Brushless LiveWire

[Dunc]

Just re-motored my (Wattage) LiveWire with a Hacker B20 brushless motor.

Boy, does it go. Take off in <10ft and vertical climb on 2/3 throttle! :D :D

Have had to put in what looks like "extreme" side and down thrust; about 3 degrees side thrust and 4 degrees downthrust.

Much more than any of my sport planes have. Is this normal for "3D" planes?

I want to now make a new mount with that side and down thrust built in (to the mount) so want to check before I start.

Dunc

[Dunc]

Anyone help me on this one????!!! :confused: :confused:

Dunc

[latch66]

That is an unusually large amount of down and side thrust for any plane. I usually only have to put in about 2 degrees of right thrust. I don't have that airplane, so I don't have personal experience to go from.

I would make sure your incidence is correct. That amount of down and side thrust may be hiding another problem.

If your incidence is OK, then I'd fly the plane and not sweat it.

[Dunc]

Thanks latch66, was just wondering if a "3D" plane needs greater down and side thrusts than a "pattern"/aerobatic plane?

[latch66]

No, it shouldn't.

Some people prefer to have their 3D planes more tail heavy than a standard Pattern plane, but the thrust directions should not be any different.

[Dunc]

Got it. Thanks.

[Dunc]

Update on this model. It was bought as a testbed for my brushless Hacker which was eventually destined for a MiniFlash or Tantrum. However, I just can't bring myself to retire it as it flies so very well.

Just set it up with a LiPo battery - a Thunder Power 2100 3s and it is what flying is all about, according to me!!:D :D

Last weekend it cruised past at what seemed to be walking speed with both flaps (flaperons) deployed, goes vertical following a takeoff lasting a few feet and hovers on 1/3-1/2 throttle.

Just posting this as I know the LiveWire had taken a pasting at some time (DeadWire!, although that may have been referring to the stock set-up, which still worked OK for me).

Certainly with the B20 Hacker and GB and the LiPo cell it's fantastic.

The original 800mAh Wattage battery pack weights around 125g, the second pack, 9 x KAN950s was around 200g and this LiPo is about 127g

While it went well on the KANs, they were a bit heavy. The whole aeroplane now weights 500g, and for me is ideal.

This is the first time in e-flight that I have an electric plane that genuinely compares with IC power. My others fly well enough, for electric! This competes with anything, silently.

[latch66]

Great! I'm glad everything has worked out for you.

Sounds like you've got a winner there.