Electric Gentle Lady

[KDoersom]

Have an old gentle lady kit that I thought about converting to electric. Would like to use a brushless motor and lipo bateries. Just wonder what you guys would use or have used and how you like it.

Thanks
Keith

[screamin' eagle]

Going through this process with an Airtronics Aquila. It's a larger plane than the GL, but I'm using a TP2915 motor from BP Hobbies, a 3s 2100 lipo and 35 amp esc driving a 12x7 prop. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[fraggin]

Just a thought on converting to electric....
Most of the older 2m birds were designed with the intention of using standard size servos. Considering the added weight of a motor on the nose, would it be wise/unwise to scale back a bit of weight by using smaller lightweight servos to strike a balance for the weight added by lipos and a motor?
Also, since adding e-power will get the plane up to a decent height, it can be predicted that there will be no stress applied via high launch or whinch, and less stress to the bird from tosses and landings via hand launch. can the build be modified to cut out some extra weight (strenght) with the idea in mind that each launch will be smooth sailing up to desired height?

Some ideas that come to mind:
Omitting ply fuse doublers.
Shaving weight off bulkheads.
Thinner rib caps
No epoxy and glass on center wing joints
Omit pushrods and use Pull pull Elevator and Rudder.
1/16th bottom sheeting

[Peytr]

I have an old electra (which basically is a GL with a fatter fuse) with an AXI AC2808/24, 10 x 6 carbon folder and 7 or 8 KAN 1050s. Nice small motor so the plane has two standard size servo's on board, but a relatively small RX (MPX Pico 5/6). The weight is just under 900g and the plane flies (and thermals!!) very good.

Fat Lipo's 2S would do nice and reduce weight a bit and give longer running time. Smaller servo's would also be good, but not necessary. Don't try 3S with the 10 x 6 folder and this motor, I think you might fry the motor.

[Ralph Walton]

I agree with fraggin. My great planes spirit had things like steel joiners for the tip panels.carbon tube is much lighter. Make shure you mount the motor with about 10 degrees of downthrust and go for a powerplant with lots of thrust rather than speed (maybee 30 to 45 mph pitchspeed?).
My spirit runs just fine with a nippy black 18/12/100 and 10.5 x 6 aeronaut folder. Climbs are around 50 degrees with authority at 18 amps on a 3s 1p lipoly. I get around 6.5 - 7 mins motor at full throttle, which equals 12 climbs to thermal height. Flights are about 3/4 hour in dead air and I have easily done 100 mins with a few thermals. My motor /prop setup might be a bit speedy for a gently lady but if you went a little bigger dia with finer pitch you could have a winner.
BTW just converted a sig riser recently for a friend. We went for 25 amps on 13 inch prop with pitch speed of a bout 30 mph.static thrust is about 42 oz on 3s1p. It gets 10 climbs at 45 degrees. First riser I have seen fly. I can't believe the way it just "hangs" in the air. Good luck with your project.
Ralph