SanJoseDale

I recently finished up converting my old Laser 200 (33%) to electric. I used the Hacker Q80-6l motor, with an 8000 mAH 12S battery. This was an experiment to see if flying IMAC on electric was a viable option for me, I've concluded it definitely is. This motor is really a 100CC size replacement, which is big for this plane, originally designed for 50cc gas. The power is more than adequate, for probably any class short of unlimited. So far, I have been able to achieve 8 minutes of flight time, using only 65% of the available battery capacity, so getting through the Intermediate sequence (my goal) seems achievable.

With this under my belt, I'm now looking for a more suitable plane for this power plant. I have my eye on an Extra, and noticed there seem to be quite a difference in advertised weight between the 3D Hobby offering (22-25 lbs) and Extreme Flight (27-29 lbs), both around 103 inches. My #1 goal is weight. Although I have plenty of power, getting enough battery capacity is key, and these planes will weigh quite a bit more than my Laser 200.

I'm sure there are other choices out there as well, wondering if anyone has some advice on which ones are the lightest. I'm not stuck on an Extra, will consider anything to keep weight down.

Thanks,

Dale

sensei

What weight is your target for this IMAC plane?

Bob

SanJoseDale

Bob, frankly don't have a target weight in mind, just as light as I can get. I know this motor is capable of pulling a 30+ lb plane with authority, but I fear the flight times won't be adequate for 2 IMAC sequences. If I can get something in this size in the 25 lb range, I think it would be great.

More battery = more weight, more weight = shorter flight times....its a vicious circle!

Dale

sensei

LOL. Its a vicious circle is something I understand better then most... If you are willing to build or highly modify an ARF you can easily get to a very low weight in the 35% airframe category. We are talking in the 19 to 23 lb. range and 26.5 to 28 lbs. in the 40% size range of airframes, but your not going to buy an ARF on the shelf at these weights, believe it or not these weights can be achieved in the building process of a Carden 260, or a Dalton 260, or even a modified 35% H9 260.

Bob

SanJoseDale

Building a Dalton or Carden isnt in the cards for me right now, but perhaps ARF mods would be. What kind of mode to the H9 260 are you thinking? Have you first hand experience at this?

Dale

sensei

I do have some experience in this, if you will click the link, it will take you to just a couple of my build threads on page 2, there is one called (just another 260 on a diet), that is the one that covers all the mods for the H9 260. I hope you can use some of my lightening ideas.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...52109249,d.b2I

Here is another link to my 40% Carden 260 build that have allot of lightening ideas.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/card...-260-diet.html

Bob

SanJoseDale

Bob, wow, I see now you are the Sensei of lightening there airframes! Very impressive! Unfortunately I don't posses your skill in structural matters. I'm going to settle for some ARF that I can use with this motor, and get long enough flight times. I seem to be right in the middle, the 50cc models usually around 30% are a bit too small, the 100CC airframes, usually around 36% may be slightly too big, or would need more batteries than I wish to use. I need to find something near 32-33%, maybe 22-25 lbs, that I can fly the sequence with 8000-10000 mAH pack.

still looking.....

sensei

I wish you the very best on your venture.

Bob