Northstar, have you converted one to Electric?
04-04-2006, 01:45 PM
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Northstar, have you converted one to Electric?
Has anyone out there successfully converted the Balsa USA Northstar to Electric? Or have one in the works? I have one about 1/2 framed up and would like to go electric, but will need to decide pretty soon.
I know the 10" prop diameter limitations are a challange. You would probably need to spin a 10" about 12K+ to be happy with it. 3 or 4 blades would be possible. Higher pitch props possible?
I would like to use direct drive outrunner, but know they are made for turning large props slow. I was thinking about maybe the 4120 low count AXI would work on 6S. Any thoughts? Will it handle 6S? How fast can they spin? Another brand better?
I'm not apposed to a geared setup. I just don't have any experience with them. Whatever would work best.
Somebody out there must have already been through this and is flying one electric. I have a slimer I can put on it, I just really hate to.
Thanks,
Marty
I know the 10" prop diameter limitations are a challange. You would probably need to spin a 10" about 12K+ to be happy with it. 3 or 4 blades would be possible. Higher pitch props possible?
I would like to use direct drive outrunner, but know they are made for turning large props slow. I was thinking about maybe the 4120 low count AXI would work on 6S. Any thoughts? Will it handle 6S? How fast can they spin? Another brand better?
I'm not apposed to a geared setup. I just don't have any experience with them. Whatever would work best.
Somebody out there must have already been through this and is flying one electric. I have a slimer I can put on it, I just really hate to.
Thanks,
Marty
04-08-2006, 12:24 PM
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RE: Northstar, have you converted one to Electric?
I have been contemplating the very same thing, but keep running into road blocks. Are you planning on just water take offs and landings?
04-09-2006, 08:13 AM
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RE: Northstar, have you converted one to Electric?
Right now just water take-offs. I probably won't put the gear on it.
I have asked Hacker about this project and they are suppose to get me a recommendation next week. They were tied up with the Toledo Show this week.
I'll let you know what they recommend.
Marty
I have asked Hacker about this project and they are suppose to get me a recommendation next week. They were tied up with the Toledo Show this week.
I'll let you know what they recommend.
Marty
04-09-2006, 10:06 AM
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RE: Northstar, have you converted one to Electric?
there's a guy flying a Great Planes Seawind on electric.... it normally flies best with a 4stroke 90 with a 14x6.... he has a EFlite Power 60 outrunner on 6 cells flying it with a 13x8 three-blade..... it outperforms the 4stroke!
[:-]
[:-]
06-20-2006, 10:53 AM
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RE: Northstar, have you converted one to Electric?
Rather than just sitting around, get out and start looking at systems. Check out RCGoups and RCCanada for working systems.
Axi has the 2826 series, the /10 is the equivalent of a .40 plain, and the newer /12 is a .45 equivalent.
I flew a NortStar on a Magnum .45 (OS Max clone) with lots of authority so either of these should work.
Only problem will be where you pack the battery.
Build stock, go for a light finish, and Bob's Your Uncle!
Axi has the 2826 series, the /10 is the equivalent of a .40 plain, and the newer /12 is a .45 equivalent.
I flew a NortStar on a Magnum .45 (OS Max clone) with lots of authority so either of these should work.
Only problem will be where you pack the battery.
Build stock, go for a light finish, and Bob's Your Uncle!
07-11-2006, 02:25 AM
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RE: Northstar, have you converted one to Electric?
There have been a couple of converted Northstars over on R C Groups. You might try searching the Sport Planes forum there.
For more power than an OS .46LA you might try using an AXi 2826/10 on a 4S or 14 cell battery pack. I use one on my Mach II Skyraider on 14-3700Nimh pack. This combo is swinging an APCe 11 X 7 at 10,200 RPM at <45 amps. This is enough to rip a 6+lb. airplane off the runway in short order and climb striaght up.
http://www.dvrc.org/video/SkyraiderBlastoff.MOV
I'm sure that it would do a pretty good job of spinning a 10" prop. You might even get away with a 5S or 16 cell nimh pack.
For more power than an OS .46LA you might try using an AXi 2826/10 on a 4S or 14 cell battery pack. I use one on my Mach II Skyraider on 14-3700Nimh pack. This combo is swinging an APCe 11 X 7 at 10,200 RPM at <45 amps. This is enough to rip a 6+lb. airplane off the runway in short order and climb striaght up.
http://www.dvrc.org/video/SkyraiderBlastoff.MOV
I'm sure that it would do a pretty good job of spinning a 10" prop. You might even get away with a 5S or 16 cell nimh pack.
