Lithium battery handling & usage, Decisions you must make, Radio equipment & electronics – Great Planes Synapse EDF ARF - GPMA1870 User Manual
Page 3: Speed control, Motor

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6. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not fl own this type 
of model before, we recommend that you get the assistance 
of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for your fi rst fl ights. 
If you’re not a member of a club, your local hobby shop has 
information about clubs in your area whose membership 
includes experienced pilots. 
We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality, 
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the 
quality and fl yability of your fi nished model depends 
on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way 
guarantee the performance of your completed model, 
and no representations are expressed or implied as to 
the performance or safety of your completed model.
Remember: Take your time and follow the instructions to 
end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.
LITHIUM BATTERY
HANDLING & USAGE
WARNING!! Read the entire instruction sheet included with 
the battery. Failure to follow all instructions could cause 
permanent damage to the battery and its surroundings, and
cause bodily harm!
• ONLY use a LiPo approved charger. NEVER use a NiCd/
NiMH peak charger!
• NEVER charge in excess of 4.20V per cell.
• ONLY charge through the “charge” lead. NEVER charge 
through the “discharge” lead.
• NEVER charge at currents greater than 1C.
• ALWAYS set charger’s output volts to match battery volts.
• ALWAYS charge in a fi reproof location.
• NEVER trickle charge.
• NEVER allow battery temperature to exceed 150° F (65° C).
• NEVER disassemble or modify pack wiring in any way or 
puncture cells.
• NEVER discharge below 2.5V per cell.
• NEVER place on combustible materials or leave unattended 
during charge or discharge.
• ALWAYS KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE
This is a partial list of items required to fi nish the Synapse ARF 
that may require planning or decision making before starting 
to build. Order numbers are provided in parentheses.
Radio Equipment & Electronics
The Synapse ARF requires a transmitter that supports elevon 
mixing, a micro receiver, and two micro servos (9g or less). If 
you already have a transmitter you are going to use to fl y the 
Synapse, you can get the receiver and servos separately:
❏
Futaba R114F 4-channel FM micro receiver w/o crystal
(low band - FUTL0442, high band - FUTL0443)
❏
Futaba FM single conversion receiver crystal for R114F
(low band - FUTL62**, high band - FUTL63**)
❏
Futaba S3114 micro HT servo (FUTM0414)
Or, you can purchase a complete system (including transmitter) 
specially packaged for park fl yers. If purchasing a complete 
system, the Futaba 3FR Skysport (FUTJ53**) single-stick 
radio is suitable. It comes with a micro receiver and two Futaba 
S3108 micro servos. The transmitter is also equipped with a 
rechargeable NiCd battery pack.
A lithium-polymer battery pack and suitable charger are 
also required. Although there are different battery packs and 
chargers available that will work with the Synapse ARF, the 
economical choices recommended by Great Planes are:
❏
Great Planes 11.1V 910mAh LiPo 20C Discharge
(GPMP0605)
❏
Great Planes ElectriFly DC Lithium Polymer Charger
(GPMM3010)
❏
Great Planes Equinox
™
Cell Balancer (GPMM3160)
Note: The Great Planes 11.1V 1250mAh 20C LiPo with 
balance connector (GPMP0609) will also fi t inside the radio 
compartment of the Synapse. The 1250mAh pack will result 
in a forward C.G. position, and the 910mAh pack will provide 
a more aft C.G. position.
Speed Control
A brushless electronic speed control with BEC (Battery 
Eliminator Circuitry) is required. The BEC allows both the 
motor and the radio system to be powered by the same 
battery (thus eliminating the on-board receiver battery). The 
Great Planes Silver Series 25A Brushless ESC 5V/2A BEC 
(GPMM1820) is recommended.
Motor
For optimum performance, the Great Planes 20-40-3500 
Ammo Brushless Motor (GPMG5140) is recommended. If 
you plan to use the Great Planes Silver Series 25A Brushless 
ESC, you will also need to purchase the Great Planes Bullet 
Adapters 3.5mm Male/2mm Female (GPMM3122).
