Electric Power Plants That work

[mnowell129]

Just finished updating G3PO for the Spring Hill fly in. Though I'd report that
the razor 400, with 6.6:1 GWS gearbox, 12x6 APC SF and three cell 1050 apogee battery is a potent combination. 105 Watts on the bench static.
Unlimited near vertical climb. Nice round loops.
Nice powerplant setup. 14 ounces AUW. About 34" total rotor diameter, two blades, 1.5" aerobalsa's.

If anyone is interested I will list all the motor/battery/props I've tried and the results.

mickey

[DBa]

If anyone is interested I will list all the motor/battery/props I've tried and the results.

mickey


Of course we are.

Thanks mickey.

Regards

DB.

[mnowell129]

For starters.

Himaxx 2812-850 outrunner. P10 speed control.
APC 10x4.7SF prop, apogee 3S1P 1050 (10C) or etec 1250 3S1P (12C).
This is an outstanding combination, quiet and lots of power. Current configuration on the BEGI. This is making > 100 watts.

The most previous G3PO setup was a Himaxx 2025-5300 with GWS 6.6 gearbox, Apogee/tanic 2S1P 1050 (10C). APC 12x6SF prop, P10 speed control.
This had a ton of low end torque, enough power to loop the G3PO with a little dive and was the best two cell setup I found. This made a nice cruising around setup and had plenty of pull to get off the ground quickly. On the meter only makes about 75 watts but the big prop made the combo work.

What didn't work to my satisfaction was the Himaxx 2808-1150(?), the little outrunner. It ran great but just didn't have the low end thrust needed to move the big model. It might be great on something that weighs 8-10 ounces. Great little motor, just too small for my application. It was only making about 65 watts.

Continued rule of thumb is that 100 brushless watts/pound or 150 brushed watts/pound gives you very good performance. The razor 400 setup is 105 watts on 14 ounces. It will loop with ease from level flight. Brushless is the way to go. I got by with a brushed motor in the beginning by burning a couple up, but the gyro just takes a lot of power. The razor and himaxx outrunners will fly around level at about half power. That means about 50 watts/14 ounces or 60 watts/pound to fly level. This is about twice the normal estimates for electric airplanes. This really threw me in the beginning because I had a hard time believing that you need that much power, but you do.

more later.
mickey

[mnowell129]

Other motor data:

Razor 300, 7.6:1 gearbox, three cells (Apogee 3S1P 1050), 11x4.7 APC SF, P10. This makes awesome power, over 20 ounces of thrust. 110 watts.
Gearbox is a GWS speed 400 with 76 tooth spur and a 10 tooth pinion from
a EPS350 "D" gearbox. You have to adjust the motor spacing to make the 10 tooth pinion work. I used a bishop power products (www.b-p-p.com) CNC adapter plate that allow the pinion lash to be adjusted. Loops from level flight, etc. with this setup.

Something that wasn't so good. Himaxx 2015-5400, D box, two cells APC 12x6 SF. I was looking for a light two cell setup and this wasn't it. The 2015 just wouldn't turn the big prop. I tried 3 cells and less prop but I just could
never get enough power out of this setup. It would be fine for something smaller. I suspect that one of the lower RPM motors like the 4200 and 3 cells would be fine.

Doug, If you are reading, what motor is in your G3PO? It worked well.
mickey

[DBa]

what about the axi?

DB.

[mnowell129]

what about the axi?

DB.
The only one I've tried is the 2212/34, 3 cells, 10x4.7 APC SF.
This made good power in the same class as the himaxx 2812-850. I think
the himaxx is a little stronger but I'd have to compare side by side.
The axi made a good powerplant. I don't use them because the
himax is the same power for much less $$ and it comes with a motor mount.

I'll try another axi if someone loans me one.

I went back and looked, this was also an acceptable powerplant.
eflite 370-5400, 6.6:1, APC 10x4.7SF, 3s1p

I think what it comes down to is you need around 75-100 watts
into a 10x4.7, 11x4.7, 12x4.7 or 12x6 to fly a 14-16 ounce model.

mick

[David A Ramsey]

Love details! Nice that I won't need to buy a lot of motors trying to find the right combo.

Thanks Mickey.

[mnowell129]

Love details! Nice that I won't need to buy a lot of motors trying to find the right combo.

Thanks Mickey.
You are welcome. Is that your lear in the video on the curtek lighting systems web site?