maybe?

 

[fe7565]

Could not find the exact capacitor but looks like 1,000uF and 81 Volts. The Wj seems to be the series marking. I think the Airwolf heliboard had the 2,200uf capacitor. On the side should have the markings.

 

[AirSupply]

I thought it would be interesting to bump up the voltage and see what power was available for heavier slugs. I didn’t think there was anything printed on the sides but could be wrong. I’ll take another look when I have time to take it out of the stock. Thanks for your help.