cloud_master

Hello Everyone. I've always wanted a pattern, and now I picked one up at the Toledo Show this past weekend. I'd like to convert this to electric power. I did look into some archives and read some posts, but being the plane is old, they were from 6 years ago. My airplane is new in box yet, was still tapped up in the bags.

I'm just looking for any more opinions and ideas on what folks did to convert. I'm especially interested in what took place with getting the motor mount/firewall converted. I saw some folks were running the E-flite 60 motor, some were going with Hackers, some Axis. What ended up being the best combination? I doubt i'll be using this airplane for competition, more than likely just for my own amusement. But you never know.

Thanks for the help in advance.

-Ryan

Gulliver

Here is one successful conversion : http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6707

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

These are general conversion thoughts, not specific to your plane.

Hacker A50-16L is a good 110 pattern motor for 110 size plane. Would use an 18x12 prop. I am using a 14L, not bad on 10pitch prop but think a 12 pitch on that motor will be killer. Need to make sure you have good cooling flow, including a place for flow to exit.

110 size plane is probably 8s, or a higher current 6s. I think pattern guys would do 8, 3d guys would do 6. 6 cells would require different motors that the ones I mentioned.

Power 110 is an awesome motor, but I don't know the battery/prop combo.

So you would use a back mount that comes with the motor. You will need to measure and determine the lenght of motor standoffs you need to get the spinner back to line up right with the nose of the plane.

Find a place near the cg location for the batteries. If you put them on the tank tray, you may be nose heavy. This is the hardest part of the conversion.

Safe rout is to use a rx battery. Many of us use lipo with regulator, but nimh is fine too. You can use bec, but lose safety backup.

Castle creations gas good value esc, easy to use, they've had some issues on the high power stuff but worked through it. I still like them.

cloud_master

I'm not sure this would be considered a 110 size airplane.  I think it would more or less be a 60 size.  It has a 68" wingspan.  Right now, i'm looking at the Eflite 60 motor and their 60 speed control as well.  Not sure on the batteries for that combination as of yet.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

68" sounds like 110 size, so does the name, LOL. I have a 69" yak and a pattern plane with a 70" wing span, both 110-120 size. I also had the Venus 2, think that was 68". Flew OS120AX and YS110FZ on the yak and the Venus.What is the flying weight on the package? 8.5 to 9.5 lbs would be just right.

UltraBob

Ryan,

What Joe said... I really think this is a 110 size airplane.. Either the A50-16L or the Eflite 110 on 8 cells. I'm using the Hacker in my Wind 110 on 8 cells and the Eflite 110 in my Rascal 110 and H9 P47. Either an APC 17x12 or 18X10 work great on both. Good luck to ya....

Bob

cloud_master

Yeah, you guys are probably right in regards to the 110 size.  I'm used to working with the smaller electrics, or my 50cc size gassers.....

So as far as the Eflite 60, sounds like that may be under powered then?

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I did a search of the Dream 110. The link in the first response has a conversion where the guy used a e-flite 60. Every other thread I can find has people using YS 1.10 or similar. I'm sure the Power 60 will fly it, but most of us would probably prefer the 8S setups similar to those mentioned above.

Just for reference, I had an OS120 and a YS110 in the front of my Yak. I just converted it to 8S electric (Hacker A50), and found the balance to be very close. So this kind of setup should fit that plane just right, as far as weight/power/wing loading goes.

cloud_master

Yeah, I hear ya.  I just looked at the E-flite website and printed out the specs on the 60,90, and 120 for comparison.  I definately agree that the 60 would be low on power, and I would not be happy with it.  I have hackers in two of my other electrics, no complaints.  I'll print out the specs on the hackers for comparison.  I do have an A40 downstairs, but looks like that would be lite on power as well.  To be continued......

btw, when you say 8S, your talkin one battery then right?  I only have experience running single 3 S right now. 

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

The 90 could work, and you could find an A40 that would work too. Which do you have?? There are not a ton of 110 sized electric pattern planes out there so I only have my own experience. I have the Sebart Wind, and the recommended setup for that is the Hacker A50-16L on 8S. It is a good setup that works well. You could probably go with an 18x10, and 4000mah batteries to save a little weight, or 5000mah for a longer flight time. I typically use about 3000-3200mah/flight (8min) (and I'm using the 14L and an 18x10)

8S = 2x 4S

Another reference: if you go to 3Dhobbyshop.com and look at their 71" planes, or I think there is a 68" Velox, they have recommended setups. These are for 3D, so they are high current draw, light weight setups. You can find a 6S hacker setup that will work well, but be a bit more taxing on the system. 6S would be one battery pack.

Then you can equate the Hacker or whatever motor to the e-flite series. I think the Hackers run lighter which is always nice.

I think Hacker reps (Mike at Aero-model.com) would recommend the A50-16L, 18x12 prop, and 8S batteries. It would be the most efficient combo (according to him). The 14L is a little more 'wasteful' spinning at higher rpm, but there is more power there too.

cloud_master

What I have is an A40-10S.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Can you post some pics, or at least some specs? If it's a 68" plane and 8-9lb, I'd say 1600 watts min, 1800-2000 would be nice.

cloud_master

I don't have a ton of specs.  I can tell you it's a 68" wingspan.  The assembly manual says an engine range from a .91 2-stroke to a 1.40 4-stroke.  They used a 1.20 Magnum 4-stroke in the assembly pictures.  Unfortunately, that's about all I have.  There isn't a specification page of my manual.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Fair enough. If it says up to a 1.40 4 stroke, I think we are right in the ballpark with these motors and batteries.

What does it suggest for prop? Electrics use bigger props, so if it says something like a 16x8, you'll probably end up with a 17" or 18" prop. Probably range from 17x10 to 18x12.

cloud_master

I don't think it suggests a prop from what I can remember reading last night.  But i agree with your prop range, Hacker's recommendation is right in there for the A50-16L.  That's probably the motor I'll go with.  Next will be deciding on speed control and batteries.  I can get a Eflite 80 controller from the local hobby shop, but the hyperion batteries are too darn expensive.

flywilly

My Feedback: (121)

Hey Cloudmaster,
Just an FYI, I had a Dream 110 a few years ago and powered it with an OS 120ax. It flew great with that engine, but any less power would be disappointing at the very least; so convert accordingly. It is a good choice for conversion to electric as it is (or at least mine was) built quite light for an arf. You will probably want to cut a hatch in the top for battery access, especially since it has a 1-piece wing.
Good Luck!
-Will

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Check out sky lipo from hobbypartz.com. my favorite batteries are rhino from hobbyking.com.

I don't know if you could get away with 4000mah or not, but it would save weight. 20C is all you need for pattern flying.

With the new V2 hacker and good cooling you can run an 18x12. I have an 18x10 on my 14L, 300kv, and the motor is not even breaking a sweat, so I just ordered an 18x12.

cloud_master

Yeah, I think that Nitroplanes has the sky lipos as well.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

They're the same company. Hobbypartz ships from the US, free shipping over $50. Your credit card statement will say Nitroplanes, or whoever it is they do business under.

cloud_master

interesting........  I didn't know that.