cmoulder

Al, which muffler are you using on that 1.60?

I've heard the 1.60 with a Slimline Pitts and it's pretty awesome.

mobyal

Bob --
Mines the Slimline Pitts. Check out the pix at post #234, p. 10.
Al

goplaneman

My Feedback: (175)

What gas engine seems to be the best set-up?

fisher1648

goplaneman,

Since there are so many gas engines on the market these days it's hard to say which is "best". I went with the Brillelli 46 for a variety of reasons. It's light for it's class, fits entirely under the cowl, good price, and they have a good reputation for decent running engines. I have yet to fly the plane with the 46 but so far so good. It's just one of many options out there. I'm not saying it's best but seems to be working for me....

Take care, Eric

goplaneman

My Feedback: (175)

I have a Brison 2.4 (40cc) about 44oz, Should that work OK? without putting a bunch of lead in the tale.

Don M.

My Feedback: (5)

I have a Brison 2.4 and your 44 ozs. is very conservative. The last time I weighed mine with everything you needed to fly, plug, ignition, Slimline muffler and 1100 MAH battery it weighed 60 ozs. Something to think about.

cmoulder

I think the Brison 2.4 should work just fine. No doubt there will be plenty of oomph.

You are going to have a nose-heavy condition using your Brison, as I am when I install the Brillelli. Just be prepared to install the electronics as far to the rear of the cabin as is practicable, and then make a special tray way back inside the fuse for the receiver battery, with the position of the battery tray to be determined after everything else is installed.

If more weight is needed, get a bigger receiver battery or use dual receiver batteries plugged into separate channels. Makes much more sense than adding useless weight like lead.

If this doesn't permit proper CG, make a hatch in the far end of the fuse, under the stab, and put the battery there and run a long extension. I have seen 35-40% models with all their electronics in the tail![X(]

But do keep all ignition related stuff up front -- including the switch -- to avoid any chance of RF conflicts. Probably not likely, but after a lot of vibration who knows what will happen?

mobyal

Hey folks
I have the radio all set up w/ the recommended high and low control surface throws. Has anyone programmed any expo into the throws, particularly on the ailerons and elevator? If so, how much and how does it work?
By the way, mine w/ the elevator servos in the rear, battery and receiver on the cg, OS 106fx, OS aluminum mount, ply 5/8" spacer, ARC 18x8 prop and 3 1/4" Tru Turn spinner appears to balance just about perfect. Maybe even a little nose heavy, which I prefer. The nose hangs about 2" to 3" low when it's "fingertipped" at 4 1/8" back from the leading edge. That sound like it's in the ballpark?
Thanks
Al

cmoulder

For folks due to get their Super Decathlons in the next shipment...

I spoke yesterday with Dan at RCGuys and the shipment is delayed 2 weeks. Dan explained that for whatever reasons the shipper changed the port of entry from CA to NY, and therefore is proceeding to NY via the Panama Canal.

At least they're not going around Tierra del Fuego!

GotSky

To those that are now flying their Decathlon's could you please post what your ready to fly weight is. Also if you have time what gear and motor you are using.

Here is mine
Moki 2.10 (mount, motor and pipe total weight = 49.6 oz or 3.11 lbs)
Bisson Muffler
J-Tec Mount
Elco Dynamics on board glow with 3300 Nick-metal Cell
2x Hobbico HydriMax 6.0V 2000mAh flight packs with dual switches (5.4 oz each)
6x Hobbico CS-160 digital servos HT/HS , 130oz-in torque , 0.14 transit time (2.11oz each)
Dubro Heavy Duty servo horns
Sullivan Tail Wire kit
Dubro 4x40 ball Linkage and wire
Tru Turn Menz Cut 3 1/2 inch spinner
22x6 TF Prop
DuBro 32oz tank
Great Planes Pilot
All up ready to fly weight 16.5 lbs

cmoulder

GotSky, does that RTF weight include the fuel?

Just wondering because I will install the Brillelli 46cc gas and will use a 16oz gas tank plus a 16 oz smoke tank...

...plus 4.5 oz for pump, plus 3 oz for additional plumbing, plus 2 oz for smoke pump battery, 1 oz for extra switch... sounds like I'm getting heavy and I don't yet have the plane![X(]

I'm also using 2 Rx batteries, 6v nicads with separate switches.

GotSky

That is dry no fuel...

dubflyer

My Feedback: (1)

Here is my setup:

Venom 45cc gas motor weight 3.5 lbs incl B&B side dump muffler

7.4 V 2200 MA with 5V regulator for ignition

Smart fly Fiber Optical Ignition TX cut-off switch also wired to external isolaton switch with charge jack

3 1/2" Cermark spinner with 10mm x 1 Nut for Prop Shaft

Bolly 20 x 8 prop...................spinning at 8200 RPM.

5 x HS 645MGs on 1 x Rudder/ 2 x Elevator halfs and 2 x ailerons

Smary fly Power expander pro with single Lithium Ion 7.4V Battery and 5.4 V Regulator. Switch with charge jack.

For Balance............had to make a battery tray and mounting frame for regulator and power expander way back behind back window

H9 1/4 scale Pilot with instrument Panel

550CC gas tank on CG

Balance set at CG

Dubro lite 4" wheels used,

Top window is removeable.

Set throws as per manual for normal and dr with 50% expo on ail+elev and 35% on Rud

Total all up weight dry 16Lbs 7ozs


Will maiden on Sunday Next if the weather holds up.............PICS will follow.

ciao,

Dubflyer

cmoulder

Hmm... I'm not using a power expander, regulators or optical kill, engine weight is about the same, so maybe I can keep it under 17 lbs...

Good thing is, with close to 1600 sq in of wing and not intended for 3D, even 18 lbs should fly just fine, IMHO.

Maybe I'll be the first to find out.

Maybe one of these days I'll assemble a super light ARF. Yeah, right.

sdossett

Hi all.

As winter is moving in and I LOVE this airplane. I am thinking about some scale additions to cockpit. Have the instrument panel from a prior post, anyone care to share pics or details?

Happy Holidays
Scott

fisher1648

I had a very sucessful day and great maiden flight [sm=shades_smile.gif]

The Brillelli 46 is a great match and more than enough power - it flies with authority but not overwhelming. Although, too much throttle on take-off can really torque it over so ya gotta be on the rudder if using lots of power. In the air it's very predictable and slows down good for easy landings.

Overall I'm very pleased - cant wait to put some hrs on this one !!

See ya, Eric

PS - the scale buffs will probably note that the instrument panel is a little small but I'm going for "Fun Scale"

cmoulder

Congrats, Eric! The performance sounds exactly as I was hoping for, a bit draggy but with plenty of giddy-up!

Super sharp-looking job. I can't wait to get mine. When you get a chance, could you post some pics of the innards, i.e. where the ignition/batteries went... Rx battery and receiver location, etc.

Thanks.

sdossett

Good going Eric.
The black foam does give the interior a nice cleaned up look. I'm gonna get me some of that!
Congrats on getting her in the air.
Scott

fisher1648

Scott - now that you mention it the fake floor does look like foam. It is actually painted sheeting. It's painted with that faux stone spray paint.

Bob - I'll take some internal pics soon. I need to do a good inspection to see if anything is coming loose and while the panels are off I'll snap a couple pics.

cmoulder

Thanks, and no huge rush on the pics. I'll be lucky to get mine before Christmas.

My thinking is that with the same engine I should be able to get something close to the same layout, with the smoke and fuel tanks on CG, with the pump and battery balanced a little fore and aft of that. The fuse looks roomy, but I know everything is not gonna fit on CG!

Just hoping your receiver and battery are toward the rear of the cabin...

fisher1648

I did a good inspection and everthing stayed-put !! Nothing vibrated loose. Normally, there is something that ends up not where it was originally placed [X(] It's kind of hard to get a good shot of the guts but these should show the major components. It's nicely nose heavy as it is now. I'm using 2ea 1400mah, 5-cell packs for the radio and a 4-cell 1400 mah pack for the ignition.

I made the rear window removable to acess the rcvr/batts.

I still need to weigh it but I'm guessing 16.5 lbs or so. It flies like it could easily handle the extra weight of a smoker system - even at my altitude of 5k ft. I've got a smoker system in my big extra 300 and love it. The Decathon would really look good smokin too !

cmoulder

Good pics! Nice, clean layout.

Hmm... looks like lotsa room in the belly under that tray where the tank is located. Maybe the smoke pump and battery will fit there.

Is your fuel tank 20 oz or 24 oz? Got my fingers crossed that two 16 oz tanks will fit side by side there.[X(]

Ditto on the two NiCd Rx batteries. I was gonna get the lithiums and regs, but I've got the NiCds already and they will provide plenty of flying time and redundancy as well.

Glad nothing came loose. I know what you mean about that, having seen screws and all manner of stuff come loose, or having the hot glue vibrate right off of major stuff, like the wing tube housing. I once heard something rolling around inside a fuse and discovered a diode that had fallen off a regulator (MPI!), so now I inject a little epoxy into the ends of those things.

It's a good feeling to come back home after a day like yours with everything still solid and the linkages firm. Job well done!

fisher1648

Bob - it'a a darn 24 oz tank - kinda big but I had it on-hand so I used it. I'll downsize next time I'm shopping - or not...I kinda like knowing I have plenty of fuel.

I think you should be able to find plenty of room for the smoke gear - it will be worth it !!

I'm a bit paranoid about things vibrating loose lately...I almost had a Brison 3.2 come off the firewall - the mounting bolts all worked out about 1/4-inch on a flight. I also loose canopy mounting bolts - locktite or not. I am pleased with the low vibration of the Brillelli. Everything was hign-n-tight after three flights

Also, the engine ran like a top - didnt even have to touch the needles - starts easy, throws a 20X8 well, couldnt ask for more.

It was a good day for sure ! Looking forward to many more...

Eric

cmoulder

Hey, OK with me about it being a 24 oz -- makes my two 16 oz tanks seem workable!

But that will indeed give you a lot of flight time, especially when the Brillelli has had a couple of gallons through it and lean it out a bit. Just puttering around the sky you could probably stay aloft for a half hour. Eventually, try a Pete's Models 21x8 carbon fiber prop on there and see what you think. Best one I've used yet with the B46. Those TBM's are pretty good props as well.

I have a little issue with the muffler that I'll have to work out. When I had it on the H9 Extra the stack was too long so I hacked it off, and for this plane it needs to be longer, so I'll have to figure out a way to add the length back.[]

Bob Byrnes

Who is flying that plane ??? Get a pilot bust in there.............. Glad to hear you have had a success with your plane. Mine is well along to being ready now, but, the winter has closed in here and so I think it will be a spring time first flight. Best Regards to all for Happy Holidays and ........dare I say it ..........Merry Christmas......