Cap 580 .40 size

[xurifle06]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has converted the great planes cap 580 to electric? Any one have an idea on a power system that would give this good 3d flying characteristics? thanks for the help

[thunder1]

That model seems pretty heavy at 6.75-7.5. At that weight you'd need a .60 size motor for 3D. You're going to have a high wingloading and that doesn't really add up to good 3D performance.

The setup that Tower recommends is this:
KONG5060-Kontronik 600 Brushless Motor Set
APCQ1506-15x6 Prop for Electric Motors

With a 6s Kokam 3200 pack you should be OK. Heavy, but OK.

THere are a number of really nice ARFs in that size range which are much lighter. The Yellow Aircraft Extra 300S is one that comes to mind.
http://www.yellowaircraft.com/aerobatic/extra30.htm
It's 54" ws, 5 lbs ready to fly with a .32 motor. I'd power that one with an AXI 4130 for extreme 3D performance. Their 54" Su-31 looks nice too.

[xurifle06]

Thanks for the link to yellow aircraft. Those seem like some pretty nice models expecially cause they have 3 in that size range. I noticed after i posted the message about the cap its weight. Does seem a little heavy to me too. Any idea what size battery the Yellow aircrafts would require?

[feathermerchant]

Look here if you want light CAP or Edge:
www.stevensaero.com
They are kits but are really quick building. You'll save lots on the power system too because it will be about half the size.
Threads here:
CAP (55", ~2.5 - 3lb)
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387027
Edge 50"
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=394700

[thunder1]

I think the new 20C Kokam 3200 packs would do very nice. Two 3s packs in series (6s) powing an AXI 4120/18 with a 13x6.5 or 14x7 prop. Total output around 750 watts. Very nice on a 5 lb model.

[Ace in the hole]

I have the matt chapman cap 580 and was thinking of doing an electric conversion on it. I have flown it with a saito 82 and it actually flies quite well for being a plane with such high wing loading. They say this plane can be flown with a 46 but that may be a little small.

Any recommendations on an electric set up? I have several 6s lipos that I would intend to use for this plane, but I could also go up to 8s if need be.

[feathermerchant]

What does it weigh all up with the glow engine? Rule of thumb is 100W/lb for good aerobatic performance. 6S at 50A is good for ~1000W
That's a startring point.

[Ace in the hole]

It weighs 6lbs. 10oz. with the saito 82 out front. So I am looking for at least a 700w. set up.

plane specs-

562 sq. in wing area
right around 7 lbs. auw
28-30 oz. wing loading

recommended for 46-61 2 stroke.

[Ace in the hole]

two of the motors i am looking at are the e-flight power 60 and the axi 4130-16

[feathermerchant]

Either of those would be plenty of power. Do you have room for a 15-16" prop?
The Eflight would probably be better on the 15" and 6S but I have not run one yet.
What do you think it would weigh with the 6S pack?

[Ace in the hole]

15 or 16" prop should not be a problem. I have a 13" on the saito with plenty of room.

As for the weight, well the dry weight with the saito was 6 lbs. 10 oz. with the power 60 and 1 6s 4000 mAh pack should be around 7 lbs. 6 oz., not that much different than when it's loaded with fuel. If I double up the 6s to give me 8000 mAh it would be closer to 8 lbs. 5 oz.

That puts wing loading with 1 pack about 30 oz/sq. ft
with 2 packs it would push 34 oz/ sq. ft

[feathermerchant]

I think you should stick with one pack and a 15X10 to start. Then you can land, cool off, change packs and fly again while the first pack is charging. I think the plane will have more power with that setup than glow.

[Ace in the hole]

I decided to go with the e-flight power 60 and a cc80 controller. I have got it together now and all ready to fly. it may be a while with the weather the way it is around here, but I will let you know how it goes.

It came out with an AUW of 7 lbs. 6 oz. and that was after I had to add 3.5 oz. of weight to get it balanced. With an APC 15-10E prop it is giving me about 810 watts peak and 40A. I am looking forward to getting it in the air and seeing how it compares to my saito 82.

vitals-
e-flight power 60
cc 80 controller
ubec
thunder power 6s2p 4000 mAh

[chris8105]

Did you ever get that bird in the air? Wondering how it flies with that setup. I have a matt chapman cap 580 .40 size in the garage I was thinking about putting e-power in.

[chris8105]

Could a different battery be used? That 4000mah 6s2p thunder power pack ace is using is almost 300 bucks.

[Ace in the hole]

I have had mine in the air several times. Flies great. I keep the flying to 6-7 min. so I don't push the batteries to hard. Every bit as enjoyable as with a saito 82 out front.

As for the batteries, a plane this size is going to need lots of power so you will need big packs. I guess you could try 7s emolis, they would save some money but add weight. I had these 6s packs for my logo helicopter so I did not have to buy batteries.

[3D WARRIOR]

Hey ace is the cap 580 with that set up you have is more then capable of some heavy 3d struff like hovers, blenders, inverted harriars and rolling harriars????? oh do you have any pictures of the plane with like where you put your electric struff in the cap 580 like where do you put your lipo at for the cg? also where you cut the cooling vents at?

[Dennis C]

max amps and common sense rc both have 2000ma packs at a very reduced price,they are a bit heavier than the TP's but good alternatives

for sport aerobatics some of the industrial backs may be good quit a bit heavier but 1/3 the price

check in the battery forum

Dennis

[Ace in the hole]

First let me say I am no 3d expert by any strech of the imagination. I can do some hovering and a little bit of harriar stuff with my profile edge 540 I built but that's about it. This cap is not a real good 3d plane, it's very heavy. Acrobatics is a totaly different thing. This plane will perform just about anything you can think of, alot more than I am capable of I know that. I have been working on my knife edges, flat spins, inverted flat spins, hammerheads, 1/4 point rolls and stuff like that. For that kind of stuff this plane rocks.

[3D WARRIOR]

Thanks for answering my question ace by the do you have any pictures of your electric cap 580 or some video of it in action???????

[Ace in the hole]

Sorry no video, don't have a video camera. As for pics, that would be hard too, can't get that camera to work.