Electric Lazy Bee?
12-23-2002, 08:25 PM
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Electric Lazy Bee?
I've got a 40" Lazy Bee that been on the back burner for 3 years now.
I keep going back and forth on powering it. I was originally going to use an OS .15 glow engine, but decided to try electric power. Per Clancy's suggestions, I got a Master Airscrew (05?) motor, gearbox and 7-cell battery packs. I'm determined to finish it up next month, but I'm starting to think that the motor/battery seems to be terribly heavy for this plane and I'm leaning towards glow power again.
I wonder if another motor might not be better-- I note that mostly motors other than the Master airscrew are used.
Another holdup is that I'm not thrilled with the idea of rubberbanding the motor on to the plane and I've not seen a mount for this motor that seems workable.
This is my first venture into an electric plane and I don't want to go wrong.
--Bill
I keep going back and forth on powering it. I was originally going to use an OS .15 glow engine, but decided to try electric power. Per Clancy's suggestions, I got a Master Airscrew (05?) motor, gearbox and 7-cell battery packs. I'm determined to finish it up next month, but I'm starting to think that the motor/battery seems to be terribly heavy for this plane and I'm leaning towards glow power again.
I wonder if another motor might not be better-- I note that mostly motors other than the Master airscrew are used.
Another holdup is that I'm not thrilled with the idea of rubberbanding the motor on to the plane and I've not seen a mount for this motor that seems workable.
This is my first venture into an electric plane and I don't want to go wrong.
--Bill
12-23-2002, 08:54 PM
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Electric Lazy Bee
I've got the 48" extended wing (for electric) Lazy Bee, powered by a geared Astro 05 with 7 cell 1500 mah. It flies fine but if I had it to do all over I'd go with the .15 glow route, although the electric set up is cleaner quieter and less hassle.
My electric set up has limited flying time my longest flight has been about 14 minutes., however I haven't tried different batteries yet.
Desert Aardvark
My electric set up has limited flying time my longest flight has been about 14 minutes., however I haven't tried different batteries yet.
Desert Aardvark
12-24-2002, 02:01 PM
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Electric Lazy Bee?
Like I said, I've been flippity-flopping on finishing this plane to long. Since I have the .15 glow engine and a "proper" 05 motor will be expensive, I'll finish it up with the "slimer" and plan to build another Lazy Bee w/ extended wings later on.
I'll use the Master Airscrew motor in a 100" electric glider I'm working on.
Thanks for the feedback!
--Bill
I'll use the Master Airscrew motor in a 100" electric glider I'm working on.
Thanks for the feedback!
--Bill
12-24-2002, 08:22 PM
#4
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Lazy Bee
Your Lazy Bee should be powered by at least 8 cells. Don't worry about the weight, the extra power more than offsets the weight.
A friend of mine has a 60" Bee using a Kontronic motor/gearbox combination w/ 10 cells. Motocalc predicts at least 70 watts / lb. More than enough to fly that Bee. I quit using those cheap 05 motors and have substituted motors such as Magnetic Mayhems.
They are more powerful, efficient and have replaceable brushes. One can use uo to 10 cells depending on the ratio of the gearbox, and they are good up to and over 30 amps. I have driven mine to 35 amps with only a little sparking.
Good luck w/ yours. Jollyroger
A friend of mine has a 60" Bee using a Kontronic motor/gearbox combination w/ 10 cells. Motocalc predicts at least 70 watts / lb. More than enough to fly that Bee. I quit using those cheap 05 motors and have substituted motors such as Magnetic Mayhems.
They are more powerful, efficient and have replaceable brushes. One can use uo to 10 cells depending on the ratio of the gearbox, and they are good up to and over 30 amps. I have driven mine to 35 amps with only a little sparking.
Good luck w/ yours. Jollyroger
12-26-2002, 03:51 PM
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Electric Lazy Bee?
I've been flying my Astro 05G powered Lazy Bee since the year they came out. It's always a show stopper! Mine's the 48 in version, but the 40 would still do well. If yo haven't built your wing yet (better yet build both lengths) there's no easier wing in the world to extend. I think you'd only need two more ribs and of course the appropriate spars.
If you use the MA motor, power it with eight CP 1700s and fly the heck out of it. It will probably last three seasons.
By the way, I've flown mine on floats with the same power system.
Also, learn power management and trading altitude for energy. With 1700s I regularly get 15 minute flights (longer than most wet guys really fly).
If you really want to get crazy buy on of Astro's new brushless geared 05s; gobs more p[ower and much, much higher efficientcy.
One more thing, I used brass straps bolted to the mounting plate as a motor mount. Nyrod with screws from underneath the mounting plate willwork fine also.
Walt
If you use the MA motor, power it with eight CP 1700s and fly the heck out of it. It will probably last three seasons.
By the way, I've flown mine on floats with the same power system.
Also, learn power management and trading altitude for energy. With 1700s I regularly get 15 minute flights (longer than most wet guys really fly).
If you really want to get crazy buy on of Astro's new brushless geared 05s; gobs more p[ower and much, much higher efficientcy.
One more thing, I used brass straps bolted to the mounting plate as a motor mount. Nyrod with screws from underneath the mounting plate willwork fine also.
Walt
12-30-2002, 02:27 PM
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Electric Lazy Bee?
Just now catching up to RCU messages... I was off for a few days.
I decided to go with glow-power on the Lazy Bee. And I plan to build an electric Speedy Bee in the near future..
Have a great New Year!
--Bill
I decided to go with glow-power on the Lazy Bee. And I plan to build an electric Speedy Bee in the near future..
Have a great New Year!
--Bill
07-02-2003, 01:38 AM
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Electric Lazy Bee?
Say Walt, What specific props are you using? Have'nt bought the motot yet, but getting close. Am going back and forth between the astro brushless 05 or the cobalt 05. Will have to run some calcs to see what prop would work if I can figure out how. Been trying. Have motorcalc but loses me pretty easy. This is my first serious electric other than glider speed 400's so am still trying to figure things out. What I like about the brushless is lighter weight with ample power, I think. I have built both wings. Would appreiciate your comments.
Tack
Tack
07-02-2003, 02:34 AM
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Tack:
the best I an offer you is that I fly my LB on an Astro 05G on 7 0r 8 cells with a 10/7 APCe prop.
From what I've read the Astro b/l 05 w/ planatary g/b would create a truly MONSTER BEE!.
the best I an offer you is that I fly my LB on an Astro 05G on 7 0r 8 cells with a 10/7 APCe prop.
From what I've read the Astro b/l 05 w/ planatary g/b would create a truly MONSTER BEE!.
08-24-2003, 03:15 AM
#9
Electric Lazy Bee?
Sorry I did not see this posting earlier. I have two Lazy Bees, one is glow and the other is electric. I like the nimbleness of the glow version. I love the power of the Astro 05 7turn motor with the gear box. I use the big trexler wheels which makes them look like living cartoons. They are a blast to fly. My electric version started off with an MP brushless motor...the one that replaces a speed 400 and came with a PM jet gear box. I used that with ten KR 600 cells and it was light and quick! Eight minute flights. I switched to the Astro mainly because I like to experiment with different drives. Moto Calc says the Astro motor is a great drive system to use and that program is on the money!
On the other hand......my glow version is a real blast to fly. A .25 Magnum power that little bird. Check out my homepage for more info.
On the other hand......my glow version is a real blast to fly. A .25 Magnum power that little bird. Check out my homepage for more info.
08-25-2003, 03:49 AM
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Electric Lazy Bee?
I fly my 30 oz. kit Lazy Bee w/ an Astro Flight 020 brushless, an 11x7 prop, and a 10-cell KAN 950 pack. She flies awesome and I get about 10 to 12 minutes of slow and go flying. I love it! Getting ready to put the same combo in my new Stagger Bee! Clancy planes are awesome!
thomer
thomer
09-01-2003, 08:53 PM
#13
Electric Lazy Bee?
I just ordered the same KAN 950 cells yesterday. I understand that they will discharge up to 30 amps! Wow. I think that would be enough for my Asto 05 Cobalt......what do you think? I might try the ten cell configuration myself. If you have any suggestions....please let me know. I need to shave off weight by using lighter cells. What about the CP 1300 cells? Just OK or are they worth the envestment?
