R/C Guys 97" Ag Wagon - Electric

[rthorne]

Just received my Ag Wagon from RC Guys (http://www.rcguys.com) this afternoon. I'm going electric on this one. I will probably use an AXI 5345-16 on 12S 5350's. I have this setup on my 3D Hobby Shop Katana and the setup powers it very nicely.

The biggest challenge will be how to get the batteries in the plane. There is a hatch on the bottom where you can get to the wing bolts. I will attempt using this location first Since I have to get in there anyways.

Here's a couple pics with the wings mounted.

Rich.

[rmr24]

Looks good Rich, maybe we can set up some scale power lines for you to fly under!!

Mike R.

[rthorne]

Hi Mike:

I don't think sprayers and power lines mix very well :-).

Kent seems to think I should have it ready to fly by Saturday, I think he's push'n it a bit.

Rich

[Jeffery]

Hated to miss you at the fun fly, Rich. Can't really blame you, I'd have been where you were if I had the chance.

Mike, you guys should have stuck around after the rain, we flew a lot after the crowd left. I bet Sunday was great, but it was so late when I got home after going into town to eat that I just didn't have the get up and go to get up and go.

[rmr24]

Rich,
I am told that when approaching powerlines to look down the line, not straight at them, not sure if that would work with a RC :D

Jeffery,
Yes, wish I would have rode out the storm, still want to see the big EF Extra fly.

Do you have a Katana GS 70 like the boys from Dumas were flying? I have one coming and may need a few tips on mods to strengthen.

Buffalo RC has fly-in next week.

Later,
Mike

[Jeffery]

Yes, I have a Kat 70, but mine's electric. :)

Shoot me a PM and I'll go over my strengthening mods.

[appleflyer]

nice plane rthorne, are you going to put a scale crop dusting system in it?

[rthorne]

nice plane rthorne, are you going to put a scale crop dusting system in it?


I don't plan on it at this time, however, I am going to research the possibilities.

Rich

[appleflyer]

any updates on the build?

[rthorne]

any updates on the build?

I did some basic things like open the servo hatches in the wings and in the rear of the fuse for the elevator servo's.

I decided on a AXI 5345-16 motor and a mount from Esprit Models. I ordered the mount last night and it should be here in a few days. The 5345 is back ordered but my Dad came to the rescue and is sending one to me today. I'll replace his when mine comes in.

Once I get the motor and mount the build will start up and hopefully finish quickly. I don't want to install the tail feathers until the motor is mounted. Its just something to break while I'm trying to drill holes for the motor mount.

I'll take a few pics this evening showing the servo openings and how I plan on installing the battery.

Rich

[Jeffery]

my Dad came to the rescue

He's pretty good about coming to people's rescues :)

[rthorne]

Here's a pic of how I'll install the batteries. This is the bottom of the fuse. This hatch is used to install the wing bolts. I cut the card board tube that the aluminum wing tube will slide through. That will make it easier to get the batteries in and out. A little velcro on the tray and a few straps around the packs should secure them.

I'll install the batteries first, then the wings. I should get 2 or 3 flights per charge so it shouldn't be a big deal to install the batteries this way.

The CG is on the wing tube so I should be able to make any final weight adjustments with these batteries.

Rich

[rthorne]

He's pretty good about coming to people's rescues :)

Yes he is.

Rich

[rthorne]

The motor and motor mount arrived today. I spent this evening getting it mounted.

Rich

[rthorne]

The cowl is now installed. Nice fit. Only problem is the black stripe does not match up with the stripe on the fuse. The kit come with phillip head screws. I used some button head screws I had with nylon washers. I like using hex wrench's instead of screw drivers, they don't strip.

Rich

[Jeffery]

Man, you sure your cowl ain't cocked up a smidge? That'd explain the line...

[rthorne]

Hi Jeff:

Yes its cocked a bit. Before mounting it, I tried it in several different positions and I couldn't get the stripes lined up. So I just lined up the cowl with the motor so I would have the correct clearance for the prop.

I don't think I'll notice it in the air :-)

Rich

[diver don]

Rich,

I too have this guy.

Did your plane have the material to trim around the canopy opening after the door location is cut out included? Can't seem to find mine in the kit.

They discribe it on page 20 of the manual.

DD

[rthorne]

DD:

No, mine didn't have the material either. I didn't plan on using the door so I wasn't too concerned.

When I was at Joe Nall I spoke with Dan Spears (nice guy) about the covering on the plane. He says its very similar to ultra cote cub yellow. At the time I wasn't sure how I was going to install the batteries. If I made a hatch on top I wanted to be able to re-cover it with matching material.

Rich

[diver don]

Rich,

Thanks for the reply.

I just talked to Dan and my trim material is in the mail.

I'll be useing 2X A-123- 10 cell packs.

Turnigy C6364-230

Don

[rthorne]

Rich,

Thanks for the reply.

I just talked to Dan and my trim material is in the mail.

I'll be useing 2X A-123- 10 cell packs.

Turnigy C6364-230

Don

Post some pics during your build. I've always been interested in A123 cells.

After installing the cowl, motor and tail feathers (not glued in yet), the balance point is on the wing tube where it should be. I still need to install servo's, receiver, receiver battery and speed controll, but I think installing the batteries on the tray above the wing tube will be a good spot to finalize the CG.

Rich

[diver don]

Interesting.
Manual calls for the " CG on the wing spar, 4 3/8" behind the LE ( not the fairing).

Wing spar is approx. 5 3/8" behind LE.

Using the spar as the CG, mine balances with the 2- 10 cell A-123 packs pushed up snug to the forward firewall.

Don

[rthorne]

I've been dormant a bit as I was re-thinking the rudder servo location. I originally planned on using the rudder servo tray as my battery tray. However, I was concerned with the additional tail weight if I were to move the rudder servo behind the canopy.

I ended up building a tray above the rudder tray to hold my 12s 5350's. I'll post a picture this evening. There should be enough space so I can cg the plane by placement of the lipo's.

Now that I have the rudder servo and battery tray things should move right along. All I need to do is run the pull-pull wires for the rudder then work on mounting the wing support.

Wings are done and the aileron and flap servo's are functional.

Rich

[diver don]

I put a hatch in the top of mine and I too will add some pix's tonight.

Don

[rthorne]

Hi Don:

Looking forward to your hatch pic's. I wanted to keep the initial build simple, but if it works out I'd like to do a hatch also.

Rich

[diver don]

Here you go.
I designed the hatch to not interfere with the wing strut fairings so the don't have to be removed to remove the hatch.

If I had it to do over again I would move the rudder and elevator servos to the rear a little to open up the area inside.

Don

[rthorne]

Here you go.
I designed the hatch to not interfere with the wing strut fairings so the don't have to be removed to remove the hatch.

If I had it to do over again I would move the rudder and elevator servos to the rear a little to open up the area inside.

Don

Nicely done, how about a shot with your batteries installed.

Rich

[diver don]

I have 2- 10 cell A-123 packs snug against the rear of the firewall.

Don

[rthorne]

Here's a few pics of my completed plane. I still have a little finish work to do, like install the middle wing fairings ( I received two right wing fairings, but Dan from rcguys is on it and sending the correct part).

I used the original location for the rudder servo and then mounted a couple rails and a plywood plate above it to hold the batteries. I also cut a hole in the bulkhead for the wires of my speed control to fit through. I can connect the batteries directly to the speed control without the need for an extension. I plan on installing an arming switch on the plane since I will not be able to access the batteries quickly.

Rich