Wicked powered Alfa A-4

[Splat762]

Hey Don, moved this discussion here so not to clog up the Tigershark thread in Fomie Jets.

Question about putting that 4000kv in a Alfa fan. I have a 5 blade from a preious Alfa fan, but not the fan. Now if I buy the Alfa A-4 I will have no problems dropping that Wicked 4000kv into the included Alfa fan right? Do I need the 3mm or 2.3mm fan adapter?

I figure that motor in a 5 blade Alfa fan powered by 3 or 4S should make the bird move pretty good.

Splat

[The Don]

The Wicked motor and the standoff were design as a drop fit into the Alfa EDF unit with no mods needed. Here is how to mount it:

http://donsrc.com/EDF_guide.html

Now on 3S the watts on the Alfa 5 blade and wicked 4000 will be about 250 watts which for me is kind of mild. 4S on the Wicked 4000 will be much better and will make you smile. If I were runnign 3S only I would use either the W4800 or W5400 as you will get strong jet like performance with them.

Don

[Splat762]

Well I'm down to one 4S is why I was asking, I have 4 3S batts...so it's either buy another 4S and use the 4000kv I have now or buy another Wicked motor and use the 3S batts I already have...lol.

[Spid]

In my TigerShark Delta I've got Don's 4800 running a 3s and it scoots along real nice. On my Alfa MiG with a 5 blade I'm using Dons 5400 on a 3s and it's great. ROG's off the grass beautifully and flies great. Plenty of thrust and speed. Huge loops, etc... and zips around in the mid 90's.

Take Care,
Kevin

[Flying Frank]

Kevin,
What kind of flight time do you get with you alfa MIG?
Frank

[Spid]

Hi Frank,

I'm getting between 4-5 minutes (depending throttle management) with a 3s TP Extreme v2 2200.

Here's a link to my setup - http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9757468&postcount=4769

Thanks,
Kevin

[Splat762]

I had, key word being HAD, a GUAI Tigershark Delta running Don's 4000kv off 4S 2250's and it had plenty of get up and go.

I'm thinking for the MiG my 4S batts would be hard to fit so I'm leaning more towards getting the Alfa A-4 and using the 4000kv with 4S batts...basically the same set up I had in the Tigershark, just in a new plane.

[The Don]

I had, key word being HAD, a GUAI Tigershark Delta running Don's 4000kv off 4S 2250's and it had plenty of get up and go.

I'm thinking for the MiG my 4S batts would be hard to fit so I'm leaning more towards getting the Alfa A-4 and using the 4000kv with 4S batts...basically the same set up I had in the Tigershark, just in a new plane.

You will be in the 110+mph range on that setup. Be sure to make a 1.8' exit nozzle tube instead of the stock one, it will get you more speed.

Don

[Splat762]

How do you make the exit nozzle Don? Any links or pics I could use as a reference?

Will the A-4 hold up to 110+ MPH? I don't want it to be to much of a rocket like that Tigershark was....it was too hard to control and too twitchy.

[Flying Frank]

Hi Frank,

I'm getting between 4-5 minutes (depending throttle management) with a 3s TP Extreme v2 2200.

Here's a link to my setup - http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9757468&postcount=4769

Thanks,
Kevin

Kevin,
Thanks for the info. :) I figured with Don's 5400kv motor your flights would be shorter but 4-5mins sounds ok...........especially with that much power.
Frank

[Spid]

If I go WOT for the whole flight it's 3 to 3-1/2 minutes. But I usually do some 1/2 throttle passes cruisin around, then punch it straight up vertical throwing some rolls in then back off the throttle and bring it around slow again.

With my flying style I'm getting 4 to 4-1/2 minutes on average. If I just cruised around 1/2 throttle the whole flight I'd get 5 but that's no fun. :)

[Flying Frank]

Sounds like that Mig has a nice flight envelope :) . I already have a LSJS in my alfa A-4 otherwise I would go with Don's 5400kv. I have to go 4S to see the performance your getting and I'm not sure I'd have your vertical punch with the heavier set-up. Enjoy!
Frank

[Flying Frank]

Kevin,
I'm putting together an alfa Mig 15 with your wicked extreme setup. 400watts on a 20oz bird sounds too good. :)
My question is, did you place your esc's heatsink in the exhaust duct or just put it under the cockpit? Hope your Mig is still haulin' the mail. :D
Frank

[Spid]

Hi Frank,

I put it under the cockpit, but if I were to do it again I would put it in the exhaust duct. I did make a little air tube in the top from a straw so I've got some forced air blowing on the ESC. Seems to work fine.

Hopefully Don got a nice video from Sunday with my friend Dave and I recreating "Mig Alley" with his Wattage F86 and my Mig. We had a few nice passes together. :)

[Flying Frank]

Yeah, I'm concerned about throwing my CG off with it in the exhaust duct and whether or not I'll be able to slip the tail section over the protruding ESC. If it won't work in the tailpipe I could just remove the insulation from the heatsink and expose it out the side of the fuselage(it'll be the right color). We'll see.........thanks for the response.

Mig alley video sounds like a blast! Hope to see video. :D
Frank

[The Don]

H
Hopefully Don got a nice video from Sunday with my friend Dave and I recreating "Mig Alley" with his Wattage F86 and my Mig. We had a few nice passes together. :)

Here is the video.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=4jFT1HhS4S0

[Spid]

Nice Don! Thanks!

[Maz]

Sweet Don. We got in some good passes there. Thanks.

[TILEFLY]

You will be in the 110+mph range on that setup. Be sure to make a 1.8' exit nozzle tube instead of the stock one, it will get you more speed.

Don
Hello Don,I just put one of your 5400 motors in my alfa A-4, any tips on how to fab . an exit tube? Im fairly new to EDF ,but this motor is real smooth and I would estimate about 90 MPH.....NICE, especially after 2 bad jetscreams in a row! Any tips on exit tube you could share? Thanks,Richard.

[BARNESJONR]

Cone Layout (http://www.pulserate.com/) is the program you need. It lets you input all the dimensions and angle of the cone and print it out. Do it on paper until it fits and looks right. Then go to Staples or any office supply store and pick up a report folder with the clear over cover? I used a rather heavy smoke colored one. Just tape the paper pattern to it, cut it out, form it and hold it in shape/place with pieces of Blenderm.

Voila!!

[The Don]

Hello Don,I just put one of your 5400 motors in my alfa A-4, any tips on how to fab . an exit tube? Im fairly new to EDF ,but this motor is real smooth and I would estimate about 90 MPH.....NICE, especially after 2 bad jetscreams in a row! Any tips on exit tube you could share? Thanks,Richard.

With no exit tubes guys get 90-95 mph so you are right in the ballpark. You should get about 8-10mph more with the tube. That cone program is a good one to use. I actually draw mine in ACAD then print them on paper then cut them out of the plastic sheet. I use overhead transparancy sheets and I buy them from Office Max, they are like $.60 each (at the copy machine counter, so you have to ask for them) and I like them because they are thin and I have better luck getting them to stay round. For the alfa fan you want a 1.8" exit diameter.

Don

[TILEFLY]

Thanks Jon,thanks Don, sounds simple enough, Im all over it.

[TILEFLY]

Hey guys,My alfa A4 flies great buut I cant get a decent landing without bouncing,our runway is hard dirt,I fly it til it is almost stalled just above the stip then sit it down real light,dont get me wrong Im still moving, but slow enough to touch down,I realease any up ele. upon tuchdownn but it still bounces, 4or5 times before settling,I cant believe the nose stayed on during this last landing. any body else have this prob? any ideas?

[BARNESJONR]

Hey Dicky, check with Rodger and Brent (corsair nut)down your way there. Brent should be able to give you a pointer or two, as he has a lot of experience flying the A4. ;)

[TILEFLY]

flew it a couple of times this evening,had 2 great landings.I just needed to jockey the throttle a bit and flare later than normal due to the low prof. wheels.Thanks

[TILEFLY]

MAN.....I Just LOVE this Dons Wicked 5400,I havent had much success balancing fans but I must have gotten this alfa 5 blade just right, it has zero vibration through all throttle settings,that combined with this wicked motor makes for a very satisfying flying expearance. Another Dons motor is on my things to do list.

[BARNESJONR]

They are smooth!